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Botched hair transplant surgeries continue to rise

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The rates of botched hair transplant surgeries continue to rise.
Doctors or technicians claiming to be successful hair restoration surgeons boast of their qualifications, abilities, and certifications. They claim you can have double the grafts all in one session. Best of all, you can have it for a steal of a price. This colorful narrative attracts desperate patients seeking a more affordable hair transplant option.
Unfortunately, if it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. These inexperienced, unqualified doctors trick patients suffering from low self-esteem into compromising their hair transplant results.
Inferior qualifications, lack of experience, and absence of medical regulations abroad equal a recipe for disaster for hair transplant patients. Victims of botched surgeries are often left with unsightly scars, infections, and graft survival failure.

You can reduce your risk of becoming a botched hair transplant surgery victim by researching, asking questions, and weighing the cost-benefit analysis.
Below is a list of questions to ask your potential hair restoration surgeon during a consultation:

  • How many years of experience do you have transplanting hair?
  • Do you use a machine or hand tools to assist you in extracting and placing grafts?
  • What size punch tool do you use?
  • Do you have any before and after pictures?
  • Do you have any testimonials?
  • Are you certified by the ISHRS?
  • Will you be the one actually performing my surgery?
  • What percentage success rate do you have for graft survival and overall successful outcomes for hair transplant surgeries?

Keep in mind that doctors in countries other than the U.S. are not held to same strict medical standards. Getting your surgery abroad greatly increases your risk of having a botched surgery.
Here at Modena, we’ve helped many botched patients restore their hair. If you’ve been the victim of a botched surgery, give us a call for a consultation today.

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How to prepare for your hair transplant consult

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So you’ve decided you want to find out more information about hair transplant surgery. Consultations are the best way to find out more about hair restoration procedures. Most importantly, consults are how you obtain hair transplant price and grafts quotes.
Make sure you get the most out of your consult by preparing for it.
First, do your research.
Make sure that you’ve researched your potential hair transplant surgeon. Are they qualified and experienced? Are they certified by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons? These questions will help you ensure that you’re placing your hair in the right hands.
Additionally, your surgeon should have plenty of before and after photos as well as reviews. These will help give you an idea of their skill ability and what outcomes may be possible for you.
Second, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
There are many methods and techniques in the field of hair restoration. Will your surgeon be doing the procedure by hand or machine? Will the doctor be present throughout the procedure or will a technician be doing the work? What size punch tools will be used? What is his/her success rate for graft survival in hair transplant surgeries? These questions will shine light on the doctor’s process and inform you what to expect.
Third, consider the cost-benefit analysis.
Cheaper is not always better. While a lower price for hair transplant surgery sounds ideal, you often get what you pay for. Most cases of botched hair transplant surgeries come as a result of cutting costs (via traveling abroad for surgery or choosing someone with inferior credentials). While you may save money in the short-term, you’ll end up spending more long-term to fix the botched surgery.
If you’re ready for a hair transplant consult, give us a call today!

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The benefits of a high protein diet

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Did you know your body is composed of proteins? Proteins make up your organs, tissues, bones, and even hormones.
Proteins are essential to proper bodily functioning. If an individual is protein deficient, they are likely putting their body through havoc.
Don’t put your body through hell! Make sure you’re eating plenty of protein-rich foods. The DRI (dietary reference intake) recommends individuals eat at minimum 56 grams of protein per day. If you are active or have fitness goals, you should be eating closer to your body weight in grams of protein per day.
If you’re unable to get in enough protein foods, you can supplement with protein shakes. Protein shakes are a great way to reach your protein consumption goals.
Below is a list of high protein foods that are easy to incorporate into your diet.
Beef – 22g protein
Chicken – 21g protein
Bone broth – 20g protein
Lentils – 18g protein
Salmon – 17g protein
Black beans – 15g protein
Eggs – 7g protein
Yogurt – 9g protein + gut health!
Almonds – 5g protein
Benefits of eating high-protein
Boost muscle mass – protein is made up of amino acids which are the building blocks of muscles. The only way to grow them is to grow your intake of protein. When you work out your muscles through weight lifting and exercise, your muscles tear and repair. Protein fills in these tears resulting in increased gains.
Help manage weight – protein is the most filling macro nutrient. Stay fuller longer and provide your body with better fuel by consuming lots of lean proteins.
Stabilize blood sugar levels – carbohydrates require lots of insulin to break down during consumption. This influx in insulin can cause undesirable side effects. Protein on the other hand, require little to no insulin to break down.
Improve mood – proper levels of protein mean proper levels of hormones.

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Aloe for healthy hair

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Looking for a natural way to get healthy hair? Pure aloe may be your best friend.
Pure aloe vera comes from the aloe vera plant. It’s an all-natural resource that has a multitude of benefits. From calming skin irritation and sun-burns, to aiding digestions, aloe vera is a great natural remedy.
Recently, aloe vera has shown to have hair benefits as well. When applied to the scalp, aloe promotes hair growth, nourishes the hair follicle, reduces inflammation and swelling, and calms scalp irritation.
Why is aloe so beneficial?
Aloe contains amino acids, proteolytic enzymes, antifungal, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as a plethora of nutrients. This nutrient concoction stimulates hair growth, improves overall scalp health, and helps hair grow longer and stronger.
How can you reap the benefits of aloe?
Pure aloe vera can be found at your local health foods store in plant, extract, or supplement form. While all methods benefit the body, you’ll want to use the pure plant or bottled extract methods to reap the hair benefits.
Once you have an aloe gel concentrate, you can combine it with other hair-healthy oils to create a super-hair concoction. Great oils for your hair include castor, avocado, and sunflower oils. Combine the aloe and oil of your choice and apply to the scalp. For added benefit, try warming the oil using the hot water submersion method, and massage the aloe-oil serum into the scalp for 3-5 minutes. This warmed serum massaged into the scalp increases blood-flow and circulation, which improves hair health and stimulates growth.
How often should you use aloe?
Aloe is safe and effective so it can be used as much or as little as you like. To see desired hair results, you should utilize aloe at minimum once a week. To see faster results, apply the aloe serum before every wash.

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I’m only 19, why am I balding?

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This is a common question we receive here at Modena Hair Center. Many individuals, men in particular, wonder why they are experiencing balding in their teenage years or early 20’s.
Balding at an early age can cause confusion and embarrassment. While most men experience balding as they mature into their 30’s and 40’s, it is not uncommon for men to experience balding as soon as they become adults.
The age at which men experience balding is highly influenced by genetic factors. If the men in your family experienced early balding, you are likely to suffer the same fate.
While genetics play a big role, it is still possible for you to bald at an early age without having a family history of the trend.
Luckily, noticing your hair loss early on is beneficial. Men are more likely to notice and deal with their hair loss if it impacts them at an earlier age. Dealing with hair loss at the first sight of symptoms is the best way to reverse hair loss while also preventing continued and future hair loss.
Dealing with hair loss in the early stages
When hair loss is noticed in the early stages, it is more likely to be reversed. Additionally, the individual’s effort is more likely to prove successful at warding off future hair loss.
When you notice hair loss right away, you have likely caught the condition before the hair follicles have died. This is great news because once a hair follicle dies there is no bringing it back to life. That means that once that hair follicle dies, that hair loss is permanent.
If you catch the hair follicles before they have died, you can utilize medical management methods to restore your hair, reversing the hair loss. Examples of effective medical management tools are medication, topical solutions, specialized shampoos, laser therapy, and PRP therapy.
These medical management tools can not only help to reverse recent hair loss, but will prevent future hair loss as well. This prevention will be the key to maintaining and protecting your hair.
If you’re experiencing hair loss and would like to find out more about your options, give us a call for a consultation today.

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Steroid injections for hair loss

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One hair loss treatment method is steroid injections. This targeted hair loss approach is used on patients suffering from a specific type of hair loss known as alopecia areata.
Alopecia areata is a condition in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles causing hair loss. Much is still unknown about this type of hair loss. What is known is that naturally occurring antibodies are mistaken as foreign antibodies and programmed for destruction.
Individuals suffering from alopecia areata usually present with clumps of hair falling out. This leaves round bald patches across the scalp. Others may experience sudden diffuse thinning across the scalp, while others may experience hair breakage.
It is common for alopecia areata patients to notice their symptoms come and go. The hair loss may be permanent or non-permanent, depending on genetic history factors.
An effective treatment for alopecia areata is cortico-steroid injections. With this type of treatment, steroids are injected directly into and near the balding areas. The steroids boost the immune system’s defensive capabilities and allow the hair follicles to withstand destruction. While this treatment method isn’t always effective, it’s the most common and effective treatment for alopecia areata at this time.
One other treatment for alopecia areata that has shown some effectiveness is Rogaine (minoxidil). Rogaine works to stimulate the hair follicles promoting strength and growth.
If you think you may have alopecia areata, you should meet with an experienced and qualified hair restoration surgeon who specializes in the medical management of hair loss. A simple exam and hair analysis will determine if you have this condition.
Feel free to contact us today and schedule you medical management consultation.

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The benefits of pet ownership

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Did you know that owning a pet is good for your health?
Not only do pets provide you a source of unconditional love, but according to recent research out of State University of New York and by the CDC, owning a pet boosts mood, reduces stress, and wards off illness.
Below we delve deeper into the many benefits of having a furry friend.
Decreases stress. Researchers found that individuals did better and reported lower stress levels when performing stressful tasks with their pets as opposed to with friends or family members.
Lowers blood pressure. Having a pet has shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension in high-risk patients. Dogs in particular have special blood pressure lowering abilities.
Eases aches and pains. Chronic pain such as arthritis and migraines are often not helped by prescription medications. A more natural remedy may prove beneficial. Pets reduce anxiety which in turn reduces pain
Lowers cholesterol. Pets are heart-healthy. Those who own pets have significantly lower cholesterol than those who don’t.
Improves mood. Probably the biggest and most direct benefit of pet ownership is an improved mental and emotional state. There’s a reason pets are used for therapy. They help ward off depression and ease anxiety, in addition to bringing laughter and joy to your life.
Helps your social life. Dogs in particular increase the amount of time individuals are out in public. You have to take your dogs for walks, to the dog park, and partake in training activities, all opportunities for socialization.
Prevents strokes. This one’s for the cats. Cat owners are 30% less likely to have a heart attack. An added bonus: cats and dogs help with recovery from strokes and heart attacks.
Prevents allergies and improves immunity. If your kids suffer from allergies, getting a pet can help. Doctors say that the more pets children have, the less allergies they have as adults.

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Scalp scar repair

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We often see patients for consultations who are dealing with the effects of having a scar on their scalp. Thankfully, there are hair restoration options to restore and repair scalp scars.
When you have a scar on the scalp, whether it’s from a hair transplant surgery or an unrelated traume, there is often a lack of hair growth in or around the scar.
The scalp is similar to the skin in that it is made up of layers of dermis. When the tissue is damaged for whatever reason, there is often damage deeper down than just what we can see on the superficial layer. Part of this deeper damage effects the hair follicles that reside there, causing a lack of hair growth.
In addition to hair loss in or near the scar, another side effect of scalp scars is scar tissue. Scar tissue is what gives scars that scar-like appearance. Your genetics, healing history, and time all play a role in the severity of your scar tissue. While scar tissue may lessen over time, generally, scar tissue is here to stay.
Hair loss coupled with scar tissue can leave many individuals feeling insecure about their scalp scars. Regardless of the cause of your scar, there is hope to restore a normal scalp and hair appearance.
Hair restoration techniques such as FUE hair transplant surgery and scalp micropigmentation allow individuals to conceal scalp scars with hair or hair-like coverage.
The FUE hair transplant surgery method to repair scalp scars is similar to the standard FUE hair transplantation procedure. Grafts are extracted from a healthy donor area (often the back of the scalp) and are transplanted into the scalp scar. The hair follicles are able to grow healthily and naturally in the scar area.
Scalp micropigmentation or SMP to repair scalp scars is a unique method in involves pigment being applied to the scalp in a dotted hair-follicle appearance. This method is ideal for those with a buzzed or a shaved hair style.
If you’d like to learn more about these methods for scalp scar repair, give us a call for a consultation today.

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The benefits of getting a good night’s sleep

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Sleep is one of the most important body functions you experience. During sleep, your body restores, resets, and repairs.
Getting an adequate amount of sleep is a key factor in living a healthy lifestyle. Not only does it allow your body to conduct important functions, it helps your mind and mood as well.
With so many benefits, it’s hard to believe that most individuals don’t get enough sleep. After all, who doesn’t love a good snooze?
Unfortunately, due to busy lives, adults in general are not getting enough sleep. This habit could be causing your aches, pains, mood swings, and halting your body from conducting some of its most crucial functions.
Most doctors recommend getting 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. While this task can be easier said than done, we’ve compiled a list of a few reasons why you should prioritize a good night’s sleep.

  • Improves memory – during sleep your mind strengthens and practices memory skills.
  • Helps you live a longer, happier life – research has shown that those who get adequate sleep live longer and are happier.
  • Prevents inflammation – inflammation is linked to a plethora of diseases. Studies have found that those who get less than 6 hours of sleep a night have more inflammatory proteins in their body.
  • Sparks creativity – want to bring more creativity to your job and life? Get more sleep. This benefit has to do with memory which helps spur the creative process.
  • Improves stamina in the gym – studies have been conducted that evaluated athletes who got 8-10 hours of sleep versus those who got less and found that those with more sleep performed better on the field.
  • Helps you keep your grades up – those who have trouble sleeping are more likely to struggle with learning. Keep your brain sharp by sleeping more.
  • Allows you to sharpen your attention – lack of sleep can cause similar symptoms as ADHD. Keep your focus by focusing on sleep.
  • Maintains a healthy weight – did you know your body burns fat while you’re sleeping? It’s true. Metabolism is processed during sleep. This means that not getting enough z’s can keep you from your weight goals.
  • Lowers stress – it’s no secret stress contributes to illness. Keep yourself healthy by getting a good night’s sleep.
  • Wards off depression – not only does sleep improve your mood, reduce anxiety, and curb irritability, it provides increased emotional stability as well.
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I’m not happy with my hair transplant results. What are my options?

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We get many patients who come for consultations from other hair transplant offices seeking second or third opinions on their hair transplant results.
These individuals are often unhappy with their results and want to know what their options are for fixing their hair and restoring their happiness and confidence.
The first step in evaluating your hair transplant results, is to establish a timeline.
How long ago was the surgery?
Timeline plays a big role in hair transplant recovery and being able to determine the results.
The next step is to establish a history.
How many grafts were transplanted? Where are the donor and recipient zones? What were the goals of the hair transplant surgery?
This information is crucial to gauging what, if any goals were met.
Once you have this important information, you can begin discussing and exploring options.
If the surgery was botched, meaning you have undesirable results such as bad scarring, no graft survival, or increased hair loss, you may need another hair transplant surgery. While this isn’t something anyone wants to hear who just spent thousands of dollars on a hair transplant surgery, this may be what is required in order to fix your botched surgery and provide you with a satisfactory and acceptable appearance.
If it’s too soon to tell, you may need to hang tight and wait a few more months. Sometimes, after just a couple of months, individuals feel that they are not experiencing the growth they should be given the circumstances of their surgery. While this may be the case, hair growth cycles differ person to person, and it may be too soon to tell if your surgery was indeed botched or if your hair is just taking a little longer to grow.
If you are concerned about the results of your hair transplant surgery, and want to get a second or third opinion to explore your options, give us a call for a consultation.

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The “IT” hairstyle for men this summer

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Every summer, we get a handful of new “it” men’s hairstyles. They range from more trendier styles, to more vintage-inspired throwbacks.
While most men typically stick to one general hairstyle for a long time, there can be benefits to switching it up.
A new hairstyle means a fresh and stylish look. And an added bonus: it makes you look more youthful too.
Take a look through this summer’s “it” styles and pick your summer ‘do.
Skin fade
This look is bold and playful, yet simple.

 
Hair designs
Trendy and young, these are the go to for the younger generation.

 
Undercuts
It looks like undercuts are here to stay. This vintage style is as fresh and relevant as ever.

 
Short slick-back
This style consists of shaved sides, a short back, and a slightly longer front to slick back.

 
High taper
Short is always in style. Visit your local barber to get a smooth-polished look.

 
Buzzed taper with a line up
This style looks best when done professionally. This look is clean and polished and never goes wrong.

 
Pomp
You’ll need lots of product to keep this pomp looking good in the summer heat.

 
Short cut
Too busy to style your hair? This style requires no work and always looks good.

 
Side part
This style is classic and slick. The part is highlighted with the longer hair on top so you have that fresh-cut look longer.

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Skin-care tips for the busy

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Everyone wants beautiful, glowing, healthy skin. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to attain.
Luckily, thanks to these tips from top dermatologists, it doesn’t have to be.
Take care of your skin in your free time. It can be hard to find time to devote to your skin. Instead of trying to carve time out of your busy schedule, multitask. Skin-care products like masks and moisturizing hydration serums can be applied while you’re stuck in traffic or working on the computer.
Give yourself a facial massage. Not only are facial massages relaxing, they help fight wrinkles as well. Simply apply pressure to areas you tend to hold tension. These areas are prone to forming wrinkles. Common areas are the forehead, temples, inner eyebrows, and the outside of the nostrils.
Hydrate from the inside and outside. While its true that water will hydrate your skin from the inside out, you also need to moisturize from the outside in. creams, serums, and deep moisturizers will hydrate the superficial layers of the skin.
Shower in luke-warm water. Hot water can be too much for the face. Try luke-warm water instead.
Wear all the sunscreen. Sunscreen not only prevent from sunburns, it protects against sun damage like dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and even wrinkles. Don’t forget to apply to the neck, chest, and hands as well. They’re exposed to the sun just as often as your face.
Use hydrocortisone to counter-act swelling. If you’ve got a big event coming up and are plagued by swelling, you can use hydrocortisone cream to reduce the swelling. Just be sure not to make a habit out of it.
Utilize light acid peels at home. Acid peels are now available as wipes, moisturizers, and lip polishes. They’ll help you freshen up in a pinch.
Never rub your eyes. Treat your eyes with love and care. Be gentle with them!
Use your lips as a moisture guide for your face. If your lips are dry, chances are your face is too. As soon as you feel your lips getting chapped, apply a hydrating cream to your face.
Stock up on the fatty-acids. Starchy carbs like bread and rice can wreak havoc on your skin. Opt instead for foods like avocado and salmon which are rich in omega-3’s and fatty acids.

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Does hair color determine density?

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A question that comes up often is whether or not hair color plays a role in things like density, thickness, and eventually, hair loss.
While some people believe the lighter the hair color, the thinner the hair and less density coverage, this isn’t exactly the case.
Statistically, we see that those with a lighter hair color generally have thinner, finer hair. While those with darker hair typically have thicker hair strands. This has to do with the amount of melanin in the hair. The more melanin present in the hair strand the thicker it is.
One important thing to note regarding hair color and hair type, is that hair thickness or fineness and hair density or coverage is not the same thing. Hair thickness refers to the individual hair strands and how thick or thin they are. Hair density refers to the amount of hairs covering the scalp.
This is important because while we see those with lighter hair having finer hair strands, they tend to have a higher hair density.
Based on this information, there is no direct link between hair color and lack of density or eventual hair loss. While you can utilize trends regarding hair color and thickness and density to inform you about your possible hair type, there is no evidence suggesting that hair color is any indication of density or hair coverage.
More likely, your hair’s density is dependent upon your genetics. If your parents or grandparents have experienced progressive thinning, diffuse thinning, or have naturally low density, unfortunately, it’s likely you will as well, as hair traits are highly genetic.
While you can’t change your genetics, luckily, there are many options to help maintain your hair’s density and prevent it from thinning further. If you’d like to learn more about these options, give us a call for a consultation.

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Herbs for hair growth

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There’s a reason so many body-care products like shampoos, lotions, and soaps contain natural herbs. Herbs are enriched with natural nutrients that are beneficial to our bodies.
Best of all, using natural, organic ingredients in your body and hair-care product reduces the risks and side effects that come with using chemical-filled products.
Herbs can be used to benefit hair specifically by moisturizing, conditioning, restoring, soothing, cleansing, and even stimulating hair growth.
Below, is a list of the most beneficial herbs for your hair and how to implement them in your daily routine.

  • Rosemary – rosemary promotes hair growth and keeps hair healthy. This herb is full of antioxidants which are free-radical fighters. This wards off grey and thinning hair. Rosemary revitalizes hair by increasing shininess, bounciness, and softness. Additional benefits of rosemary are soothing scalp irritation caused by itchiness or dandruff. You can utilize rosemary in your hair care routine by doing a rosemary rinse, making rosemary oil, or using store-bought rosemary serum.
  • Nettle – while itchy when you run into them in the wild, this herb is rich in vitamins A, C, K, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. All of these vitamins and nutrients are great for your hair. Nettle benefits your hair by stimulating the scalp via improved circulation. Additional benefits of nettle is reducing oil-production, adding volume, and increasing the strength of your hair. You can use nettle safely on your hair by making a DIY nettle tea and apple cider vinegar rinse or drinking nettle tea.
  • Fenugreek seeds – fenugreek seeds are full of natural proteins as well as vitamin C. Protein and vitamin C are two nutrients essential to healthy hair and hair growth. The seeds work great as a conditioner due to their viscosity or ‘mucilage.’ Benefits of fenugreek seeds are softer, bouncier hair that is easier to manage. The seeds work great as a rinse, mask, or conditioner.
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Stress and hair loss

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Do you suffer from high stress levels?
If so, your stress could be causing your hair loss.
Stress has been linked to 3 main types of hair loss: telogen effluvium, trichotillomania, and alopecia areata.
In patients with telogen effluvium, hair follicles are converted back into the resting phase, which causes the follicles to stop producing and growing hair. Additionally, current hair growth can fall our during brushing and washing.
Trichotillomania is less common and has to do with a stress response wherein patients pull at their hair. Excessive pulling of hair shocks hair follicles and can cause them to stop producing new hair growth.
Alopecia areata is more common and can be caused by many things, not just stress. In a patient with this condition, the immune system identifies hair follicles as foreign bodies and attacks them. This of course, causes hair loss.
If you suffer from any of these 3 types of hair loss, your stress levels may be to blame. If you have just begun noticing hair loss, you may be able to reverse it with stress management and lifestyle changes.
Effective methods of stress management include talk or behavioral therapy, yoga, exercise, meditation, and dedicated relaxation time, just to name a few. Each method works differently for everyone, so don’t give up if one method doesn’t work for you. Keep trying until you find the best outlet for your stress.
Effective stress-minimizing lifestyle changes include a healthy work-life balance, setting boundaries with relatives, friends, and your employer, utilizing public transportation, and establishing a routine.
If you have been experiencing hair loss for some time, your hair follicles have likely died off. Once a hair follicle has died there is no way to bring it back to life. But, all hope isn’t lost. You may be a candidate for hair transplantation. Feel free to read up more on that here.

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Botched hair transplant surgery – don’t let it happen to you

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Botched hair transplant surgeries are on the rise. A botched hair transplant surgery refer to an unfavorable end result of a hair transplant surgery. It can mean a botched scar from an FUT/Strip procedure, a botched recipient zone with little to no graft survival rate, or extreme permanent shock loss due to a hair transplant mega-session.
According to Dr. Yazdan, patients that come in for a consultation to repair botched hair transplant surgeries done elsewhere has increased dramatically over the past 5 years. He states that when he first began transplanting hair about 10 years ago, fixing botched hair transplants made up an extremely small sample of his patients. Now, resolving botched cases accounts for almost half of his active surgery patients.
While there are methods to help repair botched hair transplant surgeries, such as scar revision/repair, scalp micropigmentation, and additional hair transplant procedures, it is much easier and more cost-effective to have the surgery done right the first time.
Botched hair transplants have damaging and lasting effects. Not only do they cause patients to spend double or triple what they would have if their first surgery was successful to fix their hair, but the valuable donor area of the scalp can be permanently damaged. This damage means that even a corrective surgery may not be possible.
In order to protect yourself from becoming a victim of a botched hair transplant surgery, make sure to thoroughly investigate your future hair restoration surgeon. Make sure to also educate yourself on standard hair transplant practices. Knowledge will be your best line of defense in preventing a botched surgery.
Here at Modena, we are experienced in correcting botched hair transplants. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a botched hair transplant surgery, give us a call for a consultation today.

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Hair loss procedures to avoid

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Many individuals who are experiencing hair loss may not yet be ready for a hair transplant surgery.
A large portion of balding individuals fit into this category. Many women, those with diffuse thinning hair loss, and young men who have just begun balding discover they are not candidates for hair transplantation at this time.
Thankfully, there are many other hair restoration options available to them. Prescription medication, over the counter topical medications, specialized shampoos, laser therapy, and PRP therapy, to name just a few.
Upon consultation with an experienced hair restoration surgeon, the best course of treatment can be determined for your specific type of hair loss.
But with all of the great, safe, and effective medical science advancements we’ve had in the field of hair restoration, there has also been some not so great, not so safe, and not so effective hair restoration techniques that have become available.
Below is a list of some hair restoration procedures you should avoid. These procedures have not been shown to be effective. Rather, they’ve been shown to cause more damage than good. Keep in mind that while minimally invasive, hair restoration is still a medical procedure. Safety and effectiveness should be held as top priorities.
Hair flap procedure. The hair flap procedure is a serious medical surgery done in a hospital setting. It involves partially cutting a portion of the scalp on each side of the head. The scalp is still attached to the head on one side. The unattached sides are twisted and rotated so that the hair-filled piece of scalp is now covering the area of baldness. The scalp is sewn done in this position. The problems with this procedure are many, but most importantly, an unsightly ‘knot’ or ‘bulb’ is left to scar over on each side of the head. This is not cosmetically appealing. The patient trades in severe and visible scar tissue for a few more strands of hair. Additionally, this procedure is dangerous and not recommended by experienced U.S. hair restoration surgeons.
Linear graft transplant. This procedure involves transplanting grafts in a trench technique. The doctor or technician extracts grafts through scalp incision and transplants them in trenches created across the hairline and scalp. While this method is easier on the surgeon or technician, it leaves behind long scars across the scalp. Additionally, the end result does not look natural or appealing because hair doesn’t naturally grow in straight trench-like lines.
Square/Round graft transplant or Hair plug transplant. Hair plugs or square/round graft transplants are an outdated way of transplanting hair. This method produces an unnatural plug-like grouping of hairs across the scalp.

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Saw palmetto for hair loss

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Saw palmetto is a plant with small berries found in nature across the U.S. For years, it was used by Native Americans as food and medicine. It is believed that saw palmetto treats hair loss, bladder infections, and enlarged prostates.
Evidence on the effectiveness of saw palmetto for hair loss is limited. But the initial research and reviews are promising.
So how does it work?
Saw palmetto may block the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. If you are unfamiliar with DHT, DHT is responsible for scalp hair loss in many individuals. You can read more about DHT here.
Saw palmetto works similarly to prescription medications that work to block DHT, such as finasteride.
If you are interested in trying saw palmetto, you can find it in four different forms: whole dried berries, tablets, liquid extract, and powdered capsules. The research studies that have been done used tablet and capsule forms of the natural medicine in their patients.
Due to the increased research on saw palmetto for treating hair loss, there are now some shampoos and conditioners that contain the plant extract.
Because of the side effects of saw palmetto, you should be cautious of drug interactions. Because the natural remedy acts similarly to finasteride, therefore the two should not be taken together. Additionally, saw palmetto may cause the blood to thin which causes increased bleeding. Make sure to inform your doctor before any procedures or new medications are prescribed.
Should you use it?
Saw palmetto may be a great natural remedy option to halt hair loss and promote hair growth. This plant extract works similarly to finasteride but is not as strong as the hair loss prescription drug.
Don’t expect a miracle. If you have just recently begun noticing hair loss or thinning, then saw palmetto may be a good option for you. But if you’ve been experiencing hair loss for some time, the plant extract is unlikely to be beneficial. Remember that once a hair follicle dies, there is no bringing it back to life.
For those with prolonged hair loss, you may need to take a more aggressive course of action. Read up on alternative methods of hair restoration here.