Tag Archives: hair transplant

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Dr. Yazdan Named One of the Top Hair Transplant Doctors in the World for Third Year

January 25, 2021 admin Leave a comment

Dr. Yazdan of Modena Hair Institute is honored to once again be numbered among the top hair transplant doctors in the world.

The ranking, published by Ape to Gentleman in an article called “The World’s Top 25 Hair Transplant Surgeons: 2021 Edition,” lists the best hair transplant doctors based on, among other factors:

Level of expertise
Years of experience
Level of artistic and technical skill
Patient advocacy

The article highlights the very niche work Dr. Yazdan has done for over a decade on African American, Asian and body hair transplantation. Hair transplantation is a highly niche and technical field of aesthetic surgery requiring long and careful experience. We are proud to see our technical accomplishments in the area of ethnic hair transplantation get recognized.

The author details that “a crucial element of my recommendations is that all the doctors listed support the message conveyed by the relevant standards and authorities in the field of hair restoration. These guys care about the industry and its ethics, integrity and quality of treatment…”

As the only IAHRS member in the Orange County and Las Vegas area, Dr. Yazdan’s acceptance into the society means that he has consistently upheld the highest ethical standards, carries exceptional surgical prowess and a visceral commitment to the art and science of hair transplantation.

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

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Can I Grow My Hair Back Without a Hair Transplant?

January 7, 2021 admin Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Global Hair Loss Summit 2020

December 22, 2020 admin Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

Case Results

Female Hair Loss Success Story: PRP Hair Restoration Following Pregnancy

June 14, 2020 admin Leave a comment

Diagnosis: Postpartum Hair Loss – Age: 35 – Sex: Female

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

In the following presentation, Dr. Amir Yazdan’s own sister, Desiree Yazdan – herself a renowned doctor of dental medicine – undergoes PRP treatment for the progressive hair loss she experienced during pregnancy.

Hair thinning and loss during pregnancy is very common, caused by big changes in hormone and estrogen levels which can speed up the natural cycle of hair shedding. Thyroid disorders and iron deficiency arising from such hormonal imbalances can also contribute to hair shedding.

Dr. Desiree Yazdan received four PRP injections applied directly to the problem areas on the scalp, scheduled at one injection every three weeks. After the fourth and final injection, hair growth was significantly restored across the scalp, particularly around the temples. Hair grew back straight, thick and in harmony with her natural hairline.

We’ve touched on the restorative benefits of platelets before, but here we’d like to emphasize the effectiveness of PRP in treating post-partum hair loss. Since PRP is a concentrated dose of autologous platelets, their powerful growth factors and healing agents are quickly able to undo much of the damage caused by temporary hormone imbalances.

After photos were taken following two months of PRP treatments.

A special thank you to Desiree for cataloguing her hair restoration journey for us. She actively responds to questions and engages with patients on her Instagram @dryazdan.

Case Results

Male Hair Loss Success Story: “I came in with low expectations but the results have been incredible”

May 2, 2020 admin Leave a comment

Diagnosis: Male Pattern Hair Loss – Age: 35 – Sex: Male

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

In the following presentation, Dr. Amir Yazdan documents the results of a 35-year-old undergoing an FUE hair transplantation. His hair loss pattern was a Norwood Class V.

This patient received 2,500 grafts which aimed to fill out nearly the entire crown and front temple region, effectively restoring his hairline. The hairline design is purposely conservative, so as to look completely natural and effortless. He was put on a personalized medical management system to maintain his existing hair.

After photos were taken at 1 year post-op.

hair transplant case study — 1 Week Before Transplant

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5 Reasons Why Hair Transplants Fail

January 1, 2020 admin Leave a comment

Hair can be a very empowering feature. Rather than feel self-conscious and awkward about receding hairlines or hair loss, we now have the option of hair transplant surgery to feel empowered about hair.
While hair transplants are minimally invasive, low-risk procedures, they still should be taken seriously to ensure the best results possible. There are many instances where transplants can fail, and it’s useful for patients to know exactly what factors can determine a successful or unsuccessful procedure.
Let’s look at why some hair transplants fail and how you can avoid it happening to you.

Inexperienced Surgeons

Inexperienced surgeons are the biggest reason why transplants fail. While the appeal of extravagant advertising or low costs are tempting to clients, inexperienced or unqualified doctors can cause serious damage to the hair and scalp with surgical complications, scarring, or infections.
For example, a common mistake that inexperienced surgeons make is overharvesting. Overharvesting refers to the excessive harvesting of grafts from the donor area. This results in thinning or balding at the donor areas. Choosing an experienced surgeon is vital to avoid overharvesting and ensure the best hair possible for transplant clients.
More experienced doctors understand the safe donor areas for hair transplants. The initial donor area for transplants is the back of a patient’s head, as well as beard or chest hair. Hair used from the proper sites, along with planning and careful transplanting, will give desirable and natural-looking results.

Bad Post-Op Care

While picking an experienced surgeon to perform the hair transplant procedure is crucial, patients also need to take special care in following their doctor’s post-op directions. It is natural for many of us to try to do things “our way” and deviate from professional advice. However, in the case of hair transplants, following a doctor’s post-op care directions can be the difference between successful or unsuccessful results.
The post-op treatment is vital to a successful transplant because of the fragility of the new graft and the scabbed hair shafts. Patients who deal with their hair and scalp gently, heed instructions, and communicate with their doctors are far more likely to have a quick recovery and better results.

Not Being an Ideal Candidate

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for hair transplants. There are a few factors that could disqualify someone.
One of these is unstable hair loss. As the patient continues to lose more hair after the procedure, the hair graft may not be in the proper place or large enough to cover the full balding areas. In this case, it is best to wait until the hair loss stabilizes before seeking a hair transplant.
On the other hand, too much hair loss can also yield unfavorable outcomes. In some cases, the safe donor areas have insufficient follicle numbers to produce a successful graft.If you do not have a sufficient amount of follicles to be extracted from donor areas, the result can be severe thinning in this area.
In some cases, hair loss might only be temporary and thus a transplant would be unnecessary. For example, if your hair loss is due to stress, getting a hair transplant could cause patchy and odd-looking hair in the future as the hair returns.
In any situation, a consultation with an experienced surgeon can help patients determine if they are good candidates for hair transplant surgery.

Dishonest Practices and Misinformation

When considering a hair transplant procedure, patients should research not only different surgeons’ experience levels, but they should also research different clinics and read patient testimonials.
In a ploy to make more money, many hair clinics will push patients to get hair transplants even when they are not good candidates for the procedure. Patients of these clinics are at a much higher risk of having failed transplants. This is why the reputation and patient testimonials of hair clinics should be researched in depth before deciding where to get hair transplant surgery.

Expecting Immediate Results

Some patients are quick to say that their transplant was a failure if they do not see the results they want within a few months. This is a misunderstanding.
The actual transplant surgery is only the first step in the journey to fuller hair. The next and longer step is the recovery process where the hair takes time to grow and thrive. This process can take around 10-12 months after surgery.
While it is normal to want incredible results as soon as possible, it’s best to communicate with your doctor about the timeline of your hair transplant results to avoid misunderstanding.
Conclusion
Getting hair transplants can be an easy and comfortable experience by paying attention to these issues before your procedure. Doing your research and locating an experienced hair surgeon and clinic can help you avoid hair transplant failure. If you’re looking for an experienced hair specialist in Orange County, Las Vegas or Beverly Hills that has produced successful hair transplant results, schedule a consultation with Modena Hair Institute to start working towards the hair you deserve.

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How Much Density Will a Hair Transplant Give Me?

December 16, 2019 admin Leave a comment

Perhaps the most pressing concern for potential hair transplant patients, besides the safety and permanence of their procedure, is the amount of density they can achieve. Most men and women want to return to the density they had when they were in their late teens or early 20s. While this is usually an impossible ideal, an experienced and highly skilled hair transplant surgeon can add a great amount of density to give a strikingly full appearance.
When considering the question of density, the amount a surgeon can transplant is determined by many factors. Including the hair thickness and quality, donor density, age and family history of hair loss. A conservative approach to follicle extraction is always best as one should preserve the donor site for future sessions as one ages.
The color of the hair is also important in contrast to the color of the scalp. The more contrast, the more hair is required to achieve optical density. Dark hair on a Caucasian scalp is going to appear thinner or sparser than lighter color hair such as blonde, gray, or white. The same is true of lighter color hair on an African-American or darker pigmented scalp. The quality of the hair is also important for determining density. Hair that is curly or wavy appears to achieve more optical density since it camouflages the skin to a greater extent than straight hair. In the 1970s men would perm their thinning hair to reduce the visual contrast between hair and scalp.
The texture of the hair is one of the most important factors influencing the number of grafts required for a specified area of the scalp. Hair shafts can either be very fine, fine, medium, medium-coarse, or coarse. The difference is in the width of the hair; the wider or thicker the hair, the more optical surface density will be visualized. As follicular unit grafts heal, as in any skin graft, the skin contracts or shrinks to its center. The result of this contraction leads to small gaps between each graft which can be improved during a second surgery to fill in these spaces.
Techniques for density creation vary from surgeon to surgeon. At Modena Hair Institute, Dr. Yazdan utilizes an extremely fine 0.7mm punch and implantation technique that allows for density optimization and a natural looking hairline. This not only reduces the risk for scarring, but reduces the risk of shock loss in surrounding follicles.
Patient Warning
Find a board-certified hair transplant specialist who is highly experienced in adding the kind of density you desire. It is of the utmost importance to conduct thorough research and find an experienced and technically advanced hair restoration specialist to diagnose and treat your specific hair loss situation. A veteran hair transplant physician or surgeon will be able to accurately assess and evaluate your individual hair loss needs and provide the best surgical outcome for you.

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Postpartum Hair Loss: Causes and Solutions

December 14, 2019 admin Leave a comment

Everything seems to be going well with life as a new mother, when slowly you begin to notice increased hair loss. It could be extra strands of hair on your pillow or more loose strands during washing, which could progress to hair falling out in clumps. You may change your shampoo or try various hair tonics, but you start to panic about going bald.
As a new mother it’s important not to fall into distress – the above scenario is very common.
Causes
There are many possible causes of hair loss, generally known to dermatologists and hair restoration specialists as alopecia. In postpartum hair loss, we are dealing with a very specific type of alopecia known as telogen effluvium, and it is one of the most common conditions treated by dermatologists.
For the majority of individuals, 5 to 15 per cent of the hair on one’s scalp is in the telogen phase, meaning that these hairs are in their resting phase. Telogen effluvium is triggered when a physiologic or hormonal change causes a large number of hairs to enter telogen at one time. Shedding does not occur until the new anagen hairs begin to grow, which usually takes two to three months. The emerging hairs help to force the resting hairs out of the follicle, which is why most people notice a sudden increase in hair fall a few months after delivery, or after an acute illness. The good news is that the prognosis is excellent and in almost all cases, recovery occurs within six months. Often, no specific treatment is required.
Unlike some other animals that shed hair, human hair growth is asynchronous, which means that there are hairs in different stages of the growth cycle at any one time. Normal hair grows in cycles and goes through three stages:

Anagen: growing phase
Telogen: resting phase
Catagen: falling phase

Therefore, the effect of normal or physiological hair fall is usually not too obvious because about 80 to 90 per cent of our scalp hairs are in the growing anagen phase at any given moment. Thus, it is normal for a person to lose as many as 50 to 100 strands of hair daily, and these usually show up on a comb, brush or on the bathroom floor, especially after washing your hair.
Solutions
As a first response to excessive hair fall in newly made mothers, supplements are occasionally prescribed and, in some cases, medical topical therapy as well, taking into account whether the mother is breastfeeding or not.
At Modena Hair Institute in Orange County, we generally advise patients to use a doctor-developed conditioning shampoo like groMD, as well as minimize activities that might result in excessive hair loss, such as rough combing and brushing of the hair, or tying it into very tight braids or buns. It’s uncommon for hair loss associated with pregnancy to persist unless there are other medical issues involved such as iron deficiency or thyroid disorders. If symptoms of excessive hair fall continue beyond six months, you should seek medical counsel.
In summary, there are a number of modalities which combat the specific form of telogen effluvium that is postpartum hair loss. Patients may try one modality at a time, beginning with the least involved and add or replace modalities as they see results. Each has positives and negatives and not all will be equally effective. Hair transplantation is the final and most definitive solution, however this should be delayed until you have reached a stable hair pattern. This is due to the fact that the transplanted hair is permanent and if you have not reached a stable pattern you can expect further losses and the need for more grafting to avoid the appearance of a double hairline (grafted hairline followed by losses and the receding natural hairline)
Conclusion
The crucial first step before considering various treatments is establishing the underlying cause. In most cases, as discussed previously, hormonal changes associated with pregnancy are a likely suspect. Given enough time, most of the hormonal effects caused by child birth are transient and will balance themselves out in six to eight months. If no response is noted, a medical workup is recommended. Once these issues have been properly addressed, the mother should consider the above listed modalities and decide where to get on board with the help of a hair restoration specialist.

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I Got a Hair Transplant at 29 – Here’s What to Expect When Getting a New Hairline

November 7, 2019 admin Leave a comment

Story of Jake Gerkalm. Written by Omar F. Najjarine. Note: This article contains images of a surgical procedure being performed.
I was always told I had masculine features. Not to sound vain, but I was always proud of my fit and rugged look. I loved my jawline, nose, eyebrows and the general symmetry of my face. All of this began to change, however, when I began to notice hairline recession at 25. At first I thought I was having a bad week or a bad month caused by poor sleeping habits and unhealthy eating choices. I also had heard that temporary hair loss can be caused from stress. But as the months went by and the hairs around my widows peak began to shrink and fall out in ever growing numbers, I knew further hair loss was inevitable.
My new receding hairline began to really take shape at around the age of 27 and I was devastated. I could no longer hide the fact with comb overs and styling tricks. After my morning showers, I’d catch myself staring at the profile in the mirror with uncomfortable consternation. Whenever I’d meet someone new, I’d fidget sideways or tilt my head upwards so they couldn’t glimpse the full extent of my hair loss. On my 29^th birthday, after two years of living like a shell of my old self, I began researching hair transplantation.

I had recently moved to Southern California for work and began to look up hair transplant clinics in the area. I met with Amir Yazdan, a well-known hair transplant surgeon in Orange County, and immediately felt listed-to and understood. I respected his delicate, conservative approach and appreciated how he spent real time listening to my story and making sure I felt comfortable and properly educated. As Amir explained the basics of the procedure, we began to discuss personal goals and reasonable expectations. He was extremely honest and transparent about what could and could not be done, and what could be done was aesthetically transformative and most importantly, permanent.
Once I firmly made the decision to move ahead with the hair transplant surgery, I told my family. When I told my father the news, he revealed for the first time that he also experienced crippling confidence issues in his late 20s when he began to experience hair loss. He admired my determination and willingness to go through with the procedure and I thanked him for sharing his piece of emotional history with me.
The Consultation
My consultation with Dr. Yazdan set me at ease. We started out talking casually about my hairline – what I liked and disliked about it, any relevant medical concerns, and other usual questions. Then he did an evaluation to see if I’d be a good candidate for a hair transplantation. He conducted clinical tests and analyses to see if I suffered from pattern baldness. He examined the quantity and condition of my donor hair, to see if my healthy hair follicles could be successfully transplanted – they were as strong as they could be.
Then he took a bunch of pictures from different angles and stepped out to review them. A few minutes later, we sat down in his office to go over the images. He showed me three distinct perspectives: front, profile, and from behind. With each photo, he presented a revised image of what my hairline could look like after the procedure – and, wow, what a rush of happiness! It was honestly everything I was hoping for: fuller, wider and thicker.

Dr. Yazdan then laid out his surgical plan for me: He’d perform a follicular unit extraction, or FUE, removing hair follicles one-by-one from the back of my head (called the donor site), as these were the strongest and most DHT-resistant strands, before transplanting each hair into the thinning areas of my scalp. The other surgical option is called follicular unit transplantation (FUT) or the strip method. With the FUT procedure a thin strip of scalp is removed from the back of the head containing those earlier mentioned DHT-resistant follicles. These follicles are then transplanted hair-by-hair into the balding area. This method leaves a very fine linear scar at the back of the head which may be rendered non-visible once the hair grows back.
Dr. Yazdan told me he often prefers the FUE method over the FUT or strip method because the former leaves no visible scar and can result in a finer and more natural-looking hairline.

I began to get excited and wrongly assumed that he could recreate the hairline I had when I was 18 or 22. If it was only a matter of picking hairs from the non-balding parts of my head – for which there was plenty – and placing them into the balding areas, I believed a complete density restoration was possible. Dr. Yazdan corrected my error by informing me that quantity and donor strength is only a part of the solution – I needed to consider future thinning and a conservative, mature-looking hairline. A hairline ‘stuffed’ with news hairs with no regard for angle growth, design and future thinning will look catastrophic.
Before I left his office, Dr. Yazdan took me through some before-and-after shots of some of his hair transplant patients. Many of them had hairlines similar to mine, and their “after” pictures were much like the ones Dr. Yazdan had generated for me. He told me that of all the hair transplants he’d done in his career, not once did he have to return to a patient for a second procedure due to flawed execution or poor design. That clinched it for me: I knew I was in good hands and that my hairline would look sharp and handsome, but not ‘overdone’.

Once we set a date for surgery, Dr. Yazdan advised me to stop any blood thinners and cease all alcohol consumption. There would be very minimal swelling and bruising, he said, and most patients resume normal activity in a day or two. After three months, I’d begin to see my new hair, but the majority of my new hairline wouldn’t be in full bloom until month eight or nine.
The Surgery
The morning of surgery, I was definitely feeling nervous, as the anticipation and buildup of the prior weeks had gotten me pretty anxious. I was mostly nervous about getting everything together and making sure I was as prepared as possible for the recovery and the acceptance of my new self. My biggest worry was not being able to go back. Am I rejecting the real me by going through with a new hairline? How would I look and feel? How would others react to seeing me? Do I really need this? Is this actually going to make me happier and more self-confident?
I took a few deep breaths and remembered everything – all of the anguish and self-loathing at my loss of confidence, my draining masculinity, all of it. I knew if I decided, last minute, to pull the plug on the operation, I’d regret it, because I’d still be unhappy with my hairline – and that realization outweighed all of my fears.
I was on my way to the doctor’s office. After a few final checks, Dr. Yazdan took some more pictures, marked my head with light indicators and told me to lay down in the chair as the procedure was about to commence.

He began applying the anesthesia and in a few minutes the procedure was underway. I felt Dr. Yazdan extracting the follicles from my donor zone, one at a time, in a highly meticulous and systematic fashion. The longer the extracted grafts remain outside the scalp, the greater likelihood of its being damaged or ruined, so quick processing time is essential. To ensure 100% graft survival rate, Dr. Yazdan had a dedicated team of 3-5 assistants to quickly process every extracted graft. Within two hours the extraction was complete, and it was on to the next phase. Dr. Yazdan began preparing apertures for the extracted grafts to be implanted into the recipient zone. Like clockwork, the same meticulous process occurred during graft implantation. I was amazed at how little bleeding occurred during all of this.

The Recovery
When I got home that afternoon, I felt completely fine physically and mentally. With a fully wrapped and bandaged head I needed to exert very little energy and generally take it easy. I talked with my brothers for a bit and watched some TV, then I took a short nap. The procedure had taken a total of six hours and I needed to recharge my batteries after such an intense day. Post-op recovery instructions were plain and simple according to Dr. Yazdan. Do not scratch or pick at your scalp and wait a full 48 hours before showering. The same instructions given to me pre-op applied post-op with regard to alcohol and blood-thinners – stay away from them.

With each passing day, I felt more and more excited. My surgery was on a Monday, and by Wednesday afternoon I was back to work interacting with coworkers and writing emails. On Friday night, I went to see a movie, and it felt so exciting to be out with my transformed look. Even though no new hair was growing, the comfort of knowing that it was there was indescribable joy.
Three Months Post-Procedure
I see my new hairline growing in, if ever so slightly, and I’m so grateful and happy. I think about the days when one glance in the mirror would turn into an entire internal monologue berating the passage of time and the follicular genes I was so ashamed of. The days when I would simply try to survive a night out without dates or friends who would stare at my patchy and balding hairline.
This experience has been life-changing. My new hairline is absolute perfection, and I haven’t experienced a tinge of regret. I’ve felt so completely taken care of by Dr. Yazdan and his team, and have received so much support from my friends and family. My father and brother continue to ask for before and after pictures, as they can’t believe the transformation I’ve underwent.

When you’re in the thick of waiting for your new hair to come in, it seems like you’re going to look and feel that way forever. But honestly, I moved through it so quickly. Each day that went by, I looked considerably different from the day before, which is strange – you really can’t get too attached to any one image in the mirror because you know it’s still evolving.
Before surgery, friends and family would say they didn’t see anything wrong with my hairline, but to have something that’s so personal and integral to you feel so wrong, it’s exhausting and disheartening. Today I not only feel more confident and handsome, but also much more comfortable in my own skin, and that is truly priceless.

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Is a Hair Transplant the Best Option for My Hair Loss?

October 21, 2019 admin Leave a comment

Is a hair transplant the best thing to do for my hair loss? Am I a good candidate for the procedure? Since hair loss is progressive, leading some to experience widespread baldness, hair transplantation might not be the immediate best option for people experiencing hair loss. Even those who are experiencing a reasonable amount of hair loss and are technically feasible to treat don’t always make for suitable patients. The social and psychological aspects of hair transplant surgery – and indeed hair loss itself – should be taken into account.

In this article we will review some of the factors or conditions that make someone an ideal candidate for hair transplantation.

There are a few key variables that any potential hair transplant patient must assess and consider:

Do I have sufficient donor hair of a reasonable quality?
Do I have a good understanding of all the processes involved (e.g. my surgeon is involved in every aspect of the procedure and does not delegate to technicians)?
Does my surgeon understand the current stage of my hair loss (Norwood Scale)?
What are my reasonable expectations?
Do I have a healthy psychological profile, and are free from obsessive or body dysmorphic issues?

In certain cases, unsuitable patients may slip under the radar, which can be problematic for both them and the surgeon. At Modena Hair Institute in Orange County, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas, we would advise any doctor or clinic to spend as much time as possible analyzing and understanding the potential patient before agreeing to carry out any surgical procedures – it’s not a process that should be rushed by either patient or surgeon.

Patients must also need to have frank, honest conversations with their surgeon so they have realistic expectations about their transplant and its results. It’s also the patient’s responsibility to consider all the facts, the procedure itself, and its outcome, so they can make a comprehensive decision about their surgery.

If all these points are addressed and adhered to, the long-term benefits will be greater for all.

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Warning Against Medical Tourism and Black-Market Clinics

August 26, 2019 admin Leave a comment

As a specialist in botched and corrective hair transplants, Dr. Amir Yazdan of Modena Hair Institute has noticed a troubling trend of hair transplant patients who are traveling to countries like Turkey and Bulgaria for ‘low priced’ surgeries. Just this year the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (IAHRS) – of which Dr. Yazdan is a dedicated member – has authored an official statement warning against medical tourism and black-market clinics.
“Hair transplant patients are being lured to black market pirate clinics across the world, at an alarming rate. They are promised low prices and guaranteed results. Unfortunately, these ‘clinics’, where surgeries are performed by non-doctors with little or no training, are causing irreparable harm.” – Official IAHRS Statement
The ISHRS found that nearly 80% of its distinguished members have seen a sharp rise in the number of patients coming to their clinics, seeking help after their surgery has gone wrong in the hands of a rogue and often illegal clinic.
Lack of Expertise
In black-market clinics, the surgeries are rarely, if ever, carried out by a qualified specialist. Most often it is a technician with minimal training who will be performing the operation and administering the anesthesia, with zero direct oversight by a certified surgeon. This allows the clinic to offer cheaper prices than if they were using trained and licensed hair transplant surgeons, but, of course, makes it far more dangerous. There have been reports of completely unqualified practitioners carrying out these highly intricate and skilled procedures in places like Turkey, Eygpt, Bulgaria, Brazil and Iran, but there exists such clinics in the West as well.
Lack of Proper Diagnosis
At Modena Hair Institute in California and Las Vegas, we consider the initial consultation process to be the most important part of all of our treatments, as this is where we will be able to work out the best options for our patients. It may be that surgery wouldn’t be suitable for them, in which case we would suggest alternative treatments. However, black market clinics have no interest in providing clinical advice to patients on whether or not they’d be a good candidate for the surgery – as long as they can pay, they will be accepted for a hair transplant. This means that people who aren’t suitable candidates will be wasting money on an operation that won’t actually yield desired results.
Lack of Medical Technique
The quality of the transplants, unsurprisingly, is likely to be extremely poor. Scarring and infections are common, as is ‘over-harvesting’, where too much donor hair is removed, meaning that there won’t be enough hair to use for future surgeries. Worse still, the donor at the back may look like it has chunks missing. Unnatural, disfiguring hairlines and hair growing in the wrong direction as a result of follicles being placed poorly are also common results. The clinics often tend to offer a large number of grafts – usually between 2,000 – 4,000 graft extractions per session – but with no consideration for the patient’s degree of hair loss.
Identifying which clinics overseas and domestically are illegitimate and unethical is difficult to do with a simple internet search. These clinics often fake reviews and testimonies, and pay large marketing sums to promote their services on Google and other prominent platforms. Some key things you can do to verify the legitimacy of a clinic are:

An extensive background check on the clinic through review sites like RealSelf
An inquiry into the propriety of their certification
An inquiry into the level of specialization, experience and results of the clinic

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World Renowned Hair Transplant Advisor – Spex – Joins Modena as Patient Advisor

August 4, 2019 admin Leave a comment

The hair transplant industry has a guardian angel and his name is Spencer ‘Spex’ Stevenson.

As a dedicated hair transplant advisor known for his extraordinary patient care, Spex has spent his life helping clinics and practitioners, and educating the public about hair loss.

Potential hair transplant patients are entitled to a provider who is experienced, ethical and knowledgeable – someone who makes them feel safe and comfortable.

The search for such a qualified surgeon, however, can be both challenging and time-consuming. The hair transplant marketplace is notoriously riddled with hair restoration generalists (i.e. non-specialists) and unqualified technicians seeking to exploit consumer ignorance and insecurity.

Spex himself cautions: “Be warned, the hair loss industry preys on your vulnerability and isolation. I fell prey to the hands of this brutal place and my own journey was unfortunately very long, emotional and tremendously tiresome.”

Both Spex and Modena Hair Institute have been at the forefront of patient advocacy and hair transplant excellency. That is why we are grateful and enthusiastic to have Spex join our team as a patient advisor.

“Spencer is a true pioneer – a talented and tireless advisor, a dedicated and inspiring educator, and a friend and mentor to everyone he meets. He never sought to be a leader, but became one naturally through his brilliance, compassion, patience and selflessness,” said Dr. Amir Yazdan, director at Modena Hair Institute.

Guiding potential patients to the very best practitioners in the hair transplant industry, Spex only partners with the most distinguished surgeons and hair loss specialists. As the only IAHRS member in the Orange County and Las Vegas regions, Dr. Yazdan has consistently upheld the highest ethical and technical standards. Dr. Yazdan is committed to the continual advancement of the art and science of hair transplantation, and has pioneered sophisticated hair transplant instruments and methods, specifically with regard to the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) procedure.

We look forward to a very bright and fruitful companionship with Spex.

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How Advanced is Your Hair Loss Doctor?

July 7, 2019 admin Leave a comment

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.

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How a Cheap Transplant will Cost More in the Long Run

June 13, 2019 admin Leave a comment

Given the current state of medicine, we understand why people want to save money everywhere they possibly can. The price of a typical hair replacement surgery is understandably prohibitive, and we understand that the promises made by discount clinics can be tempting. A cheap hair transplant is one of the tragedies of modern medicine history

However, you need to understand that their procedures are cheap for a reason. Whether it’s because they’re inexperienced, working with inadequate tools, overbooking their schedule, or letting assistants perform critical parts of the surgery, they’re always cutting costs somewhere. You won’t pay as much money in that moment, but we’d argue the price of going the cheap route increases from the moment the procedure is over.

The first way you end up paying is with your scalp. One only need to search for images of botched hair transplants online to see the consequences of anything less than expert care & attention. Scarring, infections, and more are common for patients of inexperienced surgeons & their assistants, and ingrown grafts resulting from these procedures will need a whole other operation to be removed.

Pictured: A botched procedure performed at an outside clinic.

That brings us to the second way you pay: money. Even though you might have gone to a cheaper clinic to save a few bucks, you’ll likely have to pay as much as you would have for a professional FUE or FUT hair transplant just to fix what they did to you. That being said, there’s no guarantee that hair restoration surgeon would be able to fix it for you. If you have insufficient donor areas or other insurmountable issues with your scalp, there’s simply nothing they can do but turn you away.

Furthermore, consider what your life would be like living with a botched hair transplant. It’s the third way you pay for a cheap transplant: your self-esteem. Hair loss & baldness are big enough confidence killers, but walking around with a scarred or infected scalp can be downright torture to those self-conscious of their appearance.

Pictured: Successful procedure performed by Dr. Yazdan.

With all of that in mind, you’re likely wondering how you can tell whether the hair restoration clinic you’re visiting will get the job done right. Thankfully, there are a few key ways you can figure this out for yourself.

For instance, here at Modena Hair Institute, located in Newport, Beverly Hills & Las Vegas, Dr. Yazdan limits his schedule to one procedure per day. This allows him the necessary time to properly perform a successful hair restoration surgery, unlike cheaper clinics that will book 2, 3 or more patients in one day & fail to give them true attention. Along with offering patients his time, he also gives them his full attention. Dr. Yazdan is the only person that performs hair restoration surgeries at all three of the Modena clinics, having his assistants handle appropriate tasks in the process instead of the procedures themselves.

Perhaps most importantly, he has the experience & knowledge to make sure he gets the job done right. You should always make sure that the person performing your hair restoration procedure, whether it be an FUE or FUT transplant, is a licensed medical professional with experience in these types of surgeries. That’s exactly what Dr. Yazdan is, and he utilizes that experience to make sure all his patients walk out of the door looking younger & feeling more confident than ever before.

Remember, going for the cheap option when it comes to an important medical procedure is never a good idea. You spend less money in that moment, but you end up paying far more in the long run, physically, financially & emotionally. Make sure you get it done right the first time, and make sure a real professional is taking care of your hair.
Visit us online to learn more about our clinic & procedures, and be sure to get in touch to schedule your consultation today.

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How To Stop a Receding Hairline

June 11, 2019 admin Leave a comment

One day, you’re simply minding your own business when you take a quick glance in the mirror.

However, that quick glance turns into a second glance which turns into an entire internal monologue berating the passage of time and the genes you were not so blessed to have inherited. The days of full, thick hair are behind you and have been replaced with something sparse and patchy. Although you have used your older brother’s and father’s heads as a crystal ball for your hair loss future, it never hit you until now that this is now your reality.

Receding hairlines can be difficult to accept and deal with. Whether time has just flown by too quickly or you’re genetically predisposed to male pattern hair loss, it’s normal to pine for the luscious locks of your youth. Unfortunately, hair loss is one of the starkest changes that comes with age. Yet, despite that over 66% of American men over the age of 35 deal with this problem, the taboo nature of this topic makes many men still hesitant to discuss their struggles.

However, the medical community has tirelessly fought to develop effective methods to both restore and improve the appearance of male pattern baldness. With the assistance of medical technology developments and cutting-edge techniques, there is now no longer a need to keep struggling with hair loss. Both short-term and long-term options are available depending on your needs and desired results.

Scalp Micropigmentation
Take the more unorthodox route with scalp micropigmentation. This short-term procedure is ideal for those with thinning hair. Mimic the appearance of more voluminous locks by tattooing the scalp and hairline with tiny hair-like strokes. These hair-like strokes are created to mimic the natural color and density of your hair. Although scalp micropigmentation produces immediately visible results, it takes about three to four sessions for the best outcome. Your “hair tattoo” may last for about 3-5 years.

Hair Transplant Surgery
If you’re looking for a more permanent solution to your hair loss, consider taking the surgical route at Modena Hair Institute. Hair transplant surgery is the most permanent and effective treatment to restore both your hair and your confidence. This procedure works by extracting hair follicles–either individually or in strips–from a donor area of the scalp where hair is still growing, such as the back and sides. Then, the harvested hair follicles are transplanted to the areas of your scalp affected by hair loss. Although this procedure can take upwards of 6 hours to complete, the slow and steady process is worth the wait. Permanent hair growth begins only 2-3 months post-surgery while significant growth will be visible around the 6-month mark. Most men will regain their full heads of hair around 9-12 months. However, for the best results, surgery must be accompanied by hair loss preventing drugs like minoxidil and finasteride.

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Dr. Yazdan Attends FUE Conference in Manchester, UK

June 10, 2019 admin Leave a comment

FUE Europe hosts 8^th Annual Congress in the UK, June 6-8, 2019
Long standing ISHRS member and board-certified physician, Dr. Amir Yazdan of Modena Hair Institute, attended this year’s conference both to share his innovations in follicular unit extraction (FUE) and to keep up with all important advancements in the field.

The goal of the prestigious FUE Europe Congress is to contribute to the education and improvement of each and every medical professional that desires to be active in field of hair transplant, as well as non-invasive techniques.

The conference included many internationally recognized keynote speakers covering an array of topics including hair biology, innovative diagnostic approaches, novel surgical techniques, body hair transplantation, and more.

This conference demonstrates that the FUE surgical community has tirelessly fought to develop effective methods to both restore and improve the appearance of male pattern baldness. With the assistance of medical technology developments and cutting-edge techniques, there is now no longer a need to keep struggling with hair loss. Both short-term and long-term options are available depending on your needs and desired results.

The Bald Truth with Spencer Kobren
Alongside the many lectures, activities, and experimental modules hosted at the FUE Europe Congress, Dr. Yazdan made a guest appearance on The Bald Truth with Spencer Kobren. The two discussed the history, present state and future of ethical hair transplantation. Most importantly, they talked about running a hair transplant clinic the right way and making consumer advocacy the top priority, as poor transplants by greedy practices have besmirched the good name of the industry.

Consumers experiencing hair loss or pattern baldness will tragically rush into whatever hair restoration clinic sounds most appealing or which drives the best bargain. Unbeknownst to them, these so-called hair restoration ‘specialists’ either have little experience or use automated machines that lack precision and artistic execution. This effectively means that patients act as guinea pigs for trainees who are operating machines that can barely execute a decent job. Operations of the aforementioned kind often result in gross, botched, or unnatural-looking hairlines.

GroMD Sponsorship
We are proud to mention that Dr. Yazdan’s own hair restoration formula brand, GroMD, helped to fund the 8^th annual conference and support many of the learning modules on site. We hope that GroMD will continue to support the building of an ethical and intellectually rigorous hair transplant culture.

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Is It Time for a Second Hair Transplant?

May 29, 2019 admin Leave a comment

Perhaps the single biggest fear hair transplant patients have is continued hair thinning five, ten or twenty years down the line. We deal closely with hair loss patients in Orange County, Las Vegas and Beverly Hills to tackle this exact problem.
The art and science of hair transplantation has reached such aesthetic and technical success over the last few years, that many may have forgotten to take precautions concerning future follicle miniaturization and loss.
While hair transplants can and do provide excellent restorative results by adding incredible thickness and volume to the scalp, it must be understood that it does not treat the causes of hair loss. Hair loss is not the result of hair disappearing suddenly, rather, it occurs slowly and develops progressively in stages. Hair grows thinner each time a hair sheds and enters the growing phase and with every cycle the hair continues to miniaturize, until finally disappearing.
Most people are unaware that up to 30% of male hair transplant patients end up having a second procedure done. This is because while the transplanted hair from the first procedure remains permanent, men can carry on losing their natural hair, resulting in gaps and prominently thinning areas.
As such, there are situations where a second hair transplant session is both important and necessary.
For many men and women who enjoy the great aesthetic highs of a successful hair transplant, they can be caught off guard by what to do with future hair thinning. Being in close contact with a great hair restoration specialist is very important here. Your doctor will assess the balding parts on the scalp and begin to plan just how to restore your natural hairline and combat those receding areas with skill and far sight.
Others may consider a second hair transplant not because of any great bout of thinning or loss, but because of a desire to add more grafts (density) and cover the thinning areas better. Since there is a logistical limit to just how many donor follicles one may successfully transplant during a first operation, it may be wise to return 10 months later for a follow up procedure.
Finally, hair transplant patients will do well to mind other very strong non-surgical options which can keep their hair strong, retentive and thick. There is medical management of hair loss that may include stimulants to encourage hair growth and topical solutions which can thicken your hair. Hair restoration shampoos like GroMD can help reduce shedding and protect and nourish the scalp. Other options include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, a breakthrough non-surgical hair restoration treatment that has been known to stimulate cell regrowth and significantly reduce hair loss patterns.

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The Importance of Medical Management of Hair Loss

March 18, 2019 admin Leave a comment

Hair loss prevention is just as important as hair restoration surgery. When prospective patients come to Modena Hair Institute in Orange County, Beverly Hills or Las Vegas, they are primarily concerned with recovering or restoring their lost hair. Usually they’ve began to notice excessive shedding in the shower or thinning on the crown or frontal region when brushing their hair in the mirror. This triggers an anxious autodidactic (self-teaching) journey into the symptoms, causes and remedies of hair loss.
On that note, we always say that any research is good research. Patient review sites like Realself are invaluable guides to accurate vetting of surgeons and their clinics. We also recommend looking through the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS) database for a qualified hair restoration surgeon close to you.
Modena Hair Institute’s own Dr. Amir Yazdan holds strong affiliations with both of the aforementioned institutions.
View his IAHRS profile
View his Realself profile.
Now back to our story. After an initial internet study of pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) and other related hair loss conditions, prospective patients contact us with the singular desire of total restoration. They want to get back the thickness and volume of their 20s and 30s. We want to preach against this reactionary tendency.
While various forms of hair transplant surgery like Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) can recreate and reestablish a beautiful hairline, this only tackles half the problem. Even though a hair transplant will place healthy, growing follicles into an area that has been affected by genetic pattern hair loss, it will not prevent the condition from advancing further.
Many fail to consider the equally important program of prevention and hair loss mitigation.

Unlike other common medical issues, hair loss is not a static ailment that can be treated and cured in one fell swoop. It is a progressive and life-long phenomenon that requires diligent oversight and consistent monitoring. Without some form of medical management to prevent further hair loss from occurring around the transplanted region, older hair follicles susceptible to shrinkage and thinning from a chemical called dihydrotestosterone (or DHT) can destroy all the restorative work so far done.
For this reason, all of our patients at Modena Hair Institute are provided a tailored hair loss prevention plan. One which takes into account their medical history, age, skin type, hair type and other essential variables.
Depending on the patient’s medical history, Dr. Yazdan may advise certain concentrations of minoxidil (Rogaine) and/or finasteride in conjunction with GroMD shampoo and Follicle Activator Spray. Such a combination has shown impressive results in hair regrowth and density in many of our patients.
We also employ non-surgical hair restoration techniques. Dr. Yazdan may recommend platelet rich plasma therapy (PRP) mixed with stem cells to stimulate growth and promote healing. Other options we may recommend include laser light therapy, microneedling and scalp micropigmentation.
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.