Articles Tagged with: Strip Donor Procedure

The Best Treatment for a Receding Hairline

The Best Treatment for a Receding HairlineThe best treatment for a receding hairline may differ according to individual patient needs. The good news: Patients have a variety of options available to treat not just receding hairlines, but also widespread hair loss as well. Patients are urged to always consult a physician prior to starting a hair loss treatment protocol. Only under the guidance of a licensed hair loss professional can patients receive the most personalized and comprehensive plan for stopping the progression of hair loss, and restoring areas of thinning or receding hair.

Preventing Ongoing Hair Loss

Most patients are surprised to learn that active hair loss prevention is important during the treatment a receding hairline. Hair loss is progressive, so it’s important to curb the rate at which you are losing hair while also seeking restoration treatment (see section below, Restoring Receding Hairlines). Today, there are 3 primary methods of hair loss prevention that are backed by clinical studies. They include:

  • Topical hair foam (e.g. Minoxidil®)
  • Hair loss medications (e.g. Propecia®)
  • Laser hair restoration (e.g. using a laser cap like Capillus272™ Pro)

An important note for female patients: Hair loss medications like Propecia® are for males only. Topical hair foams are an effective alternative for most women. If the application of a topical foam seems messy and tedious, we recommend at-home laser therapy with the Capillus272™ Pro.

When Prevention is Not Enough. Some patients see the results they desire after just a few months of using a hair loss prevention product like those described above. In other cases, these methods of hair loss prevention do not recreate the look of a fuller hairline. Rather, they simply abate the progression of hair loss. When topical foams, pills, and laser caps are not enough, patients may look to surgical hair restoration with a professional surgeon.

Restoring Receding Hairlines

At Hair Transplant Institute Miami, we are pleased to offer 2 highly refined approaches to surgical hairline restoration. The first is traditional “Strip” procedure, and the second is the follicular unit extraction (FUE) technique. Both techniques are extremely effective when performed by Dr. Bernard Nusbaum and Dr. Paul Rose, two ISHRS Golden Follicle Award winning surgeons who lead the surgical team at Hair Transplant Institute Miami. Visitors are invited to read more about hair transplant techniques here.

Related: 5 Characteristics of a Natural Hairline.

Schedule an Appointment for Hairline Evaluation Today

Choose a surgeon you can trust. Drs. Nusbaum and Rose are internationally acclaimed hair restoration surgeons with more than 40 years combined experience. Both Drs. Nusbaum and Rose are actively engaged in hair loss research and lecture widely. To receive a personalized evaluation and treatment plan, contact Hair Transplant Institute Miami online or call or office directly at 305-925-0222.

Beyond Hair Plugs

Hearing the phrase hair plugs is enough to send a chill down your spine. Mention hair plugs in casual conversation, and there is an almost universal impulse to recoil. Unsightly and painfully obvious, hair plugs are perceived by many as a desperate and unsuccessful attempt to reclaim the confidence and youthful allure of “normal” hair.

Today, we can do better than hair plugs. Much better.

Hair plugs are uncommon today, given the rapid evolution of hair loss treatment that has occurred over the past few decades. The “pluggy” hair transplant procedures of the past are long gone. Today, they have been replaced by more advanced procedures that leave virtually no sign that a hair transplant has been performed.

Beyond Hair Plugs

Below are several pictures of real patients who have recently elected to have a hair transplant procedure performed by Dr. Nusbaum and Dr. Rose at our hair loss clinic. Together, they illustrate just how far we’ve come since the hair plugs of the ‘80s.

When asked, an overwhelming 85% of Americans cannot identify patients who have had a hair transplant procedure (i).

What Has Replaced Hair Plugs?

Today, there are two fundamental approaches to hair transplant surgery that have replaced hair plugs. The first is strip donor micrografting, and the second is follicular unit extraction (FUE). Both are known to deliver exceptional results.

Strip Donor Procedure

The strip donor procedure is an evolved form of hair transplant surgery. Following initial consultation, the hair transplant surgeon discusses the procedure with the patient, showing him or her how their hair will be surgically restored. Following consultation, the strip donor procedure is performed in 3 basic steps.

First, a linear strip of follicular units is removed from an area of the patient’s scalp designated as the donor area. Next, that linear strip, or micrograft, is separated into tiny clusters of follicular units and prepped for transplant. Finally, each follicular unit is transplanted to the recipient area in a way that restores the scalp with natural density, thickness, and undulation.

Follicular Unit Extraction

Follicular Unit Extraction is a highly refined method of hair transplant that is performed in a similar fashion as strip donor procedures, with 1 major difference. Rather than extracting a linear strip of donor hair, surgeons use a punch instrument to remove clusters of donor follicles individually. Following extraction, these donor follicles are prepped for transplant and implanted to restore the donor area.

New: Robotic FUE

In the past decade, few things have made a more positive and transcendent impact on the medical community as robotic technologies. In the field of hair restoration, robots and advanced high resolution imaging now help surgeons to perform FUE procedures with even greater accuracy, precision, and reproducibility.

Hair transplant robotics technologies, like the ARTAS by Restoration Robotics™, enable surgeons to extract a greater number of donor follicles, without the downside of physical or mental fatigue. Following extraction, surgeons manually transplant the donor follicles just as they would in a typical FUE procedure.

Learn more about robotic FUE with the ARTAS in Miami.

Am I a Candidate for Hair Transplant?

To learn more about hair transplant procedures, visit this page on surgical hair restoration techniques. To learn if you are a candidate for strip donor or FUE procedures, contact the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami online or call 305-925-0222.

Sources

(i) “2010 Hair Transplant Challenge Survey.” International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery. Accessed 17 June 2013.

All About Hair Grafts

Surgical hair transplant has long relied on the use of hair grafts to restore areas of balding scalp with natural waves of full, real hair. The history of hair grafts can be traced back to as early as 1930s, Japan. There, scientists experimented with the first primitive hair grafts and hair restoration techniques. It was not until the middle of the century— nearly two decades later— that the practice of hair grafting would first appear in the Western world.

The very first hair graft tools and procedures were introduced to Americans in the late 1950s by a New York dermatologist, Dr. Norman Orentreich. Medical researchers say this marked the onset of the modern era of hair transplant, a movement that ultimately culminates with the invention of advanced “hair transplant robots” that assist in today’s procedures.

Grafting Procedures

Generally speaking, hair grafts are used during most hair transplant procedures. These procedures might be performed in a variety of different ways. To illustrate, let’s examine the 3 most popular types of hair grafting procedures in Miami: Strip donor transplant, follicular unit transplant, and new robotic FUE transplant.

1. Strip donor transplant

The strip donor transplant requires the extraction of a long, narrow strip of scalp from the donor area. Sometimes referred to as a linear graft, this section of scalp is very small and nearly painless to remove after the application of a local anesthetic.

The linear graft produced during a strip donor hair transplant may vary in size according to individual patient needs. Typically, the strip of donor hair contains 30-40 hair grafts. Following extraction, surgeons carefully separate the strip into individual micrografts (clusters of about 3-4 hairs each). These hair grafts are then transplanted by hand to complete the surgical hair restoration procedure. They can be used to create a natural looking hairline, fill in areas around the temples, or reconstruct the crown.

2. Follicular unit transplantation

Like the strip donor procedure outlined above, the follicular unit transplantation procedure requires the extraction of hair grafts from a donor area. Unlike strip donor procedures, however, FUT procedures do not extract a linear strip of donor hair. Instead, a small punch-like instrument is used to extract individual micrografts directly from the scalp. These micrografts contain clusters of 3-4 donor hairs each, which are similarly transplanted by the surgeon to recreate a patient’s hairline, temporal regions, and/or crown.

FUT offers a few key benefits over traditional strip donor procedures, the most notable of which is the ability to leave the donor area nearly scar-free. While strip donor procedures leave a small linear scar that is sometimes visible when hair is cut very short, FUT procedures leave only reddish colored dots at the site of each micrograft extraction. These marks are nearly invisible to the naked eye, allowing the patient to wear his or her hair very short after the procedure is performed.

 3. Robotic FUE

The newest trend in hair transplant technology, robotic FUE systems are making headlines for bringing higher speeds and greater precision to the art of hair transplant.

With the assistance of advanced digital imaging and robotics technology, surgeons are now able to identify and extract specific hair micrografts in a more comfortable and minimally invasive way. This reduces trauma to the scalp, speeds the procedure, and ultimately improves patient experience. What’s more, these new hair transplant robots survey the entire donor area to ensure hair grafts are selected in a random fashion that helps to maintain the thickness, density, and scalp health.

Learn more about robotic FUE technology by visiting our ARTAS® Miami page.

Learn More About Hair Grafting

Millions of men and women suffer with the personal and social angst of hair loss every day. If you suffer with thinning, balding, or shedding hair, rest assured you are not alone. Learn more about hair grafting and surgical hair restoration at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami by calling our clinic directly at 305-925-0222.

Baldness in Men

Baldness in middle aged men is more common than you might think. For instance, it’s estimated that roughly 2/3rds of all adult men experience baldness at some point in their life. Take a moment to review the following statistics to learn more about how baldness occurs, and what men of all ages can do about it.

Things to Know About Male Pattern Baldness:

1. Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is the most common form of hair loss among men. Recent numbers estimate male pattern baldness to constitute roughly 90-95% of all cases.

2. More than 3 out of every 4 men has thinning hair by age 50.

3. Of those men who suffer with male pattern baldness, about 25% will see signs by age 25.

The last statistic is very important. Though it’s alarming to think that 25 year-old men suffer with hair loss, it’s also important to remember that early diagnosis is the key to effective treatment.

Classifying Baldness in Men

If you spend time evaluating your hairline and crown for potential areas of baldness, you can rest assured you are not alone. Most men worry about losing their hair. Moreover, the statistics above illustrate a sobering point: Most men do lose their hair.

It’s not all bad news, however. Physicians say the best way to prevent baldness in men is to learn to recognize the signs of a receding hairline, thinning hair, and balding crown. The sooner the signs are recognized, the more quickly and effectively baldness can be treated with either surgical or non-surgical hair restoration.

To help classify and ultimately treat male pattern baldness, physicians rely on a chart known as the Norwood Classification. The Norwood Classification illustrates the usual progression of baldness in men. Using the scale, physicians can diagnose baldness and help men of all ages plan to treat it before it worsens. Take a moment to review the chart below. For more information, visit our blog article on the Norwood Classification.

Norwood-Classification-for-baldness-in-men

Causes of Male Pattern Baldness

What causes baldness in men? Worldwide, there are countless institutions, researchers, and physicians dedicated to discovering more about this illusive and devastating condition. Below are a few things that researchers have been able to associate with thinning and balding. Though there is still much to learn, the following should provide insight on how baldness develops and progresses.

Genetics. Some men can be genetically predisposed to losing hair at a specific point in life. For example, researchers have identified a specific gene for hair loss on the X chromosome. If a man inherits a dominant form of that chromosome from his mother, the trait will be expressed.

Hormones. Baldness does not have to be hardwired into your genetic makeup, however. Hormonal fluctuations may also cause baldness in men. Specifically, an overabundance of a testosterone derivative called DHT may cause the phenomenon of hair follicle miniaturization. Over time, follicles shrink and become unable to sustain a healthy hair growth cycle. Hair eventually stops growing, the follicle becomes dormant, and to the naked eye, the scalp appears to be bald.

Stress. Another form of baldness might occur after a particularly stressful event shocks the hair follicles into dormancy. This condition is known as telogen effluvium. Baldness has been known to set in after things like surgery, car accidents, and other traumatic events. As the stress is managed, however, hair follicles can regain their ability to grow normal and healthy hair. At that point, the signs of baldness slowly fade away.

Medications. Sometimes, medications may cause baldness in men. Important Note: Never discontinue the use of medications without first speaking with your physician. If you suspect medication might be causing baldness, schedule a consultation with a hair loss specialist or your primary care physician. A hair loss specialist can help diagnose the cause of baldness, and your primary care physician can assist in finding alternative medications for which baldness is not have known side effect.

Treating Male Baldness

Fortunately, men have several options for treating baldness. The major options are detailed below:

Rogaine®. This non-surgical treatment for male hair loss is known to stop the progression of baldness. Rogaine is a topical foam that is applied to the scalp as directed by your hair loss professional. Though it has demonstrated effectiveness as a treatment for baldness in men, it should be noted that discontinuation of Rogaine often results in further hair loss.

Propecia®. Many men find Propecia effective in treating baldness. The prescription medication is a pill that men take daily, as prescribed by a hair loss professional. Like Rogaine, this hair loss drug only prevents future hair loss. In most cases, baldness progresses following discontinued use.

Low Level Laser Therapy. LLLT is a new technology with a wide variety of medical applications. This year, LLLT LaserComb™ was proven effective in stimulating new hair growth in both women and men who suffer with baldness.

Strip-donor Hair Transplant. Strip-donor transplant involves harvesting a micrograft of donor hair from a healthy area of scalp to transplant to the balding area. Learn more about strip-donor hair transplant.

Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT). FUT is a highly refined hair transplant procedure that uses a small punch-like instrument to isolate and harvest individual clusters of hair follicles to transplant to areas of bald scalp. Because the procedure harvests donor hair via punch instrument instead of micrograft, patients can wear their hair shorter with virtually no visible sign that a procedure has been performed. Learn more about FUT hair transplant.

Robotic FUE Transplant. Robotic FUE is the newest and most advanced hair transplant option available to balding men. The procedure is similar to the FUT procedure described above, but uses advanced robotics and digital imaging to select only the healthiest donor hairs for harvest. Learn more about robotic FUE transplant with the ARTAS® in Miami.

Learn More About Male Pattern Baldness

Learn more about male pattern baldness using the resources below:

American Hair Loss Association

International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery

Children’s Alopecia Project

The Bald Truth

Learn More About Treating Male Pattern Baldness

To learn more about treatment options for male pattern baldness, contact our institute online or call or clinic directly at 1-877-443-9070.

New Method of Producing Stem Cells Falls Short

New Method of Producing Stem Cells Proves WrongEarlier this year, a team of Japanese scientists released studies that amazed the scientific community with a new method of producing stem cells. The new method claimed to have transformed ordinary cells into adult stem cells— cells capable of undergoing further transformation into any cell in the body. Researchers remained skeptical, however, as the new process involving a straight forward acid bath seemed overly simplistic and inherently flawed.

The study was originally published by a team of researchers from Boston and Japan in the scientific journal Nature. Following publication, however, leaders in the scientific community took issue with the images used as evidence in the study. Soon thereafter, specific elements of the Methods section of the papers received intense scrutiny, with many critics alleging issues of plagiarism.

Too Good to Be True: Scientists Withdraw Recent Stem Cell Findings

In a statement issued during a press conference with The Japan News, researcher Teruhiko Wakayama said, “I’m no longer sure that the articles are correct.” Mr. Wakayama is one of the first researchers to ever clone a mouse, making his endorsement-turned-retraction a shock to many. Elaborating on the study, Mr. Wakayama explained to news agency NHK World that he felt the experiments were correct, however the credibility of the data used as preconditions for the experiment had come into question.

Moreover, it’s important to note that the original studies involved cells from animal subjects, specifically mice. Even if successful, scientists face significant challenges when using the same methodology to achieve the same results in humans.

Proven Hair Loss Treatments

In the wake of these now compromised study results, it appears science is not any closer to a stem cell hair loss treatment. Fortunately, there are a number of hair loss treatment protocols that have been proven effective for men and women.

Non-surgical Hair Restoration

Non-surgical methods of hair restoration with a proven track record of success include:

Surgical Hair Restoration

Learn More About Hair Restoration in Miami

To learn more about the surgical and non-surgical methods of hair restoration available in Miami, contact the Hair Transplant Institute at (305) 925-0222.

Hair Transplant Surgery for Women Rapidly Increases in UK

Hair-Transplant-Surgery-for-Women-Rapidly-Increases-in-UKThinning, shedding, or balding scalp is more common among women than one might think. Statistics estimate that nearly 20 million American women suffer with these symptoms. In the United Kingdom, it’s reported that more than 60% of women likewise suffer with dwindling hair health. Female hair loss can be brought on by a number of things. Stress, genetics, and sometimes even particular styling techniques can all be leading contributors. Recognizing that hair is an essential element of appearance, confidence, and first impressions, women around the world are turning to surgical hair restoration to restore their hair to a more natural and youthful state.

Hair transplant procedures have a stigma that is not easily overcome. Often referred to as “hair plugs,” the traditional and relatively crude procedures of the 1980s still have hair loss sufferers convinced that transplants produce unsightly, embarrassing results. The tide is beginning to shift, however, as awareness is spreading for the near-perfect results that can be achieved through newer surgical techniques and technologies. This is perhaps most evident in the UK, where hair loss clinics report seeing a rise in the number of female patients seeking hair transplant surgery this year.

UK: Female Hair Transplant Procedures Increase by 82%

One English hair loss clinic reports an 82% increase in women seeking hair transplant this year when compared to 2011 (i). To hair loss professionals, the recent increase in female patients is largely attributed to better awareness for how treatable the condition really is. Hair transplant surgery, for example, is now performed in two unique ways that produce results so natural looking, 85% of Americans cannot tell that a procedure has been performed (ii).

Refined Techniques and Better Technologies

The first and most common hair transplant procedure is traditional called the “strip donor” procedure. This treatment option gets its name from the way donor hair is removed from the rear or side of the scalp. Surgeons remove donor hair in a long strip, and they separate it into groupings of about 1-3 hairs, or follicular units, under high-powered microscopes. Surgeons then transplant each follicular unit by hand, taking great care to recreate the patient’s natural hair density, undulation, thickness, and randomness.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is another common technique for patients who suffer with hair loss. FUE procedures are the newest and most refined method of surgical hair restoration, and patients often report recovering from the procedure in as little as 3-5 days. To perform a FUE transplant, surgeons use a surgical instrument to remove follicular units individually, instead of via strip harvesting. The biggest advantage of FUE is the absence of a linear scar, which is sometimes visible if a patient who receives a strip donor procedure gets a very short haircut.

Celebrity Endorsement

In addition to newer and more refined transplant techniques, hair loss professionals credit celebrity endorsements for significantly reducing the stigma formerly attached to the procedure. In recent years, world-renowned athletes and entertainers have opened up about the transplant procedures that have helped them maintain a full and natural head of hair. In the UK, soccer star Wayne Rooney is perhaps the best-known example. In the U.S., the ageless hairlines of Hollywood stars like Mel Gibson, Jude Law, and Mathew McConaughey have sparked rumors that the celebrities sought help from surgeons to restore areas of balding scalp, ultimately creating a positive impression that has affirmed the quality, safety, and legitimacy of transplant procedures in America.

Female Hair Transplant at Miami Hair Institute

At the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, our surgeons, nurses, and staff provide the most comprehensive hair loss evaluation and diagnosis available. With more than 45 years combined experience, Drs. Nusbaum and Rose provide expert consultation that will help you understand the unique cause of your hair loss symptoms while developing a personalized treatment plan that will have you looking and feeling your very best.

Readers are invited to call directly 305-925-0222 to learn more about hair transplant in Miami, a permanent solution that can restore hair to its naturally full and youthful state.

Sources:

(i) “Women Go Bald Too.” Daily Mail. Accessed 25 October 2013.

(ii) “2010 Hair Transplant Challenge Survey.” International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery. Accessed 17 June 2013.

Hair Replacement Surgery Listed as Top Treatment for Hair Loss

Hair Replacement Surgery Listed as Top Treatment for Hair LossMen’s Fitness magazine is known for providing American males with expert insight on how to work hard, play harder, and look their absolute best. This month, the publication released a special article on the 6 best ways to reverse the signs of hair loss. Hair replacement surgery topped that list, with experts naming it the “best fix by far for replacing lost hair,” (i).

Today’s hair replacement surgery differs drastically from the original procedures on the 1980s, the article warns. Formerly, hair replacement produced results that resembled cornrows, giving the procedure the nickname “hair plugs.”

Today, however, hair replacement surgery has evolved into a highly refined procedure that creates results so natural, nearly 85% of people cannot tell when it has been performed (ii).

Surgical Hair Replacement for Men and Women

Today, men and women have two primary options for hair replacement surgery. The first is referred to as Strip Donor Procedure. The second is newer and more advanced, known as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).

Starting at the Beginning. Before a patient chooses between Strip Donor and FUE procedures, it is vital that a hair loss evaluation be conducted to diagnose the cause of hair loss and develop a comprehensive treatment plan.

The Strip Donor Procedure vs. FUE

The Strip Donor Procedure is the older and more traditional of the two treatment protocols. Prior to the procedure, the surgeon identifies an area from which donor hair will be removed. Hair is then surgical removed in a long, thin strip.

Upon removal, the surgeon divides the strip of hair into small clusters of hairs, called follicular units. This process is one of the many nuances that make today’s transplant procedures more natural than those of the past. By dividing donor hair into small, almost microscopic clusters, hair can be transplanted with greater aesthetic detail that recreates the appearance of natural hair.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) differs from the Strip Donor Procedure in one major way: Donor hair is not surgically removed in a linear strip. Instead, individual follicular units are removed with a special punch instrument that measures between 1-2mm in diameter, which is about the size of the tip of a pen. The surgeon then transplants hair by hand, paying close attention to the patient’s natural hair density, undulation, thickness, and randomness.

There are 2 main reasons patients choose FUE over Strip Donor. Unlike traditional Strip procedures, FUE does not leave a linear scar following the extraction of donor hair. This enables patients to wear their hair shorter with almost no sign of scarring (though if the head is completely shaved, small, circular red dots might be visible). Second, FUE has a faster turnaround time compared to Strip procedures, mostly because extraction is less invasive. Whereas Strip procedures are associated with a recovery time of 10 days or more, patients are almost fully recovered from a FUE procedure after just 3-5 days.

Learn More About Hair Replacement Surgery in Miami

Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment provide the best chance of restoring hair to its naturally full, resilient, and beautiful state. To learn more about surgical hair replacement, schedule a hair loss evaluation online. Our team represents South Florida’s finest surgeons, registered nurses, and technicians, each of whom hold your pursuit of a fuller head of hair in the highest regard.

Readers may also call our Institute at 305.925.0222 to speak directly with a member of our team.

Sources:

(i) “6 Best Fixes for Hair Loss.” Men’s Health Magazine. Accessed 20 October 2013.

(ii) “2010 Hair Transplant Challenge Survey.” International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery. Accessed 17 June 2013.

Choosing a Hair Transplant Procedure

Choosing a Hair Transplant ProcedureAt the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, we have developed the most comprehensive approach for evaluating and treating hair loss in both men and women.  Located in the Offices of Merrick Park, our state-of-the-art facility provides our patients with the very latest in comprehensive hair loss evaluations and treatments.  Our practice is led by Dr. Nusbaum and Dr. Rose, two highly skilled surgeons who have extensive experience in medical hair loss therapy and research.  Both Dr. Nusbaum and Dr. Rose are Board Certified in Dermatology, the only medical field with certified specialty residency training in hair loss and scalp diseases.

Comparing ‘Strip Donor’ to ‘Follicular Unit Extraction’ Techniques

We are pleased to offer two highly effective hair transplant procedures:  The Strip Donor Procedure, and Follicular Unit Transfer (FUT).  Both procedures are highly effective in creating a fuller, natural looking head of hair for both men and women.  We are also pleased to offer the latest technologies and transplant techniques, ensuring the best possible outcome for our patients.  Two examples of hair transplant techniques you will not find anywhere else include:

  • Mesotherapy:  Incorporating mesotherapy with hair transplantation provides at least 2 unique benefits that increase the effectiveness of the procedure.  First, it penetrates the hair follicle to a greater degree compared to other topical applications.  Second, mesotherapy avoids the systematic side effects commonly associated with some oral medications.  The injections are very superficial and are administered with the use of vibration devices developed by our physicians to create a virtually painless experience.
  • Follicular Isolation (FIT) Technique:  Follicular Isolation Technique was co-created by the Hair Transplant Institutes’ very own Dr. Paul Rose.  Dr. Rose developed FIT to enhance the effectiveness of Follicular Unit Transfer (FUT) hair transplantation procedure.  Below, in the section titled Choosing a Hair Transplant Procedure, we will further examine the role of FIT in the FUT procedure, as well as how the FUT procedure compares to Strip Donor procedure.

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