Tag Archives: fut strip hair transplant

Norwood 7 Hair Restoration – 59 year old – 3,700 Grafts

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

Diagnosis: FUE transplant – Age: 59 – Sex: Male – Grafs: 3,700

In another outstanding display of skill and aesthetic expertise Dr. Yazdan has engineered a new hairline. The patient, a 59 year old Male was suffering from extensive hair loss. His condition was classified as a 7 on the Norwood scale. The Norwood scale has been used by physicians since the 1950s to classify the severity of Male Pattern Baldness with 1 being the earliest visible signs of hair thinning and 7 representing the most advanced levels of hair loss. However, our patient’s Norwood number proved no obstacle to Dr. Yazdan who by skilled application of both FUE and FUT techniques, reconstructed an entirely new hairline!

FUE and FUT are the two most common methods for performing a hair transplant and may be performed either individually or together depending on the patient’s needs. The processes involve:

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) – In FUE individual hair follicles are removed from a donor area of the scalp and are transplanted to the area in need.  No stitches or sutures are required for this minimally invasive procedure.

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) – In FUT a strip of scalp tissue is removed from the donor area. The scalp tissue is then separated into individual grafts for the needed areas of the scalp

 

Eyebrow Hair Restoration Case Study

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

Diagnosis: FUE transplant – Age: 38 – Sex: Male

Here are the exceptional results of Dr. Yazdan’s work on a patient suffering from scarred eyebrows due to an accident. Loss of eyebrow hair can be associated with aging and an easy way to rejuvenate one’s appearance is to focus on restoring thinning brows.

As in our more commonly performed scalp procedures the patient was sucessfully treated with follicular unit extraction (FUE) a surgical technique which involves harvesting groups of 1 to 4 hairs, called follicular units from the patient’s own body from a site known as the ‘donor area.’ Dr. Yazdan’s skill can be particularly noted in his restoration of the large gap which had formed at the outer end of the patient’s eyebrow.

The impressive aesthetic results have given another satisfied patient a more youthful appearance as well as improved facial symmetry. 

 

FUE transplant – Age: 29 – Sex: Male – Grafts: 2,032

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

Diagnosis: FUE transplant – Age: 29 – Sex: Male – Grafts: 2,032

Hair transplant surgery is both a science and an art. FUE and FUT procedures must be performed by a qualified professional with extensive and specialized clinical experience. This unfortunate patient, a 29 year old male, received a less than satisfactory FUE transplant in Mexico that left him with a thin, uneven hairline. Fortunately he came to Dr. Yazdan for a second diagnosis.

Dr. Yazdan’s years of hair restoration and repair experience made fixing this patient’s botched hairline an easy task. With 2,032 of FUE grafts Dr. Yazdan skillfully filled in the uneven hairline to craft the natural looking and symmetrical results our patient always wanted. 

34 yr old male FUE – Filling in Hairline – 1517 Grafts

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

Diagnosis: FUT transplant – Age: 34 – Sex: Male – Grafts: 1,517

In another outstanding demonstration of Dr. Yazdan’s fine craftsmanship we have the case of a 34 year old male with a receding hairline filled out by FUE. Follicular Unit Extraction or FUE is a hair transplant technique in which individual hair follicles are harvested and strategically placed in areas of the scalp that are thinning or balding.

In this fine example Dr. Yazdan addressed our patient’s thinning hairline by filling out the front of his scalp using 1517 carefully and artistically placed grafts.

The patient’s greatly improved appearance is due to in equal measure to Dr. Yazdan’s skill and the refinement of today’s hair restoration methods.

35 yr old male FUT – 3,028 grafts

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

Diagnosis: FUT transplant – Age: 35 – Sex: Male – Grafts: 3,028

Dr. Yazdan’s fine artistry is demonstrated by the dramatic transformation which these before/after pictures bear witness to. The patient, a 35 year old male, was suffering from noticeable thinning on the top of his scalp and a receding hairline.

FUT involves the removal and transplantation of individual hair follicles from a strip of scalp, the procedure is easily performed under local anesthesia. In this case our patient’s appearance was strikingly improved by Dr. Yazdan’s 3,028 grafts of FUT artistically applied so as to volumize thinning areas of the scalp and restore our patient’s hairline to its former luster. The pictures speak for themselves!

35 yr old African American female FUT – 1 year results

A new entry has just been added to Modena’s female hair loss success stories!

Diagnosis: FUT transplant – Age: 35 – Sex: Female – Grafts: 2,371

Here are the beautiful results of Dr. Yazdan’s work on a patient suffering from Traction Alopecia. Excessive strain on the hair follicles caused by tight ponytails or braids may lead to a form of non-genetic hair loss known as Traction Alopecia. Dr. Yazdan’s time-honed skill and consummate craftsmanship was more than up to the challenge of beautifully restoring this patient’s hairline.

As can be seen for these remarkable photos displaying the results one year after surgery. The patient, a 35 year old African American female, received 2,371 FUT grafts. Dr. Yazdan focused on filling in thinning areas and bringing the hairline forward resulting in improved upper facial aesthetics and another satisfied patient.

 

 

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

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

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

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

Initial Reconstruction Work

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

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

Hair Restoration Treatment

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

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

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

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

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

Work-in-Progress

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

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

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

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

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

 

How to Conceal Hair Transplant Scars

Top left: Patient with wide donor scar performed overseas Top Right: Closer look at right side of donor scar Bottom left: donor scar after SMP at Modena Bottom right: Right donor scar after SMP at Modena.

Hair transplantation is a common way hair loss patients introduce coverage around thinning areas of the scalp to recreate a fuller and more youthful looking hairline. Hair transplants come in different forms and are executed using different techniques. Strip excision (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE) are the two most popular and effective hair transplant techniques used today. Although certain procedures can leave scars, some are significantly more noticeable than others.
The strip method is a method of obtaining follicular units from a donor strip taken from an area of the scalp at the back or sides of the head, removing the grafts from the strip using a microscope, and then transplanting the grafts in the thinning areas. This is a method of obtaining grafts from the donor area whereby a strip of skin is removed from the donor area. The donor site incision is finally stitched closed.
A long and possibly wide linear scar is created with this technique (FUT), which can be noticeable for those who prefer shorter hairstyles. Fortunately, if you have a linear scar from a past hair transplant there are a few options you can use to conceal your scar.
Concealing Hair Transplant Scars: FUE Transplant and Scalp Micropigmentation
FUE procedures can help hide scars from previous hair transplants. The FUE technique removes the hair follicle directly from the scalp using sharp instruments such as punches and forceps. These hair follicles are then placed on to or near previous scars to help hide their appearance.
FUE does not produce any additional linear scars. It can also be performed so that growth of hair follicles are preserved in the donor region. This will help to maintain good coverage in the donor area as you wait for your hair to grow back.
Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) is another technique that can be used to cover scars. SMP involves medical grade tattooing of the scalp to replicate tiny hairs. Micro-dots approximately the size of a ball point pen and the color of the patients’ scalp are meticulously placed in a pattern similar to previous hair density. This procedure can be used either to fill in between thinning hairs or to add the impression of more hair between transplanted hair.
These are just a few of the techniques that can be helpful to hide scars.

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.

Repairing Bad or Ugly Hair Transplants

repairing bad hair transplants
Either as a result of an unqualified hair restoration surgeon or incapable technician, many hair transplant patients suffer from poor cosmetic outcomes and downright sloppy results. Recently we came across a male patient (early 30s) whose hair transplant left him with misplaced grafts, incorrect growth patterns and an overall unflattering silhouette.
The best hair transplants are an extremely intricate, technical and artistic affair. Only the highest level of expertise, finesse, understanding and experience can perform FUE and Strip procedures to a flawless degree. Some practices not only lack a distinguished and experienced hair transplant surgeon to direct their procedures, but also operate using outmoded methods and instruments which leave plug-like scars on patient’s scalps.
What should you do if you have been the victim of a cosmetically unsuccessful hair transplant?
Find a distinguished, experienced board-certified hair restoration surgeon!
Repairing poorly executed hair transplants requires careful effort and finesse, as well as a proper technical strategy. At Modena Hair Institute in Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas, we begin with laser hair removal of poorly placed grafts before conducting a repair FUE that very scrupulously and artistically organizes the direction and design of implanted hairs.
Reversing the unnatural appearance of badly angled follicular units and repairing scars is obviously more involved than using the right technique in the first place, but it can be accomplished in most cases with excellent results. Addressing the repair of existing scars requires expert artistic capability and careful assessment of the problem area as well as the remaining donor supply. Choosing the correct restorative technique is critical as the wrong strategy can make the situation worse.

Different techniques must be weighed up and considered to resolve different problems, and only a reputable specialist will understand which technique is best suited for the repair. Large plugs can be removed, divided microscopically into individually follicular units and placed back into the scalp in a pattern which is much more natural in appearance. Smaller grafts can be camouflaged. Scars that are raised can often be helped with cortisone injections. These can help to decrease the inflammation which is often present in a raised scar. Sometimes excessive scar tissue can also be excised and removed in itself, particularly when associated with poorly positioned grafts of hair.
By doing one’s research and vetting your hair restoration doctor, you will be able to guarantee a job well done.

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.

Choosing the Right Hair Transplant Clinic

Choosing the Right Hair Transplant Clinic
The internet is an unparalleled resource for checking surgical reputations and verifying a practice’s skill and success. Medical practices the world over have recognized this shift in patient knowledge capabilities and have sought to give the discerning public unfiltered access to their purported talents, surgical history, and client testimony through their own personal websites and reputable online forums (RealSelf, Bald Truth Talk and others).
FUE and FUT/Strip procedures (the gold standard for hair transplantation) have radically evolved beyond the simple plug and graft techniques prevalent in the 1990s and early 2000s. Yet many clinics, locally and abroad, continue to operate in an outmoded way, putting patients in serious aesthetic and medical jeopardy.
An extensive and detailed scientific study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology for the National Center for Biotechnology describes the very technical and highly skilled nature of the FUE procedure, and the expert requirements needed to perform the surgery well:
“Lack of due diligence while performing such extractions can lead to subluxation of the grafts into the subdermal layer of scalp. Overtumescence of the scalp donor area, use of blunt punches and trying to ‘core’ out the full thickness grafts can all contribute to this.” (Poswal, et al.)
Although it can be tempting to go for a cheap deal at a general clinic (who often have technicians preforming the surgery), choosing the right clinic comes down to exacting research and scrupulous inquiry.
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?

The hair transplant surgeon you are considering should be affiliated to a standard-setting organization such as the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (IAHRS). Take a look at their qualifications and further training – do they regularly attend seminars? If so, they are more likely to be up to date on the latest medical technology. Going to a clinic that makes clear the role of the surgeon in the procedure – complete presence from start to finish – is paramount.
A good surgeon will also have a range of before and after photographs of patients to demonstrate their work. Be wary of lighting differences that some sites use to make the transplants look better than they are, such as overly bright before photos and dimly lit after photos. Another misleading aspect is when the photographs are not of exactly the same pose or position completely distorting the before and after difference. The best clinics will show extreme close-ups of their artistic hairline work for close scrutiny, so you can get a better idea of the kind of results the clinic might be able to achieve.
Any reputable surgeon will insist on a face to face consultation on a prior date to that of the hair transplant surgery or treatment. An engaged specialist will conduct a thorough review of your medical history, an examination of your current hair loss, a discussion on available options, the pros and cons of each procedure, what results you can expect, and a clear idea of the costs involved.
At Modena Hair Institute, Dr. Amir Yazdan meets with every potential patient for as long as is necessary to ensure total understanding and satisfaction with procedural expectations. As a top RealSelf doctor and only IAHRS member in the Orange County and Las Vegas area, Dr. Yazdan performs and oversees the entire surgery, beginning with pre-op prep and through to post-op care. No assistant or technician is ever allowed to operate on a patient.

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.

Medical Board Issues Warning to Doctors Delegating Hair Transplant Surgery to Technicians

medical board of california 2019 news
Through the combination of public-wide media coverage (pioneered by Spex and others), state-of-the-art surgical advancements and general cosmetic awareness among men suffering from hereditary hair loss, the hair transplant industry has seen a remarkable rise in inquiring and passionate patients.
Dermatologists, cosmetic surgeons and other doctors have, as a result, sought to add hair transplantation to their menu of cosmetic and surgical offerings. This is deeply problematic for two reasons:

  1. General cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists very often lack the years of specialized experience and practice required to perform Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT/Strip) properly and with care.
  1. Aware that hair transplantation demands years of rigorous and technical mastery, general cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists will bypass such proprieties by delegating hair transplant surgery to technicians using surgical devices.

It is this second reason, growing more common in American states lacking austere medical laws, with which we are here most concerned. A lack of political and legal monitoring and auditing of such clinics has led to numerous cases of patient abuse, mistreatment and out right cosmetic disaster.
More worryingly, the vast majority of patients undergoing this procedure do not realize they are being treated by untrained, illegal and often dangerous practices. Aside from post-surgical infections and botched scalps, patients’ lives are at stake, as hair transplantation is nothing like the simple cut and plug operation many clinics will have you believe. If a patient has heart disease or other special medical condition, for example, there is a very real danger of serious injury or even death.
An expanding network of unlicensed clinics are opening up across America, Europe and the middle east, under the aegis of indiscriminate surgical device brands and avaricious doctors. These clinics are profiting from visitors with little to no knowledge of the background science, art and proprietary measures of premier hair transplantation.
medical board of california
Hair transplant surgery can only be legally performed by licensed and properly trained surgeons and physicians. The California Medical Board has issued a stern and timely statement commanding the following:

  • “Companies may be marketing surgical devices to physicians indicating that hair restoration surgery is a delegatable procedure.”
  • “Physicians may not delegate hair restoration surgery to medical assistants, who are unlicensed individuals with a very limited scope of practice.”
  • “Medical assistants may not perform invasive procedures such as creating holes or slits in a patient’s scalp with a needle, scalpel, or other device.”
  • “California’s Business and Professions Code section 2052 prohibits the practice of medicine by unlicensed individuals, as well as aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of medicine.”

Modena Hair Institute in Orange County, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas has issued numerous warnings for patients to be critically aware of the great risks posed by ill-trained, unlicensed and non-specialist cosmetic clinics.
At Modena’s state-of-the-art facility, Dr. Amir Yazdan limits himself to performing only one hair transplant per day, for the explicit purpose of total operation oversight and meticulous aesthetic success. No assistant or technician is ever allowed to operate on a patient. Dr. Yazdan performs and oversees the entire surgery, beginning with pre-op prep and through to post-op care. Patient safety and patient care are the pillars of our trade, and every precaution is taken to ensure that a person’s scalp is protected and perfectly enhanced.
Following a decade of follicular research and technical refinement, Dr. Yazdan has come to be recognized as an innovator in the field of hair restoration. He is also the only surgeon in the Orange County and Las Vegas area to be inducted into The International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS). Known as the hair restoration gold standard (FUE), Dr. Yazdan only conducts manual extractions using the smallest possible punch, for purposes of maximum accuracy, aesthetic precision and natural-looking design.

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

Case Study: Body Hair Transplant and Strip Scar Revision

*This blog is a transcription of a video covering a Modena Hair Institute patient who saw Dr. Yazdan for a body hair transplant and strip scar revision. We’ve included the video below.

Sam has visited Modena Hair Institute in Orange County, California. Before coming to us, he had two strip procedures; one in 2003 and one in 2004, which left him with unacceptable scarring and unfavorable results overall. His scar is uneven, wide, and protrudes from the base of the skull. 

In most scar revision procedures, Dr. Yazdan can excise the previous scar and close it with a unique technique that allows hair to grow through the scar, thus greatly minimizing its appearance. However, after some examination, the doctor determines Sam’s donor zone is very poor, leaving only the option of a FUE, or follicular unit extraction procedure. 

Sam’s strip scar, before revision.

As the patient would like both the scar repaired & some density added to the crown and midsection of the scalp, it’s decided the plan is to extract grafts by FUE from the back of the head, as well as supplementing with grafts from the beard. The grafts will then be placed inside the scar, as well as in the crown and midsection. After local anesthesia, Dr. Yazdan and his team begin the extraction of grafts from both the posterior scalp and beard. 

Because of the unique micropunch used during the procedure, within three to four days after the procedure, there will be no scarring left in any affected areas. This technique allows Dr. Yazdan to perform body hair transplantation with minimal to no residual scarring. After the first phase of the procedure, the 1,029 extracted grafts are processed & examined under microscope while Dr. Yazdan created the graft-receiving zones along the patient’s transplant area. The small diameter of these zones ensures a grouping density that looks as natural as any regular person’s hairline. 

Sam’s strip scar, immediately after the procedure is finished.

During the implantation stage, the team works to carefully and efficiently place the grafts with extreme attention to detail. Even in the middle of this process, improvement can be noticed in the scar area, and it even looks presentable at that point. Bleeding is minimal, and protrusion has become a non-issue in turn. With that, the procedure is complete, the donor and recipient areas are washed, a bandage is applied, and he goes home with a follow-up planned for the next day.

Sam’s story might be very similar to yours, or you might be going through a whole different hair loss experience entirely. Either way, we’re ready to welcome you here at Modena Hair Institute. Visit our website to learn more, and be sure to call or book your consultation today.

Am I a Candidate for a FUT Transplant?

If you’ve done any research on hair transplants in the past, there’s a chance you’ve seen the FUT method, otherwise known as the Strip method, mentioned here and there. In case you aren’t familiar, though, these terms refer to what’s known as the traditional hair transplant procedure method, which countless people undergo every day. For reasons we’ll get into later, even as new methods have come into the picture, it’s remained a popular & vital option for many patients. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the ins & outs of the procedure & help to answer the question of whether it’s a fit for you and your hair.

To provide some initial context, FUT is short for Follicular Unit Transplantation, and “Strip” refers to a main aspect of the process, namely how the follicles being placed in your transplant area are obtained. Starting off the procedure, the hair in the back of the patient’s head is lifted up & taped in place, and the designated “donor area” is shaved, giving the surgeon access to the part of your scalp with the densest grouping of hair follicles. From there, the surgeon administers a local anesthetic & removes a thin strip of skin from the shaved donor area. Given the dense hair grouping, this is able to be neatly stitched up & be amply covered by the taped-up hair once it’s finally let down. 

After the strip of skin is removed, a team of assistants removes the follicles from it & processes them to be transplanted. The doctor creates new homes for each follicle in the designated transplant area, and then carefully places them in a dense, natural formation across the scalp. Once this is completed & the donor zone is stitched, the procedure is over. The patient only needs to come in for a follow-up the next day, and a few other times far later on, to start on the path to full results (with the help of some post-op instructions, of course).

Thanks to the process of graft retrieval via skin strip removal, patients can receive up to well over 4,000 grafts in one procedure, while those receiving FUE, or Follicular Unit Extraction procedures, are limited to around 2,500 in one procedure. This point leads us to the big question: who is a candidate for a FUT transplant? There are a few key factors you need to consider, namely the severity of hair loss, the condition of the donor area, and how you decide to wear your hair.

As we just mentioned, FUT procedures are designed to help surgeons obtain a large amount of grafts without putting follicles under extensive stress outside of the head. If your hair loss is approaching the later stages, then, it’ll make sense to opt for the procedure than can get you as close to your old hairline as possible. If you only need to fill in some spots here & there, though, the FUT procedure might be excessive, and a FUE transplant would be recommended instead. No matter what, though, the procedure can’t go on if you don’t have a donor area that can safely yield the needed follicles. If you had an especially botched FUT procedure in the past, for example, there’s a chance that your posterior scalp simply can’t be utilized, meaning that a FUE transplant must be performed instead. In that case, at least, the surgeon will be able to utilize areas like the chest as substitute donor areas. Lastly, although this isn’t an issue for many, you might also want to consider how you wear your hair when deciding what procedure to go through with. For those who wear their hair with a bit of length, the minimal scar is easily & neatly covered. If you prefer a buzzcut, though, or keep your hair similarly short in that area, a thin line might appear along the back of the head, although even this would quickly become unnoticeable as well. 

Modena patients before & after their FUT transplants.

We hope you can see why FUT hair transplants have remained a popular & vital procedure for people around the world, especially for those deep in their battle with hair loss. If you believe you’re a candidate for a FUT transplant, the next step is coming down to Modena Hair Institute in Newport Beach, Las Vegas or Beverly Hills to make sure. Once you arrive, from wherever you are, Dr. Yazdan, a board-certified hair restoration surgeon with years of experience, will closely inspect your hair & help guide you in the right direction. He’s also the only one performing his hair transplant procedures, unlike many other clinic operators that solely rely on their assistants. This, combined with his team, technology & knowledge, allow Modena to stand out as one of the most reputable hair transplant centers out there today.

Read more about FUT hair transplants on our website, and schedule your consultation today. 

Correcting Bad Hair Transplants

hair transplant repair orange county
Botched Strip Hair Transplant NOT Conducted at Modena

Contemporary hair loss sufferers are quite spoiled for choices in today’s hair transplant marketplace, as surgical advances in FUE and FUT have resulted in much more refined and natural-looking outcomes. With the exception of black-market clinics, the potential hair transplant patient today faces a renaissance of robust procedural options.

But this was not always the case. Prior to the refined and exacting technical FUE advancements of the 21st century, the ‘plug’ method of hair transplantation was ubiquitously employed in hair restoration clinics across the world.

Hair plugs were widely used until they were replaced by newer transplant techniques in the late 1990s. The plug technique involves small, circular pieces of tissue – each containing 20 or more hairs – being removed from the back of the scalp using a clunky punch tool. Slightly smaller circular sections would then be cut out of the balding areas of the scalp, before the hair plugs were transplanted into the holes.

There were several flaws with this technique. For a start, when the plugs of hair were removed from the back of the head, the patient would often be left with tell-tale circular scars. Worse still, the hair plugs would grow in an unnatural pattern, often clustered together in bunches, not unlike dolls’ hair.

In every case regarding an experienced and skilled hair transplant, the end result ought closely to align with what was discussed during the initial consultation between the doctor and patient. It is also during this time that the doctor will be able to outline any potential issues that could arise due to circumstances unique to the patient. A relative lack of available donor tissue, for example, could make it difficult to deliver the appropriate degree of coverage in the recipient site.

Modena Hair Institute’s Corrective Treatments
The best way to address and repair any problem with a previous hair transplant is to seek out the assistance of an experienced and reputable hair transplant surgeon who possesses a substantial track record of successfully performing hair transplant repairs.
This includes problems associated with a lack of adequate coverage or problems associated with a failed hair transplant in which far too many grafts failed to take root in the patient’s recipient site.

Patients with inadequate coverage but sufficient donor tissue available can easily address their hair transplant issue with additional sessions of FUE or FUT. Needless to say, patients requiring multiple sessions of hair restoration should have been informed of the need for more than one transplant right from the outset during the initial consultation process, but, unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Finally, patients who are dissatisfied with the result of their hair transplant due to the failure of the grafts to take root can also undergo additional sessions to achieve the coverage they initially sought, provided, of course, that there is sufficient donor tissue still available for use in future sessions.

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.

What is PRP Therapy?

PRP therapy, also known as platelet rich plasma therapy, is an increasingly popular technique for hair restoration. To give some context, a platelet is a cell particle without a nucleus, lacking DNA, and is responsible for proper blood clotting. What most people don’t know, though, is that platelets also contain a significant amount of healing factors and growth proteins. These characteristics, then, make it very effective in treatment for hair loss. This plasma, of course, can only be obtained by extracting it from a patient’s blood.

During a PRP treatment, patients have their blood drawn & stored in small vials. These are then brought to a separate room where they’re placed in a machine & rapidly spun in different directions. This multi-spin technique is a special touch by Dr. Yazdan & Modena Hair Institute, and it means that there’s a near-total extraction of PRP in the end, which is almost unheard of otherwise.

To fully understand PRP therapy, it’s also vital to understand two things: stem cells & ACell.

Let’s start with the former. As far as stem cells go, there are two types: embryonic and adult. The former are extracted from, well, embryos, and have many potential applications in medicine, but in this context we’ll focus on the latter. Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells found throughout the body after development; they multiply by cell division to replenish dying cells, and regenerate damaged tissues in turn. This combination of platelets and stem cells creates a hair growth serum that can quickly promote strong, stable hair growth. As for the other version of this procedure, the additional factor that comes into play is a product known as ACell, which is made out of multiple carbohydrates, collagens, proteins, and other components that facilitate a regenerative process. It, like stem cells, is mixed in with the PRP to enhance efficacy.

While this procedure tends to be considered an option for people who need an alternative to a hair transplant, PRP can also be used in combination with FUE or FUT hair transplant surgery procedures. During an FUE procedure, the PRP is harvested and injected primarily in the donor and recipient zone.  In FUT/Strip procedures, the PRP is injected in the donor scar as well as the recipient area. We have noticed that patients who undergo PRP with their surgery tend to see decreased graft shedding after the procedure, along with faster healing, improved strip scar outcome, and quicker visible results.

The procedure starts with the doctor drawing 100ml of blood, similar to a regular blood draw at the lab. The blood is then put inside of a centrifuge in Dr. Yazdan’s proprietary method which includes multiple spins at different RPM’s to separate the platelet rich plasma from the platelet poor plasma and red blood cells. The PRP is then harvested and injected with a microneedle by Dr. Yazdan in the areas where a patient is experiencing hair loss. The process generally takes about 45 minutes, and there is usually no downtime after having a PRP procedure; many patients are even able to have it done during their lunch break. Patients can sometimes experience some soreness in the scalp for up to 24 hours, which is normal, and resolves by itself.

A patient of Dr. Yazdan undergoing PRP therapy.

Dr. Yazdan, here at Modena Hair Institute, is one of the few doctors who actually performs the injections and PRP procedure himself, while other clinics will irresponsibly let technicians and assistants carry it out. Technicians may be cheaper and helpful to the doctors who don’t feel like doing their own procedures, but the fact of the matter is that they haven’t undergone the years of education and vigorous training that a board certified physician has. This inexperience can increase the risk of poor results, even including loss of hair after the procedure. It’s imperative to search for a licensed physician, such as Dr. Yazdan, who specializes in hair restoration and hair loss, bringing the experience to help you achieve your desired results.

If you are interested in learning more about PRP procedures, you can find Dr. Yazdan at one of our offices located in Newport Beach, Beverly Hills, and Las Vegas.

How Advanced is Your Hair Loss Doctor?


As the field of hair restoration continues to change and grow, it is paramount to go to a physician who is continually pursuing ongoing research and testing in their field. A doctor who is trained in the most recent FUE techniques and hair transplant research will be equipped to provide their clients with the highest chance of success in their hair restoration treatment.

He or she will be able to proffer the most cost effective and relevant solution to your hair loss needs. Many clinics continue to use outdated hair extraction methods and techniques, unaware of key surgical advances which dramatically improve hair transplant results.

For more than a decade, Modena Hair Institute has been helping people improve their lives through hair restoration and hair transplant surgery. Throughout his career as a hair transplant surgeon, Dr. Yazdan has devoted himself to researching and improving his specialty in order to provide the best and most up-to-date treatments for his patients.

As part of his efforts to provide the most cutting-edge services, Dr. Yazdan’s continuing hair transplant research and education includes attending conferences, workshops, congresses, and forums. He has worked with many distinguished physicians and frequently engages in open hair restoration forums with professionals like Spencer Kobren and others.

Most recently, Dr. Yazdan attended the world-renowned FUE Europe Conference in Manchester, England, where he shared his innovations in follicular unit extraction and to keep up with all important advancements in the field.

To learn more about our specialty and qualifications and how we can assist with your hair loss, contact Modena Hair Institute to schedule a consultation. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to get the latest news in hair restoration and research.

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.

Why FUT Procedures are Still Valid in the Era of FUE

Over the past few years, the hype behind FUE procedures has been nothing short of overwhelming. If you aren’t too caught up on the development of hair transplant technology, this procedure eliminates a key issue people have had with the traditional method: the scar. Yet an FUT hair transplant remains a powerful option for certain candidates

To give some context, this method, known as the FUT procedure, involves taking a strip of the scalp from the back of the head, dissecting the follicles from it, and placing those in the problem areas on the patient’s head, creating more hair density and fullness to help them look younger and gain back their confidence.

This, of course, can end up leaving a small scar in the back of the scalp, although novice performers of the procedure can end up leaving larger & uneven scars due to a general lack of training & inexperience with the procedure.

Even when it’s minimal, those who wear their hair short will end up with a slight visible mark along their head, and we can understand why they would want to avoid that fate. For them, the FUE procedure, which we offer at Modena’s Southern California & Nevada locations, is a game-changer.

Breaking it down to basics, the doctor performing this will use a small circular blade called a punch to create individual incisions around each hair follicle, extracting the follicles from the donor area by hand. From there, the doctor creates the recipient sites on the patient’s scalp where those will eventually be transplanted.

What’s essential in all this, however, is that a doctor performs the procedure, not their technicians. Furthermore, the doctor needs to be capable of performing the surgery with many different instruments and devices, as not one device is compatible with every patient.

The other determinant of their success is the quality and size of the instruments the surgeon uses during the procedure. FUE can be done with different size punches ranging from 0.7mm all the way to 1.5mm. When a small diameter punch is used, such as Dr. Yazdan’s 0.7 millimeter punch, they can precisely harvest follicles from the donor area with minimal trauma to the surrounding follicles. Furthermore, harvesting small grafts allows them to be placed closer in the hairline to create a more dense & natural-looking procedure, while allowing the patient to heal much quicker.

When a large punch is used, it creates too wide of a hole, increasing healing time in the donor zone, while the end result is a larger graft that requires a larger recipient site to be created. This can lead to unnatural results & a delayed healing process.

Regardless of the procedure you want done, Modena Hair Institute has offices in Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, and Las Vegas which specialize in both FUE and FUT procedures. Dr. Yazdan performs these transplants himself at all three practices, using the smallest punches and the most advanced technologies available. His surgical team and staff has been the same for past 7 years, and their teamwork has resulted in real results for countless patients.

It seems, then, that getting an FUE procedure done by a professional is the only way to get this procedure done! Why bother with the strip method at all?

Well, we wouldn’t be so hesitant to knock down the traditional way of doing things. For starters, the FUE method doesn’t necessarily work for everyone.

If you need more than 2,000 grafts, or even 3,000-4,000, your other option would be to opt for the strip procedure. With the FUT transplant procedure, the doctor is generally able to obtain a larger number of grafts, reducing the need for the patient to undergo a 2nd surgery.

For patients undergoing the FUT procedure, especially those who need a larger number of grafts, we recommend you wear your hair a little longer in the donor zone, that way the small scar would never be seen. Besides that, we imagine you’d prefer to have one surgery that offers the maximum results. We also generally recommend the FUT method for women seeking hair restoration, as the FUE method requires the back of the scalp to be shaved.

If you visit Modena Hair Institute, Dr. Yazdan will bring his years of experience as a physician & hair restoration surgeon to the table, and you can be confident that only the most precise hands & tools will be put to work on your hair.

Visit our website to learn more, and be sure to get in touch with us today to schedule your consultation!

When Is It Time to See a Hair Loss Doctor?

As is the case with many health issues, most people start on the road of proactive action only after significant symptoms begin to appear. Hair loss is no different. Given the very gradual and subterranean (hidden) nature of hair loss, many men and women who find excessive amounts of hair shedding on their pillow or in the shower simply chalk it up to an abnormal occurrence, and not something indicative of future loss.

Over the last decade at our hair clinics across California and Nevada, we’ve come across thousands of patients who all tell the same story: although I noticed excessive shedding and hair follicle miniaturization, I felt blindsided by the extent of my hair loss.

Nutritional deficiencies, high stress levels, unhealthy lifestyle choices, traumatizing hair care regiments and genetic disorders are all common causes of hair loss and pattern baldness. The average hair loss sufferer has little to no background knowledge of the causes and origin of his or her hair loss, and so is helpless in their road to aesthetic restoration.

If you are noticing hair miniaturization at the temples, thinning of the crown or just lots of general shedding, it’s imperative that you correctly answer the question: ‘what is the cause behind my hair loss?’ For the wrong treatment or action taken towards treating hair loss could further the damage or pose unnecessary health risks. As such, if you are noticing signs of abnormal hair loss, you’ll want to contact a board-certified hair restoration surgeon as soon as possible.

Control and Prevent: Medical Management

Once you’ve set up your first consultation with your hair loss doctor, expect to receive a brief biographical and physiological examination. Many think that they have to go straight to a surgical option when choosing a hair loss restoration treatment, but an experienced and reputable hair loss doctor will exhaust all non-surgical options first before recommending more invasive solutions.

Usually if your hair is thinning, the doctor will like to start you on a medical management regiment. Your doctor may recommend taking biotin, iron or other supplements, or massaging 5 percent minoxidil into your scalp once daily. With many younger patients, Dr. Amir Yazdan recommends “combining over-the-counter minoxidil treatments (Rogaine) with GroMD shampoo and Follicle Activator Spray as well as Nizoral shampoo has shown impressive results in hair regrowth and density”.

Hair Transplant

Depending on the severity and extent of your hair loss, going in for a hair transplantation may be the strongest and most effective solution. Medical management of hair loss is important, but it’s objective is to control current hair thinning and prevent further loss, not grant you a new hair line. A hair transplant, on the other hand, can give you that life changing hair line that you desire and restore any ailing confidence. A good hair restoration surgeon, working alongside the patient’s aesthetic goals, will identify the best areas on the scalp for transplantation and touch up. Flawless artistic design is as important as technical precision when it comes to a successful hair transplant, so make sure you ask to see past results or testimonials.

The two types of hair transplant are the follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplant (FUT or Strip Procedure). The former procedure involves the use of a micro-punch circular blade that individually harvests follicles from the donor area and places them into the desired areas. FUE has come to be seen as the gold standard of hair transplantation due to the extreme precision, fragility, complexity involved, and its ability to consistently deliver natural looking results. The latter procedure – FUT – involves the surgical transplantation of a strip of donor hair from the back of the scalp. From the donor strip, naturally occurring follicular units, usually groups of 1-4 hairs, are dissected into natural groupings under a microscope to preserve every follicle and then transplanted into the desired regions.

There are indeed other options to consider as well, such as platelet-rich-plasma therapy, scalp micropigmentation and Low-Level Laser therapy.

At our hair restoration clinics in Orange County, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas, we prioritize long term hair restoration results over quick fix procedures. We develop life-long relationships with our patients, many of whom return for advice and friendly consultation once a year, because we care about real life-changing results.

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.