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Male Hair Transplant Repair Success Story

January 20, 2021 admin Leave a comment

An incredible new entry has just been added to Modena’s male hair loss success stories!

Diagnosis: FUE transplant + Repair – Age: 43 – Sex: Male – Grafts: 1977

In the following presentation, Dr. Amir Yazdan documents the beautiful cosmetic results of a 43-year-old male undergoing an FUE hair transplantation to repair a poorly done previous transplant.

The patient came to Modena Hair Institute with a prior hair transplant that looked inconsistent, withered and sparse. After strategically and artistically placing 1,977 grafts around the scalp you will notice the dramatic cosmetic improvement. Better hair direction, consistent hair growth and a thicker hairline.

Dr. Yazdan is an expert in correcting the appearance of bad hair transplants resulting from poor craftsmanship and sub-optimal techniques. Poorly executed hair transplants are psychologically disastrous for patients. FUE and FUT procedures demand an extremely high level of skill, experience and knowledge on the part of the physician.

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Can I Grow My Hair Back Without a Hair Transplant?

January 7, 2021 admin Leave a comment

You’ve read the title – it’s a question we get from time to time from potential patients who might have been told miracle stories or are just generally curious. To get straight to the point, there are very effective and scientifically-backed hair restoration products, such as Rogaine, Propecia and GroMD Shampoo and Conditioner – but these admittedly great products are mainly employed to slow hair loss and stimulate slight growth.

The short answer is no. There aren’t really any non-surgical options to grow your hair back in a comprehensive and thick way. Hair transplantation – meaning the transplantation of hair grafts from places on your scalp that grow plenty of hair to those balding or thinning spots you worry about – is the only effective way you can permanently combat hair loss.

This fact, however, doesn’t stop a lot of commercial clinics from trying to sell you on non-invasive hair growth treatments. The market has seized upon the fact that hair loss is a highly sensitive reality for both men and women. Promises of ‘hair growth’ are slapped on to everything from coconut oil to dry shampoo brands.

Patients can often spend thousands of dollars on treatments and products that do little or nothing to stimulate hair growth. Here at the Modena Hair Institute we’ve looked into many of these options and even battle tested a few of them. We are in the business of helping our patients achieve a full head of hair and are willing to try anything new that seems promising. And sometimes, new methods come along that are worth trying out.

This has been the case with using platelet rich plasma injections (PRP). We have seen incredible results in offering PRP to our hair transplant patients. Ultimately we believe nothing compares to a hair transplant performed by an experienced specialist. Most patients who try other options eventually arrive at the same conclusion. Why waste thousands of dollars trying to take what seems to be an ‘easier’ route if it results in greater hardship? It breaks our heart to hear patients tell us how they feel they were misled. How thousands of dollars that were wasted could have been spent on permanent restoration instead.

Perhaps part of the problem is that the word ‘surgery’ is not quite the right term when it comes to medical hair restoration. It’s not even close to being a surgery in the sense that most people imagine it. There are no hospital gowns, no doctors in scrubs, no scalpels or (visible) scars. Your hair restoration procedure, while lengthy, feels more like a long stay at your hair salon than a medical procedure. You recline, you watch TV, you chat with your surgeon and otherwise pass the time. Every once in a while, you change position depending on what area is being worked on. After all this, you go home and spend a few days watching some more TV, taking care not to disturb your new hair grafts. That’s it. The rest is just a bit of patience until your new hair grows in.

Your recovery takes one or two days at most, although some people take time off from work for a week to ten days so as not to invite any questions about the small red dots on their scalp. Once these miniature dots scab over and fall off, no one will see that you had anything done. Over the next few months the change will be so gradual that no one will realize what happened. Except that you will start hearing that you look great.

Save yourself the time and money and disappointment of trying to coax your hair into growing with lotions, potions, and other miracle cures. Instead of trying non-surgical hair loss treatments that don’t work, find out if you’re a candidate for hair transplantation and go straight to the solution that works. To get started, see our virtual consultation module.

Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.

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The Six Most Common Causes of Hair Loss (and their treatments)

January 4, 2021 admin Leave a comment

Male-pattern baldness – ie. genetics – may be the most talked about and dreaded of hair loss types, but there are many other causes that lead to hair loss.

Board-certified Southern California hair transplant surgeon, Dr. Amir Yazdan, regularly sees patients who suffer from many different types of hair loss, and it’s not uncommon for patients to be surprised at their diagnoses. The internet can be a rich source of opinion and information – but it can never accurately assess and diagnose a unique and personal hair loss situation. To get to the root of one’s hair loss problem, you need the expert eyes and technical prowess of a specialist in person.

The most complained about cause of hair loss is male pattern baldness, also known as hereditary hair loss or androgenic alopecia, as it frequently causes visible signs of loss and impacts about 70 percent of all men in the United States. But there are also five more to watch for if you’re wondering what is causing your hair loss.

Androgenic alopecia: This cause is typically identified by its predictable pattern of progression. In men, loss appears as a receding hairline and a bare patch on the back of the head. Women typically experience increasing overall thinning. A hair transplant that gathers healthy grafts from loss-resistant areas of the scalp and fills in areas where too much skin is showing is a common and effective method for combatting this problem.
Hormonal imbalances: Major fluctuations in body chemistry can trigger hair loss, and many of them have to do with significant life events, such as getting pregnant, giving birth, or entering menopause. While those are all women-focused hormone shifts, men go through a transition known as andropause. Fortunately, a shift may be due to something as simple as diet. Unfortunately, testosterone, estrogen, and other chemicals may be off-kilter due to any of a variety of medical conditions, including thyroid problems.
Medical conditions: Autoimmune diseases like lupus can account for hair loss, making a medical diagnosis particularly important in many cases. Most hair-loss-causing health conditions, such as diabetes, also have other symptoms, so a doctor should consider the patient as a whole when determining the cause of loss.
Infections: Ringworm – a fungal infection that doesn’t actually involve worms – can cause hair to fall out if it develops on the scalp, and it’s not the only skin condition that can lead to bald patches. In the case of infections, usually no hair transplant is needed, a good antibiotic will do the trick.
Medications: Chemotherapy is the most obvious example in this category. Natural growth typically resumes after the treatments resolve, whether they’re regular doses of chemicals to fight cancer or herbal remedies intended to help with pain.
Traction alopecia: Hair that is styled in a harsh way. Most common among African American men and women who tie their hair into tight braids. Men who have hair long enough to put into a ponytail or wear a similarly pulled-back style may lose hair to the act of gathering the hair together and tugging it tight into a band.

Treatments (for each type of hair loss)

For androgenic alopecia, non-invasive therapies may slow the progression of hair loss, but only a hair transplant will provide permanent (ie. decades) coverage and relief. FUE or FUT are the gold standard. In hair transplantation, hair follicles are taken from areas of the scalp that are resistant to androgen and transplanted into areas that are androgen dependent.

Remember (!): The aesthetic effectiveness of the hair transplant varies depending on the expertise, experience and ability of the surgeon.

For hormonal imbalances, infections and medications invasive surgery is usually not needed, as when the imbalance clears up so does the robustness of the hair growth cycle. Instead, topical treatments like Rogaine or orally ingested Propecia are two non-surgical methods of treatment that help slow the rate of hair loss and to promote fuller hair growth.

For traction alopecia, choosing the right treatment plan will depend on whether or not the damage to the hair follicles is reversible. Upon first noticing the effects of traction alopecia it is necessary to put into practice looser hair styling practices. It is at this stage that we recommend a potent cocktail of Minoxidil and GroMD shampoo and conditioner. Both of these potent medical therapies serve to block DHT (the hair follicle killer) and enhance blood flow to the scalp. Minoxidil is an over-the-counter topical medication.

Research has indicated that the majority of men who use the medicine consistently demonstrate a deceleration in hair loss and a re-growth of miniaturized follicles.

GroMD products are also boosted with Saw Palmetto, Stinging Nettle and Licorice Root Extract, all DHT blockers found in nature. This product also contains caffeine and menthol to dilate the blood vessels around each hair follicle for improved circulation. Ultimately this therapeutic program will stimulate dormant follicles and allow vital nutrients to reach every hair strand.

If hair follicles are permanently damaged, however, they will no longer be able to grow new hair. At this point, hair transplant surgery will be the best way to restore normal coverage.

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Global Hair Loss Summit 2020

December 22, 2020 admin Leave a comment

Despite the heavy public and professional restrictions caused by the Covid-19 virus, research in aesthetic surgery has not slowed down. Distinguished surgeons, professors and research scientists working in the field of hair restoration have gathered this month for the Global Hair Loss Summit to communicate findings and discuss technical and scientific revelations. The gathering was held virtually – with practitioners from over a dozen countries tuning in.

The goal of the Global Hair Loss Summit is to bring together the best of the best in the world of surgical hair restoration. The summit seeks to contribute to the education and improvement of physicians and other practitioners who currently work in surgical hair transplantation or are seeking to.

As part of the founding faculty of the Global Hair Loss Summit, Dr. Yazdan was invited to deliver a lecture on Botched FUE and Robotic Device Repair (as seen above). The purpose of the lecture is to educate doctors on the technical details and processes involved in what is considered to be the gold standard of modern surgical hair transplantation – to clarify misconceptions and codify best practices.

Moreover, robotic device repair is a topic that our institute has covered a number of times in the recent past, as it continues to be one of the most pressing controversies in the field of contemporary hair transplantation. Over harvesting, unnatural-looking results, permanent damage to the scalp or donor area – these devastating outcomes happen more often than people assume. The two major drivers behind the robotic FUE hair transplant boom, we believe, is the great financial incentive that it can bring to an aesthetic clinic and the lack of experience needed to operate the machinery.

Surgical hair transplantation, as with any kind of serious and invasive surgery, requires years of training and experience to master. And even with many years of experience, not every FUE specialist can rise to the highest caliber of precision and artistry necessary – that demands complete devotion and technical study married to consistent results and a deep understanding.

The ultimate end and aim of a hair transplant is a natural looking hairline. When it comes to graft extraction and placement, the operating surgeon must accurately reproduce what nature produces. Robotic devices are not yet capable of reproducing nature in the way a human hand is. Such devices are often used in ‘assembly line’ clinics that simply do not meet the personalized gold standard of FUE and FUT procedures. The highest levels of FUE surgery demand keen handwork and true artistry, requiring a type of subtly that a robotic mechanism is inherently incapable of producing.

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Transgender Hair Transplants

December 8, 2020 admin Leave a comment

What does it mean to transition? It is a journey that often seems to have a hazy “starting point” and an end point that can feel like a moving target. Familiarizing yourself with your options is a good way to make the process feel less daunting.

Transitioning often entails significant changes in many different areas of one’s life – social, medical and legal. In the physical sense, however, the process reaches its zenith with transgender hair restoration. Correcting the hairline is the crowning mark of either the feminization or masculinization of the individual. The hairline is the first and most striking detail others notice, so it’s important that a hair transplant surgeon of the highest level of artistry and technique design and execute that scheme.

Every transition is unique. For male-to-female (MTF) transgender patients, the central objective is often rebuilding a thinning hairline or maintaining existing hair using transgender hair transplants and non-surgical treatment options. A typical feminine hairline is lower, flatter, and rounder than a natural masculine hairline. Dr. Amir Yazdan can perform a transgender hair transplant and recreate the shape of a female hairline using the same surgical techniques and technology as any other hair restoration procedure – FUE and FUT being the most commonly employed.

For MTF transgender patients who have already suffered significant hair loss, Dr. Yazdan can fill in bald spots and create thicker hair while also producing a more feminine hairline during a comprehensive transgender hair transplant procedure. Once patients have achieved their desired look using hair transplantation surgery, Dr. Yazdan offers a variety of hair loss prevention methods designed to help his patients keep their hair for years to come.

Unfortunately, patients who receive hair transplants are not immune to future hair loss and MTF transgender patients will need to utilize a multi-faceted restoration approach to ensure they maintain their fuller, thicker hair. With platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) or low-level laser therapy (LLLT), as well as the use of prescription medications like Rogaine and Propecia, Dr. Yazdan can help his MTF transgender patients incorporate a daily routine that combats the effects of baldness for beautiful, thick, natural hair.

On the other hand, female-to-male (FTM) transgender hair restoration is usually much less involved and tend not to require hair transplantation surgery to achieve a more masculine appearance since they are not as susceptible to hair loss, although Dr. Yazdan can certainly perform the procedure as needed. Minimally invasive hair loss prevention treatments and hair loss medication are the main recommended options for FTM transgender patients who want to ensure they maintain their natural hair well into the future. For FTM transgender patients, obtaining a defined and full beard is often the main focus of their treatment.

We offer facial hair transplants to help our patients supplement the results of their hormone therapy by thickening mustaches, filling in beards and improving sideburns. During facial hair transplant surgery, Dr. Yazdan uses the FUE approach to only remove as many follicular units as are necessary to achieve the patient’s desired look. Dr. Yazdan chooses the source of the grafts with precision to ensure they can accurately replicate and match the look of the existing facial hair growth for truly seamless results. Another warning to the consumer-patient, a great amount of technical and artistic skill is needed during facial hair transplants to accurately sculpt a realistic beard, so choosing a highly qualified specialist is imperative.

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What to Expect After an FUE Hair Transplant

December 7, 2020 admin Leave a comment

Patients can always expect successful results from an FUE transplant procedure when performed by an expert hair transplant specialist, but it takes some time for the results to be obvious. During the early stages of FUE recovery, patients may notice that hair is actually lost from the treatment site. This is a normal process called shock loss. Although hair may fall out, the follicles remain in place and new hair will eventually grow. Most of our patients notice the first signs of new hair growth about three months after their FUE hair transplant. About three months post-surgery, patients can expect the hair to have grown to about a quarter of an inch. Although this hair is thinner and shorter than it will ultimately grow to be, it should make a significant difference in a person’s appearance. Finally, the patience and investment saved up for months has paid off. The scalp starts to thicken.

Hair growth at three months provides our patients with a pretty good glimpse at the new shape of their hairline, but it is still only a hint at the final results of treatment. Beyond three months, the hair will continue to grow longer and the texture of the hair should also improve. By three months into FUE hair transplant recovery, incision sites should be completely healed. Patients should no longer have any scabbing or obvious signs of inflammation or irritation. Our patients can expect FUE hair transplant to result in some scarring, but the scars are so small that they will hardly be noticeable. Even with the hair being as short as it is three months into recovery, it is highly unlikely that anyone would look at an FUE hair transplant patient and be able to distinguish their scars.

Once our patients are three months into their recovery process, it is easy to care for the scalp and hair. At this point, the hair can be washed as normal. Any physical activities that were restricted during the early stages of recovery will have been lifted by now. The only precaution that continues to be important is protecting the skin from harsh UV rays. We advise patients to wear a hat or sunscreen to protect the scalp whenever they are outdoors.

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Shedding Hair After a Hair Transplant

December 4, 2020 admin Leave a comment

As you’ve probably learned by now, the newly implanted grafts a hair transplant patient receives will typically shed between two weeks and two months after the procedure. The follicles on the scalp will be in what is called a ‘resting phase’, appearing dormant and minuscule, so patience is required. Aesthetic splendor is only a few months ahead. Also known as “shock loss”, it is perfectly normal to shed your transplanted hair following an FUE hair transplant. New hairs will quickly grow in their place over the coming months. Why does hair shed after surgery? Hairs have a growth cycle, split into 3 stages – growth, transition and resting phases. The resting phase is the time when the roots shed their hairs. Hairs can move into the resting phase following the trauma of surgery. The main traumatic events the hairs goes through during the course of hair transplant surgery are: the hair follicle being cut away and disconnected from blood supply, the hair follicle being re-implanted back into the scalp, and lastly, the surrounding hairs being affected by incisions and anesthetic.

After a hair transplant, the implanted follicles and the attached hairs will stay in their new place for 1- 2 weeks. The follicles in this period will start to switch into a resting phase and will then begin to shed their hair. This shock loss can start as early as 10 days following transplantation. It can last up to 12 weeks. This process of hair shedding is expected and does not represent the scalp “rejecting” the implanted hairs.

Some patients may notice that hairs that haven’t been transplanted can shed after a hair transplant. The risk of shedding non-transplanted hairs is increased if someone has a large number of thin or miniaturized hairs that sit in-between newly implanted hairs. Like transplanted hairs, these native non-transplanted hairs shed because their follicles also move into a resting phase following the trauma of surgery. Shock loss of non-transplanted hair can occur from 2 weeks following surgery but can also occur months later. This process, although rare, self-resolves. And all hair that has shed should regrow.

Unfortunately, there is no proven way to reduce the risk of shock loss following surgery. However, patients can safeguard against future loss via topical or medical management. The two most popular and proven non-surgical hair restoration modalities are Propecia (Finasteride) and Minoxidil. Propecia significantly reduces DHT, a key cause of hair loss, by inhibiting the formation of DHT in your scalp. This prevents hair loss and thickens hair in many men. Minoxidil is a solution or a foam you can apply to thicken areas of thin hair. It also helps to prevent hair loss and can be used to help quicken the growth of hairs that have shed during shock loss. You can read more about these two modalities in our medical hair loss treatments section.

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Dandruff or Dry Scalp?

December 4, 2020 admin Leave a comment

Last week a young man with a thick head of hair, aged 23, came into our hair restoration clinic in Orange County desperately seeking clinical help. The problem? Although he had a beautifully full head of hair, it was riddled with white flakes. He said he didn’t know where else to turn. That he is in extremely good physical and mental shape, minds his fruits and vegetables, and always practices good hygiene. His personal and professional life cause him no undue stress and he rarely, if ever, doesn’t get a full nights rest. At first he thought he suffered from a temporary bout of dandruff, but as the weeks turned into months turned into years, the presence of white flakes only grew larger and more numerous. Giving up on styling his hair because it would result in chunks of white flakes clumping up on the top and sides of his head, he turned to wearing baseball caps and beanies almost everyday.

It’s clear: the problem our young friend suffers from is dry scalp.

While both dandruff and dry scalp display similar symptoms, they are very different in nature, and require different treatments. Dry scalp usually stems from a lack of moisture in the air. Colder and drier climates often cause the scalp to suffer as such. From there, your scalp becomes irritated, causing skin to flake and shed. If your scalp is dry, skin on other areas of your body may be as well. Dandruff, conversely, is caused by excess oil which causes skin cells to build up and, overtime, shed – or flake off.

Combating Dry Scalp with a DHT-Blocking Shampoo

The first and immediate response to combating dry scalp is to wash your hair daily with a gentle, natural and DHT-blocking shampoo/conditioner mix that

Reduces the oil build up on the scalp
Heals inflammation and redness
Fights follicle miniaturization

The shampoo we stand behind and recommend is GroMD. When using GroMD’s patented DHT-blocking shampoo, the process of washing your hair is a bit different. The powerful ingredients in the shampoo need time to absorb into your hair and scalp, so it is important to let the lather sit for several minutes before you rinse out. In addition, GroMD’s DHT-blocking shampoo also acts as a conditioner. Using a DHT-blocking shampoo and conditioner is one of the best ways to deal with dry scalp, and when combined with minoxidil, pattern hair loss as well.

Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.

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Is Donor Hair Stronger and More Permanent or Will it Thin?

December 2, 2020 admin Leave a comment

You’ve plunged into online research about hair transplantation and have come to understand that transplanted follicles are taken from what is known as the safe donor area (SDA). But is my donor hair any different from regular hair? If I’m losing my regular hair – on the top and crown areas – won’t my donor hair also shrink and fall out? Well, by a miracle of nature, the hair that grows on the sides of head and by the nape of the neck are practically permanent follicular units, immune to the miniaturizing effects of DHT.

For reasons not totally understood, hair taken from the donor zone is resistant to the degenerative changes related to pattern baldness. Hair follicles taken from the SDA do not miniaturize in response to DHT exposure, unlike the rest of the scalp, the basic reason for this has to do with the sensitivity of androgen protein receptors found on the follicles. The permanent nature of the grafts from the safe donor area is the reason why these hair follicles are used in hair transplant surgery, as they rarely thin or fall out due to age.

Most Men Will Reach Norwood 6 or 7 (Severe Baldness)

The hair growth and loss cycle of every man will depend on their genetic makeup, most clearly forecasted on the scalp by a person’s late 20’s and early 30’s. It’s very useful to see where you are on the Norwood Scale – a classification system that illustrates progressive hair loss patterns in males – because you’ll know how many hair restoration therapies you’ll need to invest in. Since recession at the temples or near the crown is visible on 20-30% of men by the time they reach their 20s, the risk of continued hair loss (becoming a Norwood 6 or 7) is very likely every year preventative action is not taken.

Transplanting thick and strong donor hair into the receding parts of the scalp will stop the progression of hair loss dead in its tracks (or at least for 20 or 30 years). By opting for a skilled hair transplant you will turn back the clock on your looks. Chances are, if you’re visiting websites devoted to hair transplantation, you are worried about your hair loss or the potential for loss. The sooner you address your situation the greater the odds are that you will keep the hair you have.

Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.

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Covid-19 and Hair Loss

November 30, 2020 admin Leave a comment

Since the COVID-19 pandemic reached the shores of the United States, more and more Americans are claiming to experience, where they have never before, a rapid increase in hair loss. The question has been raised in medical offices and institutions around the states, whether this could be a symptom of the virus or whether it is peripheral and unrelated? More likely than not, a spike in individuals experiencing hair loss is due to the stresses and strains of living through a pandemic, and NOT as a direct result or symptom of the virus.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention and other medical research facilities have not recognized hair loss as a symptom of COVID-19, yet more than 27% of 1,100 poll respondents in a coronavirus survivor online group reported hair loss. What explains the relationship between hair loss and Covid-19 then? Speaking to USA Today, Dr. Michele S. Green, a dermatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, describes how “there’s been an influx of patients seeking treatment for hair loss during quarantine.” Simply put, it is the shock to the physical systems of the body related to high fever, imbalance of hormones and muscle fatigue that is likely causing the hair loss.

Hair loss related to stresses put upon the body is called Telogen Effluvium, and is usually a self correcting condition, meaning it can resolve itself in 3-6 months. Once the triggers of stress, diet or hormonal imbalances are normalized, telogen effluvium can be cured.

Remedial Treatments

Still, preventative measures for managing and mitigating hair loss are always advised since hair loss is in everyone’s future. Zach from the Try Guys, a popular internet entertainment group, recently underwent a follicular unit extraction at the age of 30. His detailed expose on the transplant process and the reasons for undergoing the treatment are explained in a recent popular video here.

Although dashingly handsome and youthful by all accounts, Zach’s discomfort and unhappiness with an ever more wispy head of hair drove him to seek a strong and permanent aesthetic solution. At Modena Hair Institute in Orange County, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, we encounter patients with the same exact story every day. Whether it’s something more permanent and dramatic like an FUE hair transplant or topical hair treatment to slow balding, we examine the scalp and perform tests to determine which course of treatments will best destroy the nightmare of hair loss.

Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.

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Rogaine: Uses and Limitations

October 6, 2020 admin Leave a comment

Your hair is falling out and you want to stop it. What should you do? Many men in this position turn to drugs like Rogaine for hair restoration. However, does Rogaine actually work? What is to be gained from Rogaine?

Rogaine is the trade name of the drug Minoxidil which was developed in 1963 by the Upjohn Company as a vasodilator. One of its side effects was discovered to be hair growth. Hair growth was a side effect of Minoxidil, but not in all cases. A recent study in the ‘American Pharmacist’ has shown that Rogaine only works in about half of all cases. Moreover, any hair regrowth affected through the use of Rogaine is often swiftly lost again if the drug is discontinued.

As nice as it would be to simply be able to rub some foam onto your scalp and then suddenly regrow a full and youthful head of hair – Rogaine has proved to be ineffective for treating hair loss in isolation, without supplementary restoration aids.

Technically speaking – Rogaine’s properties as an anagen agonist may increase the rate and thickness at which new hairs grow back, however increased DHT circulation to the scalp due to the drug’s vasodilation properties, quite often results in men losing more of their hair than the drug is capable of restoring.

The use of various inactive ingredients such as preservatives, binding agents, texturisers, colors and scents also lead to many of Rogaine’s unfortunate side effects such as itchy scalp, irritation, and aggravated hair loss to name some of the most common.

Rogaine and other Minoxidil derivatives can be more effective when taken alongside other vitamin rich and DHT blocking formulas. A premier hair growth shampoo like groMD regenerates hair growth with a special formula containing rich vitamins, oils, minerals and fats. The use of hair growth shampoo on hair helps to reduce protein loss in both damaged as well as undamaged hair. GroMD is rich in lauric acid and has a high affinity for hair protein and easily penetrates inside the hair shaft, which is due to its low molecular weight.

Moreover, if true hair restoration is sought, Rogaine simply can not match the effectiveness, comprehensiveness and permanency of a hair transplant. A hair transplant may seem more intimidating than the ease of treatment offered by Rogaine, but, as the old adage goes – you get what you pay for. Investment in a quality hair transplant is never wasted and the results are yours for life.

If you want to explore a hair loss solution with a near 100% effectiveness rate or if you have any questions or concerns regarding the merits of different hair loss treatments, please contact us at Modena Hair Institute today for more information. At Modena Hair Institute we pride ourselves on consistently providing our patients with the highest standard of custom hair restoration treatment available, directly tailored to their individual needs. Dr. Yazdan is eagerly awaiting your visit or digital consultation. Contact us today!

Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.

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Traction Alopecia: The Basics

October 6, 2020 admin Leave a comment

Hair loss is preventable. While male pattern baldness is genetically predetermined traction alopecia is not. But what is traction alopecia? Quite simply, traction alopecia is hair loss caused by excessive pulling or traction on the hair follicle and, if caught early, is fully reversible. Aggravated traction alopecia, however, can lead to irreversibly damaged hair follicles and permanent balding.

Who is at risk for traction alopecia? The simple truth is: anybody with hair. When hair is pulled in the same way for a long time the resulting stress may cause damage to the underlying follicles. Repeated pulling and strain on hair follicles will damage then and cause strands of hair to fall out. Typically, receding receding hair begins around the forehead, temples, or nape of the neck. Early signs include a widening of the hair parting and patches of thin or broken hair in places where the hair has been under strain and abrasive patches of scarred skin in more advanced cases along with redness, itching, ulcers and/or infections.

Anyone who wears their hair pulled back tightly, in a ponytail, in braids, dreadlocks, cornrows ect. is at risk. Hair extensions, which are glued or tightly tied to the base of the hair, may cause tension at the hair roots and consequent traction hair loss. Moreover, traction alopecia can also occur when tight headwear or sports helmets are used on a daily basis. Occasionally wearing tight hairstyles should not prove problematic. A certain degree of daily hair loss is normal – between 50 and 100 hairs in a 24 hour period, which are usually replaced by new hair growth in healthy individuals.

Unlike other forms of hair loss traction alopecia is not caused by genetic or immune factors. It is a common condition among ballet dancers and sports professionals who wear tight buns or ponytails for long periods of time and may affect both children and adults. However, it is more common in older individuals whose hair follicles have naturally weakened over time.

The good news is that, if caught early enough, treatment for traction alopecia can be as simple as changing your hairstyle. Avoid tight hairstyles whenever possible.

Avoid or limit harsh chemical products which may further weaken hair follicles.

If hair has not regrown after a few months of reduced strain, the hair follicles may be damaged. If there is substantial scarring visible, the hair may be permanently damaged and unable to grow back. In severe cases, hair transplants are the only option.

If you fear that you may be suffering from traction alopecia or if you have any questions or concerns regarding the nature of your hair loss, please contact us at Modena Hair Institute today for more information. about restoring your hairline or to discuss any questions you may have regarding our available procedures. At Modena Hair Institute we pride ourselves on consistently providing our patients with the highest standard of custom hair restoration treatment available, directly tailored to their individual needs. We are open for in person or digital consultations. Contact us today!

Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.

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5 Simple Secrets for Healthier, Fuller-Looking Hair

September 21, 2020 admin Leave a comment

The looming threat of hair loss is a concerning prospect. Aging and genetics can both cause hair loss and the underlying cause of hair loss affects what treatments will be most effective. The good news is, however, that not only is hair loss easily reversible through transplant therapy by a skilled physician, but there are also many easily amenable lifestyle choices that can help you maintain a thick and healthy head of hair.

Eat plenty of protein – A 2017 study found that participants suffered from hair when placed on a diet low in protein and amino acids. Lean meats like fish can be a rich source of protein and other essential nutrients. Vegetarians and vegans must be especially careful to provide themselves with a viable non-meat protein source, like soy, to replenish essential amino acids- your lock will thank you!

Take a multivitamin – Numerous scientific studies have strongly suggested that vitamins may help to prevent hair loss in human subjects. A monograph in ‘Dermatology and Therapy’ examining the role of various dietary supplements suggested that vitamin deficiencies may be a risk factor for hair loss. While the precise relationship of vitamins deficiencies and hair loss still remains somewhat unclear some vitamin and mineral supplements that may help include:

selenium
vitamin B
zinc
vitamin D
iron
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin E

Anyone considering taking a multivitamin supplement should consult with their personal physician first. The best multivitamin products available on the market today contain all or nearly all of the recommended daily amounts of each vitamin and mineral in a single dose.

Mediterranean diet – This one is easy, just have a Greek salad or some nice bruschetta! The Archives of Dermatological Research published a 2017 study which connected the herbs and vegetables commonly associated with the Mediterranean diet and a decreased risk of male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). Bon Appetit!

Coconut Oil – A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition titled ‘Health Effects of Coconut Oil—A Narrative Review of Current Evidence’ suggests that applying coconut oil to the scalp and hair may stimulate hair regrowth and repair hair damaged and weakened from excess heat or color treatment. Give it a try, if nothing else you’ll smell great!

Proper scalp care – Shampoo your hair excessively, brushing over vigorously, and using harsh chemical products or dyes can all make your hair brittle and more prone to fall out. Brush your hair gently and give yourself a daily scalp massage, wear a hat in harsh sunlight and avoid washing your hair with very hot water in the shower. Using a sensitive doctor-developed shampoo and conditioner like GroMD will restore and rejuvenate dry hair follicles.

While the above mentioned lifestyle changes are all commendable habits which may lead to a healthier and happier life the fact remains- if you have hair loss hardwired into your genetics then you will lose your hair. Thankfully here at Modena Hair institute Dr. Yazdan specializes in the only proven method of permanent hair restoration – transplant surgery. Both the FUE and FUT transplant procedures are capable of producing beautiful and dramatic results in even the most hopeless seeming cases. Again, your scalp will thank you!

If you or a loved one is worried about their hair health, please contact us at Modena Hair Institute today for more information about restoring your hairline or to discuss any questions you may have regarding our available procedures. At Modena Hair Institute we pride ourselves on consistently providing our patients with the highest standard of custom hair restoration treatment available, directly tailored to their individual needs. Dr. Yazdan is eagerly awaiting your visit or digital consultation. Contact us today!

Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.

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How to Choose a Hair Transplant Clinic

August 12, 2020 admin Leave a comment

You’ve made the decision to get a hair transplant, congratulations! In no time at all your dreams of having immaculately restored youthful locks will become reality. But wait… you need to pick a hair clinic first…
It’s important to note right off the bat that this article concerns how to choose a clinic and not just a hair transplant doctor. As the old adage goes, ‘no man is an island’ and even the most spectacularly gifted hair transplant doctor on the planet cannot provide effective treatment without his or her experienced staff and a well-equipped, state of the art facility.
Let the buyer beware!
An unfortunate fact that must be noted is that the field of hair transplant surgery is rife with inexperienced doctors. Certain practitioners advertise hair transplant surgery solely with an eye toward adding another potential billable service to their practices and are in no way specialized hair restoration surgeons. The widespread incompetence and shoddy workmanship of these types in the past led to hair transplants being looked upon as the stuff of comedy through the 1960s to the 1980s.
It was only in the late 80s that highly dedicated hair transplant clinics arose and hair restoration procedures began to attain the finesse and consistency which have led to their general acceptance as one of today’s most highly effective and aesthetically satisfying cosmetic procedures.
When searching for a qualified hair transplant surgeon one simple question can save you a world of trouble:
“Are hair transplants all you do?” If the answer is ‘no’, walk away; or better yet, run for it.
If you’re still there, a good follow up question would be: “Is your clinic solely dedicated to hair transplants?”. If it isn’t then that’s another red flag and you ought to high-tail it out of there just as fast. Naturally, the finest results come from clinics that are dedicated solely to hair transplants. Unfortunately most facilities are not dedicated to hair transplants as a specialty and instead perform them as a sideline to scrounge up a bit of extra cash. Surgeons who only dip their toes in the hair transplant pool can hardly be expected to deliver the sort of consistent results that a discerning patient would rightly demand.
Still there? Now ask your potential doctor if their staff work full-time for you as hair transplant technicians. Be careful of noncommittal answers. You want a professional surgeon AND a professional surgical team operating on you. The doctor can’t do everything. His or her assistants are invaluable assets in performing a seamless procedure. Keep in mind that there is currently NO government regulation regarding the training and experience of staff members assisting in a hair transplant procedure, so it certainly pays to inquire into the matter on your own.
Next, ask to see NUMEROUS successful examples of your prospective surgeons work. If you are only shown one or two examples then you should probably not trust them to operate on you; such a low number of examples indicates either a lack of experience or presentable results. Practitioners who can easily furnish you with 100s of before/after photos of their work have likely refined their technique to that effortless precision and finesse that is the hallmark of great craftsmanship, care, and maturity. You deserve only the best – accept no substitutes.
Some final remarks. Hair transplantation can not and should not be performed by just anybody with a medical degree. Seek out an experienced team led by an experienced doctor housed in a specially designated clinic. Research the background of any clinic you are considering; try to find one that’s been in business for more than five years and offers extensive examples of their finished product. Dedication and specialization are the key qualities to look for in a potential hair transplant doctor; his or her office should be sizable, solely perform hair transplants and have a full time, professionally trained staff of at least five individuals if not more. And lastly, don’t be afraid to speak up! Ask hard questions, challenge your doctor, settle for nothing but the best; it’s your hair after all and your hair deserves nothing less.
For more information about restoring your hairline at any age or to discuss any questions you may have regarding our available procedures, be sure to contact our hair restoration center today. At Modena Hair Institute we pride ourselves on consistently providing our patients with the highest standard of custom hair restoration treatment available, directly tailored to their individual needs. Our specialists are eagerly awaiting your visit or digital consultation. Contact us today!

Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.

Case Results

Female Success Story: Extreme Scalp Damage and Trauma [Update: 3/19/21]

August 10, 2020 admin Leave a comment

An incredible new entry has been added to Modena’s female hair loss success stories!

This success story has been a long and involved reconstruction project that continues to be a work-in-progress, but one that deserves to make hair restoration headlines around the world.

In the following presentation, Dr. Amir Yazdan treats a woman involved in a terrible car accident who was left with very little scalp tissue and hair, as well as major cosmetic deformities to her forehead and eyebrow. Traumatic head injuries often include injury to the scalp and eyebrows, with resulting destruction to the hair follicles in those areas.

Initial Reconstruction Work

When the patient first entered our clinic, her scalp was severely damaged and traumatized, as can be seen in the photos below. We began reconstruction work on the patient with extensive skin grafting over the scalp and forehead to both cover the wounds and allow for easier healing of scar tissue. The patient then underwent tissue expanders in the front and back of the scalp for a 6-month period to stretch the skin and allow for better coverage over the scalp.

Skin grafting and tissue expanding was done in order to enable the scalp to grow extra skin for use in upcoming reconstructive procedures. The damaged areas required a newer and stronger layer of skin to act as the base of operation for hair restoration work to unfold.

Hair Restoration Treatment

Traumatic scalp injury and scarring destroy a person’s naturally growing hair follicles. Hair will stop growing where scarred skin grows. This is why hair restoration in the scarred areas of the scalp cannot be undertaken lightly. It requires careful examination of the scalp and consideration of numerous factors that can influence the feasibility and outcome of surgical hair restoration.

After careful analysis of the patient’s scar tissue, scalp morphology and blood supply, Dr. Yazdan chose to begin treatment with PRP to stimulate scar tissue before fat grafting to add healthier fat padding under the skin. This was done in order to provide better vascularity to the scar tissue and to help increase the survival rate of transplanted grafts.

The patient then underwent an FUT/strip surgery to advance the hairline forward, as well as to fill in the scarring and repair her left eyebrow. To achieve a natural look, Dr. Yazdan paid extreme care and attention to the positioning of the incisions and distribution of follicular units in order to ensure a proper aesthetic reconstruction of the damaged site.

Skilled FUT surgery demands a highly artistic eye in order for the new follicular units to blend seamlessly with the patient’s native hair.

Concurrently with the hair transplant procedure Dr. Yazdan performed strategic scalp micro pigmentation to help cover the extensive scarring the patient had suffered from the trauma and surgeries.

Work-in-Progress

In 4-6 months’ time, Dr. Yazdan will perform a second hair transplant surgery in order to:

Increase density in previously transplanted areas
Further refine the hairline
Account for additional scarring and hair loss
Add coverage in weakly supplied areas

As the most recent photos reveal – many months after the skin grafting and first FUT surgery – the patient’s extensive scarring, trauma, redness and crusting have severely subsided as the newly designed hairline and transplanted hair follicles begin to restore the natural look of the face.

[Update 3/19/21]: It’s been six months now since the patient’s initial reconstruction work and we can see the original natural hairline coming to fruition in a beautiful way. We are extremely happy with the graft survival rate on the scar tissue. The regrown hair on and around the trauma site is flattering and has surpassed all expectations – the excision sites have all healed incredibly well.

Finally, Dr. Yazdan’s eyebrow reconstruction work has restored the patient’s natural eyebrow line. Eyebrow reconstruction is a very delicate procedure, requiring perfect placement of the hairs into tiny incisions that are angled at just the right direction and positioned to mimic natural growth.

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Hair Restoration Surgery for Younger Patients

July 31, 2020 admin Leave a comment

What can a young man do about hair loss? This is a question our clinic has heard before from several distressed individuals. Unfortunately hair loss doesn’t have an age limit and symptoms of male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) can begin to manifest as early as the teenage years. It can certainly appear jarring and feel distressing when a young individual suffers from a condition commonly, but wrongly, associated with the elderly. College and workplace stress is often a contributing factor that leads to many young patients noticing the first signs of hair loss. However, it is important to note that while stress itself does not necessarily cause hair loss, it can activate and accelerate the underlying genetic factors which govern male pattern hair loss. Patients who suffer from thinning hair during the course of their college years are often quite eager to restore their hairline before entering the career world.
As psychologically distressing as hair loss can be at a young age the situation is by no means bleak. Young patients are often in their physical prime and as such make excellent candidates for hair transplant surgery. Young patients can expect to heal quickly and to grow thick, healthy and natural looking transplant hair with very little fuss or risk of complications. However, we must note here that young patients, and doctors, ought to approach hair transplant surgery in a somewhat different manner than is typical. It is essential to understand that androgenic alopecia is a progressive condition and that hair transplantation, by its nature, is a static solution. Hair transplant surgery can easily replace hair that has already been lost, but it does not prevent further hair loss in untreated regions of the scalp.
The secret to winning at chess is to try and think three, four, five, or even more, moves ahead of your opponent. For a variety of reasons hair transplant surgery in young patients must be approached with careful judgement and a certain sensibility of long-term strategic thinking- very much like a chess game. Consider that all patients have a finite amount of donor hair available for surgical harvesting; also that the results of a hair transplant are permanent. Therefore, a hairline designed for a 20 something must be done in such a way as to still appear natural when the patient reaches their 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. A conservative approach to hairline recreation is therefore essential.
A low, flat hairline, characteristic of youth, may sound like a good idea for a young person in need of a hair transplant; however, such a hairline is unlikely to age well and may also call for the use of more grafts than is feasible to maintain. Having exhausted most of the available donor regions on the front of the scalp the patient will be left in the awkward situation of being unable to restore the middle and crown regions in the highly likely eventuality that such should become necessary. Considerations of this nature mandate that young patients and their consulting doctor make wise use of the donor area’s finite capacity.
Moreover, young patients should accept that multiple surgeries likely will be required to maintain a full head of hair over the course of a lifetime. This is not as daunting as it may seem at first. The initial procedure will likely be the largest while subsequent ‘touch up’ FUE procedures may be required later; also the results of a hair transplant are permanent and will provide excellent coverage for as long as further balding in untreated areas does not occur.
Regarding the subject of preventive hair loss medications like Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) which many young patients have used to treat their hair loss it must be stated that medications and surgery are not mutually exclusive. Many patients take medications before, during and after hair restoration surgery. Such an approach helps to slow the progression of hair loss and to maintain the integrity of actively thinning regions of the scalp. Remember, however, that the usefulness of medications is limited and that results vary widely from patient to patient. Also medications are unable to fully stop hair loss or to regrow previously lost hair, some medications also come with unpleasant side effects; surgery is the only 100% effective solution for restoring one’s scalp to it’s full and former glory.
For more information about restoring your hairline at any age or to discuss any questions you may have regarding our available procedures, be sure to contact our hair restoration center today. At Modena Hair Institute we pride ourselves on consistently providing our patients with the highest standard of custom hair restoration treatment available, directly tailored to their individual needs. Dr. Yazdan and his team of specialists are eagerly awaiting your visit or digital consultation. Contact us today!

Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.

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How We Design Your Restored Hairline

July 29, 2020 admin Leave a comment

When somebody looks you straight in the face your hairline is one of the first things they’re bound to see. We all know that first impressions often exert a significant influence on subsequent interactions. Now unfortunately, given its prominence, the hairline is often one of the first regions of the scalp where thinning is observed in men with genetically patterned hair loss. For these reasons, surgically rebuilding the hairline is a matter of special attention and importance for our hair transplant specialists.
Given its central importance for the overall aesthetic effectiveness of the hair transplant procedure new patients are almost universally inclined to ask what their restored hairline will look like. Some of them haven’t had a hairline to speak of for years and the questions of shape and symmetry are important. Hairlines can be flat and well defined, symmetrical, asymmetrical, staggered, feathered, and may or may not involve a widow’s peak. The truth is that, in the face of such bewildering options, there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to restored hairlines. Aesthetics are highly individual and what looks good on one patient may not flatter the facial features of another. The treatment that would be called for in the case of a young patient with progressive and uncertain loss would often not be the same as that required by an older patient with more stable and limited hair loss. To put it briefly, hairlines must be carefully considered, designed and customized for every patient individually.
Now, let’s talk about some of the specific ways Dr. Amir Yazdan goes about restoring our patients hairlines. The ancient Greeks were fond of saying that beauty lies in harmony and proportion. Therefore, in designing the curve and overall shape of your hairline our specialists will carefully take account of the general shape of your face. For example, people with wider faces tend to have better results with a wider arching hairline. Conversely those whose facial features are more narrow often find that ideal results are achieved by designing a narrower curve for the hairline.
The most natural looking results occur when the hairline compliments the natural shape of a patient’s face; therefore, a hairline placed too high or too low on the forehead will lead to unappealing results. Individual hairlines are also seldom perfectly straight and our specialists have found that often angling the restored hairline up or down is necessary for achieving the most natural looking results. Here at Modena Hair Institute Dr. Yazdan implements the latest digital imaging software to determine the ideal position of your restored hairline.
Besides a general consideration of facial aesthetics Dr. Yazdan can work from any older photos you may have to recreate a hairline very much like the one you used to have. We find that consulting photos of a patient before balding to be an invaluable point of reference for achieving optimal results. These old photos will be studied to achieve a better idea of what your hairline was like. Consulting reference photos are a great help in producing natural results and in convincingly recreating your appearance.
Doing the exact same hairline on two different patients almost never happens. Hair transplants are carefully personalized procedures and the way one patient’s hairline ‘ought to look’ is always unique and highly individual. This is because transplanted hairlines must be customized. Patients must be careful to select clinics who are able to showcase a wide variety of hairlines; not a single stock hairline that gets slapped, assembly line style, onto the head of every patient who comes through the door.
Your surgeon must take all the relevant aspects into account and, after careful deliberation, craft a plan that fits your individual case as precisely as possible. A carefully personalized hairline can only turn out one way: natural and flattering. When considering clinics, be sure to ask the doctor what he or she plans to do for your specific hairline, their reasoning for recommending such an approach, and ask to see examples of other similar hairlines if available. Otherwise, you may end up in the awkward situation of asking a second doctor what your hairline should have looked like, and whether or not they can possibly salvage it with a further procedure.
For more information about restoring your hairline or to discuss any questions you may have regarding our available procedures, be sure to contact our hair restoration center today. At Modena Hair Institute we pride ourselves on consistently providing our patients with the highest standard of custom hair restoration treatment available, directly tailored to their individual needs. We are eagerly awaiting your visit or digital consultation. Contact us today!

Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.

Case Results

Male Hair Loss Success Story: “I considered having hair loss treatment for years but always felt unsure about whether it would work”

July 15, 2020 admin Leave a comment

Diagnosis: Male Pattern Hair Loss – Age: 36 – Sex: Male

“I considered having hair loss treatment for years but always felt unsure about whether it would work, but after just 3 months I was over the moon with the progress and the regrowth! Simply amazing! Thank you Dr. Yazdan and team.”

In the following presentation, Dr. Amir Yazdan documents the results of a 36-year-old male undergoing an FUE hair transplantation with 2,422 grafts and three follow up PRP procedures.

His hair loss pattern was a Norwood Class V.

Soon after the successful hair transplant, the patient began PRP treatments to further stimulate follicle growth at the root.

After photos were taken at 1 year post-op.