hair transplants Archives - Miami Hair Institute

Articles Tagged with: hair transplants

FAQ: Can I Color My Hair After an FUE Hair Transplant

March 2, 2020

What is the Recovery Stage of a Hair Transplant?

The success of your hair transplant depends on several factors. The skill, precision, and technique of the surgeon performing your procedure are obviously of the utmost importance. But once your surgeon does his or her work, what happens next can also play a significant role in determining whether your transplant gives you the results you want. What happens next is the recovery stage of your hair transplant journey, and the things you do – and don’t do – during this critical time can make all the difference.

As with any surgery, a hair transplant requires recovery time during which you will need to adhere to certain limitations on activity, lifestyle, and diet for a while to allow your body to heal.

Here is what you can expect from the recovery stage of your hair transplant surgery:

Rest and Return

We perform hair transplants on an outpatient basis, which means you can go home when the procedure is over. However, because we use a mild sedative during the surgery, you’ll need someone else to drive you home. Once there, you will want to take it easy and rest for the remainder of the day.

Most of our patients can return to work the day after surgery and resume most regular activities within a week to 10 days. We will also want you to return to our offices the day after your procedure to check and shampoo the transplanted areas.

In the first few days after your surgery, your body needs to spend its energy healing, not on exercise. Don’t run, cycle, or lift weights within three days after your surgery, and avoid vigorous exercise or heavy lifting for at least one week.

That said, make sure to also follow your surgeon’s specific post-operative instructions in terms of limitations on your activities.

Care For Your Skin

One of the greatest benefits of the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technique we use at the Miami Hair & Skin Institute is the lack of a visible linear scar associated with older transplant methods. Instead, minimal scarring after an FUE transplant occurs in a dot-like pattern and is virtually undetectable after healing and regrowth.

Nevertheless, you still want those scars to heal as quickly as possible and minimize any risk of infection. So follow these general guidelines during your recovery period unless otherwise advised by your physician:

Avoid alcohol for at least three days after your procedure as it can act as a blood-thinner which inhibits and slows down the healing process.
Stay away from spicy foods for at least a week as your body’s reaction to such heat diverts energy and resources which would otherwise be going to healing and repairs.

Be Gentle

Your transplanted follicles will grow just fine so long as they have time to settle in. Accordingly, you will want to be as gentle as possible with your hair and scalp and:

Wait for at least 24 hours after your surgery before washing your hair.
When showering, wash your scalp gently under cool water.
Avoid brushing your hair for as long as possible.
Stay away from hot styling tools for at least a week.
Don’t wear tight bands or clips.
Instead of rubbing your hair to dry it, apply light pressure.

Don’t Panic and Be Patient

If you notice hair in your brush or drain in after your transplant, don’t panic. It is perfectly normal for transplanted hairs to “fall out” in the first few weeks after surgery. After your surgery, the transplanted follicles go into a dormant period causing your hair to fall out. The follicles, however, don’t go anywhere and will soon begin growing new hair.

Since hair grows slowly – only about one centimeter per month – you may not see your new, improved head of hair until three to four months after your surgery. Your hair will continue to get stronger and thicker, and while initial growth may be patchy in some spots, it will even out soon. By eight to 10 months, your hair follicles will reach maturity, and by a year or so after your surgery, you will have the results that you so patiently waited for (though it may be closer to 18 months for some folks).

Schedule an Appointment for a Hair Loss Evaluation Today

If you have questions about hair transplant surgery and hair restoration options, schedule an appointment today at the Miami Hair Institute. Contact us online or call our office directly at 305-925-0222.

February 24, 2020

5 Common Myths About Hair Transplants

If you search for the answer to “What is 2 + 2?” on the internet, you’ll probably find at least one source claiming that the answer is “5.” Similarly, when it comes to hair transplants, there is no lack of misinformation and myths about what is involved, what to expect, and what you’ll see after your procedure.

Much of what you may have heard about hair transplant surgery is either incorrect or outdated, based on techniques and technology that we no longer use in our hair restoration efforts. Hair transplants have come a long way over the past few decades, so let’s clear the air about what is and isn’t true about transplants in 2020:

Myth #1: You should wait until you’re bald before having a transplant.

Reality: If you wait until you are bald before having hair transplant surgery, you will have likely waited too long. For a hair transplant to work, you need to have donor hair, usually from the back or sides of your head. If you don’t have a sufficient number of follicles available for extraction and transplantation to thinning areas, the greatest surgeon in the world won’t be able to provide the fullness and coverage you want from your procedure.

Myth #2: This is going to hurt.

Reality: Make no mistake; hair transplant surgery is, in fact, surgery. But once you settle into our surgery suite, which we designed to be welcoming and relaxed rather than cold and sterile, you’ll soon realize that the procedure will involve minimal, if any, pain and discomfort. A technician will massage your scalp before administering local anesthesia. We will also give you a mild sedative at the start of the session to minimize any anxiety you may be feeling.

During the procedure, you can either rest, listen to music, or watch movies or TV on your phone, tablet, or other device.

Myth #3: You’ll see immediate results.

Reality: After your procedure, you’ll certainly see where we have transplanted new follicles, but you won’t necessarily see the full head of hair of your dreams – at first.

It is normal for the transplanted hairs to “fall out” in the first few weeks. The hairs then recycle and begin growing in about three to four months. The final results are often not visible for six months or somewhat longer, with final results evident at 12 months.

Myth #4: It will be obvious you had a hair transplant.

Reality: Older hair transplant techniques – “hair plugs” – could appear so unsightly and transparent that the cover-up was worse than the original condition. Fortunately, hair plugs are no more.

The techniques we use leave virtually no indication that a patient has had a hair transplant and give our patients full, robust, and youthful-looking hair. In fact, a study International Society of Hair Restoration survey found that 85 percent of Americans could not identify a hair transplant patient who had their hair restored using these new techniques.

Myth #5: The results are only temporary.

Reality: Hair transplant surgery is a permanent hair loss solution. Your transplanted hairs will act and grow in the same way they did in the donor area, meaning they should stay put for decades to come.

Schedule Your Miami Hair Loss Evaluation Today

If you are ready to take action and get a full, natural-looking head of hair, please schedule a personal evaluation at the Miami Hair Institute. Contact us online or call our office directly at 305-925-0222.

March 4, 2019

Everything You Need to Know About Beard Transplants

Beards – they’re not just for hipsters and members of ZZ Top anymore. An increasing number of men are sporting facial hair. But not every guy who wants to grow a beard can do so. As with hair growth on the scalp, genetics can put a roadblock between you and your ability to grow hair on your face.

Fortunately, the same technology and techniques that have restored full, natural, and healthy looking hair to hundreds of thousands of men can help guys grow beards as well. Like hair transplants, beard transplants facilitate the growth of facial hair in men who can’t grow a full beard on their own.

Where Does the Hair Used in a Beard Transplants Come From?

Beard transplants involve a procedure very similar to the primary technique we use to restore hair on the scalp – Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). Perhaps the world’s most widely used hair transplant method and one pioneered by our very own Dr. Paul Rose, FUE is a minimally invasive way to remove and transplant individual hair follicles for natural-looking results.

Using FUE, your hair transplant surgeon will extract donor hair from the back and sides of your scalp with a circular needle called a “punch.” The “extraction” part of FUE involves removing follicular units from the donor area in a scattered pattern to eliminate the linear scar associated with traditional donor strip harvesting.

To achieve the appearance of a full beard, a significant number of hair grafts need to be extracted from the donor area – roughly between 2,500-3,000 individual grafts. If you are only looking to fill in some patchy spots or grow a goatee, you won’t need as many grafts as you would for an entire beard.

How Are Donor Hairs Transplanted in a Beard Transplant?

Once your surgeon extracts the donor hair, he will make small incisions throughout your beard area. These incisions will determine the density, direction, and angle of your beard growth. The precision and quality of the incisions play a significant role in the quality and appearance of your beard, so your surgeon’s skills and attention to detail are of the utmost importance.

How Long Does a Beard Transplant Take and How Long Will It Last?

Once your surgeon transplants your hair follicles, a procedure which should take less than a day, you will leave your surgeon’s office with a beard. But prepare yourself for the likelihood that the transplanted hairs will likely fall out within two to three weeks after your transplant surgery. This is no cause for alarm or a panicked call to your surgeon. The loss of these hairs is perfectly normal and expected. Within a couple of months, however, those hairs will grow back permanently and you will have the full beard you wanted.

Once grown in, you can treat those permanent whiskers as if they were your own naturally grown ones, because they were. You can shave, trim, and clean your beard as if it had been there for years.

Are You a Good Beard Transplant Candidate?

As with any hair transplant surgery, beard transplants require a sufficient number of donor hairs, so patients who are thinking about a beard transplant need to consult with their surgeon to determine whether they have enough transplant-ready hairs and are a good candidate for the procedure.

Call the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami For a Beard Transplant Consultation

To learn more about beard transplants at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami or to receive a personalized evaluation and treatment plan, contact us online or call our office directly at 305-925-0222.

March 26, 2018

Hair Transplants During Your 20’s

Hair Transplants During Your 20’s Hair loss can become a concern no matter what your age. Many people may first notice a receding hairline or thinning hair in their late teens and early 20s. Living with noticeable hair loss at a relatively early age can be particularly traumatic, causing young people to feel old before their time.

If you are in your 20s and are worried about hair loss, you may be exploring ways to address the problem, including a surgical hair transplant. Medication, lifestyle changes, and other non-invasive treatments can be effective at combating hair loss in younger adults. But whether a transplant is advisable depends on the reasons behind the hair loss, and it may, in fact, be a less desirable option that it would be if they had a few more years under their belt.

Hair Loss Patterns May Not Be Known

There are a few reasons hair transplants for those in their 20s present unique issues. The primary reason for caution is because it may be difficult at that stage to know how the hair loss pattern will progress and ultimately manifest itself.

The hair loss process may not be complete at this stage. While a transplant might be effective at addressing existing problem areas, the possibility that hair loss may become an issue elsewhere can result in an “island” of transplanted hair bordered by new thinning or balding areas. Similarly, a transplant focused on lowering the hairline can become awkward and unnatural in appearance if the hair above the transplant area begins to thin or fall out.

You Get What You Pay For

Another issue faced by young adults that may make a transplant unadvisable is less physical and more financial. Always remember that hair transplant surgery is, in fact, surgery. That means only a highly trained, supremely skilled, and extremely experienced hair transplant physician should perform your procedure.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of clinics or supposed hair loss specialists who may offer “cut-rate” prices reflective of the quality of work they perform. Young people may not yet have the financial resources for a hair transplant done right. Waiting until you can have your surgery performed by a top-notch surgeon may be worth more than subjecting yourself to a substandard operation which will leave you disappointed or needing corrective surgery in the future.

Take the First Step: Schedule a Consultation With the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami Today

All of that said, hair transplant surgery may be a viable option for someone still in their 20s if the hair loss is particularly advanced. The only way to know which hair loss treatment is best for your individual situation is to schedule an evaluation with a hair loss physician who can diagnose the cause and progression of your hair loss and work with you to develop the optimal treatment plan.

Schedule an appointment with the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami today by calling 305.925.0222. We look forward to assisting you.

April 24, 2017

3 Steps to Take When You First Notice Hair Loss

When you first notice hair loss, you probably won’t have a receding hairline or thinning crown just yet. While these are characteristic symptoms of male pattern baldness – medically known as androgenic alopecia, or hereditary hair loss – progression doesn’t appear overnight. First, you may notice excessive amounts of hair stuck to your pillowcase or scattered across the floor of your shower. So, what do you do when these indications transpire?

First, stress may only make your situation worse. Chronic anxiety is linked with a hair loss condition called telogen effluvium (TE). Any persistent or ongoing mental anguish – perhaps caused by a change in your appearance – could further aggravate an existing hair loss condition.

When the initial signs of balding are recognized, remain calm and follow these three steps.

1. Contact a Hair Loss Doctor

The sooner you start hair loss treatment after you first notice hair loss, the easier it is to restore follicles with non-invasive solutions such as Minoxidil topical foams and/or low-level laser therapy caps. Male-pattern baldness is often caused by a process called follicle miniaturization, by which an overabundance of a testosterone byproduct called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) interferes with healthy follicle function. Over time, DHT causes hair follicles to shrink to the point where they are unable to sustain normal growth. When these follicles stop growing, hair ceases to grow and balding becomes apparent. Visiting a hair loss doctor for a comprehensive hair loss evaluation and diagnosis early on is highly recommended. A formal diagnosis will also rule out any underlying medical conditions or illnesses that could, theoretically, contribute to your hair loss.

2. Understand Your Condition

Hair loss is different for everyone and there’s more than one type of hair loss to consider when you first notice hair loss.

Androgenic alopecia is the most predominant, affecting around 85 percent of men and approximately half of all women by the age of 50.

Although the exact statistics are unknown, the presumed second most prevalent type of hair loss is telogen effluvium (TE), a (typically) temporary hair loss condition caused by emotional trauma or nutritional deficiencies.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that results in sudden, noticeable bald patches across the scalp and, sometimes, the face and/or body. Around 200,000 cases of alopecia areata are diagnosed every year.

Traction alopecia is occasionally caused by purposeful external pulling. Actively pulling out hairs can be a response to anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression or other mental health issues. Certain hair accessories or constricting hairstyles can also lead to inadvertent hair loss classified under traction alopecia.

3. Consider Your Options

Between laser therapy caps, stem cell treatments, hair transplant surgery and topical or oral medications, hair loss patients have many treatment methods to evaluate. Fortunately, an expert hair loss specialist offers professional guidance and recommendations for optimal results based on your hair loss type, lifestyle and budget.

Even so, there are a few things to consider before you invest your money into any one treatment after you first notice hair loss, especially if you choose to manage it on your own. Non-invasive therapies like low-level laser therapy (LLLT) work on their own before hair follicles are fully inactive. After miniaturization is complete, hair restoration surgery helps fully transplant and replace nonfunctioning follicles to support healthy regrowth. Before or after surgery, topical treatments can be used to foster a healthier environment on the scalp and encourage optimal hair transplant results. Fortunately, hair transplants have undergone drastic and positive shifts over the last few decades. Expert physicians like Dr. Paul Rose and Dr. Bernard Nusbaum have the experience, research and technology to deliver natural-looking hair transplants with minimal scarring.

In some circumstances, lifestyle changes can help your hair grow back, but only if you suffer from non-genetic hair loss conditions such as telogen effluvium or traction alopecia. With the former, hair loss may be triggered by lack of proper nutrition or chronic stress, and the best solution would be to improve your diet or visit a mental health counselor. Traction alopecia is a hair loss condition caused by physical trauma, often related to hair accessories and extensions, and removing these from your routine is likely to improve such conditions dramatically. Even so, damage to the follicles may be permanent, so prevention and awareness are crucial.

To schedule your consultation and hair loss diagnosis, contact the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami at 305-925-0222 or book an appointment using our online scheduling form.