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Case Results

Jamaal’s Celebrity Hair Transplant (Case Study)

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hair transplant thinning

An architectural designer who frequented celebrity parties with stars such as Bill Maher and Lady Gaga has told us how he overcame crippling low self-esteem with a hair transplant at Modena Hair Institute with our double board certified Dr. Amir Yazdan.

Jamaal spent his working life mixing with top designers and musicians who graced the pages of the Los Angeles Times. But behind the party smiles he was a hiding a secret agony over his thinning hair which he disguised with a hat in many of his most public photos.

The bald patch around his crown grew so much he was jokingly called ‘Big Red’ by friends at work where he was under pressure to stay looking young. Jamaal, 44, turned his life around with the a hair transplant procedure from a doctor he trusted with heart. Jamaal knew two friends who Dr. Yazdan helped with personalized hair restoration options.

Jamaal had about 2,000 hairs transplanted into the temples at the side of his scalp, his hairline and right across his bald crown. With the transplanted hair now fully grown back, he now has a full head of hair again and says: “It’s been an absolute life changer. I look eight years younger.” 

Jamaal explained: “I turned 40 and I had recently went through a divorce. I was in a job that put me in alot of exclusive social situations, where I was mixing with stars and business magnates and there was a pressure on me to look good, but I was losing my hair fast and having to wear a hat all the time to cover up my baldness. 

“I guess you could say I was having a mid-life crisis. I didn’t realize at the time just how much my baldness was contributing to my lack of self-confidence but I knew it was a factor. I was partying with all these A-list stars while worrying about my thinning hair.”

I knew I needed to do something drastic to kick-start my life and I had hair transplanted to all my bald spots by Dr. Yazdan. “It has been amazing watching the new hair grow back over the last year and now I finally have a full head of hair again.” 

“I can go out and meet my favorite friends and coworkers without wearing a hat,” he joked. “In fact, I do need to wear a hat when I’m walking my dog because my hair is so big and it helps to keep it all in one place!” 

Jamaal had a follicular unit extraction (FUE) procedure with Dr. Yazdan at Modena Hair Institute in Beverly Hills.

Hair grafts are taken from the back and side of the scalp and replanted in the balding areas by a highly skilled and experienced specialist like Dr. Yazdan. The advantage of this method is the scarring is minimal with patients having some red pin pricks from where the hair is extracted and replanted which go away after a few days. Jamaal said: “I was worried about the pain but the operation was fine. I was joking with staff while watching TV on the monitors at the clinic!”

“The new hair grew back gradually over the year and by the end of it I had the full head of hair I hadn’t had since I was a teenager. “I didn’t realize just how much I was lacking in confidence till I had hair again and I felt so much better.” 

Jamaal, from Boston, Massachusetts, had first started losing his hair in his early 20s – first from his hairline and then his crown – just as he embarking on a career in architecture. 

He was a big success at work and eight years ago landed his dream job as editor of one of Los Angeles’ largest firms.

“The only solution for my aging look and wispy hair was having a transplant and I am so glad that I did. The techniques have improved so much and the transplanted hair blends naturally with your existing hair. The new transplanted hair will last for the rest of my life.” 

Our own Dr. Yazdan has seen a 25% rise in patients at Modena Hair Institute – in part due to the lack of stigma associated with hair loss. Increasing numbers of young men following their favorite stars who have had hair transplants in the past.

Dr. Yazdan said: “Jamaal has got a great result and it is especially satisfying to hear how his new hair has boosted his self-confidence. It’s no exaggeration to say that a hair transplant can completely transform your life. We see it everyday.”

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My Hair Transplant Results After 1 Year

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It’s now been 12 months since I had my hair transplant at Modena Hair Institute and Dr. Yazdan and his team kindly asked me if I could detail my thoughts and feelings about the entire process. I happily said yes. If I help just one person feel understood and comfortable with going in for hair restoration I will have succeeded.

First let’s go over cost. 

The number of grafts I had done was around 1,500. The price I paid was close to $8,000. This is alot of money, but if you know anything about hair transplantation, you get what you pay for. I had done plenty of research (believe me, it was a headache) before I chose to go with Dr. Yazdan. My hairline had been thinning and receding for years, and it was going quickly, I knew if I wanted to keep my hair and not go bald, I had to get a procedure that was no-nonsense and highly specialized.

Second, let’s look at the results!

  • Many people ask me, “Ray, are you happy with it? Are you happy with the results after a year?” My answer immediately is, “Yes! Just look at it.” I tell them. Compared to what my hair was like before, the 1,500 or so grafts that Dr. Yazdan spread across the crown and hairline practically revived my masculine look. Compared to what my hairline was like before (see ‘before’ picture below) it wasn’t looking good – it was almost impossible to style and my widows peak was so deep that I couldn’t hide it behind any comb style I could try.

  • As for the new hair transplant, the only downside I would site is it took close to 8 months for my hairline to look like it’s most natural and grown-in self. The results are not instant, but this is hardly a downside considering the results are permanent and gorgeous. You do have to be patient – the truly beautiful results won’t show themselves for 6-9 months afterwards (results may vary).
  • Let’s talk follicles. Going in I had no idea about the importance of what’s called ‘follicular units’. A follicular unit can contain up to five strands of hair. At the lowest count, however, one follicular unit can contain one strand of hair. 

follicular units

Part of the job of Dr. Yazdan during the surgery was so survey which units or grafts had the best and most numerous strands, and how they would best suit my new hairline. I had the impression that FUE hair transplantation was simply taking one unit from the back and placing it in the front. Dr. Yazdan would take the richest follicular units and place them aesthetically and strategically to form the new crown. This is another instance where you get what you pay for. Clinics usually charge per graft, and therefore come to the same rate, but the outcome depends entirely on the strategy, eye and expertise of the surgeon.

  • During my post-surgery consultation, when I asked Dr. Yazdan about the potential for more hair transplants in the future, he assured me that I was safely prepared to have more if I wanted to, because there were plenty of good grafts remaining at my donor site for future harvesting.

Let’s talk about styling

  • Choosing a hairstyle that adds more volume to your hair is always best if you are thinning or bald in any area of your scalp. A common hair style after a hair transplant is combing the hair forward (if you have a large widows peak) or backwards (if the crown is thinning).
  • The longer your hair grows, the more coverage you will have. When hair is combed backward, it can be helpful in covering the thin areas behind the transplanted hairline. Using gel or wax to hold your hair in place is a good choice. Also, finding a hairstyle that involves blow drying your hair is a great way to make it seem like you have more hair than you do. 
  • A great way to add more to your hair thickness is scalp micro pigmentation. I will be returning to Modena Hair Institute next year for a full scalp micro pigmentation session to add the appearance of thickness! (It also alot cheaper than a hair transplant, and requires no recovery time, so I’m excited for the quick tune up).

smp orange county

Finally I want to emphasize: do your research!

  • Make absolutely sure that you’ve gone through both online and offline records for the clinic, their credentials, reviews and look at case studies done by the surgeon who would be treating you.
  • I started by talking about why the high price tag for the procedure (in my eyes) was worth it. I am so happy with the results and with the level of detail and expertise Dr. Yazdan provided. I can’t believe I will feel confident with my hair for another decade to come.
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Unethically Counting Graft Numbers

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Last month Dr. Yazdan of Modena Hair Institute returned to appear on Spencer Kobren’s show, The Bald Truth, to discuss the hidden and sinister ways in which some hair transplants cut corners by unethically charging patients for extra grafts which are both unnecessary and harmful to scalp tissue.
If follicular units are divided up into smaller groups, or into individual hairs, the graft numbers will significantly increase (and so will the price of the hair restoration procedure) without any increase in fullness (and probably less fullness due to sub-optimal growth.)
Certain clinics will split four-hair or three-hair grafts into four one-hair grafts or three one-hair grafts in order to charge the patient for more individual grafts. The result is not only a dramatic increase in surgical cost for the patient, but also the newly separated grafts often do not grow as well, as they would need to be spread out over more than the space that a single multi-hair graft would otherwise occupy.
Variations on this technique of graft count manipulation occur ubiquitously, especially at non-specialist clinics or clinics which rely on robotic machinery. If the microscopic dissection (dissection of multi-unit grafts into single grafts) is poor and some of the hair in the follicle is destroyed, the results will be aesthetically disastrous.
To reiterate in plainer language, these clinics both charge clients for extra unnecessary grafts (often resulting in hundreds or thousands of dollars more) and often leave them with poor, non-dense and thin looking hairlines.

Amir Yazdan: ‘Certain clinics will sell more grafts, but then cut up and dissect the grafts for no other purpose except to charge the customer more’

Spencer Kobren: ‘I’m so glad you brought this up. There are also clinics who use a larger punch purely to get more grafts, which can end up decimating the patients donor hair’.

At Modena Hair Institute, Dr. Yazdan will never divide up multi-unit grafts, except when very fine incisions are necessary. His focus is quality, density and a natural-looking hairline. To this effect, Dr. Yazdan has developed very fine surgical blades to prepare and insert multi-follicular units into his hair transplant patients’ scalps. He places the hairs carefully so they aligned with the natural direction of the hair, restoring original density and volume.

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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Case Study – Logan Jillkes

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successful hair transplant
The Procedure
An overseas follicular unit transplant (FUT) procedure left Logan with a ‘pluggy’ hairline and a visible scar from temple to temple, so Dr. Yazdan performed a follicular unit strip method, in which hair follicles are taken from a non-balding area of the scalp and then transplanted into the thinning spots. Logan had a second procedure 11 months later to add density and further cover other thinning areas. The surgeries covered Logan’s scar and moved his temple hairline forward two inches.
An Interview with Logan
One of the most athletic and resiliently hardworking professionals we’ve ever met, Logan leads an intense life of structural engineering by day and personal training by night. It’s hard to think of someone who has higher stores of energy than Logan, and his goals and achievements are staggering to behold. Yet for all of his natural talents and energy, Logan has confessed the importance of hair restoration to his overall confidence and success.
Without the work of Dr. Amir Yazdan and Modena Hair Institute, Logan says, “I’d never have the confidence to stand up and do those presentations and solicit the sponsors I need to achieve the career progress I seek.” When Logan began to research hair restoration surgery at the age of 32, he already had a deeply receding hairline. Very unfortunately, Logan’s first foray into the world of hair transplant surgery got him caught in a seductive web of glittering and unreal promises from unspecialized and untrained clinics overseas. His first FUT procedure left him with a large unflattering scar on the back of his head, as well as a pluggy look on his frontal hairline. As we’ve cautioned many times before, when potential patients are researching about hair transplantation, they should not be concerned with price. An exceptional hair transplant which leaves the patient transformed and renewed with authentic confidence is truly priceless. Moreover, most top tier hair transplant clinics today – including Modena Hair Institute – offer extremely afford payment plans.
Unhappy with the scar and his final look, Logan consulted a cosmetic surgeon, who recommended he see Dr. Yazdan at Modena Hair Institute. From the start, Logan says, “I was very comfortable” with the center and Dr. Yazdan. “I didn’t even try to look for a second opinion, I was confident with Dr. Yazdan’s methods and expertise from the first meeting.” Modena Hair Institute not only offered Logan the medical expertise he sought, but also the friendly instruction and personal guidance often lacking in health care. “We all have the right to expect empathetic and welcoming care, but we don’t always get that. But at Modena Hair Institute, the entire process and staff was congenial from the start. Everybody uniformly has been so awesome to me.” Logan credits Modena Hair Institute and Dr. Yazdan with restoring the youthful hairline and natural luster of his appearance. “I’ve had to deconstruct a lot of barriers during this process,” he says. “Overcoming social stigma and pressures from others can be grueling. Hair restoration might seem small in comparison to elite personal training, but it means everything to me in terms of my confidence. And I wouldn’t go anywhere else for hair transplantation.”
Ask the Doctor
Deciding whether hair restoration surgery is the right choice for you may generate a list of questions. Just ask. Dr. Yazdan will personally reply.

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 Pinnacle of Hair Restoration

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Are all hair restoration clinics the same? There are many fantastic providers to choose from, so what makes Modena Hair Institute the right choice for you? We encourage our patients to look around and see what is available. We are confident in our ability to serve hair loss sufferers like no one else. It’s important to research the various hair restoration practices and look at all the factors, not simply price. Dr. Amir Yazdan is a world leader in hair restoration and our clinic is a unique destination for those seeking the very best for their hair.
Specialized Expertise
There are thousands of hair restoration doctors and practitioners in the US alone. Some are cosmetic surgeons, some are plastic surgeons, others are aesthetic specialists. Some practices do the procedures themselves and some let technicians run the entire procedure. We know these things go on and we are on a mission to elevate the entire conversation. Hair transplantation is all we do, and it is all we will ever do. We’re masters at manual transplantation – no machines, technical operators or gimmicks. All of our procedures are led by the expert artistic eye of board-certified Dr. Amir Yazdan. We don’t do nose jobs or breast augmentation. We don’t do teeth whitening or tummy tucks. We do one thing and we do it exceptionally. We help you regain the confidence and robust image you have of yourself through hair restoration. That’s it. It is our mission and our obsession. We’ve seen the change it has made in our patients lives and we are determined to not only remove the stigma from hair restoration, but to continue to push the envelope of what’s possible.
State of the Art Method
Our medical director, Amir Yazdan, M.D., is a pioneer of the shaveless FUE. This is a very special type of hair transplant that leaves the surrounding hair mostly intact. Dr. Yazdan works around the existing hair to remove single follicular units. The hair follicles are then transplanted individually to the thinning or balding areas of the temple or crown. If done by a master hair restoration specialist, this method leaves no visible linear scar.
When every strand counts, shaving parts of your scalp for a procedure can be a deal-breaker. Some other procedures take a strip of scalp from the back of the head (FUT procedure). These other procedures leave a linear scar and larger shaved areas. While this procedure has its place, we believe that shaveless FUE is the current gold standard in hair transplantation, as it is most inviting to newer patients and hair loss sufferers. The patients who come to our practice for an FUE transplant routinely go back to work a few days later with no visible surgical remnants. This cannot be said of many other practices and procedures.
Elite Certification and Honors
Dr. Yazdan is board-certified, a long-standing member of the prestigious International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) and is recommended by The American Hair Loss Association (AHLA). He is also a member of the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS) and is the only such member practicing in the Orange County and Las Vegas areas. Members of the IAHRS are deeply vetted for professional conduct. Members are held to the highest standards of consumer safety and satisfaction. He has served as an expert consultant at prestigious hair transplant seminars and workshops in the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and the United States. Once you start looking at real credentials, the field of potential providers for your next hair restoration really begins to narrow.
Dr. Yazdan has also made numerous appearances on television and in the media, including: Dr. Phil, The Doctors, The Bald Truth, OC Register, Mogul Insider. His experience, knowledge and skill earned him seats at the 2019 FUE Europe Congress in Manchester, England and the 2018 ISHRS 26thWorld Congress in Hollywood, California, among other distinguished congregations.
Tailored Patient Care
Modena Hair Institute is designed with one person in mind, people fighting hair loss. We care passionately about our patients. Hair restoration, if done well and by the right specialist, has the potential to change a person’s life. That journey begins the moment you walk in our front door. We’d love for you to come by for a tour or free consultation. You will meet with Dr. Amir Yazdan, himself. He will give you a medical evaluation and show you what is possible.

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.