Tag Archives: minoxidil

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Oils and Rogaine Are No Replacement for Hair Transplantation

June 11, 2021 admin Leave a comment

Perhaps you’ve heard about the benefits of applying moisturizing oils to your scalp in an effort to stop, reverse or prevent baldness? Now, it does seems like there could be something here, afterall we all know that clean and hydrated hair is healthy hair. Does this old folk remedy have any real efficacy and if not, what solutions are known to effectively treat hair loss?

Olive oil has been a staple of hair care since antiquity and a recent study has provided some intriguing support for its role in promoting healthy hair growth. The Department of Food and Nutrition at Yonsei University, South Korea, identified oleuropein as the hair-stimulating compound in olive oil. The topical application of olive oil (on rodent test subjects) did result in an increased rate of hair growth and follicle size.

Now, what does this mean for somone worried about a receding hairline?

As nice as it would be to simply be able to rub some oil onto your scalp and then suddenly regrow a full and youthful head of hair- things don’t quite work that way.

Technically speaking – It is certainly true that the application of topical oils may aid in improving the appearance of existing hair, however Androgenic Alopecia or Male Pattern Baldness (the most common cause of hair loss in men) is a genetic condition.

Applying salad dressing to your head is never going to rewrite your DNA. As a genetic condition Androgenic alopecia triggers bodily processes that progressive hair thinning and loss often culminating, in its final stages, in a large ‘horseshoe pattern’ ring of hair fringing an otherwise bald scalp.

On the subject of topically applied remedies – Rogaine foam, and other Minoxidil derivatives have been demonstrated in laboratory tests to be not only ineffective, but counterproductive in addressing hair loss. The use of various inactive ingredients such as preservatives, binding agents, texturisers, colors and scents also lead to many of these ‘wonder products’ unfortunate side effects such as itchy scalp, irritation, and aggravated hair loss to name some of the more common.

Moisturizing oils and Rogaine foam simply can not match the effectiveness, comprehensiveness and permanency of a hair transplant.

A hair transplant may seem more intimidating than the ease of treatment offered by a topically applied remedy, but, as the old adage goes – you get what you pay for. Investment in a quality hair transplant is never wasted and the results are yours for life.

If you want to explore a hair loss solution with a 100% effectiveness rate or if you have any questions or concerns regarding the merits of different hair loss treatments, please contact us at Modena Hair Institute today for more information. At Modena Hair Institute we pride ourselves on consistently providing our patients with the highest standard of custom hair restoration treatment available, directly tailored to their individual needs. Dr. Yazdan is eagerly awaiting your visit or digital consultation. Contact us today!

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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Hair Transplants for Trans Men and Women

May 17, 2021 admin Leave a comment

For many people, the outward expression of their gender identity isn’t something they’ve ever put much thought into. If your physical appearance has always matched how you feel on the inside, it’s easy to understand why. For many trans men and women, however, it’s something they’ve had to think about their entire lives. At Modena Hair Institute, our goal has always been to help every single person who walks through our door look and feel their best—whatever that means to them.

We’ve specialized in hair transplants and non-surgical hair restoration techniques with the best available technology and the most compassionate team of experienced personnel you’ll ever meet. We know that transforming your appearance is a big decision for anyone to make, but it’s an especially important decision for many people in the trans community. No matter how you choose to express your gender identity, we’v helped thousands of men and women achieve some incredible results. Whether our patients are trans or cisgendered, our approach is always the same—focus on the hair. Here are a few things that anyone looking for a masculine or feminine appearance may want to consider when it comes to their hair.

Notable Female Characteristics

When compared to men, women traditionally have a much lower frontal hairline, a rounded hairline, and thicker hair throughout their scalp and crown. For anyone looking to achieve this look, we typically remove hair follicles one-by-one from the back and sides of the head (where hair is generally much thicker) and transplant them individually throughout any areas of temple recession and frontal hairline or crown thinning. This technique is called a Follicular Unit Excision (FUE). Dr. Amir Yazdan has pioneered this modern technique and employs cutting-edge instrumentation to execute surgeries that are as minimally invasive and painless as possible.

For our trans patients who have undergone gender reassignment surgery or take female hormones, common male hair loss patterns will, fortunately, slow down or stop completely. For those who choose not to go down that route but also want to keep as much of their hair as possible, we recommend taking topical solutions like minoxidil (Rogaine) or an orally administered daily medication like finasteride (Propecia). These non-surgical solutions help slow down hair loss and improve thinning hair.

Notable Male Characteristics

At the other end of the spectrum, men are commonly known to have receding and/or thinning hairlines whether they like it or not. So, if you’re after a more traditional male look and have a full head of hair, style it to your heart’s content! Another common characteristic found on many cis men is, of course, facial hair. For anyone hoping to achieve a beard, goatee, mustache or sideburns, no matter how thin or wispy their current facial hair is, a facial hair transplant can help deliver permanent, natural results. These transplants work very similar to hair transplants on your head. We move hair from the donor area (usually the back and sides of the head) to parts of the face where hair is missing. For our trans patients, this procedure has helped enhance the results of testosterone therapy alone. And don’t worry, the donor areas on your head won’t look any different than it did before the procedure. With approximately 100,000 hairs on the human head, your scalp won’t miss the 1,000+ needed to fill in facial hair.

We all deserve to feel comfortable in our own skin, and thanks to modern advances in hair restoration, you can. Contact us for a thorough discussion about your best options. We can’t wait to set you on your journey of transformation.

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Shedding Hair After a Hair Transplant

December 4, 2020 admin Leave a comment

As you’ve probably learned by now, the newly implanted grafts a hair transplant patient receives will typically shed between two weeks and two months after the procedure. The follicles on the scalp will be in what is called a ‘resting phase’, appearing dormant and minuscule, so patience is required. Aesthetic splendor is only a few months ahead. Also known as “shock loss”, it is perfectly normal to shed your transplanted hair following an FUE hair transplant. New hairs will quickly grow in their place over the coming months. Why does hair shed after surgery? Hairs have a growth cycle, split into 3 stages – growth, transition and resting phases. The resting phase is the time when the roots shed their hairs. Hairs can move into the resting phase following the trauma of surgery. The main traumatic events the hairs goes through during the course of hair transplant surgery are: the hair follicle being cut away and disconnected from blood supply, the hair follicle being re-implanted back into the scalp, and lastly, the surrounding hairs being affected by incisions and anesthetic.

After a hair transplant, the implanted follicles and the attached hairs will stay in their new place for 1- 2 weeks. The follicles in this period will start to switch into a resting phase and will then begin to shed their hair. This shock loss can start as early as 10 days following transplantation. It can last up to 12 weeks. This process of hair shedding is expected and does not represent the scalp “rejecting” the implanted hairs.

Some patients may notice that hairs that haven’t been transplanted can shed after a hair transplant. The risk of shedding non-transplanted hairs is increased if someone has a large number of thin or miniaturized hairs that sit in-between newly implanted hairs. Like transplanted hairs, these native non-transplanted hairs shed because their follicles also move into a resting phase following the trauma of surgery. Shock loss of non-transplanted hair can occur from 2 weeks following surgery but can also occur months later. This process, although rare, self-resolves. And all hair that has shed should regrow.

Unfortunately, there is no proven way to reduce the risk of shock loss following surgery. However, patients can safeguard against future loss via topical or medical management. The two most popular and proven non-surgical hair restoration modalities are Propecia (Finasteride) and Minoxidil. Propecia significantly reduces DHT, a key cause of hair loss, by inhibiting the formation of DHT in your scalp. This prevents hair loss and thickens hair in many men. Minoxidil is a solution or a foam you can apply to thicken areas of thin hair. It also helps to prevent hair loss and can be used to help quicken the growth of hairs that have shed during shock loss. You can read more about these two modalities in our medical hair loss treatments section.

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Is Hair Loss Reversible?

March 9, 2020 admin Leave a comment

It depends. Certain causes of hair loss such as stress (telogen effluvium) and hormonal changes during pregnancy are reversible and easily treatable.
However, certain genetic conditions like male and female pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) are not reversible without surgical intervention. However, if detected early enough, certain medications, such as minoxidil and finasteride, or potent DHT-blocking shampoos like groMD, can help halt the progression of thinning hair.
Non-Reversible Types of Hair Loss: Pattern Baldness
Male and female pattern baldness is an inherited, genetic condition thought to be caused by changes in the levels of hormones, notably androgens, that affect hair growth. While men develop thinning hair around the crown and a receding hairline, women most often notice thinning around the part or near the very top of the scalp.
Though there are ways to treat its effects, hair loss from androgenic alopecia is permanent. For people who want to tackle pattern baldness with a permanent solution, hair transplant surgery is the only real option. During hair transplantation, hair follicles will be grafted or transplanted to thinning areas of the scalp to encourage healthy hair growth.
Reversible Types of Hair Loss
There are several other types of hair loss. Many types of hair loss are reversible in certain situations. In the sections below, we will explore these types of hair loss and how patients can reverse the effects.
Telogen Effluvium (Stress-Related Hair Loss)
This common type of hair loss occurs when the body has a shock response. For example, this condition can be the result of a crash diet, pregnancy, or another physically taxing event. It can also occur during a particularly emotional or stressful time.
Telogen effluvium causes the hair to temporarily stop growing and enter a resting state. When these hairs shed in a few months’ time, the results are typically quite noticeable. Fortunately, this condition can be reversed by eliminating its culprit.
Many women experience mild hair loss following pregnancy. Most people who suffer from this type of hair loss only experience temporary hair loss and their hair will usually resume its normal growth cycle once they alleviate the cause of their stress. Once you have gotten rid of your stress, you should notice significant improvements in your overall health, in addition to your hair growth.
Traction Alopecia (Styling and Tension-Related Hair Loss)
Traction alopecia is a loss of hair caused by repeated tension or stress on the hair and its follicles. This type of hair loss is most often the result of styling one’s hair using tight weaves, cornrows, ponytails and braids.
It’s estimated that that traction alopecia affects roughly one-third of women of African descent.
It is, however, important to note that traction alopecia can happen to anyone regardless of their ethnicity or age. For example, it’s quite common among Caucasian gymnasts and ballet dancers as well as other sports professionals who have to wear tight ponytails or buns for lengthy durations.
Giving your hair a break from any style that might cause tension is the primary treatment for traction alopecia. Individuals should also avoid exposing the affected parts of your scalp and hair to excessive heat and chemicals.
Alopecia Areata (Patchy Hair Loss)
Individuals with alopecia areata develop hair loss as a symptom of autoimmune disease. In fact, this condition occurs because the immune system attacks the hair follicles. Though treatment can be dependent on the overall health of the individual, many patients see considerable regrowth after PRP therapy or strategic medical management.
Contact Modena Hair Institute Today
No matter what type of hair loss you have, our clinic can help address the problem. We offer a wide range of hair restoration treatments, from medications to surgery. During a consultation at our practice, we can help determine a personalized treatment plan that is right for you. To learn more or to schedule an appointment contact us online or give us a call at (949) 374-2563.

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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Treatment for Early Signs of Balding

August 22, 2019 admin Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

June 15, 2018 admin Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

Minoxidil/Rogaine
Finasteride/Propecia
GroMD Hair Loss Prevention Shampoo
GroMD Follicle Activator Spray
Laser Hair Therapy
PRP Therapy

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

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

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Steroid injections for hair loss

July 20, 2017 admin Leave a comment

One hair loss treatment method is steroid injections. This targeted hair loss approach is used on patients suffering from a specific type of hair loss known as alopecia areata.
Alopecia areata is a condition in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles causing hair loss. Much is still unknown about this type of hair loss. What is known is that naturally occurring antibodies are mistaken as foreign antibodies and programmed for destruction.
Individuals suffering from alopecia areata usually present with clumps of hair falling out. This leaves round bald patches across the scalp. Others may experience sudden diffuse thinning across the scalp, while others may experience hair breakage.
It is common for alopecia areata patients to notice their symptoms come and go. The hair loss may be permanent or non-permanent, depending on genetic history factors.
An effective treatment for alopecia areata is cortico-steroid injections. With this type of treatment, steroids are injected directly into and near the balding areas. The steroids boost the immune system’s defensive capabilities and allow the hair follicles to withstand destruction. While this treatment method isn’t always effective, it’s the most common and effective treatment for alopecia areata at this time.
One other treatment for alopecia areata that has shown some effectiveness is Rogaine (minoxidil). Rogaine works to stimulate the hair follicles promoting strength and growth.
If you think you may have alopecia areata, you should meet with an experienced and qualified hair restoration surgeon who specializes in the medical management of hair loss. A simple exam and hair analysis will determine if you have this condition.
Feel free to contact us today and schedule you medical management consultation.

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What you need to know about Rogaine

June 27, 2017 admin Leave a comment

What is Rogaine?
Rogaine or Minoxidil as it’s known generically, is a topical medication used to treat hair loss caused by androgen alopecia. Androgen alopecia is also known as male or female pattern baldness. It occurs due to many factors such as age and genetics.
Minoxidil works by widening hair follicles. This creates a thicker hair strand which gives a fuller, denser look to your hair. It also lengthens the time your hair is in the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. During the anagen phase, your hair develops in the follicle and grows longer. A prolonged anagen phase means more and longer hair growth.
What you need to know about Rogaine:
Rogaine is effective in approximately 40%-60% of individuals who use it. In order to see these results you must use the medication as instructed, daily and consistently.
Rogaine must be used indefinitely to keep up results. It is not a cure to hair loss, rather a treatment method. This means that you must continue using it, even after seeing your desired results, in order to keep your hair from reverting back to previous or worsened hair loss.
While adverse or allergic reactions are rare, they are a potential risk factor. Side effects include itching, burning, redness, and irritation. Some individuals have reported an increase in hair loss symptoms. If you have any of these symptoms after using Rogaine, discontinue use immediately. But in general, minoxidil is safe and effective when used properly.
Minoxidil is a great tool, but don’t expect a miracle. Rogaine is a great tool when it comes to maintaining hair, preventing future hair loss, promoting hair growth, as part of a medical management of hair loss plan, recovering from hair transplant surgery, or reversing recent hair loss. But, it is not going to regrow or reverse years of hair loss. Once a hair follicle has died, there is no bringing it back to life. If you have been experiencing hair loss for some time, Rogaine on its own is not going to treat your hair loss. You most likely will need a more aggressive approach to restoring your hair. It is often beneficial when coupled with hair loss medications, hair transplant surgery, and alternative methods of hair restoration such as PRP and laser therapy.

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How does Minoxidil (Rogaine) work to stop hair loss?

May 5, 2017 admin Leave a comment

Minoxidil or Rogaine is an anti-hypertensive vasodilator (high blood pressure) medication. In its topical form, its used to treat hair loss caused by androgen alopecia (male or female pattern baldness).
Minoxidil works by widening the hair follicles. This in turn creates thicker hair strands. Further, it prolongs the anagen state of hair growth which allows more hair strands to develop grow. Overall this increases hair density and creates thicker, fuller hair.
The efficacy of the medication ranges from 40%-60%. In other words, 40%-60% of individuals who use the medication see results. Minoxidil should be used on a consistent and regular basis to see noticeable results. It must be used indefinitely in order to continue seeing the results the medication provides.
Side effects have been reported such as itching, burning, redness, irritation, and allergic reactions. Some individuals have reported an increase in hair loss symptoms. But in general, minoxidil is safe and effective when used properly.
Minoxidil is a great treatment method to help stop the progression of hair loss. Dr. Yazdan believes when you’re in the throes of hair loss, the most important thing to do is protect and maintain the hairs you still have. This is because once a hair follicle dies, there is no bringing it back. Therefore, minoxidil nor any other medication can reverse hair loss in individuals whose hair follicles have died (in other words, someone whose hair loss has progressed).
Minoxidil is also a great treatment method used in conjunction with PRP therapy, laser therapy, and hair transplant surgery. The medication can increase the efficacy of the treatments, allowing you to see more results faster.
If you are suffering from hair loss and would like to learn if you’re a candidate for minoxidil or a more intensive course of treatment, give us a call for a medical management consultation.