Hair transplants are safe and recommended

Hair transplants are safe and recommended

There cannot be anything more worrying than seeing youeveryday in the mirror minus few hairs. Hair loss is fast becoming the biggest panic creator amongst the young population thanks to the changing lifestyles. Besides, heredity is one of the most common internal causes of hair loss. However, there is a solution in the form of hair transplantation.

Hair transplantation is a surgical technique that relocates resistant individual hair follicles (follicular units containing 1-4 hairs) from back of the head, called donor site, to the balding part on the top of the head, called recipient site. It is also used to restore eyelashes, eyebrows, beard hair, chest hair, and pubic hair and to fill in the hairless scars caused by accidents or surgery or burns.

Method-- Donor hair can be harvested in two different ways:

Strip Harvesting-- A strip of scalp is removed from the back (occipital) of the head. Then follicular unit grafts are cut from the strip. The latest method of closure is used called 'Trichophyticclosure’, which results in a much finer scar at the donor area.

Follicular Unit Extraction or FUE Harvesting - Individual follicles of hair are removed with a motorized instrument. Because individual follicles are removed, only small, punctate scars remain.

These follicular hair units are then transplanted, in the frontal or top of the head area, using very small micro blades or fine needles to puncture the sites for receiving the grafts, placing them in a predetermined density and pattern, and angling the wounds in such a fashion to promote a realistic hair pattern.The transplanted hair will grow in its new site for as long as it would have in its original one.

At first consultation, the surgeon analyzes the patient's scalp, discusses his preferences and expectations, and advises him/her on the best approach (e.g. single vs. multiple sessions, strip vs FUE or both combined) and what results might reasonably be expected.

For few days prior to surgery the patient is advised to refrain from using any medicines, which might result in intra operative bleeding and resultant poor "take" of the grafts. Alcohol and smoking can contribute to poor graft take and survival.

Anesthesia

The entire procedure is done under local anesthesia tumescent technique; be it grafts harvesting or graft transplanting. You can enjoy TV or music as per your taste while the grafts are being inserted. Since it’s a long procedure, involving 7-8 hours, you are allowed to take breaks for tea/coffee/lunch, going to the washroom etc.

At the end a protective dressing is done which is removed after 48 hours.The recovery time is immediate and the pain negligible. It is pertinent to note that hair transplant operations are performed on an outpatient basis; there is no need for bed rest or hospitalization required after the procedure.

Postoperative antibiotics are prescribed to prevent wound or graft infections.

Post-operative care

During the first six weeks, shafts of virtually all of the transplanted hairs will fall out leaving their bulbs behind. After two to three months new hair will begin to grow from the moved follicles. The patient's hair will grow normally, and continue to thicken through the next six to nine months. Final result assessment is done at one year to understand the need for the second session.

Few precautions are suggested to be taken during the post operative period:

1.      Head wash is allowed from day 6.

2.      You are advised to wear a soft cap till the hair start growing, usually about for six weeks.

3.      Avoid direct exposure to sunlight till the hair growth starts.

4.      Avoid Gym related activities for about a month’s time.

5.      You should refrain from smoking till the hair growth starts.

6.      You are given a “hair care follow up protocol” to follow which includes using some diet supplements and some lotions for local application to promote faster growth.

About the author

To help this misinformed, DrShahinNooreyezdan, Senior Consultant Cosmetic Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, has taken an initiative into hair care therapy. Besides, offering the solution for hair fall, a state of art hair restoration unit has been established at the newly inaugurated, state-of-the-art, Apollo Cosmetic Clinics at Indraprastha Apollo Delhi. This article is an attempt to make people at large understands the basics of hair restoration or hair transplantation besides busting few myths and misconceptions about hair transplantation.

For your queries related to the procedure or hair fall you are advised to contact our helpline numbers.

Knife-less therapy for timeless beauty

~ Ultherapy, a non-invasive cosmetic procedure gives natural yet noticeable results ~ 

Forty-year old Harsimran got all excited when she received an invitation for a college reunion. Reminiscing old times, she smiled thinking how popular she was, especially for her looks. But the smile vanished as soon she saw herself in the mirror. After two kids and a life revolving around family and work, her face had sagged and she had developed fine lines, pigmentation and dullness on her skin. All of a sudden she got scared of the idea of meeting her college friends again. What would they say? She did not want her pretty image Sigh! Only if reality had a Photoshop to make us look flawless at all ages. Nonetheless, there is cosmetic surgery to the rescue. But alas, most of us are scared of going under the knife and do not want needle stings. Thanks to advances in medical science, a breakthrough in skin anti-ageing treatment called Ultherapy has been invented. The new fad is being vouched by Hollywood celebrities such as Courtney Cox, Jennifer Aniston and Kim Kardashian to name a few and everyone is singing praises for this painless no-knife Dr Shahin Nooreyezdan, Senior Consultant – Cosmetic Surgery, Apollo Cosmetic Clinics Delhi says, “Beautiful, glowing younger looking skin requires intensive care, both internally and externally. Especially, after crossing 30's this process requires extra effort to overcome the signs of ageing. A relatively new therapy for India, Ultherapy provides an immediate smoothing effect by slowing down the aging process by creating new structural collagen and eventually tightens it thus improving skin texture and tone.”

Today, Ultherapy is being used in more than 55 countries and around 40 scientific papers have been published on the procedure. More than twice that number of scientific lectures have also been delivered at various platforms. Also known as the ‘lunchtime lift’, Ultherapy is a micro-focused ultrasound treatment for skin tightening. Yes, an ultrasound system, normally used for viewing baby growth in pregnant ladies. Conveniently termed as 'lunchtime lift' it requires no overnight stay at the clinic. “You can literally choose to get it done in your lunch hour and go back to work.  It is a mere 60-90 minutes’ treatment that uses your body’s own regenerative response to gently and gradually restore memory to the skin and underlying tissues”, says Dr Nooreyezdan Approved by the USFDA, improvements continue for 6 months. Different than lasers, which penetrate the skin from the outside-in, Ultherapy bypasses the surface of the skin, specifically targeting the deep, structural skin tissues where collagen lives. The technique uses ultrasound pulse energy to enter into the tissue, working from the inside-out delivering thermal energy. This thermal energy revives the collagen producing engines within the tissues, resulting in the production of new collagen and markedly improving the elasticity of the skin. The effect lasts for up to two and a half years after which you may need another session as you have become two and a half years older too!!

Dr Nooreyezdan added, “Ultherapy is recommended for those between 35 and 60 with early signs of laxity. These patients see results within three to six months with a single treatment. Patients over the age of 60 may require a second treatment in six months. Treatments specific for certain areas such as the chin, eyes or brow can last for several While fillers and Botox are overpriced, can be painful and need to be done regularly, Ultherapy gives a great natural-looking freshening up alternate. 

Do give it a shot and feel the difference yourselves!

NOTE: This is a promoted post by Apollo Hospital Delhi, India