Tag Archives: balding

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

donor hair hair transplantYou’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.

Treatment for Early Signs of Balding

early signs of balding
The progressive nature of hair loss causes its sufferers to experience a mounting sense of dread and anxiety over their aesthetic deterioration. Responding to early signs of balding is often performed in panic and haste, but we’re here to advise the contrary. Know that tens of millions of men and women worldwide are experiencing hair thinning and loss right now. And that advances in the hair restoration industry in response to this universal phenomenon have been extremely fruitful.

For example, just in the last few years, platelet-rich plasma treatments for women have shown remarkable clinical results in decelerating hair loss.

Medical therapies like PRP and stem cell therapy – solutions which would have seemed unthinkable a few years ago – are now proving to fight hair loss better than ever possible. There are also strong proactive topical treatments like groMD follicle activator spray and groMD shampoo/conditioner, if mixed with finasteride or minoxidil, that can halt hair loss to a large degree.

Signs of Balding
A conspicuous absence of density near the widows peak and front temple are often the first signs of hair loss among men.

Excessive shedding in the shower or after sleep are also beginning warning signs for both men and women.

Loss of density on the crown and on the top of the head among males can often occur before anywhere else.

Among women, perceived visibility on the scalp where hair is often parted is usually a first sign of pattern baldness.

Study Yourself in the Mirror
Before rushing to search for remedies online or getting in touch with an expert in the hair restoration marketplace, look in the mirror and pull your hair back from your temple areas. Is there clear evidence of follicle miniaturization on the front ‘V’ pattern of your scalp and widows peak? If so, you are very likely experiencing early signs of balding that may lead to major hairline recession if not treated

Still more detailed, place a mirror above your head and towards the back near the crown, can you perceive areas of the scalp covered with little to no hair? If so, you have likely progressed beyond the early stages of hair loss and are advancing on the Norwood scale.

Treatment Options for Early Signs of Balding
Now that you’ve established that a more-than-normal amount of hair loss is occurring, and that a change in lifestyle or diet will likely fail to halt the progression of your hair loss, it’s time to consider the strongest treatment options to fight early signs of hair loss.

Perhaps the most well-known medical treatment to mitigate hair loss is finasteride. Finasteride blocks dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness. Taking a daily dose of finasteride, in pill form, sold under the brand names Propecia® and Proscar®, has been clinically proven to re-grow hair in 65% of men and slow hair loss in virtually all patients.

A popular and proven topical treatment to fight hair loss is Minoxidil, sold under the brand name Rogaine®. Minoxidil stimulates inactive follicles and decelerates hair loss and follicle miniaturization. Minoxidil is usually applied via liquid or foam.

While finasteride and minoxidil are powerful treatments in helping to slow hair loss, they are costly, require lifelong commitment, and may have negative side effects. GroMD shampoo and conditioner and groMD follicle activator spray is simple and easy-to-use, free of sulfates, parabens, and other harmful chemicals, so everyone can adopt a light daily regimen that prevents hair loss. GroMD’s fortified and expertly refined DHT-blocking formula is enriched with growth-factor peptides and proteins, as well as anti-inflammatory mediators and anagen growth stimulators. Treatment with the groMD system has led to a significant increase in thickness and hair density in some patients.

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.

How to Know If You’re Balding

going bald
With the average shedding patterns of both men and women being around 100 follicles lost a day, it’s important for everyone, young and old, to know what to look for regarding hair loss. Knowing whether you are losing a little more than 100 follicles a day or a lot more is often difficult to tell.
First things first, many people will overly frustrate their hopes and fears by exaggerating the thinning or shedding they see in the shower or after a look in the mirror. Some hair shedding and thinning (especially with middle aged persons and seniors) of hair density is normal and not indicative of an onset of balding.
The keyword here is some. Clear and visible hair thinning for someone in their 20s and 30s (not uncommon) should be a warning sign and something to be tackled with great proactivity.
For men, they can begin to notice the changes of hair loss in the texture of their hair. Usually it begins to feel finer and perhaps doesn’t seem to be growing as quickly. Many people assume that a receding hairline at the very front of the scalp is the first thing they should look out for when considering hair loss, but this is not always the case. The whirl on their crown and near the back of their scalp can often be the first places on the head which show signs of balding. Check for bald patches on the crown and the back of the head easily with a pocket mirror. Hold it behind your head, scan the area for signs of texture change, density loss or thinning follicles. Run your fingers or a comb through the crown, lifting and pulling to look for parting and lack of thorough diffusion and volume.
The frontal hairline, however, is also the most common area for men to show signs of recession and balding. Hair loss on the frontal hairline takes the form of the classic M shape where the hairline rises significantly at the temples and dips down in the center. Jude Law is a clear example of the M shaped recession line.
For a more extensive guide to male hair loss, click here.
For women, instead of a receding M shape on the front of the hairline as in men, their thinning hairline will begin to appear in the part line, right down the middle or at the curvature of the head. Minimal thinning can be hidden with styling techniques. As hair loss continues, women will notice a decrease in volume and noticeable widening of the mid-line part. Checking for signs of such parting are much easier for women than men because of the dominance and obvious largeness of the diffused thinning.
For a more extensive guide to female hair loss, click here.
How to Combat a Receding Hairline?
High-quality hair restoration products: groMD’s shampoo/conditioner and follicle activator spray is rich in Argan oil (liquid gold) and Biotin to help kickstart the Anagen (growth) phase of the hair life cycle. It also contains a proprietary blend of DHT blockers which helps to strengthen hair and extend the growing phase.
Rogaine and Finasteride: Topical treatments like Rogaine (also known as Minoxidil) help increase and keep the blood supply to the scalps network of capillaries and prescription-only pills like Finasteride (also known as Propecia) work by blocking enzymes that cause conversion of testosterone to DHT.
Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy: This therapy entails micro injections in the scalp which trigger cell growth and stimulate thinning hair follicles. PRP is loaded with growth factors that promote rapid angiogenesis and localized cell growth. The New York Times reports of one practitioner that the PRP procedure “gets results in 80 percent of patients, more than half of whom are female.”
Hair Transplant: For something more permanent, persons suffering from pattern baldness and great hairline recession can opt for the very successful FUE (follicular unit extraction) procedure which involves extracting follicles (typically from the back or sides of the head) with a micro-punch and then transplanting the uprooted follicles into the recipient site, i.e. wherever hair volume is desired. FUE is the most common hair transplant procedure and is less invasive than FUT or strip procedures, leaving almost no scarring. For an FUE procedure, the hair restoration specialist will consult with the patient to determine an appropriate hairline in order to produce a natural hair pattern and shape.

A Healthier Lifestyle: Stress is one of the most important factors that contribute to hair loss. It is believed that stress can disrupt the normal hair cycle and trigger hairs to enter the telogen or fall-out phase. Thus, when striving for faster hair growth, minimize the stress in your life. Eating a diet rich in protein and vital vitamins and minerals is an essential prerequisite to healthy hair growth. Opt for foods high in vitamins A, B, C, and E, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, and selenium. Argan oil, in particular, is extremely important for making your hair grow faster.
Hair loss continues in a fairly predictable pattern, so you can spot and combat it before ending up with partial or almost complete baldness.
For all matters hair contact one of our offices at 888-717-5273 or visit Modenahair.com.

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, and an advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.

Advanced Hair Restoration Therapy: PRP + Fat Derived Stem Cells

prp fat derived stem cells
In a recent post we covered the basics of platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) therapy and how it can help men and women grow thicker, healthier hair. In summary, PRP hair therapy uses a patient’s own blood – rich with growth factors that trigger cell function – to produce an ultra-rich plasma and platelet serum that is injected under the scalp in areas where hair growth is desired.
Platelet rich plasma therapy is safe because the patient’s own blood products are used so there is no chance of rejection. PRP has long been used by orthopedists to promote growth and healing of tendons.
These platelet-rich injections contain numerous complex growth factors and other bioactive proteins that reactivate and restore thinning hair or hair which has stopped growing. Initially when hair is thinning, it is because growth cycles get shorter and the resting phases get longer. This means that there are fewer hairs growing than what the average growth rate percentage for a normal adult would yield. PRP therapy attempts to restore hair cycles back to their normal growth rate.
platelet cell
Mainstream PRP treatments, however, only stimulate hair follicles and underlying cells to a small degree. As advancements in the field of hair restoration are made, changes and improvements to PRP therapy have also become authoritative.
One highly advanced version of PRP hair therapy includes fat derived stem cells which aggressively stimulates hair growth cycles. Specialist in regenerative medicine, Chris Centeno, M.D., breaks down the significant differences between basic PRP and PRP enhanced with fat derived stem cells:

While PRP may help recruit a few stem cells to the area, stem cell injection therapy is much more advanced.  For orthopedics in particular, if PRP is like adding additional fertilizer and water to the plant, stem cells are like placing new seeds in the area and hiring a gardener. Stem cells are capable of not only differentiating into the new tissue that is lost, but also coordinating the repair response (so the seeds and the gardener).

Simple platelet injections may cause light cellular movement and regeneration, but the addition of stem cells has been shown to cause aggressive cellular stimulation and growth. A Yale research study found that “the signals required to turn stem cells into progenitor cells come from fat adjacent to the follicle”. By isolating, processing, and transferring the fat derived stem cells to the scalp, physicians can better activate and power hair growth cycles.
While basic PRP therapy requires patients to return for on-going treatment every few months, PRP therapy enhanced with stem cells is a one-time procedure that provides greater longevity and sustainability with regard to hair growth. Remarkable results have come from PRP injections enhanced with fat derived stem cells, regrowing and healing natural scalp tissue.
At Modena Hair Institute, board-certified physician Dr. Amir Yazdan uses specialized equipment configured by himself to process and isolate stem cells as well as growth factors and healing proteins from PRP to create a unique formulation to help reverse the hair loss process. Watch our walk-through of the PRP + Fat Derived Stem Cell process:

Always remember, however, all hair restoration practitioners are not equal. Research and compare physicians who are experienced in both male and female pattern baldness and in the application of PRP with fat derived stem cells.
As you continue on your hair transplant journey, know what to look for and what questions to ask. Your hair, your appearance and your confidence deserve to be in the most capable of surgical hands.
For all matters hair contact one of our offices at 888-717-5273 or visit Modenahair.com.

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, and an advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.

Dr. Yazdan Attends 2018 Annual ISHRS Conference in Los Angeles

hair conference 2018 pic 3
ISHRS hosts 26th World Congress in Hollywood, Calif., Oct. 10-14, 2018
2018 marks another great year in medical and hair restoration research. This year we Southern Californians were fortunate enough to have the largest and most prestigious hair restoration conference take place in our own backyard.
With the theme “When Award Winning Hair Transplant Surgeons Meet”, the 26th World Congress of the ISHRS met at Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles on October 10-14, 2018 boasting an exceptional lineup of international speakers and educational offerings.
The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) is a global non-profit medical association where the world’s leading experts in treating hair loss gather to share their most up to date research, techniques, and diagnostic approaches.
Long standing ISHRS member and board-certified physician, Dr. Amir Yazdan of Modena Hair Institute, attended this year’s conference both to share his innovations in follicular unit extraction (FUE) and to keep up with all important advancements in the field.
The conference included many internationally recognized keynote speakers covering an array of topics including: hair biology, innovative diagnostic approaches, novel surgical techniques, body hair transplantation, and more.
hair conference 2018 pic 2
One particular educational program, however, caught the attention of nearly all the distinguished attendees, namely, the Beware of the Hair Transplant Black Market session.
This educational session dives into the portentous growth of cheap, inexperienced, and unethical hair care clinics across America and the globe. Unspecialized physicians and technical operators who have no business even approaching the hairlines or scalp of a balding or shedding patient, are emboldened by the promise of easy money and a new source of revenue. They prop up an eloquent sales campaign or website and sell consumers a trap.
Consumers experiencing hair loss or pattern baldness will tragically rush into whatever hair restoration clinic sounds most appealing or which drives the best bargain. Unbeknownst to them, these so-called hair restoration ‘specialists’ either have little experience or use automated machines that lack precision and artistic execution. This effectively means that patients act as guinea pigs for trainees who are operating machines that can barely execute a decent job. Operations of the aforementioned kind often result in gross, botched, or unnatural-looking hairlines.
beware hair transplant black market
We here at Modena Hair Institute have been especially vocal about this rather sinister trend of crooked hair clinics and inexperienced physicians selling consumers cheap and false promises. Check out our chronicling of this hair transplant black market, and the proven ways in which to avoid it:
When Hair Transplants Go Wrong
Read This Before You Have a Hair Transplant
Are FUE Procedures Safe? It Depends on Your Doctor
Choosing the Right FUE Hair Transplant Surgeon
As you continue on your hair transplant journey, know what to look for and what questions to ask. Your hair, your appearance and your confidence deserve to be in the most capable of surgical hands.
For all matters hair contact one of our offices at 888-717-5273 or visit Modenahair.com.

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, and an advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.

Are FUE Hair Transplants Permanent?

FUE hair transplant permanent
Permanent Hair Loss Does Not Need to Be Permanent
Before diving into how you can make your hair loss procedure maximally effective, let us say emphatically at the outset that FUE hair transplants are virtually permanent and one of the most successful hair loss procedures available. If you’ve landed on this page you know that the follicular unit extraction (FUE) procedure can give you back that thick head of hair you love and restore your native confidence.
By removing hair follicles one by one from the back of the scalp, where hair is generally the most durable, and then implanting them into thinning or balding areas of the head, an FUE hair transplant can produce an aesthetically flawless and rejuvenated hairline. One of the reasons for the tenacity and permanence of the extracted follicles is that the transplanted grafts are unaffected by DHT – an androgen and the major culprit behind hair loss. In other words, the hair follicles that are extracted and placed into the new site will retain their original properties. This principle of ‘donor dominance’ means that your new hair will be strong, healthy, and shed no more!
The Importance of Finding a Skilled Physician
A successful FUE transplant procedure involves more than simply and robotically extracting and transplanting grafts. To obtain a permanent and tenacious new hairline you need a highly experienced and methodically precise hair transplant doctor who operates with artistic exactness. Pay attention to the technique and device used by the operating physician, as many hair restoration clinics will produce low density and unnatural looking hairlines because of clunky hardware and inexperienced doctors.
An experienced hair transplant physician – someone who specialized exclusively in hair restoration and transplantation – will take into account crucial biographical and physiological details. Board certified physician, Dr. Amir Yazdan, for example, carefully assesses hair density, hair angle variance, hairline shape, hair grouping design, and other elements in order to determine exact graft selection and placement sites. A specialist in the craft, Dr. Yazdan has also developed his own propriety FUE extraction method and personalized set of instruments.
An FUE procedure, if executed by an experienced and skilled physician, delivers long-lasting and aesthetically satisfying results.
The Importance of Post-Op Care
Finally, for your FUE procedure to be maximally effective, and to curb existing hair loss patterns, it’s important to accompany your surgery with medical management of hair loss. Hair transplants by themselves are a strong hair loss option, but are made even stronger when paired with a correct hair loss treatment plan.
Find out what elements Dr. Yazdan incorporates into his FUE hair loss treatment plan by calling one of his offices at 888-717-5273 or by visiting Modenahair.com.

Choosing the Right FUE Hair Transplant Surgeon

Male pattern baldness
The internet is an unparalleled resource for checking surgical reputations and verifying medical truth claims. Medical practices the world over have recognized this shift in patient knowledge capabilities and sought to give the public unfiltered access to their purported talents, surgical history, and client testimony through reputable online forums.
One of the most popular and reputable online forums used by patients and cosmetic practitioners worldwide is the website RealSelf. Listed as one of the top doctors on realself.com, board-certified physician Dr. Amir Yazdan, stresses the importance of patient-physician research when he says: “online consumer review forums like RealSelf are a quick and excellent way for patients to verify a physician’s truth claims. Don’t be seduced by doctors who label themselves as ‘experts’, ‘visionaries’, or ‘leaders in their field’, make sure to check their customer reviews, Q&As, transplant success rate, and most of all, whether they specialize exclusively in hair transplant procedures.”
Realself top doctor
Sites like RealSelf allows users to ask doctors questions, write treatment reviews, and share photos of their experiences.
Finding the best FUE hair transplant surgeon in your area (although sometimes a non-local option will serve you much better) really comes down to effectively researching the hair restoration practice and asking critically relevant questions concerning their procedure, method, and history. A fuller list of questions to ask your hair transplant physician will follow.
At many hair restoration clinics, it’s the technicians or physicians’ assistants who will do most of the actual extraction and transplanting work. This effectively means that patients act as guinea pigs for trainees who are still learning all the particular and complex aspects of the hair restoration craft. Operations of the aforementioned kind often result in aesthetically imperfect, botched, or unnatural-looking hairlines.

Asking critically relevant questions of the different hair restoration practices you survey is the first major step towards weeding out superficial offers. The key questions to ask a hair restoration surgeon are:

  • Do you specialize in hair transplant surgery?
  • How many years of specialized experience do you have performing FUE and FUT surgeries?
  • How much actual work is done by you during the hair transplanting process?
  • Are you certified by the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgeons?

Choosing the right hair transplant surgeon comes down to feeling safe and secure with a specialist who has outlined and executed your surgical design thousands of times. Unique assessment of every patient and total oversight during the entire procedure are also imperative. Top RealSelf doctor Amir Yazdan, for example, oversees the entire hair transplant procedure to guarantee proper graft orientation, prevent hair graft loss, and ensure natural hair grouping design.
Go from a place of understanding less to a place of understanding more, check out RealSelf Q&A with Amir Yazdan, MD as well as Dr. Yazdan’s RealSelf Patient Reviews.
For questions or to schedule a consultation, call one of our offices conveniently located in Irvine, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas at 888-717-5273 or contact via our website at contact Modena Hair Link

Are FUE Procedures Safe? It Depends on Your Doctor


The problem with online research and online hair ‘experts’ is how often misleading and false their information is. Many hair restoration practices will wax knowledgeable about the who, what, and where of proper hair transplant procedures, often urging you to contact one of their ‘hair loss specialists’ for guidance. Very often this is a rhetorical ruse, employed to give the illusion of impeccable expertise and time-honored success. The reality is much less spectacular.
Whenever you’re urged to contact a crew of hair loss specialists, beware, plurality signals a lack of expertise. The best hair care treatment you can possibly receive will come from an individualized and personalized consultation with a veteran hair transplant physician or surgeon.
For example, at Modena Hair Institute in Orange County, inquiring clients always meet with board certified physician and specialized hair restoration surgeon, Dr. Amir Yazdan, for a personal solution to their hair loss troubles. A successful FUE procedure at Modena starts with a detailed examination and technical analysis of the patient. Such important background factors as the genetic endowment of the individual, health history, and health of donor site are examined.

countess vaugn hair loss
Dr. Yazdan discusses Traction Alopecia with Countess Vaughn on The Doctor’s TV Show.

The safety of FUE transplant procedures, therefore, heavily depends on the experience and expertise of the guiding physician, their operating method, and the nature of their instrumentation. For increased precision and minimal incision marks, Dr. Yazdan will use a micropunch as small as .7mm diameter in order to extract follicular units out of the donor area and implant them into the hairline gently and with perfect artistry.
Although FUE procedures are known as the safest and least invasive of existing surgical restoration options, tragedy can strike if surgical misapplication and misjudgment caused by poor operative care occurs.
What are the risks associated with having a hair transplant operation done by unlicensed technicians, physicians assistants, or inexperienced FUE surgeons? This list covers only a few:

  • Hair loss
  • Scarring
  • Infection
  • Botched appearance
  • Wrong direction of hair growth
  • Plugged graft look
  • Unnatural looking hair


FUE hair transplantation is usually sought after for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness, but can be a treatment option for many types of hair loss. Follicular unit extraction (FUE), when performed by a master physician skilled in hand-crafted precision instrumentation – not major surgical instruments or automated robots – is a completely safe and confidence-boosting procedure.
Make sure that you do your research, follow the guidelines set out above, and ask critically relevant questions of every hair restoration clinic you survey.
For questions or to schedule a consultation, call one of our offices conveniently located in Irvine, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas at 888-717-5273 or contact via our website at contact Modena Hair Link

Is a Low-Cost Hair Restoration Clinic a Good Choice?

A cheap hair transplant may prove to be exactly that – a cheap substitute for a very specialized procedure carried out by a suitably experienced and skillful hair loss physician.
The hair restoration industry is growing like wild fire as more and more men and women seek assistance with their hair loss concerns. As the demand for services like hair transplants, PRP therapy, and scalp micropigmentation rises, so does the number of “businesses” offering such services. Some clinics even offer hair transplants and other hair restoration procedures at a bargain, and let us warn you – you don’t’ want to be shopping for a low-cost hair restoration procedure or treatment of any type that’s easier on the pocketbook unless you’re prepared for the unruly results that comes with it that even your top hair transplant surgeons alike Dr. Yazdan are unable to fix – this isn’t the case always but many times, patients with a botched hair transplant must be turned away due to several factors including insufficient donor hair remaining.
Think about it. For most people suffering from hair loss, the decision to undergo a hair transplant surgery is one of the biggest you will ever make. It can change your life for the good – or it can change it for the bad. It’s your responsibility to do your homework and find a reputable surgeon with a dedicated surgical team. For many, a hair transplant procedure is positive and is an extremely rewarding experience. For others that choose to ‘get a bang for their buck,’ well… this can lead to heartache and misery. There are plenty of hair loss forums, videos and threads out there proving this.

Don’t Let Them Take Advantage of Your Sensitive Problem
Hair loss is an extremely sensitive problem for both men and women and people become desperate to get back the hair they once had. They worry about whether or not they can afford such treatments and there are plenty of low-cost “bargain” clinics waiting to take advantage of this. We understand, it takes a lot of courage to seek help when it comes to balding, hair loss, or your hair thinning concerns – these cheap clinics do too, by luring people in with discount hair restoration solutions. Low-cost hair loss clinics are often being ran by immoral or inexperienced individuals who are not licensed or do not have the experience or qualifications to treat patients properly. They can offer cheap hair loss solutions because they cut corners and jeopardize the safety of patients.

The Risky Business
Putting all your trust – and your hair – in one of these unethical clinics is a risky business. There is no way of knowing whether or not an unlicensed or inexperienced physician meets hygiene and safety standards…until its too late and you’re being treated for a scalp infection. Not only that, but your hair restoration treatment often can make you look worse than you did before. Board certified hair restoration specialist and ISHRS member, Dr. Yazdan, has had countless inquiries on hair transplant repairs because of these shameless clinics and we are alarmed by the number of patients we’ve seen who’ve had inferior quality hair transplants performed at outside budget clinics. Whether it’s been odd angling and position of the hair due to bad graft placement, terrible infections, or atrocious scars from an FUT/Strip surgery.
INVEST IN YOURSELF
It may be tempting to jump on a good deal that comes across your computer screen when researching hair restoration surgery, however, be wise and stay far away from these. The last thing you want is to end up looking worse with an uneven hairline or a patchy crown due to physicians cutting corners at the expense of you! Consider a hair transplant as an investment in yourself and opt for a licensed and reputable surgeon who specializes in solely, hair restoration.

At Modena Hair Institute, Dr. Yazdan is a board certified cosmetic surgeon specializing in hair restoration. You may have seen him consult and perform hair loss treatments on shows such as Dr. Phil, The Doctors, and is also a RealSelf top hair restoration surgeon.  Put your ‘scalp’ in the hands of the professionals and you will get the results you desire and deserve. You’ve heard the saying, “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.”

Southern California & Las Vegas Hair Restoration surgeon, Dr. Yazdan, can often give the results patients’ desire in a single FUE or FUT/Strip hair transplant surgery, with future sessions to follow only if necessary. Dr. Yazdan personally performs each hair transplant in Beverly Hills, Orange County and Las Vegas surgical clinics at his surgical center, utilizing a dedicated team throughout the entire process. He is involved in every aspect of the procedure in order to ensure the best possible hair restoration results and is committed to performing only one surgery per day in order to provide patients with the undivided attention they deserve.
For questions or to schedule a consultation, call one of our offices conveniently located in Irvine, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas at 888-717-5273 or contact via our website at contact Modena Hair Link

Does ‘Rogaine for Women’ Work and is it Safe?

Hair loss and thinning can have a dramatic impact on a women’s confidence and self-assurance. While it’s easy for females to feel alone in suffering from hair loss, it is actually quite common. It’s most common in women during and post-menopause, however, it can begin as early as a woman’s 20’s.
The key is to begin treatment or a hair loss regimen the moment you start noticing thinning, as most medications are shown to be most effective at the earliest stages of hair loss – Rogaine is one of them. Women’s Rogaine has the same formula as the men’s, the difference is the percentage of minoxidil (active ingredient) and recommended dosages to accommodate the differences in male and female sensitivity to the product. The American Hair Loss Institute has shown that minoxidil is often much more effective in women than in men – contrary to widespread belief. This means women need less to see growth. Women may also be more vulnerable to the side effects, which necessitate the smaller dosages. Thankfully, side effects are minor, and we will get more into that below.
What does Rogaine do for Women?
The active ingredient in Rogaine for women (and men, essentially) is Minoxidil. Minoxidil widens the blood vessels and opens potassium channels, sending more oxygen, blood flow and nutrients to the hair follicles. This will stimulate the hair follicles, promoting new growth and strengthening the hair. It is most effective at the onset stages of female-pattern hair loss, so try to start treatment as soon as you notice yourself starting to lose more hair than normal or if you start to see parts of the scalp due to the thinning of hair follicles AKA follicle miniaturization.
What is the Active Ingredient in Rogaine?
Minoxidil was originally a drug in pill form called Loniten – used to treat high blood pressure. Patients who were prescribed this medication noticed increased hair growth. By turning minoxidil into a topical solution to be applied directly on the scalp and being introduced in Rogaine in 1992, the product has become FDA approved for over-the-counter use and is now even more potent and effective. It is also the only FDA approved drug for women’s hair loss, also known as female-pattern baldness or female-pattern hair loss.
Rogaine Side Effects
Another popular belief about Rogaine for Women is that you’re going to grow hair in all the wrong places – this is exaggerated to say the least. Yes, some women have stated that they’ve grown unwarranted baby hairs past the hairline or on some parts of the face, but this is very rare and is most likely caused by improper distribution of the product, allowing it to drip down the face while applying onto the scalp. At Modena Hair Institute, we recommend wearing gloves while being very cautious as to where you are applying, only allowing it to reach the scalp and nowhere else, so just be careful. Although rare – other side effects include a dry scalp and minimal temporary shedding of the hair. Before you stop reading, don’t be alarmed… this isn’t only normal, but means it’s working! As the thin lifeless hair falls out, new healthy strands of hair begin to grow in place. Most female consumers find the benefits of having a thick head of hair outweigh the cons or minor side effects that come along with Rogaine. So, if you can withstand 2 weeks of some possible shedding, you’re in for a lifetime of Rogaine’s powerful benefits.

As with most things in life, consistency is crucial for optimal results. We like to tell our patients – it’s like brushing your teeth every day, you do it to maintain healthy teeth and gums, right? For most of us that will experience some form of hair loss and/or thinning in our lifetime, we must maintain a hair care regimen for a healthy head of hair!
Please note – while Rogaine works wonders for many women suffering from genetic hair loss, this product is not meant for treatment of other causes of hair loss (i.e. hair loss due to an underlying illness).  We don’t want you to waste money on a product that may not be right for you – we highly recommend seeing a hair restoration specialist to have an evaluation prior to using Rogaine. This will ensure your hair loss is in fact hereditary and just part of the ageing process rather than something more serious.
Still not sure if Rogaine is right for you? Luckily, there are other treatments for women that suffer from hair loss. At Modena Hair Institute, Dr. Yazdan offers treatments such as Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP), Low-Level Laser therapy, and GroMD’s haircare system including a DHT blocking Hair Loss Prevention Shampoo and Follicle Activator Spray.
*Hair Tip: For optimal results and to get your hair back without feeling self-conscious about throwing your hair up in a quick pony-tail – mixing Rogaine with GroMD’s Follicle Activator Spray has worked wonders for both men and women hair loss sufferers.
For questions or to schedule a consultation, call one of our offices conveniently located in Irvine, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas at 888-717-5273 or contact via our website at contact Modena Hair Link

Hair Growth Products VS Hair Restoration Procedures: Do They Compare?

If you’ve been sliding down a slope of thinning hair or a balding crown and have begun your hunt into hair restoration and ways to revamp your tresses, you may realize just how daunting of a subject it can be. Between all the ‘medical’ terminology and companies trying to sell miracle cures, figuring out what really works can feel like looking for a diamond in the rough!
So, what actually works? Are products like Rogaine the answer to all my problems, or is a more natural means to regrow hair viable through vitamins? And how do these methods compare with actual procedures for hair loss such as a hair transplant? If you’re feeling adrift when it comes to hair loss – no need to call a search-and-rescue, Dr. Yazdan and his team of experts at Modena Hair Restoration are here to help.
Hair Growth Products
Despite what you may have read online, there is no “magic pill” for hair growth. Increasing your vitamin intake into your diet or using products like snake oil to cure your balding issues simply have not shown enough proof of their effectiveness quite yet. If stopping hair loss was as simple as taking a vitamin, everyone would have a full head of hair; hair thinning women and balding men walking down the street would be virtually obsolete.
As of today, there are only two products approved by the FDA for treating hair loss; Yes, Minoxidil or better known as Rogaine is one of them and can be found over-the-counter. The second FDA-approved hair growth product is Propecia or its generic name – Finasteride which can be prescribed by a reputable hair restoration specialist, alike Dr. Yazdan. When used in conjunction, these two products are clinically proven to combat thinning hair, prevent future hair loss and are even proven to regrow those luscious locks you once had.

Propecia has shown its effectiveness in many clinical trials to regrow hair in men and some women, while Rogaine can significantly slow down hair loss and can encourage the growth of new hairs. When combined, Propecia and Rogaine can make a noticeable difference for those experiencing mild to moderate hair loss. For those experiencing more severe hair loss or looking for a more permanent solution, hair restoration procedures such as an FUE or FUT/Strip hair transplant may be a better solution depending on your needs and desires to have a thick and full head of hair.
Another product that has shown its effectiveness in fighting off hair loss and even regrowth is GroMD’s DHT blocking Hair Loss Prevention Shampoo and Follicle Activator Spray. No need to add any additional steps in your hair care regimen with this one as the DHT fighting ingredients come in the form of a product we already use daily – shampoo. Read more here on how elevated levels of DHT are the #1 culprit to men and women’s hair loss today.
Hair Restoration Procedures
Opposed to hair growth products, hair restoration procedures including hair transplants do not seek to solve or target the underlying causes of hair loss. Rather, a hair restoration surgery takes your own healthy donor hair – natural hair from the back and sides of the scalp and transplants them in receding hairlines and bald spots of concern. If done correctly and by a highly skilled hair restoration surgeon such as Dr. Yazdan, the results are natural-looking hair that blends in unnoticeably with your surrounding hair. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) are the two most advanced hair restoration methods to date. Dr. Yazdan routinely performs both FUE and FUT/Strip procedures yielding truly transformative results for those experiencing hair loss and in need of a self-confidence boost!


Other options like Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy and Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) have also been shown to make a compelling difference in hair loss and balding in both men and women. Dr. Yazdan performs both PRP and LLLT daily as they have both shown and proven to be two powerful and effective hair loss fighting options without going ‘under the knife.’

How Do They Compare?
In a sense, comparing products vs. procedures is like comparing apples to oranges. They have different effects and solutions in treating hair loss. Hair growth products like Minoxidil/Rogaine, Propecia and GroMD Hair Loss Prevention Shampoo and Follicle Activator Spray can make an impact as you start to notice your hair thinning. The main goals with these 3 products are to STOP and PREVENT hair loss in its earlier stages. These 3 are considered great hair loss regimens. For best results, you’ll want to begin treatment at the onset of hair loss to stop it in its tracks! Hair restoration procedures can restore lost hair by harvesting and transplanting healthy follicles from elsewhere on the scalp but won’t do anything to prevent further hair loss. Both hair growth products and hair restoration procedures are advantageous options for those combating hair loss, but the perfect option for you truly depends on your individual hair loss and your desires.
Southern California & Las Vegas Hair Restoration surgeon, Dr. Yazdan, can often give the results patients’ desire in a single FUE or FUT/Strip hair transplant surgery, with future sessions to follow only if necessary. Dr. Yazdan personally performs each hair transplant in Beverly Hills, Orange County and Las Vegas surgical clinics at his surgical center, utilizing a dedicated team throughout the entire process. He is involved in every aspect of the procedure in order to ensure the best possible hair restoration results and is committed to performing only one surgery per day in order to provide patients with the undivided attention they deserve.
For questions or to schedule a consultation, call one of our offices conveniently located in Irvine, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas at 888-717-5273 or contact via our website at contact Modena Hair Link 

The History of Hair Transplants

Even though the common belief is that the world of hair restoration began in the Unites States, it didn’t. The roots of modern day surgical hair restoration were actually cultivated in Japan in the late 1930’s. It was in 1939 that Japanese physician, Dr. Okuda described in detail his groundbreaking work in surgical hair restoration for burn victims. He created a grafting technique also known as the “punch” technique to harvest round sections of hair-bearing skin (tissue), which were then transplanted into small round holes at the recipient site. The use of this method was used in order to regrow hair in burn victims and the holes were prepared in the scared or burned areas of the scalps of his patients. After the skin grafts healed, they continued to yield hair in the previously bald areas of scalp.
Another Japanese doctor, Dr. Tamura lessened the size of the grafts to 1-3 hairs for better results. Unfortunately, this technique was lost during World War II, but they were soon rediscovered and used in the West.
The issue of baldness has affected humanity as recorded history has made notes about peoples’ lack of hair. No longer did we have to go bald and do nothing about it!
1950’s: A New York physician by the name of Dr. Norman Orentreich performed the first known hair transplant in the US on a man suffering with male pattern baldness (MPB). It was that day that Dr. Orentreich essentially reinvented modern-day hair transplantation. His work demonstrated that the hair from the back and the sides of a patient’s scalp was for the most part – resistant to the balding process. This is called the donor zone and is known to be DHT resistant, these hairs are essentially “protected” and are considered the holy grail for any type of hair transplantation.
According to the research of donor dominance, it was a principle that expressed why transplanted hair would continue to present the characteristics of the hair from where it was taken.  If taken from the side of the scalp, the hair will continue to grow as hair from the side of the scalp, but it would continue to grow in areas of the scalp that were thinning or completely bald.
1960’s: The decade that the industry of surgical hair transplantation had forever found a place in cosmetic surgery! The new views of baldness created a holistic treatment as the complete issue was beginning to be understood in the 1960’s. Surgical techniques focused on moving hair-bearing flaps to bald areas, using tissue expanders to help scalp reconstruction in bald areas and finally using bald reduction scalp surgery to remove part of the bald scalp and replace it with hair bearing scalp tissue. However, these techniques still could not have the desired natural look.
1970’s: Large grafts were used during this era and became known as “hair-plugs.” Hair plugs gave a negative view on hair transplants. Limitations on technology and procedure had drastic, sometimes crude results for Orentreich’s patients, and this created a social stigma associated with hair transplants.
1980’s: By the early 80’s micro-grafts used smaller grafts rather than one long strip resulting in a more natural look. Moving away from easily detected plug transplants, these techniques set the foundations for modern surgical practices that focus on safety and natural looking results. Micro-grafts were an improvement, but they still were not perfect.
1990’s: It wasn’t until the mid-1990’s that surgical hair restoration came out of the dark ages to produce credited and natural looking results. Alas! The advent of follicular unit transplantation (FUT) requires follicular units dissected from a donor strip (i.e. the back of the scalp) for a better result but requires more time and surgical skill.

Mid-2000’s: Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) became the current method of hair transplants that used a very tiny punch from a donor strip until the proper number of follicles were obtained.  FUE became more widely used as it made hair transplantation a virtually undetectable, viable option for many hair loss sufferers.  While technology ‘advanced’ that doesn’t necessarily mean ‘improved’ technology, the Robotic FUE method using an ARTAS Robot has seen more harm than good. FUE performed by the human-hand has made hair transplantation a virtually undetectable, viable option for many hair loss sufferers.

Hair transplants have also been coupled with new medications like Propecia/Finasteride and OTC Minoxidil/Rogaine in order to slow or even stop hair loss for optimal results.  In the past 30 years, tremendous advances have been made in stopping hair loss and regrowing hair back.
At Modena Hair Restoration, we want you to make an informed decision when choosing not only the right method that suits your specific needs, in addition – the right surgeon is just as important, so we’ve added a few quick pointers to help you choose a clinic and physician for your next hair restoration procedure.

  • The surgeon specializes in Hair Transplant surgeries with extensive expertise
  • The surgeon performing your procedure is a member of the ISHRS
  • The surgeon only performs 1 surgery per day
  • The surgeon performs the surgery – not allowing his or her technicians to take over
  • The surgeon extracts by hand – not a mechanical robot such as the Artas or NeoGraft 

Southern California & Las Vegas Hair Restoration surgeon, Dr. Yazdan, can often give the results patients’ desire in a single FUE or FUT/Strip hair transplant surgery, with future sessions to follow only if necessary. Dr. Yazdan personally performs each hair transplant in Beverly Hills, Orange County and Las Vegas surgical clinics at his surgical center, utilizing a dedicated team throughout the entire process. He is involved in every aspect of the procedure in order to ensure the best possible hair restoration results and is committed to performing only one surgery per day in order to provide patients with the undivided attention they deserve.
Remember, while a hair transplant is considered minimally invasive, this is still a surgical procedure that takes many years of skill and artistry to make it look natural and undetected by the naked eye. For more information regarding helpful tips, read our blog topic – Hair Transplant: Consultation Questions to Ask Your Surgeon.
For questions or to schedule a consultation, call one of our offices conveniently located in Irvine, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas at 888-717-5273 or contact via our website at contact Modena Hair Link 

Drug-Induced: Is Your Medications Causing You Hair Loss?

Medications are designed to treat a wide range of health conditions, but sometimes they can have unwarranted side effects including changes in our hair. Changes in hair color, texture and you guessed it…even hair loss! Medication-induced hair loss, just like any other form of hair loss, can have a profound influence on men and women’s self-esteem. The good news is – once the medication is stopped, your hair loss most likely can be reversed. Now for the unwelcome news – many of us must take these medications to treat a more fundamental problem (i.e. thyroid problem) creating a vicious cycle of problems and frustration.
So, what do you do? While we don’t recommend you tossing your meds in the trash to save your hair, At Modena Hair Restoration, we would first suggest seeing your doctor who prescribed the medication and ask if there is an alternative without the pesky and unruly side effect of hair loss. If not, you’ll have to find treatments to supplement this bothersome side effect.
Drugs can induce a wide spectrum of hair loss ranging from barely detectable hair loss to irreversible baldness. This is caused by interrupting the normal cycle of hair growth. It’s important to understand the 3 diverse cycles:

  1. Anagen phase – 90% of your hair is in this phase for 2-5 years, the hair grows. This is considered the “active growth” phase.
  2. Catagen phase – which lasts 2-3 weeks, the hair is preparing itself for the final phase of Telogen. This is also known as the “transitional” phase.
  3. Telogen phase – which last about 3 months, the hair rests, older hairs are shed and then replaced by new hairs. This is also known as the “resting” phase.

Medications can lead to two specific types of hair loss:
Telogen Effluvium – being the most common type of medication-induced hair loss, usually appears a few months after starting the medication. This causes the hair follicles to go into their state of rest (Telogen) and fall out prematurely.
Anagen Effluvium – this type of hair loss occurs in the Anagen phase of our hair growth cycle when the hairs are actively growing. It prevents the matrix cells (which assist in producing new hairs) from dividing in a normal fashion. This is a more severe form of hair loss that is mostly seen in patients taking chemotherapy drugs causing them to lose most-if not all the hairs on their head and can even affect the eyebrows, eyelashes and body hair.
Culpable Medications known to cause hair loss:

  • Acne medication (retinol in acne medications)
  • Antibiotics and antifungal medications
  • Antidepressants
  • Oral Contraceptives
  • Anticoagulants or “blood thinners”
  • Immunosuppressant medications

Possible Treatments (dependent on the type of hair loss):

At Modena Hair Restoration, Dr. Yazdan prevents and treats hair loss caused by medications with a custom medical management regimen to fit patients specific needs. By visiting with a reputable specialist alike Dr. Yazdan early, you can make a plan of attack for prevention and treatment. While hair loss may still occur, your preemptive approach can considerably lessen the overall impact.

For information on medical reasons for acquiring a hair transplant click here.
For questions or to schedule a consultation, call one of our offices conveniently located in Irvine, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas at 888-717-5273 or contact via our website at contact Modena Hair Link 

Hair Loss: Importance of Seeing a Hair Restoration Physician

When you first begin to notice hair loss, it can be tempting to rush to your Primary Care Physician right away to consult them. From there, you might find that you are referred to a dermatologist or even an endocrinologist – but this isn’t always the right course of action for you, or your hair.
There are so many subdivisions in hair restoration surgery that it is incredibly important to see a doctor who specializes in the field, not one who carries out several types of cosmetic procedures with “hair restoration” being one of them.
If it makes you feel more comfortable and at ease, by all means – start with your Primary Care doctor. However, I urge you not to stop here and to seek the help of a hair loss specialist.
Why NOT to go to a Dermatologist:
Dermatologists are often the first “port of call” if you will and come after your PCP – this is generally where a PCP will refer us.
While it can be enticing to think that you are in excellent hands with a dermatologist, this can frequently be misleading. Dermatologists are experts in their field, habitually, but this is often times not hair. For this reason, not all Dermatologist are ‘up-to-date’ with the latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of your hair loss. There are endless amounts of hair loss vitamins and pills promising to regrow your hair and make it thicker – but a hair loss specialist will be able to give you the best advice that is tailored to you and your specific needs.
There are many distinct causes of hair loss, so making sure that you are getting the correct treatment for your type of hair loss is paramount.
Why NOT to go to an Endocrinologist:
Endocrinologists are often another customary referral we get from our General Practitioner. Endocrinologists specialize in working with your endocrine structure – the system culpable for hormones and illnesses that result from hormonal imbalances we tend to get from time to time.
While hormonal imbalances are known to cause hair loss – making it probable to see this type of specialist, there are also countless diversified types of hair loss that are not caused by a hormonal imbalance. Therefore, it is critical to see a hair loss specialist – to ensure that you are getting a correct and current report.
Why See a Hair Loss Specialist:
The first step in treating any medical problem is assessment and diagnosis. After all, only with a proper diagnosis in place can an adequate treatment method be recommended.
Using your medical history provided, as well as the physical assessment performed at a clinic, a leading hair loss specialist alike Dr. Yazdan can exhibit a better understanding of your hair loss and thinning. At Modena Hair Institute, Dr. Yazdan can offer you insight into the cause of your hair loss, as well as the likely outcomes should treatment be delayed.
Sometimes, hair loss can be a sign of a larger health issue or an underlying condition. In these cases, Dr. Yazdan will be able to 1) recognize this and 2) refer you to the right medical professional for further testing.
A few things Dr. Yazdan would be looking for include:

  • Dryness and/or scaling
  • Scarring
  • Noticeable patterns of loss
  • Hair follicle irritation/inflammation
  • Low-quality hair texture
  • Signs of infections (fungal or bacterial)
  • Signs of dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis
  • Excess sebum production

How to Prepare for Your Appointment
To get the most from your appointment, I recommend you plan ahead. Here are a few tips to get you started on your preparations:

  • Avoid styling your hair prior to your appointment
  • Avoid the use of hair products such as conditioners, gels, hair sprays, serums etc.
  • Jot down any questions or concerns and bring them with you
  • Bring any relevant health paperwork such as lab results

Not only will some of these preparations make the process transparent, but they can also lend themselves to improved assessment and diagnosis. While hair loss can be a devastating experience, the right professionals can help. Through a thorough evaluation and diagnosis, you can then move forward with the appropriate treatment and regain your hair and your life back!

Just as with anything in life, experience is imperative. It is important to seek a professional who specializes in hair restoration exclusively, as well as to meet personally with your physician of choice and have an in-person evaluation suited for your specific needs.
By visiting with a specialist early, you can make a plan of attack for prevention and treatment. While hair loss may still occur, your preemptive approach can considerably lessen the overall impact.

For questions or to schedule a consultation, call one of our offices conveniently located in Irvine, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas at 888-717-5273 or contact via our website at contact Modena Hair Link 
 
 

3 Ways to Deal with a Hair Transplant at Work

Undergoing a hair transplant procedure can be nerve-racking and even daunting for some patients. While most men and women who undergo a hair restoration surgery with a world-renowned hair transplant surgeon alike Dr. Yazdan are very happy once their results grow in, dealing with the first few months can make patients anxious, especially if you work in an office environment. So how does one manage and maintain privacy at work during the first several months post-surgery?  In this article, we will discuss 3 solutions for maintaining or resolving any concerns over public attention.
Option 1 – Partial shave or full buzz cut:
In many cases, Dr. Yazdan’s hair transplant patients can conceal any signs of a hair transplant surgery simply by partially shaving the recipient area and keeping the rest of the hair untouched.  When styling your hair a certain way, most (if not all) signs of surgery can be effectively camouflaged. Two fitting examples of a style that could be used would be a “side sweep” or “side part”. Not every hair restoration patient is able to grow their hair out and, in this case, some patients choose to completely shave their head and let all their hair grow out in unison.
Option 2 – Topical hair loss concealer:
Depending on how long the patient has before they return to work, there are a few different types of hair loss concealers on the market today that we recommend trying out while waiting ever-so-patiently for your new locks to grow out. One solution we recommend at Modena Hair Institute is hair fibers. Hair fibers are magnetically charged and attach to miniaturized hairs and the fibers bind to each follicle, creating the appearance of added fullness. The other type of hair loss concealer we recommend is a hard-packed powder formula – also known as “hair-shadow”. Hair-shadow matches the color of an individual’s hair to their scalp and minimizes the contrast between scalp and hair. This provides an ‘illusion’ of denser looking hair. If you went with an all over buzz cut, hair shadow will be your best friend while going through the transformation. If you decide to keep your hair at a longer length, sprinkling hair fibers on the scalp is a great solution in concealing your hair transplant. Both hair fibers and hair-shadow are easy to use and washes out in the shower.
Option 3 – Be Honest:
This option may be the least favored but certainly the least troublesome. Being honest and upfront with co-workers and friends highlights a real concern that men and women around the world go through each day; and that is hair loss! Most people have their own issues and insecurities that cause them to be self-conscious. In general, a hair transplant patient may get a few questions regarding their experience.  After a period, people will move on and likely forget it all together. Being honest can be very liberating and with so many men and even women suffering with hair loss each day, taking an honest approach about your hair transplant may be enough to inspire a change in someone else’s life!
At Modena Hair Institute, we understand that surgical procedures may not be for everyone, and it is paramount to feel confident and comfortable with not only the process, but the surgeon of your choice. Do bountiful research prior to jumping the gun and making any decisions. Here at Modena, Dr. Yazdan personally performs each hair transplant in Beverly Hills, Orange County and Las Vegas surgical clinics at his surgical center, utilizing a dedicated team throughout the entire process. He is involved in every aspect of the procedure in order to ensure the best possible hair restoration results and is committed to performing only one surgery per day in order to provide patients with the undivided attention they deserve.

 

For questions or to schedule a consultation, call one of our offices conveniently located in Irvine, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas at 888-717-5273 or contact via our website at contact Modena Hair Link 
 
 

Understanding How Hair Transplant “Grafts” Mature into New Healthy Hair

You may have heard the term “graft” if you’ve been considering a hair transplant surgery.  But how does that pertain to hair since ultimately, that is what you’re trying to obtain with this procedure?
A hair “graft” is just a scientific term for a single hair or group of hairs conjoined together in a single unit with the assistance of scalp tissue. For example, in today’s gold standard, follicular units come in groups of 1, 2, 3, and sometimes 4 hairs. Yet, a 4 haired follicular unit is still a “graft” as is a one haired follicular unit graft. In yester years, follicular units could reach upwards of 15 hairs per graft. These were called “plug” hair transplants. Thankfully, todays modern technology has allowed us to harvest much smaller grafts to be transplanted, yielding a much more natural look if done correctly. This can be accomplished using either FUE or FUT/strip hair transplant methods.

Each hair per graft consists of a single follicle below the scalp. When the hair begins to shed after a surgical hair restoration, the follicle remains behind and goes dormant for several months. Three to five months following, those follicles begin producing new hairs that grow just like your natural hair does.
It’s important to note, that waiting until a greater portion of your hair has transferred from your head to down the drain is not the best idea. The average hair transplant patient has an available donor on the back of the scalp of approximately 5,000-8,000 follicular unit grafts. It wouldn’t be possible for patients with a Norwood class 5 or higher to be a suitable candidate for a full hair restoration as there wouldn’t be enough density.

We don’t have an endless supply of donor hair as some may think. Thus, donor hair must be used and transplanted strategically and artistically using the skill and experience of your hair restoration surgeon. An experienced surgeon alike Dr. Yazdan can cover the most ground and add density to your most critical areas. Critical areas typically include reconfiguring a natural looking hairline and the immediate areas behind it along with other areas as defined by the patient’s goals and desires.

Ultimately, patients and hair restoration physicians should discuss all these things prior and work out a suitable hair-game plan the patient will be satisfied with. Short and long-term goals should be discussed, especially since male pattern baldness (MPB) is progressive and subsequent procedures may be desired or needed to meet all existing and future goals.
Southern California & Las Vegas Hair Restoration surgeon, Dr. Yazdan, can often give the results patients’ desire in a single FUE or FUT/Strip hair transplant surgery, with future sessions to follow only if necessary. Dr. Yazdan personally performs each hair transplant in Beverly Hills, Orange County and Las Vegas surgical clinics at his surgical center, utilizing a dedicated team throughout the entire process. He is involved in every aspect of the procedure in order to ensure the best possible hair restoration results and is committed to performing only one surgery per day in order to provide patients with the undivided attention they deserve.
For questions or to schedule a consultation, call one of our offices conveniently located in Irvine, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas at 888-717-5273 or contact via our website at contact Modena Hair Link 
 

Different Types of Hair Transplant Surgeries: The 3 Most Common Methods of the Twentieth Century

Hair loss problems can be caused by a plethora of assorted reasons. While this can seem alarming, in many cases hair loss can be reversible once the problem is identified and a solution has taken place. However, there are many instances in which new hair growth becomes impossible due to permanent damage to follicles of the scalp. For these patients, typical hair treatment tips and tricks just won’t cut it and a more permanent solution is needed.
Thanks to science and modern technology, hair transplant surgery has made hair restoration possible for (almost) everyone! However, if you wish to take the route of a hair transplant, you should first educate yourself on the hair transplant methods that are commonly used today. Leading hair restoration surgeons alike Dr. Yazdan, have even pioneered through the industry by developing tools that offer precision allowing him to yield some of the most natural hair transplant results out there! Now let’s get into the 3 most common hair transplant methods making headway in the twentieth century.
Scalp Reduction
Scalp reduction is one of the earliest hair transplant methods that yielded successful results. In this method, scalp from the balding area is surgically removed. In most cases, this area consists of the crown and the top of the head. Once this area is removed, the scalp area that still bears hair, is then stretched over to cover and replace that shiny bald patch (think Donald Trump). This hair transplant method worked well for patients who had a good amount of healthy donor hair on the back and sides of their scalp. Today, this method is seldom used due to the advancement on hair transplant procedures such as the next 2 we will discuss.

Follicular Unit Transplantation also known as “FUT” or the “Strip” Method
For the last several decades, FUT has remained one of the most popular and successful hair transplant methods used in our times. This method not only makes the hair look exceptionally natural, but also allows the hairs to function in a natural manner. For this procedure, Dr. Yazdan and his team use high resolution stereo microscopes when dissecting the strip of tissue harvested from the donor area. This largely reduces the risk of hair damage.
Sometimes, the extraction of a donor strip can leave a linear scar on the back of the scalp, which over the years has inclined more men and women to side with the most advanced hair transplant method out there today – the FUE method.
Advantages of FUT:

  • Larger areas of baldness can be covered in fewer sessions
  • The transection rate may be lowered providing superior results. (the transection rate also depends highly on the skill of your surgeon)
  • The survival rate may higher


Follicular Unit Extraction also known as “FUE”
FUE is very similar to FUT. However, the difference here is that FUE does not require the removal of a complete strip of scalp tissue and is much less invasive. In fact, during an FUE hair transplant procedure, each individual hair follicle is extracted from the back and sides of the head using small punch tools and are then grafted to the recipient area where balding and thinning has taken place.
One of the major advantages of FUE is that there is minimal scarring and damage to the donor area when performed properly. There’s no strip of tissue being removed, less bleeding, less risk of scarring, and a natural looking appearance all around! This method has offered our patients over the years with more flexibility over the type of hairstyles they wish to keep.
Advantages of FUE:

  • This method does not involve the removal of a strip of scalp tissue, there are no incisions or stitches
  • There is no linear scar on the back of the scalp

At Modena Hair Restoration, we want you to make an informed decision when choosing not only the right method that suits your specific needs, in addition – the right surgeon is just as important, so we’ve added a few quick pointers to help you choose a clinic and physician for your next hair restoration procedure.

  • The surgeon specializes in Hair Transplant surgeries with extensive expertise
  • The surgeon performing your procedure is a member of the ISHRS
  • The surgeon only performs 1 surgery per day
  • The surgeon performs the surgery – not allowing his or her technicians to take over
  • The surgeon extracts by hand – not a mechanical robot such as the Artas or NeoGraft

Remember, while a hair transplant is considered minimally invasive, this is still a surgical procedure that takes many years of skill and artistry to make it look natural and undetected by the naked eye. For more information regarding helpful tips, read our blog topic – Hair Transplant: Consultation Questions to Ask Your Surgeon.
For questions or to schedule a consultation, call one of our offices conveniently located in Irvine, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas at 888-717-5273 or contact via our website at contact Modena Hair Link 
 
 

Can Wearing Hats Cause Hair Loss?

Is there any truth to the old wives’ tale that says wearing hats can subsequently lead to hair loss? Maybe the rigmarole stemmed from so many balding men that used to wear hats to cover up their hair loss or maybe it/s because people think that hats have a negative effect on scalp circulation? We’re here to tell you in truth – hats do not cause or contribute to your hair loss! No need to hang up your favorite baseball cap, you can carry on wearing hats even on a daily basis without it affecting the amount of hair on your head.
A clear majority of us men and women that bear with balding or thinning issues ‘suffer’ from what’s called androgenetic alopecia – a predisposition for receding hairlines, thinning hair and that pesky bald spot in the center of your scalp. Unfortunately, people with androgenetic alopecia can’t escape the inevitable; it’s in their genes. That is to say, if it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen! No matter what, the blocked production of DHT will interfere with the natural hair cycle. It doesn’t make any difference if a person with androgenetic alopecia or “pattern-baldness” wears hats…they’ll still lose their hair. Likewise, a person who doesn’t suffer from male or female-pattern baldness is not going to cause a sudden onset of hair loss by wearing hats frequently. Fortunately now, there are ways you can slow it down with products such as Propecia (Finasteride), Minoxidil (Rogaine) and a DHT blocking shampoo such as GroMD Hair Loss Prevention shampoo.
With that said, theoretically – one of the only ways that wearing a hat could have any affect on hair loss would be due to sebum buildup. Sebum is the thick, oily substance excreted from oil glands that can build up on your scalp in extremely hot, humid and sweaty conditions and can create a stiff “plug” that cuts off the hair follicle’s circulation leading to clogging of the pores in the scalp which can cause hair growth to slow down or even stop. This is completely preventable by simply washing the hair regularly in those warmer temperatures.
Speaking of circulation being conducive to hair growth, couldn’t wearing a hat disrupt follicle circulation? A hat would have to be extremely tight and be worn for a long amount of time before it started affecting the scalp’s circulation. If you’re comfortable wearing hats…we say wear them! There’s no way it will affect your hairs growth.
In contrary, hat-wearing may actually be beneficial to hair growth. Hats offer your scalp and hair protection against the sun – which can cause hair loss. Healthy hair grows quickly, and hair that has spent extensive amounts of time soaking up those harmful sun rays is less likely to be as healthy. Hats also protect the scalp from sunburn, which has shown to lead to slower hair growth.
If you feel so compelled, you can let your friends know who insist that your everlasting Dodger cap is going to leave your head shiny and glistening by the end of your 30’s…that it’s just an old wives’ tale.
If you’d like to find out hair restoration options, we offer both surgical and non-surgical hair loss solutions at our clinics.
For questions or to schedule a consultation, call one of our offices conveniently located in Irvine, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas at 888-717-5273 or contact via our website at contact Modena Hair Link