In the world of hair transplant procedures, there are 2 methods used today and with the recent rise in hair transplants, people are wondering if there’s a difference and which one is best. Here we’ll discuss the comparison and differences, healing and recovery, and which would better suite your specific needs.
Procedure Similarities and Differences
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and Strip hair restoration are similar in the sense patients are given a local anesthetic to numb the area that is going to be treated and to help control the bleeding. Both surgeries are performed under high powered magnification in order to allow precise graft placement at the recipient site.
As the name suggests, Strip is performed by cutting a linear strip of hairs from the donor site (i.e. back of the scalp). Incisions are usually only so deep that harvesting the entire follicular unit is possible. Followed by, careful manual dissection of the hair follicles into smaller grafts. These grafts are then placed in the desirable areas where thinning or balding has occurred (recipient area).
While in FUE, tiny punches are made to extract individual grafts containing 1-4 hairs from the donor site therefore, there is no linear scar. Grafts are then cleaned, counted and separated to prepare for transplanting. With good instrumentation and considerable experience, both FUE and Strip can produce very similar growth results.
Healing and Recovery
When it comes to healing and recovery, both FUE and Strip are fairly similar in that the treatment areas usually heal just a few short days after your procedure and you are most likely able to return to work and your normal daily activities the very next day. In Strip, you may have a little more soreness at the donor site due to the incision. Dr. Yazdan recommends no strenuous activity and heavy lifting should be avoided for 14 days or as advised by your surgeon. Having several follow-up appointments with your physician are very important and play a significant role in your healing process and the success of your new head of hair. At Modena, we strongly advise post-ops to be the following day after your procedure, 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months following.
Strip or FUE?
This can depend on many different factors and should be discussed with a well experienced Surgeon with high success rates in hair transplantation for a one-on-one consultation and exam. Based on your medical history and the severity of your condition, you and your doctor can make the best decision considering your specific needs.
In general, if the goal is to get the maximum amount of hair then the traditional Strip method might be the best choice. Strip harvesting is also a great option for patients who wear their hair longer and have good scalp laxity in order to make a large enough incision that it can be properly closed without creating problems such as scars. From a donor scarring perspective, if you ever plan to shave your head in the future or like to maintain a short haircut then you should probably lean towards an FUE transplant.
Ultimately, the results to both are comparable because the harvesting and implantation of the grafts and their survival rate highly depends on the expertise and experience of the physician performing the procedure. Both FUE and strip harvesting are excellent methods of obtaining grafts for hair restoration. Here at Modena, Dr. Yazdan is highly skilled and performs both techniques routinely.
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
Tag Archives: hair restoration
PRP: Fertilizer For Your Hair!
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has been around for several decades and has been widely used in skin and wound healing. Hence why you may have heard professional athletes using PRP treatments to expedite their wound healing. As it gains traction, it is now being used extensively in cosmetic surgery, dentistry, sports medicine, and pain management. And yes, if your guilty pleasure is watching an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, you’ve probably seen what the trendy PRP also known as the ‘Vampire Facial’ can do for your face as well!
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is your own blood plasma that is enriched with platelets. A concentrated source of autologous platelets, PRP contains several different and powerful growth factors that stimulate the healing of bone and soft tissue, as well as…you guessed it, hair growth! The human blood contains stem cells and autologous blood products that contain essential and specific growth factors that aid in tissue regeneration and healing.
Dr. Yazdan favors PRP during a hair transplant procedure, whether it be an FUE or Strip transplant, as it helps with healing, accelerates the growth, and stimulates the existing hair follicles. “Think of PRP as fertilizer for the hair when used in conjunction with a hair transplant. It possibly increases the survival rate of the grafts as well as the growth with a decrease in graft shedding after a transplant” says Yazdan.
Evidence supports PRP therapy as a safe, and promising treatment to restore your hair by promoting hair growth. It is a favorable non-surgical treatment for both men and women experiencing pattern hair loss and hair thinning. PRP can be combined with ACell as an additional stimulant for improved results, as it helps facilitate the body’s ability to repair and remodel tissue. In our practice, ACell + PRP has shown very promising results. How is a ‘lunchtime’ PRP treatment performed here at Modena Hair Transplant? Upon arriving, a licensed nurse or surgeon will draw your blood just as though you were having a routine blood test done at your primary care doctors office. The blood is then spun in a sterile centrifuge system, which separates the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of the blood. The highly concentrated platelet-rich plasma is then injected into the scalp area that needs a little T.L.C. and you can be on your way back to work! It’s as simple as that. That is, if it’s not combined with a hair transplant, of course.
Now for those of you with a more severe condition of hair loss, PRP in conjunction with an FUE or Strip (FUT) hair transplant may be the right option for you and can yield amazing results when combined.
While PRP alone isn’t a magic pill, it is proven to significantly improve the coverage of the scalp where there are large numbers of weaker hair follicles, usually near the hairline and the crown of the head. It has shown excellent results for patients suffering from many forms of hair loss such as androgenic alopecia (or common pattern loss) and alopecia areata.
As a stand alone for hair loss, PRP can slow down hair loss and increase growth however, Doctor Yazdan recommends combining both methods together with medical management for superior results giving you that new head of hair that you always dreamed of!
https://modenahair.com/hair-restoration/prp-hair-loss-therapy/
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
Post Hair Transplant: SURVIVAL GUIDE
Undergoing hair transplant surgery is a unique and rare opportunity to show off the confidence you gain with your new look! However, there are some tips experts like Dr. Yazdan recommends, ensuring the best results possible. Failure to follow your post hair transplant procedure with the proper care can result in damage to hair and even further hair loss.
Ok, so now you’re getting ready for your hair transplant. How exciting! Here are some great, in depth tips to help you prepare and survive your recovery.
No Smoking and No Alcohol- You should not be consuming any alcohol prior to your transplant surgery and waiting at least 3 days after. Also, smoking is just a bad idea- smoking constricts blood vessels and thus leads to decreased blood supply and poor wound healing by lowering oxygenation in tissues.
Sleeping- Your sleeping situation is crucial, a semi-sitting position for the first several nights is a prerequisite. Feel free to spend the next few nights snoozing away on your Lazy Boy recliner would work just as well. The goal is keeping your head elevated to help reduce any swelling after the procedure.
The Morning After Surgery- Typically, most doctors such as Dr. Yazdan will have you come back the following morning for your follow-up to assess the affected areas. He will then give you ample information on how to care for the grafts during the healing period. Your surgeon should schedule several future appointments for the coming months to ascertain the grafts are healing correctly and ensuring your satisfied with the results. Here at Modena, Dr. Yazdan will schedule your future appointments for the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months following to keep a close eye on the progress of your new head of hair.
Ice Packs- Make sure to keep several ice packs on hand as you may have some swelling across the forehead, temple or ears. Not to worry-this is completely normal and just a part of the healing process. CAUTION: Never place the ice (or anything for that matter other than gauze) directly on the transplanted area following an FUE or FUT/Strip transplant procedure.
Pain Management (Different from Medical Management)- Generally speaking, most hair transplant patients experience minimal pain (if any) and discomfort is rarely noted. You may feel some tension or burning which will subside within the first week. If you should have some mild discomfort, Tylenol is sufficing to ease any pain you may be experiencing. If that doesn’t seem to do the trick, you can ask your doctor for a prescription for pain relief. Significant pain or discomfort is extremely rare, and you should call your doctor immediately if it persists.
Washing Your Hair- Your physician should supply you with some gentle shampoo, otherwise baby shampoo can be picked up at your local store. Find something with several natural ingredients with the least amount of additives to avoid any irritation of the recipient and donor areas. As a leading surgeon in Hair Restoration, Dr. Yazdan spent many years formulating the perfect hair loss prevention and regrowth shampoo recipe including a proprietary blend of DHT Blockers as part of medical management for all our patients. (for more information on GroMD shampoo please call our office today) Make sure to gently wash the hair as proper hair wash is essential and plays a key role in your outcome- your doctor should explain exactly how to wash your hair, however if you have any questions on proper care- do not hesitate in asking your doctor before proceeding. This is very important! Do not wash your hair or touch the transplanted area for the first 24 hours. It’s vital not to allow running water to flow onto your head at all during this time.
Scabs and Crusting- While this should stay at minimum, especially with an FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and if your transplant is performed by a skilled surgeon. However, you may experience light scabbing in the days following your hair restoration procedure. It’s important to keep the area moist to reduce any irritation. You may use an ointment such as Aquaphor over the healing areas. Whatever you do- DO NOT pick at any scabs or crusting.
Avoid Strenuous Activity- I know this is a hard one for us Southern Californian’s as working out in the gym is just a natural part of our everyday existence, but this is a big no-no. Patients need to avoid all physical and strenuous activities that will make the heart rate rise above a resting position for at least the first week of recovery. Patients should also be careful getting in and out of their vehicles so that they avoid hitting, rubbing or grazing their heads. The hair follicles can very easily move or dislodge if you’re not careful.
Practicing Patience- The ‘hurry up and wait’ game, some would argue this being the most relevant tip for someone who is enduring a hair transplant recovery to simply, be patient! The first several months the grafts are still in their healing phase. The good news is, once you can get past the first 3-4 months you will start producing all the new hair you so badly desired and you can sit in front of a mirror to watch your hair GROW! Well, not exactly but you get the picture. At your 9-12 month mark your grafts should be finished producing hair and now you can reap all the benefits of looking decades younger! At this point, and with an honorable, well qualified surgeon, there should be minimal evidence that a hair transplant procedure took place. Even upon close inspection, no one will be able to tell without prior knowledge of it.
These are a few healthy tips to help you get through your hair transplant surgery with the best results and a faster recovery and to prevent infection from occurring. Every surgeon has their own regimen and it is always advisable to follow your doctors own post-op instructions.
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 Transplant: Consultation Questions to Ask Your Surgeon
As if hair loss isn’t frustrating enough, right?! Planning your hair transplant surgery can be just as difficult. Here are some questions to ask your doctor at the time of your consultation to make you feel at ease when choosing the right doctor for YOU to get the best results possible!
Does an actual Doctor perform the hair transplant surgery?
This is one if not THE most important question to ask. In the U.S. there are strict regulations and it is required that all hair transplants are performed by a physician. While it may seem like the obvious answer would be “Yes”, unfortunately that is not always the case and legal actions may be taken. Most hair restoration surgeons are assisted by highly skilled hair transplant technicians who typically dissect out the hairs under microscopes and help with the planting of grafts. While a patient may want the doctor to conduct the entire surgery, this can be inefficient. Hair transplantation surgery is a team effort. The surgeon will perform the graft excision and prepare the slits in the recipient area where the transplanted hair will be grafted. These slits are what determines hairline design, density, and the growth pattern and should only be done by the doctor. However, placing the grafts in the previously made recipient sites is typically done by an experienced technician yet, there should ALWAYS be an MD present to manage every aspect of the surgery. Dr. Yazdan performs every transplant himself using his artistry and precision by hand and only allows 1 surgery per day in order to take the time for almost 100% accuracy.
Does the “Punch” size matter?
Yes! SIZE DOES MATTER. The diameter of the ‘punch’ affects the size of the wound and how well the wound heals. While most punch sizes range from 0.6-1.3mm, Dr. Yazdan stays far away from the unfavorable wound sizes and scarring that larger punches can create. Staying at the lower end, he uses precise application with a 0.7-0.8mm punch tool. The direct relationship between the diameter of the punch and wound size is rather obvious and needs no further explanation other than, the larger the punch-the greater the risks involved such as scarring, damage to nearby hair follicles and prolonged wound healing. Potentially making scars more visible. Additionally, beware of the robotic Artas that more and more physicians are using as assistance-as the Artas is currently only capable of using larger punch sizes.
What are the doctor’s credentials to perform hair restoration surgery?
Any physician can technically perform a hair transplant. You “technically” only need two things: A medical license and, the desire to call oneself a “Hair Restoration Surgeon”. This is why it is so important to do extensive research and ask these types of questions at your consultations. You should feel completely comfortable asking your doctor for his resume and photographs/videos of his past cases. If a doctor has a high success rate and is proud of their work, he or she should have no problem showing you before and after photos. There’s truth behind the saying, ‘a photograph says a thousand words’. As Doctor Yazdan always likes to say, “my work and results speak for themselves”. Here is a link of our Hair Restoration Before & After photos. https://modenahair.com/photos/
Does the clinic use travel technicians for their procedure?
When it comes to hair restoration, there’s no “I” in teamwork and your surgeon is only as good as his or her staff. It’s all about teamwork. In most cases, when there is a long-lasting relationship between the doctor and their technicians, the work is more efficient and consistent resulting in a successful transplant. Problems or inconsistencies can occur with a clinic that uses travel technicians since the surgeon is not accustomed to working with these technicians and vice versa. A great doctor will run a tight ship and have a dependable team. Dr. Yazdan is no exception to these guidelines and tells us “having an excellent team is mandatory”. His entire staff has decades of experience and his team has remained the same the last 9 years.
Does the graft count matter?
The simple answer is yes and no. There are two different ways to estimate the amount of hair needed. The golden standard is per number of grafts or per number of follicular units and the second way that some doctors use is the number of hairs transplanted. There is a HUGE difference that needs to be understood so expectations (and your pocket book) stay in check. In each hair graft, there may be 1, 2, 3 and even sometimes 4 hairs and depending on the number of hairs in each graft, they are used appropriately in the recipient area. However, it is also good to know how many hairs were actually transplanted. This way you can have an overall idea of how your head of hair will look once the hair grows in. Just be cautious when a doctor tells you he can extract and transplant 5,000 grafts. For example, if 2,000 grafts were all ‘one hair units’ the total number of hairs would yield 2,000 hairs. Let’s say with 2,000 grafts, there was 500 ones, 500 twos and 1000 three-hair units, in this case the total number of hairs would be 4,500 hairs. These numbers can be deceiving, and patients think they’re actually getting 4,500 grafts which certainly isn’t the case. Even though here at Modena, Doctor Yazdan never charges by the graft count, you will find that many doctors do choose to charge patients based on the graft number so make sure you’re understanding the difference before making any final decisions.
Does the doctor attend regular training and medical conferences?
Hair Transplants have come a long way as far as technique is concerned, so having a surgeon who is up-to-date with the latest techniques and tools and has the most advanced technology will play a key role in the success of your hair transplant. Never be afraid to ask your doctor what training and medical conferences they have attended. If your doctor mentions the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), it is highly likely they are involved in the field beyond performing hair transplant surgeries. A hair transplant procedure is a complex cosmetic procedure that craves a certain artistry and skill and requires extensive training, so you don’t end up on a television show like Botched! Dr. Yazdan doesn’t just attend training and conferences such as ISHRS, he is a speaker and educator in all their surgery conferences. Not to mention, a leading consultant for the LA (Los Angeles) Weekly and hit television shows like Dr. Phil and The Doctors.
These are some key questions to ask at the time of your consultation in order to find the right doctor for you and get the best results possible!
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
Outrageous Graft Numbers: Understanding the Difference
So, you’ve made the decision to enhance your appearance and go for a hair transplant and now you’re hearing all about “graft numbers”. You should know and understand graft calculation to better prepare you for your hair restoration surgery consultations so you’re getting realistic expectations.
Although your main goal is likely having as much hair transplanted as possible in order to look like you did when you were 20, there is a limit to the number of grafts that can be transplanted in one session. Be aware of physicians who offer these outrageous graft numbers as you are likely being scammed and now your intelligence has been insulted as well. They’re either giving you a fictitious number or they are attempting to place too many at one time which carries many risks.
If the follicular units (1-4 hairs) are extracted and then divided up into smaller groups, or into individual hairs, the fictitious “graft numbers” will significantly increase and so will the price of your hair restoration procedure (if the patient is charged by the graft), without any increase in fullness (and possibly even less fullness due to sub-optimal growth). So, more than likely the clinic was counting follicular grouping or hairs and sometimes this can be deceiving because 4,000 hairs may amount to only 2000-2,500 grafts.
For example, if a patient has a 2,000 graft hair transplantation procedure where the 4- grafts were split up into 1- and 2-hair grafts, either through poor dissection or intentionally, the new procedure would now have much more ‘grafts’ with exactly the same number of hairs. Now, more sites would need to be unnecessarily placed into the patients scalp to accommodate these grafts. This in turn would cause the hair to be spread out over a larger area of the scalp, decreasing the potential density in the more important areas such as the front and increasing the cost of your new hair transplant!
That is why Dr. Yazdan does a full exam and consult to discuss this in depth and NEVER charges by the number of grafts. It’s simply unrealistic resulting in unrealistic expectations from the patient.
Another reason for an absurdly high graft count is physicians attempting to plant a large number of grafts in “mega-sessions” which poses its own set of challenges. As the number of hair grafts placed per area rises, so does the risk of vascular compromise (decreased blood flow to the area caused by injury to the scalp) and this can result in sub-optimal graft growth.
For instance, in an FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) transplant, Dr. Yazdan typically recommends no more than a true graft count of 2,000 and for the traditional Strip/FUT method, no more than 3,500 should be harvested in one procedure. Using the FUT technique- a 3,500 hair graft procedure will require an incision greater than 20cm on the back of the scalp consequently excellent scalp elasticity is needed otherwise this could significantly increase the risk of a widened scar. A wide donor scar can potentially create a cosmetic problem and can limit the amount of hair that can be obtained if a future hair transplant procedure is needed.
Another word of caution, in FUT (Follicular Hair Transplantation), microscopic dissection is used to dissect naturally occurring 1-4 hair follicular units from the donor area. If these units are kept intact during dissection, growth will be maximized, and a hair transplant patient will get the greatest possible fullness and density. However, if dissection is poor and some of the hair in the follicles are destroyed, the results will be less than ideal.
To avoid such problems, men and woman in need of a larger hair transplant should take caution when choosing the right surgeon and should only be reserved for the most experienced surgical teams. As you see in the photo above, this is a great example of a physician at an outside clinic who overharvested the donor area while using a much larger punch size than needed.
Because these factors are ‘deep-rooted’ in all hair transplant procedures, it is important that the surgeon focuses on maximizing hair growth, rather than seeking some arbitrarily high target number of grafts.
“What is ultimately critical for the patient is not how many grafts were transplanted, but how many actually grow. My results speak for themselves.” Said Yazdan.
This blog was written as a result of a patient being told that he was receiving a 7,000 graft transplant. See link below.
https://www.realself.com/question/paris-fr-hair-after-7000-hair-transplant#6245220
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 Hair Transplant a Risky Procedure?
Hair transplant is a surgical process used as a hair loss treatment. If you are suffering from baldness and want to rid yourself from hair loss than a transplant may be right for you.
As with all cosmetic surgical procedures, there is risk involved. Like with many things in life, you need to balance the risk versus reward. Finding an experienced surgeon who specializes in hair restoration will greatly reduce the “risk” factor.
Overall, a surgical hair transplant procedure whether it may be FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) or the Strip method is a completely safe procedure.
Generally speaking, risks are usually limited to:
Swelling – This is your body’s way to heal an area as blood reserves collect in the area. Mild swelling is normal after a hair transplant, but excessive swelling that might result in black eyes requires immediate medical attention.
Bleeding – Similarly to all wounds, bleeding may take place as the body heals. Rarely, a graft might dislodge from the area, which results in excessive bleeding that will require pressure to stop.
Numbness -Some transient numbness is inevitable. Typically, and if any, this is felt at the suture line or graft sites and generally lasts from 3-18 weeks.
Pain -This is actually a good sign for it demonstrates that your body is working to heal itself. Often, over the counter medications help alleviate the symptom, and some patients don’t need anything for pain.
Itching -Another sign of healing as your body adjusts to the new follicles and is usually alleviated with regular shampooing.
Infection -Even papercuts are vulnerable to infections if they are not properly cleansed. After undergoing this procedure, and under the guidance of your physician, it is important to regularly clean the wound site accordingly.
Scarring -Scarring generally occurs in FUT/Strip method plantations and is occasionally seen from the FUE technique with an inexperienced physician.
Every individual varies greatly in their physical reactions and healing abilities. Yet, these associated risks are relatively minimal when you’re looking at the bigger picture of what a hair transplant can do for you and your self-esteem for many years to come.
In hindsight, the ‘biggest’ risk is a bad result or no result from an inexperienced doctor or non-licensed practitioners whom aren’t properly trained to do surgical hair transplants. As long as you feel comfortable that you’re in the hands of skilled, artistic hair transplant doctor, you’re likely to have fantastic results that will look very natural!
Do some extensive investigating to find a well qualified full-time hair restoration surgeon and your benefits will certainly outweigh the costs, these risks are fairly minimal and shouldn’t be a major deterring factor with proceeding with such a life-changing procedure! Having a hair transplant can significantly boost one’s self-confidence and compliment your appearance leaving you with smiles for days, or decades, rather!
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
FUE Hair Transplant: How Long Will It Take For My Hair To Regrow?
Hair growth after surgery is the very first question that may come in mind. Understanding the stages how transplanted hair grows will help to keep expectations realistic.
Every person is different, therefore the rate in which your hair will regrow varies from patient to patient. In our practice, a well performed transplant will see results in as little as 4 months whether you’re acquiring FUE or Strip hair transplant surgery. Newly growing transplanted hairs start to become visible at this time however they are still not in their final stages of thickness and length quite yet.
Dr. Yazdan likes for his patients to come in for a post-op visit at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 9th month mark to compare your pre-op photos so we can discuss your progress, but expect to see the full benefits within the first year and maximal cosmetic improvement can be seen within 14-18 months.
“I highly recommend waiting a solid year before arriving at any conclusions as to the success of your hair transplant. At this time, if you’re still unsatisfied with the length and density of your new hair, talk with your surgeon. If you still have doubts, you may need to seek a second opinion.” Says Dr. Yazdan.
Once a hair transplant starts to grow, it will continue to grow until the end of the hair cycle at a rate of about ½ inch per month. The new hair which has been transplanted grows in cycles and will become fuller and thicker than the donor site over time.
And for optimal results, we like to follow a hair restoration surgery with PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) or laser therapy which can stimulate hair regrowth tremendously giving you maximal results. Light medical management is also highly desired during the growth period. Medical management consists of non-surgical methods such as minoxidil, finasteride and GroMD hair loss prevention shampoo.
Some might say the hardest part of a hair transplant is after the procedure is finished. Continuously over analyzing and examining each hair follicle, checking the mirror every few hours waiting to see results. Remember, be patient! Good things come to those who wait.
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
Eyebrow Transplant: Should You Try It?
Eyebrows are more important than ever before! With todays fashion trend, its all about the thicker, fuller eyebrows. The quest for fuller brows has made eyebrow transplants a thing these days. Let’s talk about who would be a good candidate:
Eyebrow loss can occur in both men and women, leaving them unsettled and insecure about their facial appearance. After all, eyebrows frame the upper portion of the face and eye area making this region the first thing people look at. Brow loss is most commonly due to injury or trauma resulting in scars, hormone imbalance, hereditary, aging, yet over-tweezing making the top of the list! Less common factors may be due to an attack of the immune system such as cancer treatment processes like chemotherapy-which for some patients, can be the most emotionally difficult part of the process as hair loss can be a tell-tale sign of an illness present.
Every day people are applying makeup to recreate a new brow or filling in what they once had. Thinning or hair loss of the brow region from overplucking was a common trend in the 90’s, as that was the time overzealous plucking in earlier years often begin to show up as thinning or bald spots. Overplucked eyebrows are one of the most common causes people seek out transplants. More than ever, people are pulling out all the stops to hide the fact that they’ve lost their brows, and often times the hair won’t regrow on its own. Fortunately, there is a Cosmetic treatment now being used for a more long-term solution using modern microsurgical techniques.
Eyebrow Transplantation is a surgical procedure to permanently restore or customize the brows by taking hair from another part of the body such as the back of the scalp and transplanting it to the brow region to create the desired brow shape. This procedure is quite meticulous and takes artistic design for a successful procedure. However, if done incorrectly, can leave you with redness and scaring on the donor site as well as uneven patchy eyebrows.
As with all cosmetic procedures, the key to a natural-looking result is to fully research the surgeon of your choice to get a good idea of the doctors skill when it comes to eyebrow transplants or any kind of hair transplants for that matter. “I can’t stress enough how important it is that patients do their homework ahead of time in finding the right doctor, otherwise they might end up with a botched outcome,” says Dr. Yazdan -whose patients fly in from other areas to seek treatment at his Beverly Hills and Orange County offices. It bears repeating that careful planning and precise angulation of each hair is critical for a successful end result.
Restore the thickness and shape of your eyebrows by calling our office today!
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
How effective is body hair for scalp hair transplantation?
Many individuals who seek a hair transplant to solve their balding concerns turn out to not be the best candidates for the procedure. Why? Because their scalp doesn’t have sufficient quality hairs in their donor area.
The donor area is typically the area at the back of the scalp. With both FUE and FUT/strip surgeries, follicles are extracted from the back of the scalp and transplanted into the recipient zone (balding area). But, there are other areas of the body that can be used for a donor area in the event the scalp lacks quality donor hairs.
Typically, the beard, chest, and back are the first, second, and third choices for donor body hair. That being said, body hair transplants are not the right choice for every patient. While some may be good body hair candidates and have successful hair transplants from body hair, others may not.
Many factors determine if a body hair transplant will be effective for you. Ultimately, we’re looking for the body hair to be a similar match to the scalp hair. That way, it will blend in as it grows, maintaining uniformity throughout. If the body hair is drastically different than the scalp hair (curly vs straight, coarse vs thin) than the look may not be the most desirable. The idea is that no one will be able to tell you had a hair transplant, and the hair transplant looks like your natural hair prior to hair loss.
To determine if you’re a candidate for scalp or body hair transplantation you should meet with a hair restoration surgeon for a hair evaluation. Make sure to thoroughly do your research prior to committing to a surgeon, as not all surgeons are skilled in body hair transplantation.
Should you see a doctor for your hair loss?
Most individuals see hair loss as a naturally occurring condition that many individuals experience. Additionally, many believe that there is nothing they can do about it except to accept their fate.
While hair loss is extremely common and occurs in many individuals due to genetics, medical conditions, or other influencing factors, it isn’t always naturally or normally occurring.
Many do not consider hair loss to be a medical condition, but in fact, it is. Hair loss can be caused by a variety of sources, including but not limited to, genetics, thyroid disease, hormone imbalances, and side effects of medications.
As a result, it can be beneficial to see a doctor if you’re experiencing hair loss. The doctor will be able to diagnose the hair loss (also known as alopecia) and order any lab diagnostics that may help determine the cause. Determining the cause can help rule out any underlying diseases and set you on the right track for treatment. For example, if you’re hair loss is caused by a medication, changing brands or adjusting doses may help resolve the hair loss.
In addition to determining a cause of hair loss, your doctor can help prescribe a treatment. Contrary to popular belief, hair loss isn’t something that you just have to live with. There are treatment options available that may help prevent and slow hair loss, such as finasteride, propecia, minoxidil, or biotin. While some of these medications are available over the counter, it’s always a good idea to get your physician’s opinion and approval before starting any new treatments.
If you don’t have a primary care doctor, or don’t feel comfortable seeing them for hair loss related issues, you can always schedule a consultation with a hair restoration doctor. Hair restoration doctors are physicians who specialize in hair loss. They can order labs, diagnose, and help you come up with a treatment plan. If you’re ready to find out what’s causing your hair loss and find a treatment, give us call today.
How dense should transplanted hair be?
If you’ve been researching hair transplants, you’ve likely come across a picture or two of a sparse, plug-like looking hair transplant. When there’s lots of space in between hair follicles, more scalp shows through, creating a balding or thinning appearance to the hair. If you’re looking for a hair transplant, you’re likely looking to resolve balding or thinning as much as possible, not highlight it further by having scarcely place follicles across your scalp.
But just how dense should transplanted hair be?
Well, there isn’t a simple answer to this question.
The density of transplanted hair depends on two factors: the density of the surrounding healthy native hair and the hair transplant surgeon’s technique and ability.
With hair transplants, we strive for natural looking, full hair coverage. Therefore, you’d want the transplanted area to fit in and flow nicely with the surrounding areas, matching the density of the full, healthy-haired areas. This will keep the hair looking natural and keep you from looking like you had a procedure done.
That leads us to our second factor in density: the surgeon’s abilities. If a surgeon’s abilities or experience are lacking, you’re going to get the best hair transplant s/he can give you rather than the best hair transplant for you. This is why experience and techniques are so important when searching for a hair transplant surgeon. The punch size, placing by hand versus robotic assistance, and involvement of the surgeon will directly affect the density of the transplanted hair and the overall hair appearance. Over-sized punches, robotic tools, and the absence of surgeons during procedures are directly correlated to poor results such as a plug-like or thinly covered recipient zone.
Don’t let this happen to you. Ensure your hair transplant looks natural and appropriately-dense. Give us a call for a consultation today.
Forehead reduction surgery vs. hair transplant surgery
We all have something that negatively effects our self-esteem and causes us to feel self-conscious. For some, hair loss, scars, a large nose, or a large forehead may be the source of blame.
Cosmetic surgery has sought to resolve some of these sources of self-consciousness. Hair transplants can eliminate baldness, lasers can lighten scars, rhinoplasty can fix your nose, and forehead reduction surgery can make your forehead smaller.
Unfortunately, some of these procedures are not without their complications. We are often asked what the best course of treatment is for a large forehead or a set back hairline. The answer is best determined by not only determining the cause of the enlarged forehead, but also weighing the pros and cons of the treatment options.
More often than not, when people are referring to the size of their forehead, they also mention their hairline. They often say that their forehead has gotten larger over the years, and that their hairline used to be more forward. This is not a case of a naturally large forehead, rather it’s a case of receding hairline hair loss. If you have a receding hairline, and are looking to restore your forehead and hairline to more natural and youthful proportions, you should be looking at hair transplant surgery over forehead reduction surgery.
If you have had a naturally large forehead or naturally set back hairline your entire life, you can still look into hair transplant surgery as a solution. Just because your genetics have programmed your hairline to start farther back, does not mean it must remain that way forever. Hair transplants can be a great tool in allowing people to achieve a more youthful hairline, even if they never had one to begin with.
If you are not a candidate for hair transplant in either scenario, and find yourself looking into forehead reduction surgery as an alternative option, we urge caution. Forehead reduction surgeries are often plagued with complications such as visible scarring and nerve damage which cannot be reversed. As with any cosmetic procedure, make sure to ask your provider lots of questions and request before and after photos to evaluate realistic results.
If you’d like to find out more about hair transplants for hair line lowering, give us a call today.
The importance of graft placement in hair transplant surgery
Hair transplant procedures are a great way for those experiencing hair loss to reclaim their hair. Hair transplants allow you to have your own natural hair restored in areas that have been balding for years.
When done properly, your friends and family will never know you had a procedure done. It looks that natural – because it is. Unfortunately, not all hair transplants are done properly.
Some surgeons, whether because of laziness or inexperience, cut corners in hair transplant surgery which can cost patients the results of their procedure, leaving them with what we call a botched hair transplant surgery.
One of the ways in which surgeons can greatly effect the outcome of hair transplant surgery is with graft placement.
In order for the hair transplant to look like naturally growing, young, healthy hair, the grafts must be placed in a natural formation. This way, the transplanted grafts will blend right in with the surrounding native hairs, leaving no one the wiser that you’ve had a restorative procedure done.
Natural-looking graft placement takes time and expertise. It can be quite tolling on the surgeon, as they often have to put strain on their back, put in long hours without breaks, have steady hands, and a meticulous eye.
Inexperienced or lazy hair transplant surgeons rely on the use of machines or technicians to perform the bulk of the surgery and ease the difficultly and strain of high-quality hair transplants. This, unfortunately, causes an increase of risks such as scarring, plug-like looking grafts, damage to hair follicles, and low graft survival rate.
Your prospective hair restoration surgeon shouldn’t cut corners, and neither should you. Make sure that your hair transplant and investment will yield great results by thoroughly researching and asking questions.
Schedule a consultation today to see what your hair transplant could look like.
*Individual results vary.*
Why does body hair grow wild while head hair doesn’t?
We know that increased body hair growth and decreased head hair growth has to do with getting older. But despite popular belief, old age does not cause hair loss. This connection between hair growth and age has to do with the hair growth cycle and a pesky little thing known as DHT.
As we age, the hair growth cycle becomes effected by DHT due to an increased sensitivity. DHT is converted testosterone, which, when comes into contact with hair follicles, can cause hair loss over time.
But if DHT causes hair loss on the scalp, wouldn’t it cause hair loss on other areas of the body too?
Unfortunately, no. DHT has an adverse effect on the rest of the body’s hair follicles. It causes growth spurts throughout surrounding body hair follicles. This explains why our older counterparts have long eyebrows, ear hair, and nose hair.
Scientists do not yet know why DHT effects scalp hair differently than body hair. But research continues. If you suffer from hair loss, consider your options by meeting with a certified hair restoration surgeon.
Smoking and hair loss
A new study claims that smoking can cause hair loss. While many have heard of the health dangers of smoking, many may not know about the link between smoking and hair loss.
Serious diseases and medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease are shown to be caused by tobacco use. New studies reported in the BMJ Journal have shown you can add hair loss to that list.
The many toxins in cigarettes are believed to be partly to blame. These toxins harm follicles, cause premature graying, and accelerate hair loss. This exact cause is believed to be due to the toxins’ damaging effect on hormones key to the production and health of your hair.
The reduction in healthy blood circulation is also to blame. Blood carries all of the nutrients your body needs. It transports nutrients to extremities and organs. When you smoke, your blood does not circulate as efficiently. This means extremities and organs don’t get the full nutrients they need. Scalp and hair follicles included.
While more research needs to be done, it’s clear that smoking isn’t good for your hair. In a study which evaluated hair health in smokers and nonsmokers, smokers reported having more thinning, graying, and hair loss than the nonsmokers did.
If you didn’t have enough reasons to put down the smokes, consider doing it for the health of your hair. For both men and women, healthy hair means higher self-confidence and a more youthful appearance.
If you’re wondering if smoking may be causing your hair loss, you should meet with an experienced and certified hair restoration surgeon. They can help you determine the cause of your hair loss through a comprehensive scalp analysis and biopsy.
The most important take-away: you have options. Give us a call today for a hair loss consultation.
How to prepare for your hair transplant consult
So you’ve decided you want to find out more information about hair transplant surgery. Consultations are the best way to find out more about hair restoration procedures. Most importantly, consults are how you obtain hair transplant price and grafts quotes.
Make sure you get the most out of your consult by preparing for it.
First, do your research.
Make sure that you’ve researched your potential hair transplant surgeon. Are they qualified and experienced? Are they certified by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons? These questions will help you ensure that you’re placing your hair in the right hands.
Additionally, your surgeon should have plenty of before and after photos as well as reviews. These will help give you an idea of their skill ability and what outcomes may be possible for you.
Second, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
There are many methods and techniques in the field of hair restoration. Will your surgeon be doing the procedure by hand or machine? Will the doctor be present throughout the procedure or will a technician be doing the work? What size punch tools will be used? What is his/her success rate for graft survival in hair transplant surgeries? These questions will shine light on the doctor’s process and inform you what to expect.
Third, consider the cost-benefit analysis.
Cheaper is not always better. While a lower price for hair transplant surgery sounds ideal, you often get what you pay for. Most cases of botched hair transplant surgeries come as a result of cutting costs (via traveling abroad for surgery or choosing someone with inferior credentials). While you may save money in the short-term, you’ll end up spending more long-term to fix the botched surgery.
If you’re ready for a hair transplant consult, give us a call today!
Is a hair transplant surgery the right choice for you?
Hair loss effects over 80% of men and 50% of women over the course of their lifetime. This extremely common condition leaves many searching for a solution.
While medical management offers great methods to restore hair, such as PRP therapy, laser therapy, prescription medication, specialized shampoos, and even over the counter medications, these recourses are only effective for the right candidates.
If you’ve been experiencing hair loss for some time, have progressed hair loss, or didn’t have any luck with medical management, you may be wondering what your next option is.
Hair transplant surgery is an ideal option for those with progressed hair loss. This medical procedure involves taking hair follicles from other areas of your scalp or body and transplanting them into the areas of hair loss.
Modern hair transplant surgery is much different than plugs, wigs, or hair pieces that have been methods used by balding people in the past. Hair transplant surgery is your own natural hair that grows in on its own where it’s needed.
Due to the natural, organic nature of hair transplant surgery, patients are able to regain their youth and hair without it ever looking like they were bald or sought a medical recourse.
In order to determine if you are an ideal candidate for hair transplant surgery, you should meet with a qualified and experienced hair transplant surgeon. After a scalp and hair loss evaluation, you and your doctor can determine the right amount of grafts needed to meet your hair goals.
If you’d like to learn more about hair transplant surgery, and figure out if it’s the right option for you, give us a call today.
Are you a candidate for hair transplant surgery?
Hair loss effects over 80% of men over their lifetime and over 50% of women over their lifetime. This common ailment used to have no recourse of solution.
But, thanks to modern advancements in medicine and science, hair transplants are helping men and women all around the world regain their hair.
This life-changing procedure involves extracting grafts from a ‘donor’ area (such as the back of the scalp) and transplanting the grafts into the ‘recipient’ area (aka area of hair loss).
While this procedure has helped so many not only get their hair back, but their confidence and youthfulness as well, unfortunately, not everyone is a good candidate for hair transplantation.
So, how do you know if you’re a candidate for hair transplant surgery or not?
Many factors play a role in determining your candidacy for hair transplantation. Below, are a few of the most prevalent reasons individuals are not ideal candidates for hair transplantation.
- Gender – while this factor isn’t exclusive (we’ve done many successful female hair transplants), in general, most women are not ideal hair transplant candidates. This is due to the type of hair loss that most women experience. Most women experience diffuse thinning hair loss. While hair transplants can still be successful on patients with diffuse thinning hair loss, it can be more difficult on women due to the length and coverage of the hair.
- Early stages of hair loss – if you are in the very early stages of hair loss, it may not be best for you to get a hair transplant just yet. Hair transplants don’t treat hair loss. That means you’re your hair loss will continue as you age. You will most likely need another hair transplant to make up for new hair loss. There are many ways to medically manage hair loss and even reverse it in the early stages. Right now, you may be a better candidate for laser therapy or PRP. You can save hair transplantation for later on down the road.
- A weak donor area – hair transplants require a healthy, full donor area to extract grafts from. If your donor area is weak, this may cause you to not be a good candidate for surgery. The good news is, there are other donor areas besides the back of the scalp that grafts can be extracted from. We have conducted many successful body hair transplants for those with a weak scalp donor area.
Please keep in mind that to determine your actual candidacy for hair transplantation, you should meet with a qualified and experienced hair transplant surgeon. If you are not a candidate for surgery at this time, but are experiencing hair loss, make sure to schedule a medical management consultation so you can maintain your hair and ward off hair loss as long as possible.
