Automated vs. Manual FUE Hair transplants

Posted on February 2, 2011

Most people who have researched hair transplants know that there are two major hair transplant methods: the Strip procedure and the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method. But what some people don’t know is that there are also two different versions of the FUE. Extracting hair follicles by hand is the traditional version of the FUE, but the procedure can also be done by using a hand-held automatic device. The later is one of the newest innovations in the hair transplant field, and has been the subject of plenty of internet discussions. Both versions of the FUE have pros and cons and both are worthy of taking a closer look at.

The traditional FUE hair transplant method has many clear advantages: no linear scar and faster recovery, but is also known to be time consuming and therefore more costly than other methods. It is possible that the innovation of the automated device has tried to mend that, by speeding up the extraction and insertion process. In either case, both versions of the FUE are minimally invasive: only local anesthesia is given and the client can be awake during the procedure, no scalpels are used and therefore no stitches will be needed. After the procedure, the client experiences Continue reading →

The Best Candidate for a Hair Transplant

Posted on January 30, 2011

As with most other cosmetic procedures, a hair transplant is not for everyone. Some people will make better candidates than other. Being a fine candidate for a hair transplant procedure most likely means that the outcome will be good and that satisfaction will be met. But by being the best candidate possible, the outcome will be as good as it possibly can be. However, hair transplant surgery is complex and excellent candidacy will depend on many different factors.

While the best candidate for a hair transplant procedure will absolutely depend on the individual opinion of the doctor, it is usually someone not younger than 30 years old. Someone in their thirties, forties or even their fifties can be a very good candidate for a hair transplant. The reason for this is because a more mature client will most likely have an established pattern in which the hair is thinning. This pattern will make it much easier for the doctor to know where to transplant the hairs. When the client is young, the hair loss might just have started and the pattern is unclear. Transplanting hair to a client where the hair loss pattern has not been confirmed can be quite counter productive and result in an unsatisfactory look. Continue reading →

Hair Transplant Numbness?

Posted on January 27, 2011

A hair transplant does come with minor risks, especially if a Strip hair transplant was chosen. These risks include the possibility of being numb in a smaller section on the back of the head. While this type of numbness is not life threatening in any way, and is not cosmetically important, it can still be of concern to many clients. This numbness can last a few days, weeks, months or years. It can also be a permanent numbness. It is hard to say in advance who will experience numbness and for how long, if at all, but it is those who choose the Strip hair transplant that face the risk.

During a Strip hair transplant procedure, the doctor will make a long linear incision in the back of the scalp where after a narrow strip of hair bearing skin will be removed. The reason why the numbness occurs is because nerves were damaged during the incision. The exact amount of skin that was removed from the scalp can affect numbness. For instance, clients who require a larger amount of grafts will need to remove a bigger strip of skin, which can lead to more numbness. The scalp laxity, or flexibility, can also affect the numbness, and so can the amount of nerves that were damaged during the strip removal process. Continue reading →

Hair Transplant Surgery – Is It Worth It?

Posted on January 24, 2011

Millions of people have had a hair transplant and gained their confidence back, while many others were not as satisfied with the outcome of the surgery. In other words, the question on whether hair transplant surgery is worth it will most definitely depend on who you ask. The hair on our heads is crucial and plays a very central role in the way we look and are perceived by others, so it is no wonder that hair transplant surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries of our time. While a hair transplant is certainly not cheap, for someone who has been suffering from hair loss over a longer period of time, it can be worth every penny. For a few others, it was not worth it, but this is usually because the person was in the hands of the wrong doctor.

If ones desire is to have more hair by having a hair transplant, it is important not to get intimated by horror stories that can be found on the internet. Many of these surgeries were performed many years ago, when hair transplant techniques were not as advanced as they are today. Times change and so does everything else: technologies and methods within the hair transplant field are constantly improved. Many doctors work with tools so thin and small they are barely visible to the eye, all in an effort to have a minimally invasive surgery, with as natural of a result as possible. Continue reading →

Hair Transplant Terms – What Is Density?

Posted on January 21, 2011

In the hair transplant field density is a frequently used word and is something that many hair transplant doctors strive to achieve, whenever possible. This is because high density is strongly desired by many prospective hair transplant clients, because higher density will result in fuller hair, which will contribute to a more youthful look. Hair density refers to how closely together the hairs are placed, and is usually measured in numbers of follicular units per square centimeter of the scalp.

When it comes to a hair transplant, having high density may not always be possible, especially if there are not enough hairs to transplant. This is where density and donor supply go hand in hand. Donor supply refers to how much hair is available to transplant, some clients have a good amount, while other clients have much less. A hair transplant doctor can always try to achieve high density, but if there is not plenty of donor hairs, there is only so much that can be done.

When there is not an abundance of donor hairs, the doctor can try to strategically place hair follicles as to give an illusion of more hair. But someone with a small amount of donor hair might want to keep their expectations low, in order to avoid disappointment. However, an ethical hair transplant doctor will always do his best to create the most natural and aesthetically pleasing look possible. Continue reading →

Hair Transplant for Curly Hair

Posted on January 19, 2011

Most people who are interested in a hair transplant can get one, given that the client is at least an acceptable candidate. However, the hair transplant procedure itself as well as the outcome will look different depending on a variety of factors. When the client has curly hair is one of those times when the procedure of hair transplantation can be a little trickier, because while transplanting straight hair is fairly straightforward, curly hair can present a slightly bigger challenge. In other words, while curly hair has certain advantages it can also present difficulties.

While curly hair can definitely be more difficult for the hair transplant doctor to extract and insert, it also has its benefits. Curly hair can, due its characteristics, provide more scalp coverage than straight hair. When the hairs are curly, there is a possibility that fewer hairs can be transplanted and still achieve the same coverage. This means that curly hairs can lead to good visual results because it can cover more of the scalp area than straight hairs. Curly hair also tends to rise from the scalp which can lead to more volume. Straight hairs are finer and tend to lie flat against the scalp and therefore do not provide as much fullness as curly hair. Continue reading →

Beard Hair Transplant In Detail

Posted on January 17, 2011

Far from everyone is struggling to remove unwanted hair on their faces; instead there are definitely those who would like to add hair instead. The first bit of facial hair is a big milestone for most men, and the absence or loss of it can cause much grief to some. For plenty of men, having hair signals masculinity and makes them feel more manly and attractive. Men who would like to have just a regular beard, or men who like the idea of having a goatee, can look to have a beard hair transplant done. Having more hair in the beard area is not a rare request anymore, but is becoming more common.

The absence of hair in the beard area can be a result of many different things, such as injury, surgery, accidents or burns. Other reasons include genetic inability to grow hair as well as prior hair removal services where something went wrong. Some clients also look to fill in their scars with hairs and thereby make them less visible.

A beard hair transplant can be done with either the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method or the Strip method. Both methods have pros and cons. The Strip can be cost and time efficient, but leaves a scar on the back of the scalp, the FUE is a scalpel and stitch free, less invasive approach, but can be pricey as well as time consuming. Continue reading →

What Areas Can Hair Be Transplanted To?

Posted on January 14, 2011

A hair transplant is most definitely associated with transplanting hair to balding or thinning areas of the scalp. But a hair transplant can also be an effective method of restoring hair to other areas of the face or body. Permanent and undesired loss of hair can occur nearly anywhere and for many different reasons. But with the advancement of technology, along with new innovations in the hair transplant field, doctors can now safely and efficiently transplant hairs to pretty much any area as desired.

While many of us struggle with removing our unwanted hair on different parts of the face and the body, this is not the case for everyone. In fact, there many people who highly desire more hair in certain areas. For instance, there are men with completely bare chests who are looking to have a hairier chest, and with today’s technology, that is possible to do. Hair can be transplanted from almost any part of the body to another. A hair transplant can be used to restore hair to the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, moustache, chest and pubic areas. Hair in these areas can be absent for many different reasons, such as physical injury, plucking, treatments or disease, as well as congenital inability to grow hair. Continue reading →

Maximum Number of Grafts in a Hair Transplant?

Posted on January 11, 2011

Many people who consider a hair transplant are strongly interested in getting it all done in one procedure, so it is no wonder that the amount of grafts that can safely be transplanted has become a highly discussed topic in hair transplant forums and the like. But when it comes to the exact number of grafts that one can have transplanted during hair transplant surgery, there is no set number. The maximum amount is highly unique and individual, and depends on many different factors.

Perhaps the most crucial factor in determining the maximum amount of grafts that can be transplanted is the availability of donor hair. This means that the maximum number is directly related to the amount of donor hair, as hair usually cannot be obtained from elsewhere. In other words, a certain number of grafts can only be transplanted if there is enough donor hair to do so. Continue reading →

How to Ensure a Successful Hair Transplant

Posted on January 8, 2011

Most people have seen or heard of less successful, or even bad, hair transplants. In fact, the kind of hair transplant that was not so well done can easily be spotted. And this is by far one of the biggest concerns that those who consider a hair transplant have: that the outcome will not be successful or that anyone will be able to spot the hair transplant. While bad hair transplants are becoming much less common, mostly thanks to newer techniques, there is still a possibility that the hair transplant will not lead to the best outcome possible. Luckily, there are a few steps one can take to ensure that the hair transplant will be as successful as possible.

The most critical part to a successful hair transplant is selecting the right doctor. Researching the internet to see which hair transplant doctors seem to be the most popular and well respected is a good place to start. After that, going on several consultations would be a wise choice; in fact, getting a second or even third opinion can be very helpful when making a decision of this type. Not falling for pushy sales people is also important, as a hair transplant is a permanent procedure and corrective procedures should be avoided at all cost. Continue reading →