About Hair Loss
What is Hair Loss?
Baldness, also known as Alopecia is a state of hair loss that is usually most commonly seen in the scalp but it can occur any where on the body. it is more commonly seen in men than in women.
Causes of Hair Loss
- Ageing
- Changes in Hormone level especially DHT (Dihydrotestosterone)
- Family History
- Chronic illness
- Chemotherapy, Major Surgery, Poisoning
- Hypothyroidism
- Iron Deficiency Anemia (causes thinning)
- Fungal Infections
- Autoimmune Disorders
Types of Hair Loss
Male-Pattern Baldness (Androgenic Alopecia)
Male-pattern baldness usually is a hereditary condition. Susceptibility of this type of premature baldness is largely X-linked. The condition may begin at any age. Hair loss often begins on the front, sides, and/or on the crown of the head. Some men may develop just a receding hair line, while others may lose all of their hair.
Female-Pattern Baldness
Comparatively much less common, female-pattern baldness differs from that of male-pattern baldness in that the hair generally thins all over the head, but the frontal hairline is usually maintained. Female-pattern baldness rarely results in total hair loss.
Alopecia Areata
Autoimmune disorder also known as "spot baldness" that can result in hair loss ranging from just one particular area (Alopecia areata monolocularis) to every hair on the entire body (Alopecia areata universalis).
Telogen Effluvium
In this type of hair loss that occurs when hair follicles are shifted into the resting phase prematurely. There is generalized thinning of hairs. it can be triggered by nutritional status, stress, medication and surgery. It remits within 3-6 months when cause is reversed. 2. Restoration Option
Surgical Hair transplant
Our Procedure
- Artistic And Aesthetic Planning
The key of success which we strictly follow
Latest injection techniques plus trichophytic closure of donor area makes it least visible
We use latest stereoscopic microscope imported from Germany for graft dissection
- Recipient Area Preparation & Graft Placement
Graft placement in uniform pattern and with natural angles is our basic Goal.
Specialized Vacuum Assisted Injectors
Through this special type of Injector, hair follicle is simply picked up by this device under gentle suction method and hair follicle is saved from mechanical trauma which is caused while loading into conventional auto-injectors used in some others centers.
Four Graft Categories
Hair grafts are divided into four general categories: Traditional standard grafts, Minigrafts, Micrografts, and Follicular unit grafts.
- Traditional standard grafts are 3-4 mm in diameter and have 12-30 hairs per graft.
- Mini-grafts are smaller, 1.2-2.5 mm in diameter, and have 4-12 hairs per graft.
- Micro-grafts are even smaller measuring 1.5-1.0 mm or less in diameter, with 1-3 hairs per graft.
- Follicular units are the naturally growing groups of hair follicles. Each follicular unit graft contains 1-4 hair follicles.
Which Category Is The Best
Focusing on the number of hairs, rather than the naturally growing groups, Minigrafting and Micro grafting damage the follicles, causing a significant transplant failure rate. Micrografts tend to produce a thin look when used exclusively over the entire head, and often produce inconsistent graft growth.
Follicular unit grafts are based upon the observation that hair emerges from the scalp in naturally occurring clusters called follicular units. Each follicular unit is comprised of one to four terminal hairs. By using the follicular unit as the base unit of the transplant, we create hair patterns that mimic the way hair grows naturally.
The art of the follicular unit approach is that the characteristics of the patient's hair dictate the size of the implant (rather than the doctor). The surgeon determines distribution and balance. By preserving both the natural physiologic and aesthetic elements of human hair, the best cosmetic results can be achieved.
Advantages of Follicular Unit Transplantation
There are many advantages of Follicular Unit Transplantation over Micro-grafting. A fuller look is achieved, as the grafts can be of the same size (or even smaller) than Micro-grafts yet contain more hair. Graft growth is more consistent than when the follicular units are split up. Recipient wounds heal more quickly because sites in the recipient area are smaller, and the results look more natural.
Follicular unit transplantation allows the doctor to distribute grafts to mimic the way hair grows naturally in the patient's own scalp. Follicular Unit Transplantation enables the surgeon to restore more hair using a smaller amount of donor tissue, as the technique is more efficient than Mini-grafting and Micro-grafting.
The tissue between the follicular groups is dissected away, while the vital support structures around the unit are preserved. Cobblestoning (irregularities in the surface of the scalp) and depigmentation (the appearance of whitish or blackish blemishes of the transplanted skin) can be avoided because excess skin in the grafts has been removed, making the grafts significantly smaller.
As healing occurs, the scar around the graft contracts, pushing the hairs in the graft together, and the density of the hair within the graft increases. The hair density within these larger grafts often exceeds the hair density in the donor area. This higher hair density within grafts is intrinsic to the principles of scar contraction, and produces the plug appearance of traditional grafts.
Graft Nutrition
Grafts Dissected in follicular unit fashion can easily acquire oxygen and nutrient from surrounding tissues before they can develop buds of new capillary vessels in four to six days. So overall better growth is seen.
Stereoscopic Dissection
Stereoscopic Microscopes are binocular microscopes modified to give a three dimensional view of specimen. We use latest tools in this field.
FUE & FUT
We use latest tools for our unmatchable FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) & FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) procedure. FUE has an advantage of no scarring of the donor area because no strip is taken out from scalp for transplantation purpose but individual hairs from scalp are extracted out in follicular units and transplanted in the recipient area. The disadvantages of FUE are that it requires longer time and is more costly.
Achieving Natural Hair Density
With dense packing, we are usually able to achieve this density in a single surgical session. Many hair transplant clinics have to perform multiple sessions attempting to achieve natural density and in the end produce less dense and less natural results. We have achieved consistently excellent yields with packing at as much as 60 follicular units per square centimeter.
But we are no longer focused on what density we can achieve technically but how we dense pack based on the amount of donor hair available and the area of thinning or bald scalp that needs to be covered.
Mega sessions
We classify any hair transplant surgery requiring 3000 or more grafts a mega session. Our patients achieve best results with fewer hair transplant procedures when we perform these mega sessions.
The advantages of mega sessions include:
- fewer hair restoration surgeries are required
- better graft yield and survival
- less donor trauma and scarring
- less downtime for the patient
- aesthetically excellent results
- no plugginess between surgeries
- greater overall value
Pre-operative Care
- If you are taking any prescribed medication (e.g. blood pressure tablets), please continue taking your medication and inform your doctor about the name and dosage of the medication. Blood thinners such as Aspirin should be discontinued one week prior to surgery.
- All vitamins and nutritional supplements must be stopped for one week prior to your procedure.
- No alcohol is to be consumed 48 hours prior to your appointment for surgery!
- Avoid tobacco products at least 24 hours prior to surgery.
- Should you be using Rogaine discontinue its use for one week before your operation.
- Every day for one week prior to your operation, shampoo your scalp/hair with a shampoo. It is very important to shampoo vigorously to remove any scale or flaking.
- Please inform your doctor if you have been ill recently or had a high temperature.
- Hair in the donor area should be at least 1cm in length. This will enable the donor area to be camouflaged post operatively.
- On the day of your surgery please have a bath / shower before you arrive.
- Please ensure that you wear a top which has buttons or a zip in order to avoid pulling any garments over your head following surgery.
- Please eat breakfast/lunch before your appointment for surgery.
- You should have at least one person with you during surgery which can be easily accommodated in our waiting area. Avoid support of unnecessary family members on operative day.
- Get all your blood tests reports done one day prior to surgery.
Post-operative Care
POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS– STRIP METHOD
Dear Patient,
These instructions are for your extreme help and should be followed to ensure a speedy and clean recovery. The grafted hairs are at their most delicate phase in the first 2-3 days post op so please follow the instructions below to care for the recipient and donor area.
General Instructions
- Do not bend your head unnecessarily.
- Avoid tobacco and caffeinated beverages at least one weak post op.
- Avoid direct sun exposure and hot environment so that you are not perspiring.
- Use simple hats or caps as recommended by your doctor to cover your scalp to avoid from dust etc.
- Don’t keep yourself bed ridden after surgery as early mobilization decreases the chances of post op. forehead oedema.
- If oedema develops, regular gentle upward message and cold compresses are helpful.
1. Recipient Area
Days 1 & 2 Post Op.
Only follow the instructions of your doctor regarding the care of grafts,advised to you after completion of surgery.
Days 3 to 7
Lather the baby shampoo (or any other medication prescribed) into your hands and "pat" onto the grafts but make sure you do not massage, apply minimum water pressure to the scalp, possibly using a cup of water to rinse off the shampoo and gently dry the area with soft and clean towel.
Days 8 to 15
Begin to apply a gentle circular massage to the recipient area with your fingers when shampooing and you can now use normal water pressure.
2. Donor Area
Day 1 to 7
Lather the baby shampoo (or any other medication prescribed) in your hands and gently apply to the area but do not to rub it in and then rinse off with mild water pressure. Gently comb your hairs later.
Antibiotic ointment – Apply to donor area twice daily to prevent crusting and scabbing.
Day 8 to 11
Gently massage the scalp with your fingers in circular motions with normal water pressure.
Day 12
By this time main care is over. The stitches used are dissolvable but at this point any suture that still remains should be removed to aid the scalp to heal better. You can visit the office regarding any query about future care.
3. Medications
Analgesics (Pain Killer)
The provided pain killers should be to taken every six hours or as prescribed; do not take aspirin or any other anti inflammatory medication for at least 3 days to avoid blood thinning.
Sleeping Pills
A sleeping pill the first night will help a better sleep, but regular use is not recommended.
General Care & Information
What if a graft is dislodged?
- The new grafts are most vulnerable during the healing phase. You can lose a graft if you bump your head or catch a graft with a comb or fingernail.
- If a graft does dislodge, there will be bleeding from the site.
This can easily be stopped by applying direct pressure to the area with wet saline gauze.
- If you find the graft, keep it moist by placing in a cup of water with a pinch of salt. Place in refrigerator. Call our office and the graft can possibly be reinserted during regular business hours. The graft will “keep” in the refrigerator for several days. If the dislodged graft is dried out, it cannot be reinserted.
Blood Loss
Blood loss is kept at minimum level by the use of special techniques and instruments during and immediately following the procedure, it is rare to experience this thereafter. If bleeding continues at grafted site, just apply continuous pressure to the bleeding point with a clean swab for 10 minutes; but if this persists, please contact the doctor.
Sleeping/Rest Position
The better position to place your head and upper body is at a 45 degree angle, using simple pillows to prop yourself up; this will help to reduce the effects of swelling and should be followed for 3 days post operative.
Smoking, Alcohol, Sexual Activity& Exercise
It is strictly advised to avoid the smoking, alcohol and sexual activity for the first three days after to help a rapid recovery. Rest the day after with just casual walking; the following days you can get back to taking on light everyday work. Exercise should be avoided for the first 14 days after the procedure.
Swelling
If swelling occurs after the transplant it will reduce naturally over a period of 3-4 days normally; an ice pack applied to the forehead the night of the procedure and the following days will minimize the swelling.
Sun Exposure
Keep the recipient area covered and avoid direct strong sun exposure for the first 14 days; a loose fitting cap is ideal but ensures the cap is not in direct contact with the recipient area, especially in the first week.
Infection
On very rare occasions transplant may get infected, mild irritation or swelling, keep the scalp clean and contact the doctor.
Numbness
This can be due to the severing of the small nerves during the procedure; it is a temporary sort of thing and nothing is to be concerned about ; in few cases it may last a period of a couple of months before the nerves can repair themselves.
POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS - FUE
Dear Patient,
These instructions are for your benefit and should be followed to ensure a speedy and clean recovery. The grafted hairs are at their most delicate phase in the first 3-4 days post op so please follow the instructions below to care for the recipient and donor area.
General Instructions
- Do not bend your head unnecessarily.
- Avoid tobacco and caffeinated beverages at least one weak post op.
- Avoid direct sun exposure and hot environment so that you are not perspiring.
- Use simple hats or caps as recommended by your doctor to cover your scalp to avoid from dust etc.
- Don’t keep yourself bed ridden after surgery as early mobilization decreases the chances of post op. forehead oedema.
- If oedema develops, regular gentle upward message and cold compresses are helpful.
1. Recipient Area
Days 1 & 2 Post Op.
Only follow the instructions of your doctor regarding the care of grafts, advised to you after completion of surgery.
Days 3 & 7 Post Op.
Lather the shampoo into your hands and "pat" onto the grafts but ensure you do not massage, apply minimum water pressure to the scalp, possibly using a cup of water to rinse off the shampoo.
Days 8 to 15
Begin to apply a gentle circular massage to the recepient when shampooing and now use normal water pressure.
2. Donor Area
Day 1 to 7
Apply Aloe Vera paste to the donor without rubbing it in. Do this twice a day, morning and evening. You may gently wash your hair with shampoo, again without rubbing in.
Day 8 to 11
Gently massage the scalp in circular motions with normal water pressure.
Day 12
Back to your normal daily routine.
3. Medications
Analgesics (Pain Killer)
The provided pain killers should be to taken every six hours or as prescribed; do not take aspirin or any other anti inflammatory medication for at least 3 days to avoid blood thinning.
Sleeping Pills
A sleeping pill the first night will help a better sleep, but regular use is not recommended.
General Care & Information
Blood Loss
Blood loss is kept at minimum level by the use of special techniques and instruments during and immediately following the procedure, it is rare to experience this thereafter. If bleeding continues at grafted site, just apply continuous pressure to the bleeding point with a clean swab for 10 minutes; but if this persists, please contact the doctor.
Sleeping/Rest Position
The better position to place your head and upper body is at a 45 degree angle, using simple pillows to prop yourself up; this will help to reduce the effects of swelling and should be followed for 3 days post operative.
Smoking, Alcohol, Sexual Activity& Exercise
It is strictly advised to avoid the smoking, alcohol and sexual activity for the first three days after to help a rapid recovery. Rest the day after with just casual walking; the following days you can get back to taking on light everyday work. Exercise should be avoided for the first 14 days after the procedure.
Swelling
If swelling occurs after the transplant it will reduce naturally over a period of 3-4 days normally; an ice pack applied to the forehead the night of the procedure and the following days will minimize the swelling.
Sun Exposure
Keep the recipient area covered and avoid direct strong sun exposure for the first 14 days; a loose fitting cap is ideal but ensures the cap is not in direct contact with the recipient area, especially in the first week.
Infection
On very rare occasions transplant may get infected, mild irritation or swelling, keep the scalp clean and contact the doctor.
Numbness
This can be due to the severing of the small nerves during the procedure; it is a temporary sort of thing and nothing is to be concerned about ; in few cases it may last a period of a couple of months before the nerves can repair themselves.
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Surgical Treatments
Hair Transplant
