Hair Reconstruction Archives - Miami Hair Institute

Category: Hair Reconstruction

March 16, 2020

Hair Transplant Repairs vs. Reversals: What’s the Difference?

Most of the hair transplant patients we see at the Miami Hair Institute are undergoing the procedure for the first time. Our goal is to make it their last time as well, leaving them with full, natural-looking hair and exceeding their expectations as to what hair transplant surgery can accomplish. Unfortunately, however, many patients come to us after undergoing a transplant somewhere else that fell far short of their expectations, leaving them with a sloppy and obvious hair transplant or with visible and unsightly scars. These patients desperately look to us to fix things, and we endeavor to do so in one of two ways: hair transplant repair and hair transplant reversal.

Hair Transplant Repair

Hair transplant repair involves working with a previously but poorly performed transplant to get the patient results close to what they originally expected. It can also include work to conceal either the obviousness of their transplant or scars from their earlier procedure.

Problems with earlier surgery that often lead people to undergo a hair transplant repair include:

Large or poorly transplanted hair grafts to the frontal hairline that look like “hair plugs” or “doll hair”
A frontal hairline placed too far forward
Transplanted hair set in the incorrect direction
Scarring in the donor areas of the scalp

If the problem is with unnatural looking “hair plugs,” we can often remove them, dissect them into smaller grafts, and then re-transplant the hairs into the scalp. We may also recommend undergoing a new follicular unit extraction (FUE) procedure so we can obtain additional donor hairs that we can transplant to the recipient area. This can further increase the full, natural look of the transplant. We can also use FUE to camouflage scars by transplanting hair to areas where scarring has occurred.

Hair Transplant Reversal

If the goal of hair transplant repair is to make things look like they should have after the initial surgery, the purpose of a hair transplant reversal is to make it look like the patient never had hair transplant surgery in the first place. This can involve the same techniques described above.

Hair transplant repair and reversal procedures can undoubtedly improve the results of a prior operation. But they still may not achieve the goals you had for your initial surgery. That is one reason why it is so critical to get things right the first time. Whether you are seeing us for your first hair transplant or are looking to us to improve the results of a previous one, our goal is always the same: to provide you with an exceptional patient experience and hair transplant results that leave you beyond satisfied.

Call the Miami Hair Institute Today to Learn More About Hair Transplant Repair or Reversal

At the Miami Hair Institute, our world-renowned hair transplant surgeons can help you after other doctors have failed or underperformed in their hair restoration efforts.

To learn more about hair transplant repair or reversal and to receive a personalized evaluation and treatment plan, contact us online or call our office directly at 305-925-0222.

September 16, 2019

Newest Trends in Body Hair Transplantation (BHT)

Many patients with hair loss issues who want to have hair transplant surgery are disappointed to find out from their hair restoration physician that they aren’t a good candidate for the procedure. There are several reasons why an individual may not be suited for transplant surgery, but perhaps the most common one is an insufficient amount of suitable donor hair that can be taken from the scalp.

Quite simply, you can’t have a hair transplant without hair to transplant. Typically, donor hair is harvested from areas of the scalp with robust growth and subsequently transplanted to balding or thinning areas. But for many individuals, their hair loss has progressed to the point that there isn’t enough hair on their scalp to extract and use in a transplant.

Fortunately, advances in technique and technology have made it possible for some hair loss sufferers to use hair from other parts of the body – such as the beard, chest, arms, or legs – in hair restoration surgery. Body Hair Transplants (BHT), while remaining a relatively low percentage of all transplant procedures, offers hope for those who may need supplemental donor hair to add to hair harvested from their scalp.

BHT and FUE

The reason that BHT is now a potential hair restoration tool is because of three other letters: FUE. That stands for Follicular Unit Extraction. FUE is a minimally invasive procedure and the primary transplant surgery we perform at the Miami Hair & Skin Institute. When we use precise, computer-assisted FUE to remove donor hair follicles from the scalp, we do not leave behind linear scars, one of the main impediments that has long limited the appeal of BHT.

In an FUE procedure, selected follicular units to be harvested are precisely removed from the donor area with an image-guided 0.8-1-millimeter circular tool in a scattered pattern, leaving most donor area hair in place so that it retains its original natural appearance. Because scars are tiny and dot-like, the donor area on patients who undergo a hair transplant should look unscathed.

Now, using FUE, we can similarly harvest hair from other body areas without leaving behind a visible, unattractive scar. We can leverage the advantages of FUE either alone or in conjunction with scalp hair in advanced cases of baldness, for improving the aesthetic appearance of hairlines, and in scarring alopecia when there is an insufficient amount of donor scalp hair.

Your hair transplant surgeon may consider BHT if:

You are relatively hirsute with adequate terminal hairs over your beard, chest, legs, arms, and other body parts.
Your androgenetic alopecia is in an advanced stage and the donor hair on your scalp is inadequate to provide complete or sufficient coverage.
You have exhausted available scalp donor hair in a previous restoration surgery, with inadequate coverage of existing bald areas requiring more follicular units.

Call the Miami Hair & Skin Institute Today to Learn More About Body Hair Transplants

If you would like to learn more about body hair transplants and whether it can contribute to solving your hair loss issues, we invite you to schedule a hair loss evaluation at the Miami Hair & Skin Institute. Contact us online or call our office at 305-925-0222 today.

September 2, 2019

When It’s Time to Consider a Hair Transplant

If you’re like most folks who struggle with hair loss, it isn’t a problem that arose overnight. It’s likely been months, and probably years, that you’ve been looking in the mirror and seeing thinning or bald patches or noticing an increasing amount of hair in your drain or on your brush. It may be the case that you’ve actually tried to do something about your hair loss; using special shampoos or medication, making lifestyle changes, or exploring other non-surgical options for stopping or reversing the problem – all to no avail.

If you’ve unsuccessfully made all of these efforts – or made no effort at all – and are serious about doing something to fix your hair loss issues, it may be time to consider a hair transplant.

The first thing you need to know about hair transplants is that what you think you know about hair transplants may not be true anymore. The hair restoration techniques and technology used today to restore hair have come a long way in the past couple of decades. The days of “plugs,” “doll hair,” and long, visible scars are long gone. Hair transplants are less invasive, more natural-looking, and require less recovery time than they did in the past.

But while you can – and should – make the decision to consider a hair transplant, whether hair restoration surgery is the best or most effective option for addressing your hair loss is a decision that you need to make in consultation with an experienced and knowledgeable hair restoration physician.

Choosing the right hair transplant surgeon to call for a consultation can be intimidating. There is no shortage of doctors, clinics, and other hair restoration “professionals” her in South Florida who are ready to take your money with promises that they aren’t prepared or able to keep.

When you arrange for a hair loss consultation, make sure you are meeting with a doctor, not merely a “consultant.” Then feel free to ask the physician some or all of these 15 questions. Once you have found the doctor who you are comfortable with and have confidence in, they will recommend the hair restoration technique best suited for your specific needs and goals.

It may turn out that your doctor does not think you are a suitable candidate for hair transplant surgery and suggest another course of treatment. This may be because you don’t have a sufficient amount of donor hair, your hair loss is temporary or diffuse, or you are too young for surgery.

Schedule an Appointment for a Hair Loss Evaluation at the Miami Hair & Skin Institute Today

If you’re considering a hair transplant, you will only know whether this is a viable option after consulting with a hair restoration surgeon. At the Miami Hair & Skin Institute, we evaluate each hair loss patient with a comprehensive and proven methodology, obtaining a detailed medical history, performing an in-depth scalp examination using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and, if indicated, blood tests to detect any underlying imbalances or deficiencies that may be contributing to the hair loss problem. With this information, we can determine the cause of hair loss and the most effective treatment option.

To schedule your personalized hair loss evaluation, contact us online or call our office directly at 305-925-0222.

February 6, 2017

The Pros and Cons of Microblading for Hair Loss

One of the newest trends in the fight against hair loss is microblading. What started as a beauty treatment to help fill and shape eyebrows is now being used on the scalp to conceal thinning and shedding. But what exactly is microblading, and is the procedure worth the time and cost?

To best determine if the hair tattoo is right for you, it’s important to first understand how the process works. The procedure involves a handheld tool that essentially tattoos your scalp to create the illusion of thicker hair. Unlike scalp micropigmentation, where a digital machine is used, microblading is done completely by hand. A small blade deposits ink across your scalp to mimic the appearance of more hair.

Microblading needles are about three times smaller than regular tattoo needs. This allows a hair loss specialist or tattoo artist to draw very fine, hair-like strokes for natural-looking results. And, because the manual process allows for precision, only the areas of the scalp lacking sufficient growth are targeted.

Microblading Pros and Cons

The treatment is available to both men and women – which is good, considering nearly 40 percent of all hair loss patients are female. Consider the following benefits:

Tattoo pigment matches natural hair color and skin tone.
Results appear immediately and fade gradually over time.
Microblading works well across the hairline for patients with progressed traction alopecia, a hair loss condition often caused by tight hairstyles such as braids and extensions.
When used beyond the hairlines, results look similar to a buzz cut. This can be suitable for men (or women) who already sport ultra-short hairstyles.
Pain is manageable – akin to a small rubber band snap or eyebrow plucking.
Results last for approximately 18 months (with intermittent touch-ups), but can vary depending on the patient and their lifestyle.

While this procedure is beneficial for some, not every hair loss patient is a good candidate. Microblading doesn’t counteract diffuse thinning – a common characteristic of female pattern hair loss (FPHL), a form of androgenetic (hereditary) alopecia. In addition, microblading does not work well on patients looking for increased volume. Microblading does not increase hair count or add thickness to thinning hair.

Both scalp micropigmentation and microblading are temporary treatments. These procedures do not prevent progressive hair loss or encourage new hair growth. To the touch, your hair won’t feel any different than it did prior to the treatment. This can be a major drawback for patients concerned about texture.

Finally, microblading does not offset baldness. To generate natural results, the tattoo must be concealed by surrounding hairs. For patients with advanced male pattern baldness or alopecia areata, microblading may not be a practical option.

At the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, we work with patients looking for long-lasting, noticeable hair regrowth. We increase hair count and curb future hair loss through a range of procedures, including high-tech hair transplant surgery and low-level laser therapy. To book a consultation and discuss your options for authentic hair restoration, call us at 305-925-0222.

December 24, 2014

Miami Hair Blog Best of 2014

Hair Transplant Popularity Rises, LLLT Proves Successful, and New Studies Published by Drs. Nusbaum & Rose

As 2014 comes to an end, our Institute cannot help but reflect on the prior year with a strong sense of accomplishment. We are grateful to have served so many new patients from around the world. Miami is truly the Gateway to the Americas, and we are happy to have developed relationships with so many different types of people from the South Florida area, across the United States, and throughout South America. As awareness continues to spread for the safety and effectiveness of hair restoration, it is our goal to help even more men and women realize a renewed sense of happiness and confidence with their hair in 2015!

If this is your first time visiting our website and blog, we extend a warm welcome and invite you to browse our articles, studies, and Infographics. Looking back, it is our pleasure to present our most-read articles from 2014. From breaking research to new studies published by our Institute’s lead surgeons, this “best of” list provides an overview of what our Institute has been up to, and where we’re heading in 2015. Enjoy!

From Bad to Beautiful: Correcting a Bad Hair Transplant

A “bad hair transplant” may have a profound impact on the social, professional, and personal life of the recipient. Subpar restoration procedures can be the result of many things, most common of which is the use of an outdated hair transplant procedure. One such example is end-result of “hair plugs”, an older procedure that pre-dates the development of the micrograft hair transplant technique that is implemented by most hair transplant surgeons today. Another reason a patient may receive a bad hair transplant is due to the inexperience, poor technique, or failure to properly plan on the part of the surgeon.

There are a number of special techniques that can be used to correct a hair transplant. It is vital that a surgeon be chosen based on their experience and expertise with the following corrective procedures, as most treatment cases require that two or more of the following techniques be implemented with great care, skill, and balance.

How Poorly Performed Transplants Are Corrected

1. Camouflaging “pluggy” looking grafts

If you seek to correct a poorly performed hair transplant, it is important to know that not all grafts may need removal and/or re-distribution. In some cases, abnormal-looking grafts can be subtly hidden through the technique of camouflaging. This entails placing smaller follicular units directly in front of the “pluggy” looking grafts, reducing their appearance while contributing to a look that is more natural overall.

On the other hand, camouflaging abnormal-looking grafts is not always the most effective option. Increasingly, surgeons are using a process called micro excisional graft removal to effectively remove poorly placed grafts, reduce their size, and re-distribute them to create a more natural-looking end-result.

2. Micro excisional graft removal

One of the most effective ways to correct the abnormal appearance of a bad hair transplant is through micro excisional graft removal and subsequent re-distribution of the follicular units. The goal of this process is simple and straightforward: To remove, divide, and re-distribute the grafts that appear most out-of-place.

Micro excisional graft removal and redistribution is to be performed with extreme care so as to avoid damaging the follicular units during the process. Unlike the original transplant, this corrective procedure has the added benefit of not requiring any additional donor-area hair removal. Instead, previous grafts are removed, reduced in size, and placed in a more natural-looking arrangement.

3. FUE and camouflaging scars

Donor area scars may significantly contribute to the unnatural appearance of a hair transplant. Some patients experience a widening of the scar over time; others simply wish to have the scar more effectively camouflaged, particularly to reduce its appearance when hair is cut short. In both cases, surgeons may use a follicular unit extraction (FUE) procedure to reduce the appearance of the donor area scar.

In this case, the corrective FUE procedure involves transplanting new donor hair directly into the scar, and in some cases, into the scalp surrounding the scar. Following this procedure, the hair minimizes the appearance of the donor scar by growing through (and around) it. A punch instrument is used for follicular unit extraction, so no new linear scars are ever created.

Learn More About Corrective Hair Transplant Surgery

At the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, our team is experienced and exceptionally well qualified in correcting the appearance of unsatisfactory hair transplants. To learn more about corrective hair transplant surgery, readers are invited to schedule an appointment with the Hair Transplant Institute online or call our office directly at 1-877-443-9070.

September 6, 2012

What is a Micrograft Hair Transplant?

The micrograft hair transplant procedure represents a bold achievement in the field of hair restoration. Developed in the early 1980s, micrografting techniques were first used to create a subtler and more natural end result. Prior to the development of the micrograft procedure, hair transplant surgeons would extract large sections of hair from the donor area that would leave large scars and produce obvious signs that a transplant had been performed. Most will recall these procedures for their “pluggy” look that eventually earned them the nickname hair plugs.

The days of hair plugs are long gone. The introduction of micrograft procedures marked a true turning point for surgeons as well as the millions of men and women who suffer with hair loss. Today, modern hair restoration involves two highly evolved micrograft procedures: Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). To better understand these procedures, it is helpful to first understand how the micrograft procedure was first developed.

Early Micrograft Surgery: A Brief History

The advent of micrograft surgery was a true game-changer for the field of hair restoration. Driven by technological advances and a more thorough understanding of donor area harvesting, hair surgeons began extracting multiple thin strips from the donor area with greater precision than older techniques. These thin strips became known as micro-grafts. From each micro-graft, surgeons were able to further separate hairs into clusters of 1-4 follicular units, without incurring any damage to the each individual hair unit.

The process of extracting and carefully dividing multiple donor strips eventually became known as Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). Today, an even more precise method of transplant called Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is also available.

FUT and FUE Procedures: An Evolved Form of Micrograft Transplants

FUT / Strip Donor Procedure

The FUT procedure, sometimes also called a Strip Donor Procedure, is one of the most commonly used forms of hair restoration. The advantages of this procedure include:

From start-to-finish, FUT procedures take less time.
FUT procedures are associated with a greater rate of survivability among individual follicular units.
Minimal scarring: This is accomplished through a special “ledge” trichophytic closure technique developed by Hair Transplant Institute surgeon Dr. Paul Rose.

Advanced FUE and FIT Procedures

The FUE procedure is a newer and more precise means of harvesting and transplanting individual follicular units. During an FUE procedure, individual hair follicles are removed from the back and sides of the scalp. A special “punch-like” instrument is used, measuring only 1-mm in diameter.

We are excited and pleased to announce an advanced form of the FUE procedure, co-created by Dr. Rose for optimal and natural looking results. Known as Follicular Isolation Technique (FIT), this new procedure has the following advantages:

No linear scars: Since each individual follicle is removed using an ultra-fine “punch” instrument, FIT procedures do not produce linear scars.
Hair can be worn shorter: Since there is no linear scar, FIT patients can wear their hair very short without any signs of scarring. Individual circular scars are mildly visible when the hair is shaved entirely, however.
Exceptional surgeons are available: Patients who choose to have a FIT procedure at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami receive a special advantage that other hair loss clinics cannot provide: Exceptional experience. At our Institute, your FIT procedure will be conducted by Dr. Paul Rose, a leading hair surgeon and FIT procedure co-creator. You may visit the following page to learn more about Dr. Rose.

Comparing FUT and FUE/FIT Procedures

Both FUT and FIT procedures have advantages and disadvantages, depending on the specific needs of the patient. Learn more about these incredible advancements in hair restoration surgery by visiting the Hair Transplant Procedure: FUE/FIT page on Miamihair.com.

Seek an Evaluation with a Team You Can Trust

The evolution micrograft transplant surgery has produced 3 very effective procedures that have helped countless individuals overcome hair loss. Together, FUT, FUE, and FIT procedures provide an array of options for the millions of men and women who suffer with hair loss. To learn more about the option that is best for you, schedule an appointment with the Hair Transplant Institute. Our team is comprised of South Florida’s finest hair transplant surgeons, nurses, microscopists, and technicians, each of whom understand the challenges hair loss presents to personal, social, and professional life.

Visit the following page to learn more about advanced hair loss evaluations at the Hair Transplant Institute. Readers are also invited to call our front desk directly at 305-925-0222.

July 26, 2012

Hair Reconstruction

Hair reconstruction generally involves one of two approaches to rebuilding the natural appearance of hair. The first approach is surgical and involves transplanting individual hairs from a donor area to the restoration area (the area experiencing thinning or balding). A second type of hair reconstruction is non-surgical. Non-surgical hair reconstruction may involve utilizing prescription hair loss medications, low level laser therapy devices, or general lifestyle changes to naturally spur the growth of hair. It is important to note that not all individuals are candidates for surgical hair reconstruction procedures. This cannot be determined, however, until the individual seeks the professional consultation of a hair transplant surgeon.

Hair Reconstruction: Am I a Candidate?

At this point, you may be wondering if you are a candidate for hair reconstruction. The simple answer is “yes,” because there are a variety of both surgical and non-surgical treatment options available. On a more complex level, however, you may find that the unique condition of your hair may limit treatment options in some way. You may find that you are not a candidate for a surgical hair transplant procedure, for example. Or, you may prefer to avoid prescription hair loss medications and instead focus on making lifestyle changes that may promote natural hair growth.

Most often, hair loss is unique in the way it affects the individual. To better understand your hair loss and the treatment options that are available to you, follow the 4 steps below:

Step 1: Discovering Hair Loss

If you found this article online, you are most likely in the Discovering Hair Loss phase. Perhaps you have noticed visible signs of thinning, balding, or shedding. Or, maybe your are simply educating yourself so you may take proactive preventative measures to keep your hair looking its absolute best for long into the future. In either case, we welcome you to our website and invite you to visit the Hair Transplant Blog homepage for additional information on hair loss, hair reconstruction procedures, images from before and after procedures, and much more.

Step 2: Consult a Professional for an Evaluation

Now that you know more about the prevalence of hair loss, you are ready for the Consultation Phase. At this point, there is no substitute for the professional opinion of a licensed and experienced surgeon. We welcome you to schedule an appointment for a hair loss evaluation with the Hair Transplant Institute. Our clinic proudly represents South Florida’s top hair transplant surgeons, and our facility is staffed with caring individuals who provide an unparalleled level of service.

Step 3: Obtain a Hair Loss Diagnosis

During your evaluation, our Institute’s lead surgeons, Dr. Nusbaum and Dr. Rose, will work towards providing a full and accurate diagnosis of the cause for your hair loss. To learn more about the advanced hair loss diagnosis methods performed by the Hair Transplant Institute, please visit our Hair Loss Evaluation page.

Step 4: Choose a Hair Reconstruction Method

After scheduling an appointment and receiving a diagnosis, Dr. Nusbaum and Dr. Rose will help you choose a safe and effective means of treating your hair loss in a way that will deliver the results you desire. The Hair Transplant Institute provides a diverse array of leading treatment options ranging from surgical transplants to non-surgical low level laser treatments. We understand the profound ways in which hair loss may affect both personal and social life, and we are committed to helping you find a hair reconstruction method that will have you looking and feeling great, as quickly and efficiently as possible.

For more information, please call the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami toll free at 1-877-443-9070.