Hair Transplant SurgeryHair Transplant surgery entails the transfer of good strong hairs from the donor areas (sides and back of the scalp) to the recipient areas (thinning/receding/balding temples, mid scalp, crown). Hair Transplant surgery is most common treatment for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss (caused by genetics and androgenic hormones) as well as for Hairline Lowering, Hairline Feminization, or Scar Coverage (Traumatic scars,Scars from burnt out Cicatricial alopecias and stable Alopecia areata).
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OUR TECHNIQUE
Follicular Unit Transplantation (Strip FUT)
Refined Open Technique
Strip FUT entails removing a strip of your donor hairs from the scalp and closing the area using absorbable and non-absorbable stitches. We perform the “Refined Open Technique” pioneered by Dr. Damkerng Pathomvanich of Thailand. This technique makes use of 2-4 small skin hooks to retract the skin and fine motor movements to meticulously dissect the skin with utmost care. Transection of hair grafts is minimized with this technique, which translates to fewer grafts wasted. Magnification using 4.0 loupes is used with proper lighting for better view of the small surgical field and to enable finer movements with minimal transection.
The non-absorbable stitches are removed 5-7 days after surgery, leaving behind a scar, which is initially red until it eventually heals several months later as a white linear minimally visible scar. A surgical technique called ‘Trichophytic closure” is done to enable hairs to grow through the scar making the scar even less visible.
Pain or discomfort is mostly felt at the night after surgery and considerably less until it disappears within a few days. Pain medication and sleeping pills are given to alleviate the discomfort.
Wearing your hair long enough helps cover the scar and the transplanted area. You can go back to work after a few days without having people notice you had surgery. Complications are minor and manageable.
Strip FUT technique remains to be the gold standard treatment in hair transplantation. Growth rate of the transplanted grafts is above 90%. The donor hairs are taken from the “safe zone” or from the area that is not affected by the hormone Dihyrotestosterone (DHT) that causes Male Pattern Hair Loss (MPHL). The procedure lasts from 6-8+ hours depending on the number of grafts to be transplanted.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
FUE can be done manually, using a motorized hand-held punch, or most recently via robotics.
Only a handful of hair surgeons are adept at doing manual technique especially with the advent of the motorized punches and the robotics. Motorized punches can either be dull or sharp, with the dull punches found to be less traumatizing to the grafts and posing less risk of transection (cutting the grafts). At Hair Infinity, we utilize the dull punch using the S.A.F.E. motorized FUE machine, which contributes to less transection rates.
The hair grafts are punched and extracted individually by the surgeon and his assistant. Stitches are not necessary. The grafts may have less surrounding tissue protecting the bulb (root of the hair) though survival rates still vary from surgeon to surgeon and with debatable results. In the hands of trained surgeons and his/her team, survival should be expected to be highly satisfactory and may even be comparable to the Strip FUT. FUE leaves behind multiple circular 1mm white scars diffusely scattered throughout the scalp, which can easily be covered even with shorter hair.
Complications are less compared with Strip FUT. FUE has become a popular choice especially among those who prefer less downtime, less pain/discomfort, are wary of cuts and stitches, and prefer to wear their hair short. Wearing caps, hats, or bandanas can help camouflage the signs of having the procedure. More recently, a technique introduced by Dr. John Cole where in individual follicular units are marked and trimmed prior to surgery and are then individually harvested without the need for shaving the donor area. We have adapted this technique (FUE Without Shaving) in selected cases, which require less than 1000 grafts.
FUE in general lasts 4-10+ hours depending on the number of grafts to be transplanted.
Combination Strip FUT + FUE
More recently, surgeons have utilized the combination of the 2 existing techniques in hair transplantation in order to acquire as much grafts as possible while working with such factors as scalp laxity or donor density. The advantages of these two techniques can go hand-in-hand with the right tools, techniques, and patient selection.
Refined Open Technique
Strip FUT entails removing a strip of your donor hairs from the scalp and closing the area using absorbable and non-absorbable stitches. We perform the “Refined Open Technique” pioneered by Dr. Damkerng Pathomvanich of Thailand. This technique makes use of 2-4 small skin hooks to retract the skin and fine motor movements to meticulously dissect the skin with utmost care. Transection of hair grafts is minimized with this technique, which translates to fewer grafts wasted. Magnification using 4.0 loupes is used with proper lighting for better view of the small surgical field and to enable finer movements with minimal transection.
The non-absorbable stitches are removed 5-7 days after surgery, leaving behind a scar, which is initially red until it eventually heals several months later as a white linear minimally visible scar. A surgical technique called ‘Trichophytic closure” is done to enable hairs to grow through the scar making the scar even less visible.
Pain or discomfort is mostly felt at the night after surgery and considerably less until it disappears within a few days. Pain medication and sleeping pills are given to alleviate the discomfort.
Wearing your hair long enough helps cover the scar and the transplanted area. You can go back to work after a few days without having people notice you had surgery. Complications are minor and manageable.
Strip FUT technique remains to be the gold standard treatment in hair transplantation. Growth rate of the transplanted grafts is above 90%. The donor hairs are taken from the “safe zone” or from the area that is not affected by the hormone Dihyrotestosterone (DHT) that causes Male Pattern Hair Loss (MPHL). The procedure lasts from 6-8+ hours depending on the number of grafts to be transplanted.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
FUE can be done manually, using a motorized hand-held punch, or most recently via robotics.
Only a handful of hair surgeons are adept at doing manual technique especially with the advent of the motorized punches and the robotics. Motorized punches can either be dull or sharp, with the dull punches found to be less traumatizing to the grafts and posing less risk of transection (cutting the grafts). At Hair Infinity, we utilize the dull punch using the S.A.F.E. motorized FUE machine, which contributes to less transection rates.
The hair grafts are punched and extracted individually by the surgeon and his assistant. Stitches are not necessary. The grafts may have less surrounding tissue protecting the bulb (root of the hair) though survival rates still vary from surgeon to surgeon and with debatable results. In the hands of trained surgeons and his/her team, survival should be expected to be highly satisfactory and may even be comparable to the Strip FUT. FUE leaves behind multiple circular 1mm white scars diffusely scattered throughout the scalp, which can easily be covered even with shorter hair.
Complications are less compared with Strip FUT. FUE has become a popular choice especially among those who prefer less downtime, less pain/discomfort, are wary of cuts and stitches, and prefer to wear their hair short. Wearing caps, hats, or bandanas can help camouflage the signs of having the procedure. More recently, a technique introduced by Dr. John Cole where in individual follicular units are marked and trimmed prior to surgery and are then individually harvested without the need for shaving the donor area. We have adapted this technique (FUE Without Shaving) in selected cases, which require less than 1000 grafts.
FUE in general lasts 4-10+ hours depending on the number of grafts to be transplanted.
Combination Strip FUT + FUE
More recently, surgeons have utilized the combination of the 2 existing techniques in hair transplantation in order to acquire as much grafts as possible while working with such factors as scalp laxity or donor density. The advantages of these two techniques can go hand-in-hand with the right tools, techniques, and patient selection.
Sample Results
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OUR TECHNIQUE
HAIR TRANSPLANT SURGERY
Hairline Design Designing the hairline is one of the most critical steps in hair transplantation. Giving the most aesthetic, appropriate, and symmetric hairline as possible takes a critical eye, skill, and the right tools. With our laser-assisted technique, hairline design is made easier and better. A thorough discussion as to the patient’s desire and what is realistic is done during consultation to arrive at the most suitable and most appealing frame for each individual.
Hair Density Count
Knowing your hair density or the number of hairs per area of your scalp helps us calculate how much we can harvest during surgery and how much more reserves you may still have for future sessions. With a computerized digital dermoscopy, we can visualize and count the number of hairs and hair follicles more accurately and store the data in the computer as part of your file. The digital microscopy is regularly calibrated to ensure that the hair/graft count is precise.
Microscopic Dissection
Dissecting the strip into follicular units is highly specialized and requires proper training and skills of the cutters as well as state-of-the art technology. At Hair Infinity, we use microscopes with 10x magnification and LED technology to ensure the grafts are cut to the highest standards and that minimal grafts are wasted or destroyed.
Utilizing 3.0-4.0x Magnifying Loupes are important during the Harvesting of Grafts as well as during the Insertion of Grafts. These allow for better visualization during hair transplant surgery, with meticulous handling and preparation of grafts using fine tip surgical forceps.
Dissecting the strip into follicular units is highly specialized and requires proper training and skills of the cutters as well as state-of-the art technology. At Hair Infinity, we use microscopes with 10x magnification and LED technology to ensure the grafts are cut with the highest care and that minimal grafts are wasted or destroyed (transected).
Hairline Design Designing the hairline is one of the most critical steps in hair transplantation. Giving the most aesthetic, appropriate, and symmetric hairline as possible takes a critical eye, skill, and the right tools. With our laser-assisted technique, hairline design is made easier and better. A thorough discussion as to the patient’s desire and what is realistic is done during consultation to arrive at the most suitable and most appealing frame for each individual.
Hair Density Count
Knowing your hair density or the number of hairs per area of your scalp helps us calculate how much we can harvest during surgery and how much more reserves you may still have for future sessions. With a computerized digital dermoscopy, we can visualize and count the number of hairs and hair follicles more accurately and store the data in the computer as part of your file. The digital microscopy is regularly calibrated to ensure that the hair/graft count is precise.
Microscopic Dissection
Dissecting the strip into follicular units is highly specialized and requires proper training and skills of the cutters as well as state-of-the art technology. At Hair Infinity, we use microscopes with 10x magnification and LED technology to ensure the grafts are cut to the highest standards and that minimal grafts are wasted or destroyed.
Utilizing 3.0-4.0x Magnifying Loupes are important during the Harvesting of Grafts as well as during the Insertion of Grafts. These allow for better visualization during hair transplant surgery, with meticulous handling and preparation of grafts using fine tip surgical forceps.
Dissecting the strip into follicular units is highly specialized and requires proper training and skills of the cutters as well as state-of-the art technology. At Hair Infinity, we use microscopes with 10x magnification and LED technology to ensure the grafts are cut with the highest care and that minimal grafts are wasted or destroyed (transected).
