Hair
FUE hair transplant
What is FUE?
FUE (follicular unit extraction, or sometimes referred to as follicular unit transplantation) is a type of hair transplant surgery that involves extracting individual hair follicles from a donor part of the body, usually the sides and back of the head. These individual follicles are then implanted in the areas that are affected. Typically, with the men suffering from male pattern baldness this will be the classic horseshoe area.
How does it work?
During the process, individual follicles – typically between 1 and 4 hairs – are removed under local anaesthesia. The extraction procedure utilises a micro surgical extraction instrument, between 0.6mm and 1.0mm in diameter, to remove the follicles. The surgeon, using specialist micro surgical needles, then punctures the scalp area that is to receive the grafts. Our surgeons are experts at blending the hair in, inserting the grafts at an angle and density that matches the original hair, so it will resemble a natural and realistic hair pattern.
How long does it take?
An FUE hair transplant can be undergone in either one long session or several smaller sessions. It tends to be more time consuming than strip surgery but does not leave the obvious and typical scars that strip surgery does. The length of time for an FUE procedure can vary, but it usually depends on how many grafts are needed. A smaller procedure, where only around 200 grafts are needed, can be completed in a couple of hours. However, a larger procedure of around 2,500 to 3,000 grafts will require a session that stretches over two days.
How long does it take to recover?
Unlike strip surgery, FUE hair transplantation does not require large areas of the scalp to be harvested. There is also no linear incision on the back of the head, nor does it leave a linear scar. As individual follicles are removed, it only leaves small, puncture scars, which are practically invisible to the naked eye. There is hardly any post-surgical pain and discomfort – with the average recovery time being less than 7 days.
How long do results last?
Once you have undergone FUE, the results are permanent. While the initial transplanted hair will shed a few weeks after treatment, it will grow back strong and healthy.
PRP hair treatment
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a plasma concentrate reaped from the patient’s whole blood that comprises predominantly platelets. Numerous growth factors are present within platelet granules. The growth factors stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation leading to increased hair growth. PRP was identified as having a beneficial effect on bone grafting with applications in oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopedic and cardiac surgery over ten years ago. More recently, increasing interest is seen in the application of PRP in dermatology, for example, tissue regeneration; wound healing and fat grafting. It has also been shown to promote hair survival and growth, both in vitro and in vivo.
Scalp Micropigmentation
What is scalp micropigmentation?
Scalp micropigmentation is a cosmetic treatment for thinning hair or hair loss. It’s sometimes also called a hair tattoo. A provider uses thin, small needles to deposit tiny dots of pigment (color) on the scalp. These dots give the appearance of thicker hair. Scalp micropigmentation pigments are cosmetic-grade, permanent inks. When a skilled technician performs scalp micropigmentation, it can hide thinning areas on your scalp. It may also hide birthmarks or scars. The treatment can also give the illusion of having shaved hair or a “buzz cut” on people who are bald. Scalp micropigmentation is noninvasive and doesn’t require surgery or anesthesia.
Who is scalp micropigmentation for?
Scalp micropigmentation is a type of micropigmentation (permanent makeup). The treatment can create the appearance of thicker hair in people who have:
Alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss.
Chemotherapy-related hair loss.
Hormonal conditions that cause hair loss, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Male pattern baldness, receding hairline or baldness at the crown of the head.
Thin hair or scalp show-through.
Scars or birthmarks on the scalp.
Does scalp micropigmentation grow hair?
Scalp micropigmentation doesn’t grow hair or change your natural hair growth. It’s not a hair loss treatment. It also won’t cause hair loss or damage your existing hair follicles. Scalp micropigmentation is a way to make it look like you have fuller, thicker hair.
PROCEDURE DETAILS
What happens before scalp micropigmentation?
Before scalp micropigmentation:
Wash your hair and scalp before your appointment.
When you arrive, your practitioner marks the areas of the scalp that they’ll treat.
If you’re bald, you and your provider may create a hairline based on your facial structure, age and head shape.
You and your provider choose pigments that match your hair color.
Your practitioner applies numbing medicine to the scalp to make you more comfortable. The needles are thinner and smaller than tattoo needles, so scalp micropigmentation is usually less painful than getting a tattoo.
What happens during scalp micropigmentation?
Your provider uses a needle to deposit medical-grade pigment on the desired areas of the scalp. The dots vary in size, angle and depth to provide a natural, hairlike appearance. Your treatment may take up to five hours, depending on the size of the treatment area. Most people need three or more treatments, spaced several weeks apart. Each treatment adds more pigment to create the look of thick hair.
What happens after scalp micropigmentation?
Since there’s no surgery or anesthesia, you can go back to daily life quickly. There are very few side effects of scalp micropigmentation. You may have some redness on your scalp that lasts several hours. You can wear a hat or scarf to cover the scalp if you want.
RISKS AND BENEFITS
What are the advantages of scalp micropigmentation?
The benefits of scalp micropigmentation compared to hair transplantation surgery include:
Less invasive (no surgery or incisions).
Less pain.
Lower cost.
No downtime.
What are the risks or complications of this procedure?
The biggest risks of scalp micropigmentation come with using an unlicensed or inexperienced practitioner who may not take the necessary precautions. Possible risks include:
Allergic reaction to the cosmetic pigments.
Infection from unsterilized needles.
Unnatural or undesirable appearance after treatment.
To avoid these risks:
Choose a licensed scalp micropigmentation technician.
Ask to see before and after scalp micropigmentation photos of their work.
If you have allergies, discuss them with your technician before the procedure.
Hair loss treatment
What are the treatment options for hair loss?
Therapies for hair loss include:
Identifying and treating the underlying cause.
Minoxidil (Rogaine®) is FDA-approved for treating male and female pattern baldness. Minoxidil is a topical solution that is directly rubbed onto the scalp where hair growth is desired. It is available over-the-counter and does not require a prescription.
Finasteride (Propecia®) is FDA-approved to treat male pattern baldness. Finasteride is not approved for female pattern baldness. Like all prescription products, finasteride should be given under a physician’s care.
Hair transplantation or hair replacement surgery. Hair replacement surgery is a cosmetic procedure and includes such replacement procedures as micro-grafting, slit grafting, punch grafting, and scalp reduction.
The type of hair loss, as well as the patient’s circumstances and desires, determine which hair replacement procedures are most suitable.
PRGF for Hairloss
Being that the blood plasma treatment proved to be so good, a few years back the research was done on its application to the scalp as well. The research showed that the blood plasma treatment works in male and female alopecia, and the regular baldness, even when it is genetically conditioned. The PRGF treatment with your own blood plasma stimulates the renewal of blood vessels and the hair itself, because of the concentrated growth factors that are injected into the scalp. The method is the same as in the skin rejuvenation and it proved very effective in treatment of baldness and receding hairline.
PRGF+BIOTIN for hair loss
The PRGF treatment with BIOTIN in your own blood plasma stimulates the renewal of blood vessels and the hair itself, because of the concentrated growth factors that are injected into the scalp. The method is the same as in the skin rejuvenation and it proved very effective in treatment of baldness and receding hairline.