Future is unpredictable and unimaginable. There will be many changes in every aspect either positive or negative. Taking hair loss as a topic, what changes will occur in future for the hair replacement? There will be hair multiplication or cloning which will perhaps bring a new age of happiness for those who are suffering from this problem. And, this will obviously take time.

The multiplication and cloning of hair is very much difficult to make the explanation. However, Dr. Robert M. Bernstein, who is a professor of dermatology at the ‘Columbia University’ in New York has tried to simplify the topic and make the answers of the possible questions that may be generated. He and Dr. William Rassman are renowned for their articles on FUH also known as ‘Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation’, which helped in bringing revolution in the latest surgeries relating with the hair transplant.
Hair Cloning

Q: What are the main hindrances to cloning?

A: There are many difficulties that come in the path and one of the most difficult problem is keeping the donned cells differentiated (that is, capability of performing a particular function, like as to produce a hair). The cells in skin know as ‘fibroblasts’ residing on the bottom of the hair follicles. There will be multiplications in the cells rapidly in a “Petri Dish”. When these reproduced cells are introduced into the skin, they are capable of inducing a hair (they become differentiated). But when the culture is done in the Petri dish, they probably fail to perform specified function (they are undifferentiated).

Many actions are being taken to keep the cells well functioning. One of them is injecting new genes in the nucleus of the cell and changing the expressions and characters of the prevailing genes. Another is to have the rapid division of cells. The main logic in this second action is that all the embryonic cells are genetically similar but may differ in some functioning; some can develop to form muscles and some bones or nerves. The cells differ in various categories as physical relationships to one and other. These cells receive and send signs to each other in accordance with the relationships. As for the example, the cells which are out of the growing ball may perform in another way compared with the other cells which are in the inner part. If the orientation of the cells can be influenced by the researchers, this will assist them to produce the differentiable hairs and also assist in the rapid cell division process.

Q: Will there be effects on the hair grafting when hair cloning comes into practice?
A: The hair that has been restored traditionally should not have any effect on the hair that is restored by cloning and vice-versa. If you have hair grafting now, the cloning of the hair can be done when it is available later in the upcoming days. There will not be any of the effects.

Q: Will there be the normal evolution of hair on the scalp when the injecting is done after the cell cultivation? Can they really help the growth of hair in those areas where the hair stopped growing?

A: This is the most asked question. It is unknown whether the follicles that are induced will be similar to the original hairs and accepted cosmetically by the people. If the growth of hair is not in order, then it can be used as the filler of the gap instead during the hair restoration. When the dermal components (‘fibroblasts’ and ‘dermal papillae’) interact with the ‘epidermal structures’, there will be the development of the hair. However, it is also true that when the interactions are good, the hair will be more in order which will grow controllably. Culturing of both epithelial and the dermal cells can assist in this process and due to this many researchers are carrying out different tests. The growth of the hair is not only the solution of the problem, but the development of the hair in the empty area orderly is the requirement. If scars are seen in the tissues, then it will be tough task.

The transplantation of the hair follicles is not so much graceful cosmetically which is possible in FUH. There are much more studies and research that are to be done in order to get the complete remedy of the problem.

Q: Can the transplant be done from one person’s head to another?

A: Yes, it is possible theoretically but the practical use is very far from our imagination. Very developed technologies and equipments are required for that.

Q: What are the difficulties for the scientists for the cloning of hair?

A: The main difficulty is the loss of the phenotype during culturing when there is rapid division in cells. Due to this they will not be able to have the required functioning. Another difficulty is to have the control over the unwanted and no orderly distribution of the hair follicles. When the tests were carried out in a mouse, the hair that grew in it was on various directions. Hence, it is necessary for the scientists to find out the proper alignment of the hair. The formation of hair should be cosmetically appreciable. Individual cannot provide you with the fullness and natural look. On the prospect of safety also, it has difficulty. We cannot be 100 percent sure that the cultured cells can function well; they might lead to cancer due to the proliferation of the cells. The agreement of FDA is required when the cells from your body is taken and manipulated in the laboratory.

Q: How to differentiate ‘cloning’, ‘multiplication’ and follicular ‘neogenesis’?

A: ‘Cloning’ is the term referring the rapid division of the feral stem cells or the ‘embryonic tissues’. “Hair Cloning” is the increment in the number of adult cells which are induced so as to obtain new hair.

“Hair Multiplication” deals with the increment in the adult hair structures. The hair follicles are too complicated and complex which makes very much difficult for the culturing. The ‘fibroblasts’ are eradicated from the scalps that are increased during the culturing, and these are inserted again in the scalp hoping that they induce the follicles to form once again.

“Follicular neogenesis” is used to describe the origination of the new follicles that are obtained from the inducer cells. These cells are cultured and are inserted into the scalp. This term is mostly used by ‘Aderans’. Then next term ‘Follicular Cell Regeneration’ is used by ‘Interctyex’.

Q: What are the differences in the approach made by ‘Aderans’ and ‘Intercytex’?

The “two-cell” approach is used by Aderans. The most effective way of producing the hair follicles is to have the use of the inducer and the responder cells together. They would get divided into many in numbers separately and finally are injected in the skin. The inducer cells are at the bottom of the follicles and the other cells are ‘keratinocyres’. They felt that the mixing of these two cells will have better result.

The “one-cell” approach is preferred by the Intercytex. They only inject the cultured inducer cells into the skin which will help in the formation of the new hair that is cosmetically acceptable. In the tests carried out by them, Intercyted used thee cultured dermal papilla cells with ‘keratinocytes’ which is kept beyond a Hap of a mouse without hair. Afterwards, the flap was somersaulted and allowed to grow the hair in normal condition. But it is unclear how this will be used for the humans.

Dr. Ralf Paus has a very different view regarding this topic who is a professor at the ‘University of Luebeck’ in Germany. According to him, there the main factor affecting the growth of the hair is the presence of the stem cells in the balding area in sufficient quantity. He thinks that the topical substances of ‘caragen’, ‘exogen’ or ‘terminalvellus’ transformation will be most efficient. ‘Finasteride’ and ‘Dutasteride’ are the medicines that work in the given way but these medicines do not show any significant change in the stimulation of the new growth of the hair. The ‘anagen inducer’, the topical ‘Minoxidil’ has very less chance of getting successful in alleviating the problem. In this situation, it is better to use the dormant hair follicles than that of the induced one.

Q: Any research is not observed in the medical literature that shows that donning is dose at hand, is something missing?

A: Colon Jahoda from UK worked out in the field of cloning with fascinating outputs. His work is vital as he make the identification to the inducer cell, ‘fibroblasts’ found outside the hair follicle which help in the stimulation of the skin for the production of new hair. The culturing of fibroblasts are easy and in theoretical prospective, the ‘fibroblasts’ can be alleviated from the sheaths and again cultured for the production of millions of follicles. These can be injected in the scalp again to have maximum hair follicles grown. The studies show that the fibroblasts from the male were injected in the forearm of the women who are not related genetically. The male-female aspect of his tests was publicized and is very much important for those with burnt parts. But the persons are more benefited by using the own fibroblasts cultured.

Minor and short-term side effects of a hair surgery may include headaches due to the tugging and adjustment of the scalp area during the procedure, a modest amount of bleeding which is normal, numbness or scalp tenderness and non permanent thinning of pre-existing hair. Both thinning of pre-existing hair and scalp numbness happens to a good number of hair transplant procedures, but are temporary condition.

Another less frequent side effect is swelling which normally occurs around the forehead and the eye area. Besides the patient can feel a little discomfort and headiness, the swelling normally lasts two to five days, and the doctor can write you a prescription for something that will help reduce the swelling.

There can also be itchy scalp after the surgery, which isn’t strange or cause for alarm. Regular shampooing and utilizing saline to moisten the grafts usually aids you to reduce this condition. Adopting the instructions for post-operative care is essential for a satisfactory healing process.

Irritation

In very rare occasions some patients experience irritation in the scar tissue after their procedure. On the onset this is normal; if it. persists there may be a problem. For some patients, the healing process along the scar tissue is fast and undetectable. Others may experience inflammation and irritation due to slow healing. Sometimes after the sutures are removed the skin begins to stretch and the scar widens a little more than desired. I’ve seen this before, and you do have options to remedy your situation. When I mentioned that the scar may widen, I didn’t mean open. It may be just a fraction wider than normal. If you decided to live with it like many do, you could allow your hair to be a just a little bit longer in that spot for coverage. If you really feel self conscious about it, the doctor can retighten that area. Although this sounds like discouraging news, don’t run for the door yet. These are minor setbacks that are relatively simple to fix.

Swelling

It is very common that anywhere from a couple of days to a week you will experience swelling. The swelling is normally found in the forehead but can also spread throughout the head. Although it may feel uncomfortable, it will not affect your health and will go away on its own.

Scabbing/bleeding

Naturally, when you scratch or cut yourself your white blood cells comes to your defense. During this healing process the body produces pus that forms a hard shell called a scab. Underneath the scab your cells are regenerating and fighting off bacteria. After your surgery, tiny scabs will form around the incision and the transplanted hairs. 1111S is the body’s natural healing and protection process. Your first impulse may be to pick at the scabs, but this will cause bleeding and damage to the new follicle. The scabs normally begin to fall off naturally within 10 days or less. A few days after your surgery, you will return to the office and the staff will give you a light shampoo which will soften some of the scabs which will cause some to fall off Remember: Do not pick the scabs! It can and will cause bleeding and possible damage to your scalp and hair follicle.

Numbness /tingljng /pain

After your surgery, many patients experience numbness in their scalp and head. The reason for this is two fold .. First, the numbness is from the remaining effects from the anesthesia used during surgery. This type of numbness goes away within a day or two. The second reason is reduced circulation of blood in the capillaries. This is part of the body healing process of regenerating and strengthening tissue around the hair follicle. The tingling/pain you may experience is from the nerve endings that were severed during the procedure. Over the next few days to weeks, the nerves will begin to heal, and you will begin to feel normal again.

Shedding

Premature shedding could also occur if the doctor inaccurately predicted future balding. With androgentic alopecia (male pattern baldness), we know that hair is genetically predisposed to fall out due to it’s susceptibility to DHT. If a person went bald on the top of their head, leaving a wreath of hair, the bald area would be considered the recipient site and the wreath the donor area. This fringe area is called dominant because of its resistance to the effects of DHT. The transplant graft is harvested from the donor dominant site and placed into the recipient site. 1hat specific hair is used because the doctor wants the newly transplanted DHT resistant hair to continue [0 grow without shedding. This brings me to my point: If the patient has not completely lost all the hair that is susceptible to DHT and [he physician uses that hair as donor hair! it will fall out in the future. This is why you need a surgeon that is skilled in the entire procedure, including anticipating future loss.

Keloids

A keloid is a raised scar that appears thick and swollen. Although this is not a widespread problem, some patients are more prone to keloid (than others. Asian Americans and African Americans typically experience [his side effect. If you have already experienced any form of keloidal scarring, notify your doctor before (he surgery. A simple test will be conducted [Q find out the probabilities of scarring after the procedure.

Infection

If you take your prescribed antibiotics before and after your surgery the chances of infection is almost zero. However, there are cases where infection has occurred. One form of infection could include swelling, pain, redness and discharge around the incision/grafts. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. Antibiotics will normally contain the infection to prevent spreading and to prevent damage tome hair follicles.

Hair transplants, if you’re able to pay for them, are one of the most appealing solutions .. On the other hand, being able to afford such luxury isn’t the only precondition. The initial prerequisite on your part is to have reasonable expectations. To be a good prospect for this procedure, the regulations of supply and demand can be applied. Put simply, there is a restricted supply of donor hair. Based on the dimensions of your bald area, you can only fill in with the accessible existing hair supply. Expertise and artistry from your surgeon is necessary to create a natural. look and density; You have to be truthful with yourself going into this. To replace every hair that you lost is simply not sensible thinking.

For sufferers who wear hair replacement systems, be ready for another look. It’s particularly more challenging for these candidate to make the transition. The issue is they are used to seeing thick, lush, dense hair created instantly. With a hair transplant surgery, if you’re anticipating a fun head of hair exactly like a system in an instant, is not realistic. To attain a dense full appearance, as with a hair system, is almost impossible. Keep in mind that you have a limited quantity of donor hair which includes the job of filling in what you lost. You are able to only use what you have.

Realizing that hair ‘transplantation is a “minor surgery,” your overall health information will be needed. Just before surgery your physician will have you complete a medical history form. That is mandatory since it is an invasive procedure. The medical history forewarns the doctor of any medical. conditions, for example if you have allergy symptoms to medications, prior surgeries, mental or emotional problems and family history. Generally, although you may have certain issues you can always be eligible. On your safety and a successful surgery, it is vital that you disclose your medical history honestly and accurately.

Age is yet another factor thought of when deciding eligibility. This is one of many ironic occasions where it’s in your favor to be older! The older you are the far better prospect you might be since it is easier for the doctor to discover the extent of your hair loss. If you’re in your late thirties Of forties, your hair loss has probably progressed to the stage where the surgeon can project how much more, if any, loss can occur. The advantage of this information is two fold. First, figuring out your donor dominant hair is often more obvious and accurate. Second of all, the skilled surgeon will place grafts in a manner that will support possible future loss.

Someone younger, let’s say in their early twenties, is in the starting phases of hair loss. Simultaneously their facial shape is maturing and a new hairline is being established. This obviously is not news that someone young wants to hear. Usually, when men go bald in their twenties they desire the hair of their teenage years. The natural response is to request for the hairline co resemble what they had in the teen years. The problem with that is two things, one, the face is changing from a boy to a man. Therefore giving this twentysomething male the hairline of a teenager will result in hairline that is roo low. Second, is the consideration of future loss, so you will have a low full hairline and a space between this newly transplanted hair and the fringe in the back, What a disaster! I’m not saying that you cannot get a transplant at this age. What I am saying is if you are young and have this situation you may have to adjust your expectations. A good surgeon will advise you on the best way to recreate your hairline.

We believe that it is good to be prepared with an arsenal of knowledge, information and understanding. No sugar coating. You have to be mentally prepared and be realistic for your future transition. This is surgery, and depending on the method you choose you need recovery time. For a few days you may feel groggy, and your face and head will experience some swelling. Your physician will suggest medication for pain, but there may only be slight pain. Unless you do a FUT(Follicular Unit Transplants) megasession, you may need more than one session to obtain the fullness you desire.

With mini/micrografts to achieve a natural full head ofhair, you will need a minimum of three sessions. This requires commitment from you to endure the process. There will be a degree of detectability in between surgeries. “In between time” could be anywhere from three to six months between sessions.

To avoid this situation, I would recommend the FUT because it’s undetectable with shorter recovery rime.

Mini/Micrografting

Hair transplants made easier, are skin grafts. The graft comes from the donor area, which is the wreath of hair generally located on the back and the sides of the head. The technique in which these hair bearing skin grafts are gathered varies. Previously, most surgical treatments were done using large grafts (aka plugs). Dr Orentriech’s breakthrough of donor prominence pioneered the entire punch approach, which is also recognized these days as the common technique. This was revolutionary back in the 1950s.

Even though the strategy turned out to be effective during the time, the standard graft was rather large. Each graft was spherical in shape, approximately 4 millimeters, made up of 16 to 20 hairs. To protect the blood flow surrounding the grafts, he placed them about 1 graft size apart. That method of spacing and large grafts created an unnatural finish.

In the 1980s, physicians started to use smaller grafts which we call minigrafts or micrografrs. The common approach typically harvested grafts 4 millimeters in size, containing roughly 16 to 20 hairs .. Mini-grafts are substantially smaller, which range from 1 to 2 millimeters, containing three to 12 hairs. Even small compared to the minigraft is the micro graft that is around or a little small compared to 1 millimeter containing 1 or 2 hairs. Obviously, the final results were less detectable.

Using the mini and micro grafts, the surgeon executes surgery with only as many grafts required. The doctor will literally cut to size the graft to match the recipient site. Therefore The size and dlsrrlburion has to be proportioned in order (0 have a successful surgery with the least detection.

To complete the entire process may require up to five sessions, with approximately four to six months in between. Therefore, during the healing and processing time there will be a degree of detectability.

Follicular Unit Transplants (FUT)

The follicular unit transplant strategy is regarded in the industry as the “Gold standard” technique. This advanced state of the art strategy is the consequence of a discovery made in 1984 by Dr. J.T. Headington. He analysed skin within a microscope and learned that hair grew in groups. At first, it was thought that hair grew individually .. Such groups of hairs are called units. Thus the term “follicular units.” Typically, there are 1 to 4 hairs per unit.

In 1988, Dr. Bobby Limmer took these details one step further. He designed a technique which he would harvest the donor hair in a single strip instead of previous hole punching or minigrafting methods. This single strip stereomicrocopic dissected to retrieve the follicular unit.

Dr. Robert Bernstein created a tool, the Densomiter, widely used with hair transplant surgeons. With this tool. he could quantify a patient hair density. This further aided in identifying the follicular units.

The FUT method actually mimicks the natural pattern of hair. To achieve this, the physician has an entire medical team that works with him to complete the task. The surgeon makes the incision and harvests the graph from the donor area and closes the suture. Scarring in this surgery is minimal. The medical staff, with the aid of a microscope, dissects the tissue. Next, the physician creates very tiny incision with special blades into the scalp. This allows for thousands of graphs to be implanted.
The benefit of this technique is the ability to maximize the amount of graphs per session with minimal scarring. In some cases, only one session is necessary: Not only does this technique allow natural looking results, but the healing time is very short.
Although FUT sounds comparable to rninigrafts or micrografts, there is a big difference. The method of harvesting grafts from the donor area with FUT and mini/micro grafts are almost identical.

Mini-grafts and micrografts are cut to size. The actual graft will contain up to 12 hairs which will result in a more bulky appearance. The micrograft, which is smaller than the minigraft still face its challenges as welL The main challenge is the survival rate of the integrity of the graft from the dissection process. With FUT, the units are able to maintain the follicles .. The units are preserved by the use of a stereo-microscope when dissecting the units enabling the doctor to preserve the integrity of the unit. The results are grafts that are so small that they are virtually undetectable to the naked eye.

Although PUT has the advantage of untraceable results, the process is a long one. PUT requires a full medical staff that spends hours separating the follicular units. This timely process takes hours. The medical staff typically implants anywhere from 500 to 3,000 grafts per session. The entire session could last from 4 to 8 hours ..

Another technique very similar to PUT method is the Follicular Unit Extraction. The FUT method requires scalpel surgery when extracting a strip from the donor area. With the FUE method, there are no major incisions involved. Each individual follicular unit is extracted one by one and placed in the donor area. Some of the benefits with this particular procedure are a faster recovery time, no surgery and no scarring. The FUE method allows for the patient to be able to wear short cuts in the future because there is no scar .. This method Is also beneficial to a patient with a poor amount of donor area.

Once more, these 3 medical and artistic principles shall be applied [Q whatever hair transplant technique performed as it is now accepted procedure. It: involves the approach that surgeons take ahead of surgery as type of a blueprint. This blueprint aids in experienceing this most natural results for every patient. You profit from this knowledge by understanding the reality of what you’re working on and what may be required to get premium results.

Auto grafting

The very first principle, auto grafting, identifies who’d be the donor for your hair used for the transplant. When somebody needs an organ donor, for instance, a kidney transplant, you can use someone else. Without a doubt, there could be some specific medical requirements for such a surgery, however you get a kidney from someone else. Although skin is definitely an organ, unlike other organ transplants, only you might be the donor. There’s one exception: in case you have the same [win with matching DNA. Otherwise, you would need a lifetime of immunity suppressant drugs as well as other extensive therapies and tests co maintain these foreign objects (the fresh hairs) in your body. Your whole body will simply reject the hairs …

Donor Dominance

The 2nd principle, donor dominance, is hair from the donor area maintaining characteristics of your donor area, i.e, texture, color in addition to DHT resistance, These hairs are resistant or dominant over DHT and can always be once transplanted. It is unidentified why these hairs aren’t affected by the DRY .. With pattern baldness, people lose hair from temple to temple, hairline to the crown. Leftover hairs on [he sides as well as the back will be considered dominant for the reason that DHT had no effect. What’s interesting is the idea that while you lost hair because of DHT in your impacted areas, the newly placed dominant hairs will be resistant and keep on trying to increase over a lifetime! .

A necessary note: Only the hair follicles mat are currently in this DHTresistant area can be utilized as a donor. For instance, some women as well as some men, experience genetic baldness in a diffused manner everywhere in the head. For the reason that baldness is diffused, the donor area is not obvious. This makes finding the donor dominance very challenging if not impossible. In such cases its more probable to harvest hair that’s genetically at risk of DHT, and it should continue to come out despite the surgery. The important thing this is for your hair to dominate on the DHT and keep on trying to increase following the procedure.

Artistry

Finally of the principles is artistry. This principle is very important, with a few variables the doctor must examine. Once you receive a hair transplant, you will be working will a fixed way to obtain donor hair. Here is where your selection of your right physician is vital. It isn’t only approximately the correct use of a surgical extraction and closure, it will be about applying precious donor source responsibly. Keep in mind, those are not new hairs there is small portion from you the donor which has to be evenly spread a.long your recipient site giving a fuller appearance. This takes the skill of artistry out of your performing surgeon.

Besides distributing this limited resource of donor hair to provide a fuller appearance, the doctor has another major challenge. Next you will see the difference out of your average doctor to the highly sought out surgeons. The difficulty is for the doctor to project around 20 years for future baldness. The very last thing you need is to have the maximum level of grafts and utilize your valuable donor source and also have leftover hairs which are still DHT resistant come out. Remember, baldness is progressive eventually. In case you visit the doctor for surgery to cover recession your entire hair line, the doctor must predict that you will have more continued loss in the long run and can strategically place your donor hairs with this thought. That s the artistry associated with such procedures. You don’t need rows of full hair then a space from hair that emerged 5 years after your surgery. It’s also common after your surgery your physician may prescribe Propecia with Minoxidil to assist retain all the thins you have and regrow hair.

Artistry hair transplants must provide you with wonderful results today and several years to come. Evidently this principle is not really often discussed – and that’s for the reason that physician already is aware of the consideration. However, now you are armed with this particular arsenal of knowledge, you may now ask them whatever they bear in mind to you because of an artistic perspective. In what way will they address future loss?

You could have known one of those people who carries a transplant as well as the outcome was great. You could have only encounter the alternative. The key thing this is to know that no two surgeries are alike .. The component involved differs from patient to patient despite the fact that the principles will be the same.

Within the same vein as artistry, here are a few of your additional factors that add to more positive results. Hair texture falls into the equation like this: In case you have thick hair then naturally you are able to afford to make use of fewer grafts. It is because the thickness of your hair gives the illusion of fuller hair with more coverage on the scalp. Obviously, with fine hair you won’t enjoy this sort of full coverage however you should benefit originating from a more natural looking finish. In case you have wavy or frizzy hair, you will be at an advantage. You notice, frizzy hair coils up and away from the hair. Each hair holds its own naturally giving extra visible coverage on the scalp. Fortunately, in case you have wavy or frizzy hair, you would not need as many grafts as someone who may have straight hair.

Another illusion that you will not be tuned in to is hair and scalp color. Colors either draw you eye to the target or away. It’s advisable to use this information to you personally advantage when you are able. Obviously, you cannot improve race however you can improve hair color, The best way [hen would be that the closer hair is usually to the skin color the quicker you build the illusion of fuller hair. Thlnk of your contrast with dark African American skin and hair color. You will find three advantages here — dark skin, dark hair and curly texture crearing the style of fuller hair.

Transplants with this particular scenario yield the foremost favorable results. Now consider maybe a person of Asian descent with naturally straight hair but with glow skin tone and dark hair. The contrast is very remarkable that there’s a greater challenge at the surgeon artistically. Those are a few of the stuff that (he doctor wlll talk to you for the reason that difference between you liking and loving your results could really be adjusted by color.

Abbreviations

DFU: Double Follicular Unit graft. Graft sample containing two follicular units.

FIT: Follicular Isolation Technique. Term coined by Drs. Paul T Rose and John Cole to indicate the technique they designed for follicular unit sampling; specific type of follicular unit extraction or FUE.

FU: Follicular Unit. Group of one to fou.r hairs naturally attached together with their sebaceous glands and arrector pili muscles.

FUE: Follicular Unit Extraction. Graft sampling technique.

FUSS: Follicular Unit Strip Surgery. Sampling of follicular unit grafts in the shape a strip. The term is used by Alvi Armani to indicate the strip sampling technique used in follicular unit grafts.

Mini: Minigraft ..

Micro: Micrograft.
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JordiB.
MUG: Multi-Unit Graft. Graft sample containing several follicular units (two or three),

TFU: Triple Follicular Unit graft. Graft sample containing three follicular units.
Terms
Grafts
You will hear this word used often by doctors and their sales team. They will say things like “you need XYZ number of grafts”,etc. A graft is basicaUy the hair follicles surrounded by tissue and skin that will be used as donor hair. Each graft is going to have a certain number hairs in it. Hair naturally grows in groupings of two, three or four. This is Important information if you want the most natural looking results. Follicular unit transplants are the state of the an technique which implements the knowledge of these groupings for the most natural looking results. Hairs grafts are harvested from the d~nor area in these grouping and transferred to the recipient sites and placed in these natural groupings

Donor area

The donor area is the place on the head that has DHT resistant hairs that will be used for the surgery. The term “pattern baldness” is used because of the common formation of hair loss is in a pattern. In most cases the recession statts from the hairline to the crown, I’m sure you’ve seen people who have lost almost aU of their hair on the top but have full lush hair around the sides and back. That remaining hair along the side and the back are usually going to be the donor sites.

Recipient site

This is the bald or thinning area will be where the donor hair will be placed. Usually, the surgeon will begin placing grafts in the front then proceed toward the back. The crown area is usually done 78

Hair Loss

last. Bur regardless of which area is addressed first, the area that is receiving the donor hair is the recipient site.

Density

Hair density is the measurement of how much hair you have per square centimeter of scalp. 1his information is critical for you and the doctor. Your hair density determines in part, how much donor hair you have. The other pan is what level of artistry will be necessary on the doctors to deliver a natural. looking finish. This information reveals how much hair you have to fill the area that needs to be replaced, as well as how much hair wiu be needed to obtain optimum results. Many doctors use a tool developed by Dr. Robert Bernstein to measure hair density for [his procedure. The doctor may instruct or ask you 1:0 shave a very small section in order to properly measure your density.

Scalp laxity

This term describes the llexibiHty of the scalp. The surgeon needs to know how flexible your scalp is before going forward with the procedure because it’s easler to harvest the donor hair from a more flexible scalp. If you do have a right scalp, this may limit the amount of grafts that may be extracted. Another problem with having a tight scalp is that it is more difficult to dose the incision and minimize scarring. When you have high density and high scalp laxity, you can handle more grafts. Therefore, when you come in bor a consultation the doctor will check your scalp for flexibility.

Spencer Forrest Inc. are the producer and distributor of Toppik Hair Thickener. The purpose of Toppik Hair Thickener is to give a better look to thinning hair. It aims at improving the overall look of the person has receding hairline or is suffering from baldness. Keratin fibres are used in this product. Keratin is responsible for growing our nails and hair. It is a protein based compound.

Unlike other hair thickeners Toppik Hair Thickener is not completely based on dyes or organic or inorganic colorants. In this product the organic compound is charged by electricity and this lets the propelled substance to actually stick to whatever is left of your hair. This procedure makes the product unique.

CAN TOPPIC BE USED FOR HAIR GROWTH?

Spencer Forest has very clearly stated that Toppik@ Hair Thickener does not interfere with normal growth of hair. It means it does not improve hair growth nor has any effect on it. This is very useful information for people who are weary of products that claim enhance the growth of hair naturally.

For those who use minoxidil (Normally concentrated at 5%) and want to use Spence Forest’s product with it the company advises the users to apply topical hair growth preparation prior to Toppik application. This is important because the excess protein in Toppik@ might prevent absorption of the other topical product. Hence it is advisable to use minoxidil before using Toppik@ Hair Thickener.

TOPPIK IS NOT A HAIRLOSS TREATMENT

Toppik does not cover up the baldness as it is not a treatment for hair loss. The root of the problem is hair loss which could be hereditary or caused because excessive stress. The product gives a brief illusion of covering baldness.

You have to use the product daily and to keep up the false image of having a fuller and thicker hair on your head. This makes it impractical to use. It gives temporary relief to the user from the damages caused by hair loss. The feeling imagined or real terrors of not having sufficient hair can be reprieved. If you want a treatment for hair loss and you want a permanent solution than you have to seek treatment accordingly as Toppik@ will not serve your purpose.

WHERE CAN I PURCHASE TOPPIC?

Spencer Forest is currently the retailers for Toppik@ and they charge $6.50 for per traveller size bottle. Regular size bottle is available for just $21.95 while the largest bottle i.e. the giant sized can be bought at $76.95 each. Spray Applicator ($18.95). Toppik@ Hairline Optimizer ($5.95) and Fiberhold Spray are the other Toppik@ Accessories. You can find it online at Amazon at lowest price i.e. $17.99 for regular size bottle.

Hair restoration is the most popular treatment for the hair loss in today’s world. And, gradually other procedures are also coming into light out of which the latest one is the laser therapy. ‘HairMax’ laser comb is the one that is accepted by the FDA which assists in the promotion of the hair growth.

What is a hair growth laser?

When it comes to the laser, different science fiction movies like ‘star-wars’ or ‘star trek’ may come in your mind. You may have the concept that the lasers are the lights which have the potential to penetrate into something or destroying it completely. But this is not the way how the laser therapy functions.

When there is exposure of our skin in IR or UV rays of light produced with the help of laser, it can treat the disorders. And this process of treating the disorder with the help of UV or IR radiations is known as ‘phototherapy’. This process works when there is emission of the photons from the lasers which are not-thermal. The main aim of it is the stimulation of the blood circulation. The proper distribution of the blood to the nerves and muscles covering the hair follicles will help in the ignition of the hair growth.

Laser Therapy

Different lasers are used for almost same process. Some of the lasers are as follows:

Low Power Lasers (LPL)
‘Low Intensity Laser Activated Bio-stimulation’ (LILAB), ‘Low Power Laser Therapy’ (LPLT)

Soft Laser

‘Therapeutic Laser Therapy’

‘Low Energy Laser Therapy’ (LELT), ‘Low Energy Visible Light’ (LEVL)

Phototherapy is a procedure that does not require any sort of surgery. It directly helps in the stimulation and re-growth of the hair. Lasers combs are available in the market and not all of them are same. You should be aware while choosing the lasers and think whether you are the suitable candidate or not to use it. You should meet some of the requirements to be eligible and to have the effectiveness in treatment. The energy that is liberated out from the light is absorbed by the cells which get transformed to the chemical energy. It will assist in developing the healing capacity. The light should be of proper wavelength so as to see the proper outcomes. Long exposure of the light can cause cancer, so, time and the dose must be taken in mind.

It is revealed from various studies that the energy is absorbed in maximum amount when the wavelength of the light is 600 nanometers and minimum at 830 nanometers. You want your devices to work efficiently and you may want to carry different tests for it. The power of the laser in watt (W) decides the penetration rate in the cells. For this the wavelength should be balanced otherwise there will just be waste of time. The more the penetration of the light, the more efficient treatment it will be.

All the lasers consist of diode that emits light commonly known as ‘Light Emitting Diode’ (LED). It is very much difficult for the new users to understand and interpret about the lasers with higher wavelength and the diodes if both are red. The scalps will be stimulated when the red light enters the skin. But there is other light also which is invisible and it is ‘Infrared’ (IR). It enters deep inside the cells directly.

Working of Lasers

There will be stimulation of the blood supply when the IR beam enters through the skin. The bulb of the hair gets charged due to it and there will be the increment in the red blood cells (RBCs). The nourishing of the different parts with proper nutrients and oxygen helps in hair will assist in clearing the way of the blocked pores. The scalp will be healthy if there is clearance of the blockage to the hair shaft, cortex and the cuticle. The metabolic activity will also increase along with the repairing of the damaged cells.

You should be eligible for being the best candidate to have the usage of it. It is not that all the devices work for all the people. It is beneficial to those people if they are in the initial phase of the hair loss. Moreover, it is useful for them who have this problem and want to protect their hair from loss in future and want to retain their hair with fullness, shininess and thickness.

There will be not as many effects if you use this method if you are using other methods also. But, most of the physicians suggest having the usage of it after some days of the hair transplantation. The usage of ‘Propecia’ and ‘Minoxidil’ is also safe.

Benefits:

It is efficiently working for 80% of people using it. There is increment in the blood flow to hair scalps by 50%, regeneration of hair, increment in thickness and reduction in irritation or itchiness in scalps.

While you continue in your search for the very best solution for reinstating your hair, you’re probably sensing that with numerous options it’s easy to get lost. You have topical solutions, medications, hair transplants, you name it. However, even though many of these options are effective, they may or may not work for you.

Lots of people won’t like having surgery, but still need to get rid of hair loss then perhaps non surgical hair transplant is one thing you need to look into. Increasing numbers of people are to see if it has merits in there case of hair loss. It’s not for every individual, but it might be precisely what you are interested in. Non surgical hair surgery is also referred to as hair bonding and hair replacement. It has gained steam in recent years because of the success it seems to be having.

Non surgical hair replacement solution is often referred to as simply hair replacement. This is a non-surgical, non-medical option. When most people hear the term hair replacement, their minds right away wander off to an ill-constructed toupee. Even though these horrific pieces continue to exist, you may not see them in most hair replacement salons. Technologies to the picture has sophisticated enormously over the years as compared to the former predecessors.

We all see commercials of people who were hairless and then instantly have hair. They are going swimming and when they come out of the water they still have hair. They want to know, “What is that? Do they have transplants? I don’t understand because the commercial said that no surgery was needed.” Basically, they were displaying models with hair replacement and most people don’t know very well what the product was ..

How is it entirely possible that in one minute you’re bald and then the next minute you have a full head of hair?! It even looks natural after they swim and everything? You may have asked yourself these same questions. What they are advertising is the wonderful world of hair replacement.

Lots of people have attempted and have been unsuccessful with the effectiveness of virtually every thing in the marketplace from topical solutions to hair transplants. Not able to adapt to the concept of possibly going totally bald or sporting sparse thin hair, hair replacement is often the final option.This is indeed a fascinating and fantastic solution, and it is expected that people might have picked this option sooner.

Sadly, so many people are uninformed regarding what hair replacement is .. Essentially with hair replacement you will end up with a personalized hair piece that addresses your thinning area. This can be different from wigs and toupee as a system is totally customized to your precise specifications. Furthermore, if you simply have a smaller area which should be covered, that space will be measured and a system will be designed specifically for that area.

This technology has become sophisticated so much that we now have adhesives that permit you to have hair applied so it won’t disappear for weeks! This can be a quick, painless procedure. And yes, you are able to swim, shower and even. drive with the top down without fear of your new hair flying off in the wind. Also, since the product is constructed out of such delicate material, really efficient hair replacement systems are virtually undetectable.

What should you expect when you go to 3 hair replacement salon? I won’t lie to you: The first thing you should be prepared for is to spend a lot of money. This is because a really good head of hair is 100% human hair, hand tied, practically strand by strand, and takes a lot of manpower to produce. The hair itself should also he of a premium grade as well. Now don’t be disturbed by numbers, because what you receive in return far exceeds the price. And of course, they will work with you in .finding a way (0 help you finance, at least with the majority of high end hair replacement salons I know.

NT System

The NT technique is among the non surgical hair transplants in which semi and permanent addition is carried out. It does appear in various density which suggests for you they look will be much better that will incorporate into your existing hair which is real important.

The organization works throughout the whole process because numerous things should be done as soon as the process is started. Haircuts must be done by the hair replacement company as the strategy is cleaned and checked and a scalp treatment is done to ensure that the likelyhood for new hair growth continues. Hair care products used by these hair replacement companies can be quite expensive so it’s finest if they do it.

These hair replacement companies generally use real hair, but occasionally may also weave in synthetic hair.

Other Options – Custom wigs

Constructed wigs are an alternative choice that lots of people are using that gives the appearance of a full head of hair. These custom-built wigs are attached by tapes, clips and bonding agents. These generally though aren’t as pleasant as the other two approaches stated previously, but they are at a more affordable cost which is very important to people.

Hair systems overview

Since you now are already mentally prepared to go deep into your wallet for vanity, let’s focus on these hair systems. Virtually all hair replacement salons will make use of the term “hair systems,” as I already have described. A hair system is made of but not restricted to, a fine lace with the hair intricately woven into it.

More affordable systems that you come across and order online are typically made in a factory, and the finish is typically not as real looking as you would find in a high-end hair replacement salon. Once you do go to a hair replacement salon, a very good one will offer you a consultation that can assist you in deciding on the best head of hair for you. These locations can be more expensive due to quality and care that goes into servicing you. As soon as your hair order is being created, they’re going to match the density, the calm, texture and length of your original hair. Despite the fact that a client may possibly require a partial replacement, often they may decide to completely recreate a look for themselves and choose a new hair color, texture and length that not only includes the partial area but the entire head. And this is what is so good with that option. You ultimately have more control over your results. Another excellent thing about this option is instant gratification.

Well, most people would love this alternative. In fact, besides hair transplants, this is the foremost natural-looking solution available. Even so, you need to understand that this is an ongoing process. You will require routine maintenance to keep your hair looking fresh and genuine in look. This tends to get very expensive. If you think it can be done your self you can find sources online where you could order your own personal hair and adhesives and they’ll either give you an instructional video or information packer on how to order, apply, etc. If you decide to go with this option, proceed with caution. Applying hair is not as easy as it looks. In many instances, even if they give you the option for selecting your own density, color and texture, if you’re not a professional you may not make the right choice and it could be a costly mistake. You get what you pay for.

A really good hair system will be very soft and completely undetectable. Because of the delicacy of the product, you will probably have the hair to shed, which will eventually leave unwanted spaces in the system. As a result, you will either require the whole system replaced again or you will have to have it ventilated. When you hear the term ventilated or ventilation, it indicates that your system will require hair added to it. So it’s a catch 22: The more real looking your system is, the more delicate It will be. You will require more maintenance or a new system altogether.

Another thing to make note of when thinking about the maintenance is adhesives. Your system typically will be applied by adhesives. These come in many forms and strengths. Your stylist will ask you about your skin type – i.e., dry, oily or normal- as well as your lifestyle. From that data, they will decide which adhesives will continue to work best for you. Occasionally the first selection works, sometimes you may find that one can not work for you, or you might need a combination. In terms of adhesives it’s really a sticky situation, no pun intended. Amateur application can be be extremely messy; for this reason I do not advise for you to try to do it yourself. By trying to do it yourself, you expose yourself possibly damaging the lace (also known as the base), and your hair system can be totally damaged. And eliminating the adhesives from your scalp might be painful if you try to do it yourself since they are meant to adhere firm to your scalp. So expect to revisit your hair replacement salon at least every six weeks.

Along with looking after your system to care for Your hair, for maximum results factor in color .. When you color your natural hair, the color over time oxidizes/fades. This is also true with non-growing hair. It’s not because the company has failed you, it’s because the color naturally oxidizes on human hair. Although this is very easy to remedy, you should know that even if your hair texture on the

As opposed to the surgical methods of hair replacement, non-surgical means are also rising in popularity. Generally these are the basic two methods between one could select a measure for hair loss.Non surgical methods of hair replacement with medication include names like Finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil (Rogaine). Nevertheless, mostly, non surgical strategies to hair replacement range from the physical means of increasing hair on one’s head. The drugs that usually go along with the process tend to do more in order to prevent hair loss rather than restore hair growth, and also it is the physical means that is more important in the process.

First of all, a hair system is attached to growing hair on one’s head. By attaching a hair system, a real-like look is made possible, and at the same time it remains secure. It remains secure because it is literally glued to growing hair using surgical glue. The next step in this process includes trimming or cutting the hair so that it fits in with the rest of the original hair.

By using human hair and coloring it appropriately a natural look is obtained. The overall procedure is more affordable than the surgical method and one does not stand the risk of getting infections. In addition to this, it is said that the non-surgical method does not require the kind of maintenance that surgical replacements require, and for this reason it is cheaper. In addition to this, it may even be said that one does not have to have hair cuts that are expensive.

Because the replacement through non-surgical means is not living hair, it won’t need the attention that living hair does.
The disadvantage of non-surgical hair replacements is that if the hair is cut badly, you are forced to live with it until it is replaced. As opposed to this a living hair that can grow out badly can be cut quite quickly.

When deciding upon a hair replacement system salon, remember, these are in business and they want the sale. A few will straight up lie to you, or a few will exaggerate the truth. Walking in the door furnished with the facts can safeguard you from being sold a bill of goods that won’t deliver. So, get your facts straight and be prepared to make an educated decision on what you would like to do for your individual needs

At this point you may be saying that all of this is a bit much. You’re right, there are many choices to consider. In case you are one of those many individuals who have tried countless drugs and perhaps hair transplants that have failed miserably you hail these options.

These are my instant gratification solutions. And I know that it’s difficult pill to swallow because you want your own natural hair to grow. What can I do to bring that back? I know you are asking yourself these questions, which is normal, But I won’t lie to you. If there was a magic potion that will work on everyone, I would tell you. So until that time comes, and it will, I want you to look and feel good with something that will work.

If you can’t pay for hair transplants or you do not have sufficient donor hair, we advise the next best thing: non-surgical hair replacement. As mentioned before, this option can get pricey. If you can’t afford these options, we will reveal to you what presently in the marketplace will work wonders. I urge you to definitely give it a chance; technologies have advanced so much in the past that you will be pleasantly surprised!

How to find the right center/specialist/online source?

Okay, you have decided to give hair replacement a try. Choosing the right salon and stylist is of the utmost importance. How do you know which one will be best for you? Welt it depends on a few factors like, lifestyle, budget, and how vain you are (just joking on the vain pard). However, vanity does playa pan. Of course you need to know that the stylist that will be doing your hair is capable of delivering the look you want.

Let’s start with choosing a salon. A good starting place is the Internet. Another would be your local Yellow Pages. I actually would look in the Yellow Pages first and then go online and look up the ones of interest to you the most. What you will be looking for is how many locations are around your town and the country do they have. If you travel for any reason, you want the security of knowing that if any emergency maintenance should arise you are not far from assistance. You also want to how long they have been in business.

Not all of the Websites list this, but look out to see how many stylist they have on staff at each center. This is important because you want to know that they have enough staff on hand to adequately service you. Sometimes these companies just milk this cash cow by signing on as many clients they can, knowing that they are overbooking the schedule. In this case, even if you need emergency maintenance. you will not be serviced in a prompt manner .. They don’t care because they know you need them more: than they need you (so they think), Great for them, sucks for you big time – because, almost all of these centers will lock you into a contract.

Some hair replacement centers are major corporations. and others are considered boutique. The advantage of the major companies is that they typically are adequately staffed with knowledgeable stylist that can handle the volume. You will probably receive your hair more quickly than other places, again because they do business at a high volume. Another advantage is that the bigger corporations have facilities all over the country and some all over the world. The downside to going the big boy route is that they require you to sign a contract. You are immediately locked into whatever you agreed .. Yes, you can get out of it if you’re not satisfied, but you probably won’t get all of your money back and you won’t get it back easily. Beware:

There could be hidden costs, so take your time and read the contract and make sure you understand what you’re getting into. Overall, me major hair replacement centers in my opinion are the way to go. The pros outweigh the cons.

Now the smaller boutique shops also come with their own unique advantages. Some have chosen specific ruche’ to stay in the game. While they may not have a lot of facilities they may focus on supplying superior quality: super natural looking hairlines and systems that last for years. Since they are aware of the threat of the major corps, they may select a different method of payment that will work to you! advantage. But be careful of this concept as well because there could be hidden charges on the back end, Make sure you read the contract fully! I cannot state that enough. On the other hand, an advantage of some boutiques is that they may not require a contract, so you pay as you go.

Whether you choose the major corporation or a local boutique shop, go online and read the testimonials then look at before and after. If you like what you see, go to the salon and wait outside for actual clients to come out. Pay attention to how they look and see for your self how natural the hair looks. If you decide to go for a consultation, check our the people in the waiting room that are already clients, If the opportunity presents itself, ask the client how they like the service there. What better referral is there than one of an actual client? If they say they are unhappy, listen and find out why. It could help you sift through potential problems without having to actual go through the procedure. If you decide to do it yourself, then go online make sure that they are listed with the Better Business Bureau.

It’s a little more difficult to deal with problems with a company online than in person if any problems should arise. Therefore you need as much protection up front that is available. Most of the online stores appear to make it simple for you to order, However, if you don’t know the terminology you may order something you didn’t want. To help you with this selection here is some terminology you should know:

• Knots
When the hair strands are attached to the base of the system, usually it is tied to the material. The actual tie is the knot. If the knot is not bleached, the knots will appear as little dots on your scalp making the system detectable. So make sure they are bleached properly or request system that has a different type of looping of the hair.

• Medical grade adhesives
These adhesives could be double sided tapes, various types of liquid glue used to apply the hair system to the scalp. The bonding solutions are generally water proof and come in different strengths lasting from day to day, up to 6 to 8 weeks.

• Bleaching
The process used to lighten the color of the knots for less detectability,

• Lace
Fine mesh like material used in the construction of some hair systems.

• Swiss lace
Another fine mess like material used to construct hair systems. The swiss Lace is very fine and delicate. Commonly known for less derectabllity and comfortability. Isnt as strong as the mono weld.

• Mono weld
This material is also a lace used to as the base of a hair system. It is known more for its durability. May not be as comfortable as the swiss lace ..

• Polyurethane coating

This is a very delicate coating generally used around the perimeter of the base of the system to protect the lace from damage as a result of the removal of adhesives. It also reinforces the fine lace material making the overall system last longer.

Finding a good hair replacement specialiser/styler is also challenging. The easiest method to deal with this is to ask for credentials. You’d like to learn how long were they licensed as a stylist, how long are you presently doing hair replacement? That is certainly essential since that is a specialty. Regular hairstylist might think they know how to do this and will try your head if you’re not careful. Another helpful piece of information you want to find out is where did they go to school, what kind of advance training did they get? If you find someone who is an advanced cutter, that’s a good hint. I think that a good cutter is more important than a colorist on the onset. A really good stylist will be experienced and comfortable with both.

It’s also okay to ask for before and after pictures of their work. You’re about to place your money, time and image into this individual, so it’s also okay to ask for referrals. If they refuse, that could be a bad sign.

Choosing the best physician could be daunting, so much in fact that people may decide not to go forward. This portion of the procedure shouldn’t be so daunting. To create this part easier to suit your needs, this is a plan for finding the perfect physician. It may need a little bit of work on your part, however in the end the rewards will be evident:

1. The initial step requires establishing meetings for a appointment. Do not go with only one doctor, You would like to evaluate notes, get yourself a feel for each doctor, their practice as well as their work. For those who have friends or family who has experienced a procedure in which you like the results, look for the category of that doctor and work out an appointment. A different way to make evaluations is to visit the ISHRS Website. This site provides a extensive list of doctors which have met their stringent membership standards. Paradoxically. there is no specific medical certification for hair transplants, rendering it harder to discover who is truly qualified and who is not. There are various independent accreditations that demonstrate continued training in their respective fields, though. So the ISHRS isn’t going to promise the physicians will come across your expectations. Nevertheless, it has shown to be a great source.

2. Seek information. Inquire, either on the phone or in the main consultation. Learn about his/her background, training and experience. Request to view before and after photos. At times, there might be an authentic client in the office that has had the surgery procedure, Ask to see the patient or talk to them yourself and ask them about their experience. Make an online search. Lookup hair transplant doctors and research their background, testimonials and credentials ..

3. Go for a consultation. If you are comfortable enough, bring a spouse, friend or family member for assistance and another set of eyes and ears. Get a feel for the doctor and his office. Ask to meet a number of the staff that will be working with you. This is extremely crucial as the medical doctor does the specific surgical portion of the procedure and the artistic placement. The nurses or medical (earn will actually place the hairs in the recipient sites not the doctor. Therefore it is imperative that you find out how knowledgeable and experience the medical team is.

Here is a list of questions you may ask when seeking a physician provided by ISHRS.

Questions about the physician’s training include:

• From what medical school did the physician receive his/her M.D. (allopathic medical) or D.O. (osteopathic medical) degree?

• What year did he/she receives the medical degree?

• When was the physician licensed to practice medicine?

Is he/she licensed to practice medicine in your state or the state in which the treatment will take place?

• Where (hospital or medical center) did the physician complete his/her internship and residency training?

• Did the physician have additional training in a medical or surgical specialty after completing residency?

• Is the physician a certified medical or surgical specialist, who successfully passed examination by a medical or surgical specialty board? Specialist standing is not essential to a physician’s competence but it is an indication of advanced training.

• Does the physician hold membership in their related specialty’s professional society? Do they attend scientific conferences and workshops? Membership and attendance in such societies is not essential, but it is an additional indication of commitment and advanced training.

• How long has the physician been doing surgical hair restoration procedures?

• How many hair restoration procedures has the physician done? How many of the specific type you are considering having done?

” How many hair restoration procedures does the physician currently do per month? A busy practice can be one indication that a surgeon is skilled and weB respected by patients.

• Is hair restoration surgery the physician’s only practice, or does the physician performing other types of cosmetic surgery? This question may be important to ask for two reasons: (1) if hair restoration is only part of an overall treatment you think you may need (for example, hair restoration and treatment to remove facial wrinkles and sun-damaged skin), a dermatologlc or plastic surgeon will be able to consult with you regarding the overall treatment, and (2) to determine whether the surgeon performs enough hair restoration surgery to maintain his/her skills.

• Wlll the physician, on request, provide names of patients who are willing to be references for the physician?

• You should view several before and after photos to assure you like the aesthetic quality of the physician’s work. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what can be accomplished for your unique situation.

• Is the physician a solo practitioner or are there other physicians in the same practice?

• If there are other physicians, will you have the same physician from beginning to end of your treatment? If not, would this make you uncomfortable?

• Is the physician’s office staff helpful, considerate and willing to answer questions about billing, insurance, etc.?

• Is the office and clinic neat, and especially is it dean? A messy office may not be an indication of a physician’s competence, but it does not make a good impression on prospective patients.

• Did you feel pressured by anyone at the office or clinic to make a decision before you were ready? This would be a cause for concern. You should take aU the time you need before scheduling surgery.

• Does the physician consent-or even urge-you to have a spouse or friend present during your first consultation? The presence of a spouse or friend may make the first meeting with the physician more relaxed.

• You should have a lot of questions to ask at this first consultation. You may want to make a written list of questions to make sure there are none you forget to ask. Are you satisfied that the physician listened to all of your questions, answered them to your satisfaction, and discussed the answers?

• Do you feel that the physician spent enough time with you? Did the physician adequately explain the next steps that will be necessary in examination and diagnosis, touching on possible approaches to treatment after results of examination and diagnosis are known?

• Did (he physician indicate a willingness to discuss all treatment options and costs of various treatment options?

• At the end of (he initial consultation, do you have a feeling that you and the physician have a compatible patient-physician relationship?

For more information, visit www.ishrs.com.

Here is a list of affiliations/certification credentials you may look for:

• American Board of Medical Specialties

• International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery

• American Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons

• World Hair Society

• The American Hair Loss Council

The International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS)

What you should expect before, during and after surgery

If you have come this far and now have figured that a hair surgery sounds the best option for you, here are a few facts to consider. You will need to determine if you happen to be good candidate or not. An advanced good candidate for this procedure, the outcomes could prove very satisfactory. The hair which has been transplanted has to be your own halt. Unlike other hair replacement options, this is permanent.

First, you must do your homework and look for several doctors locally to find out which one you feel the most comfortable with. We examined in depth what to look for when you are selecting your doctor. This information will aid you in finding physicians that are accredited, licensed and experienced. Remember, the results are permanent, so you want the best doctor available.

Since you have selected your surgeon, you are prepared for your consultation .. But I will not leave you unprepared! Before you go, allow me to share with you some of the terminology and philosophy used in this process. The physician uses this information to determine ifyou are a good candidate, also to chart the course of action for your procedure.

You see, there are three principles that doctors always use for hair transplants: autografting, donor dominance and artistry.

There also is some of the terminology you may run into during the consultation and hair transplant procedure.

History

Nowadays, hair transplantation has become one of the excellent remedies for the persons suffering from the hair loss problems. The development of extraordinary technologies and equipments with high thinking and ideas has revolutionized the treatment of hair loss. ‘Follicular Unit Transplants’ has developed which makes the hair look like natural. Before proceeding forward, it is necessary to be familiar with the history of the transplantation. Some concepts on the past processes will assist us to know how the advancement of the technologies took place and distinguish between the early methods of treatment and the latest method.

The very first transplantation was carried successfully in the year 1939 with Dr. Okuda, a dermatologist from Japan. He was the one to begin the transplant on the burn victims. In the year 1939, he recorded about his work in medical journal where he made the description of the transplantation using circular punch technique. The ‘donor site’ was the back of the head consisting hair and the ‘recipient site’ was the burnt parts. He noticed that the grafts that were grafted began growing. This technique is much related with punch grafting commonly called ‘plugs’.

1943

Dr. Tamura from Japan further detailed about the process with the usage of the elliptical incision. He was successful in harvesting the ‘donor hair’. This is the idea that is frequently used in today’s treatment process. The pubic hair in the women was done using the small grafts. This technique was much of interest as only 1 to 3 hairs were only grafted.

1952

Another dermatologist from NY Dr. Norman Orentreich gave continuity to the tests of the transplantation of hair with the use of punch technique. He also harvested the ‘donor hairs’ from the back portion of head. He found out that the hairs obtained from those parts provide resistance to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). After the successful planting of those hairs, they continued to remain DHT resistant. His discovery has been filed in ‘American Medical Journal’ but this procedure was not initiated by him. Whole of the credit goes to ‘Dr. Okuda’ and ‘Dr. Tumura’. The discovery of it was still unknown to many people out from Japan.

For over three decades, this process got its continuity and was considered as one of the standard method of treatment.

If we consider today’s world, the older ideas and concepts do not work efficiently as it is not good for those people who care about their beauty. It was not even good looking at the anesthesia used. First the hairline is marked by the physician and the grafts are planted. When the hair from the ‘donor site’ is picked up using the ‘punch technique’, it is later placed in the ‘recipient site’. The spacing was too large which made the look disappointing. It looked like a doll. There are different sessions which are to be carried out in different time intervals. About four to five times the procedures are to be carried to have the whole of the hair refilled that gives fullness and thicker hair.

The negative part of it was that it fruitfully worked on some of the selected candidates only. Different problems were reported while using the larger graphs. The process of healing was too much of time consuming and unimpressive ‘Linder Construction’. After some days, the sufferers would report some sort of irritation in hair along with the roughness and dryness. The stitches made were clearly visible. The spacing was much and the plantation of the next grafts was done even if the healing was not complete, then, the term ‘plugs’ came into practice.

It was very big trouble to get sufficient hairs from the donor site as the spaces in the balding portion are large. There will be less progress if your donating area consists of insufficient hair to be transplanted to the balding portion. The outcome will be disappointing as the round spot is seen in the donating part.

Next is the selection of the excellent surgeon who can work efficiently and provide future estimation of hair loss also. If you are just over thirty, it is necessary to calculate the percentage of the loss of hair in future after the transplantation. All the doctors may be qualified for the restoration but not all the doctors have the ability to determine the further loss of hair. Hence, it is necessary that you take the treatment from highly qualified and experienced surgeon.

Scars were left behind after the procedure in many sufferers. Only some surgeons can have the calculation of the necessary grafts for the balding area and the presence of the hair in the donating area. He knows how many grafts can be made from the donor site. Previously, the doctors were not specialized and well-trained due to which they took out most of the grafts leaving scars in the head.

1970-1980s

Scalp Reduction

The technologies have progressed a lot in these days which are alleviating the bad concepts of the people. There are different obstructions that come on their way and they have to fight it desperately. So, they started using the scalp reduction. They made the receiving site less spacious and the donating site more. The grafts are planted with high care to create the delusion. The fullness and the thickness are deluded. If the balding portion is small, then it will be easy for the transplantation as there will be sufficient supply from the donor.

Small portion is sliced from the scalp and the stitching was done to make the minimization of the space of the balding area so that the hair bearing portion is observed than that of the stitched portion.

The scalp reduction is to be done before proceeding to the transplantation. The scalp is elastic in nature due to which there is stretching in every reduction carried out and the scars that are previously formed are alleviated by the new one.

But there are some demerits of this procedure also due to which it is not used now as it used to be done in the past. This procedure was only used to remove the tumors from the skin and dead tissues previously due to injuries or for cosmetic reason. This is not gaining fame as that of the FUT which is the most beneficial method that people support these days which produce natural look with the softness in hairlines and very low scars.

Flaps and Scalp Lifts

‘Flaps and Scalp Lifts’ technique was the procedure that was first carried out in the 70s and 80s which included the positioning of the skin with the widening and taking the portion covered with hairs to the balding portion. This was helpful to make the hair look much fuller and thicker.

This was full of danger as there were some very harmful side effects. The scars were seen along with the dead cells in skin. Some of the sufferers also reported there hair was not uniformly arranged, they were more unnatural. This procedure is also not used much nowadays as there are other processer that have less side effects giving maximum positive output.