HAIR TRANSPLANT Archives | MAXIM HAIR RESTORATION

WHAT IS TRICHOLOGY?

Posted on June 7, 2022June 30, 2022 by maximclinicalteam

Trichology is a sophisticated field of dermatology that has its roots in 19th century England. From the earliest interests in trichology as a paramedical science to the official practice, trichology has seen many advancements to make its way to the US as a mainstream medical practice for hair transplant surgery and hair restoration. If you’ve ever been curious about the emergence of trichology in the US, take a closer look at this overview from the team at MAXIM Hair Restoration.

What Is Trichology?

Trichology is the study and analysis of hair, hair loss, and scalp conditions, including the causes, effects, and treatments for hair restoration and diseases of the scalp. The word “trichology” comes from the Greek word “trikhos” meaning “hair.” Trichology combines medical principles from dermatology and cosmetological applications to treat and beautify areas of the scalp.

Professionals in trichology study advancements and practices concerning hair regrowth, hair loss, and scalp problems better understand the causes of thinning hair and balding. Because hair loss involves both the hair and skin and can be due to medical or cosmetic issues, trichology combines the two fields to achieve hair restoration. This field of medicine has seen many developments and contributions to its advancement, where its early beginnings in the United Kingdom served as a foundation for trichology practices in the US.

What’s a Trichologist?

Trichologists specialize in and treat conditions of the hair and scalp. They most often specialize in hair restoration, where they focus on the causes and treatment techniques for regaining hair growth and minimizing additional hair loss. Many trichologists work with hair restoration doctors and surgeons to develop personalized treatments for your needs, including hair transplant surgery, non-invasive techniques, and innovative solutions that stimulate follicular growth.

Where Did Trichology Originate?

Trichology first emerged in Britain during the 1800s as a specialty branch of medical and dermatological study. During the 1860s, the interest in hair loss and rejuvenation arose in London, when a self-appointed professor, Wheeler, popularized the scientific study and interest in hair and scalp conditions. By the early 1900s, this interest in the scalp, hair, and related conditions causing hair loss became the focus of the trichology field. As developments were made and interest in scalp studies grew, the Institute of Trichologists took shape in California during the 1970s from the efforts of trichologist David Salinger.

Trichology in the US for Hair Restoration

After about 60 years, the Institute of Trichologists had an influence on practices in the US. In 1974, David Jerome Salinger of the University of Southern Golden State in California developed a primary trichology course that paved the way for further studies in the field. Salinger served as former vice president of the Institute of Trichologists and also acted as the administrator of the newly formed International Association of Trichologists (IAT) of the time.

Trichology vs. Dermatology

Trichology might apply principles of dermatology, but the two fields differ a bit. While dermatology focuses on disorders and ailments of the skin, hair, and nails, the field of trichology specializes in hair and scalp conditions. Because trichology focuses on the scalp, hair, and conditions affecting hair growth and health, it branched out and became its own specialized field of dermatology. If you consult with a dermatologist, you have the benefit of addressing various skin conditions, but dermatology doesn’t focus on the complexities of hair loss, scalp conditions, and the restoration of the follicles for hair regrowth.

What Do Trichologists Treat?

Trichologists help treat a wide range of scalp and hair conditions. From female and male pattern hair loss to autoimmune alopecia symptoms, here are some of the issues and causes of hair loss trichology has begun to address in the US:

Hair Loss

Hair loss and thinning can be attributed to a few causes, including androgenetic hair loss. Both females and males can experience androgenetic hair loss, and trichology specializes in understanding and treating the underlying causes of this condition.

In many cases, the condition starts with a receding hairline extending from the temples or the thinning of the hair on the crown. With the emergence of trichological procedures over time — like hair transplants — androgenetic hair loss has a range of surgical and non-surgical solutions for regaining natural hair growth.

Alopecia Areata

Trichology also looks closely at the condition of alopecia areata, which is an autoimmune disorder that affects both men and women and can cause significant hair loss. Typically, trichologists treating alopecia notice completely bald, circular areas where hair loss is present, usually the size of a quarter or smaller. The condition can occur in temporary flare-ups or it can be a permanent hair loss condition. In some cases, individuals who suffer from alopecia experience severe hair loss only to have it grow back and thin again.

This hair loss and intermittent regrowth can repeat in a cycle for some, indicating the symptoms can vary between individuals. There are several types of alopecia that trichology now addresses. With alopecia areata totalis, patients have total hair loss of the scalp. Alopecia areata universalis causes hair loss all over the body, and diffuse alopecia areata is sudden hair thinning rather than an entire loss of hair. Ophiasis alopecia areata causes hair loss to appear in banded shapes around the sides and back of the head.

Traumatic Hair Loss or Thinning

In some cases, trichologists treat patients suffering from severe hair loss or thinning due to traumatic physical causes. Trichotillomania is one such disorder in which an individual suffers hair loss due to self-inflicted trauma, like scalp picking, obsessive hair pulling, or excessive styling. While trichology can be an effective medical application for treating cases of trichotillomania, the compulsive habit behind the condition often requires additional psychological treatment for successful results.

Schedule Your Consultation With MAXIM Hair Restoration Today

At MAXIM Hair Restoration, our team of professionals makes your hair and scalp care our number one priority. Schedule your free consultation today and discover what MAXIM Hair Restoration can do for you. We specialize in hair transplant surgery and non-surgical alternatives to give you the very best results for long-lasting, natural hair growth.

HAIR TRANSPLANTATION TERMS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Posted on June 7, 2022June 15, 2022 by maximclinicalteam

We all know hair transplant therapies are a great way to get rid of the stress and anxiety associated with hair loss. In the middle of your hair transplant consultation, what if the doctor starts using terms that are completely foreign to you? Though medical professionals try to simplify these terms as much as possible, complex language may be required to describe a medical procedure.

In this article, we aim to help familiarize you with commonly used hair-transplant terminology so you’ll be able to go into your appointment with a better understanding of the information that will be provided to you.

Androgenetic Alopecia

Also referred to as male pattern baldness, androgenetic alopecia is the most common reason for hair loss in males. This condition is hereditary, and the genetic vulnerability of hair follicles is the primary reason behind it. The crown, the middle, and frontal areas of the scalp are affected in androgenetic alopecia resulting in a U-shaped pattern of hair loss.

Miniaturization

Hair miniaturization refers to thinning of the hair follicles that results in baldness or a receding hairline. DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a hormone that affects the hair follicle [1] causing a steady reduction in hair shaft diameter and length. Densitometry is used to detect early phases of miniaturization. It’s critical to analyze the degree of miniaturization on the back and sides of the scalp when assessing a patient for hair transplant surgery to ensure that the donor area is permanent.

Autograft

A hair procedure of autografting entails hair transplantation using tissue from your own body and moving it to another. The follicular-unit transplant is an autograft since it takes a piece of tissue from the back of your head and plants it to a foreign location in the area of loss, or the eyebrows and beard.

Allograft

A graft obtained from one person and transplanted to another is known as an allograft, just like a kidney transplant. After an allograft hair transplant, you’re given medications to suppress your immunity, encouraging your body to accept the grafts. This is not used during transplantation due to the suppression requirements.

Male and Female Pattern Baldness

Male and Female pattern baldness is genetic hair loss defined by widespread patterned hair loss and/or hair thinning of the scalp. This condition presents differently in men and women. This is just a layman’s term for androgenetic alopecia.

Club Hair or Telogen Hair

Club hair means hair that has reached the end of its growth cycle or that is in the telogen (resting) phase. Its club-like roots anchor it to the skin. However, each club hair will ultimately fall out and be replaced by a new developing hair.

Camouflage

In hair transplant surgery, camouflage is achieved by placing small grafts (micrografts or follicular units) in front of bigger ones to make them appear more natural. [2]

Alopecia Reduction

Alopecia reduction surgery involves removing balding scalp tissue and replacing it with hair-covered scalp tissues. This therapy has been used to treat male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) since the mid-1970s, and it can also treat cicatricial alopecia, which is hair loss because of scalp scarring. Alopecia reduction can be done on its own or in conjunction with other hair transplant procedures. This procedure is not very common due to the advancement of surgical technologies during FUE and FUT.

Follicular Unit Transplant

Follicular unit dissection is a type of hair transplant in which naturally existing single follicular units are removed wholly from a strip of donor tissue. The transplantation process is done through surgery. A dissecting stereomicroscope with a magnification of at least 5 to 10 times is used to separate the follicular-unit grafts.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a process that involves removing single follicular units from the donor region. This procedure is less invasive, heals faster, and it’s the choice option for those who wish to wear short hair styles, such as a fade.

Graft

In hair restoration, a graft is the follicular unit that is being transplanted from the lower scalp near the nape of the neck and midline ears, known as the donor region, and transplanted to thinning or balding areas. Micrografting (one to two) and minigrafting (three to five hairs) are the most common types. [2]

Hair Economics

Hair economics is a theory that claims that there is only a finite or diminishing quantity of hair, but when balding patterns emerge, the demand for hair grows. [2]

Alopecia senile

Alopecia senile is a kind of hair loss that starts as you age. It generally begins after the age of 50. The time of hair development and the diameter of the hair follicle both decrease with age, resulting in finer and shorter hair. The process happens throughout the whole scalp and is more uniform than the miniaturization changes associated with DHT’s hormonal impacts. The specific cause of senile hair loss is attributed to several different body mechanics and healing priorities shifting as you age.

Tissue Extender

A tissue extender is a device for stretching the scalp’s tissues. Stretching the sides of the skull that contain hair to promote speedy removal of balding regions is a common way to accelerate the process of scalp reductions. The tissue extender is placed temporarily beneath the scalp and left intact for three weeks.

Incisional Slit-Graft

Incisional slit graft is an upgraded hair transplant procedure. Classical punch grafting uses fewer grafts, whereas incisional slit grafting uses a higher number of smaller grafts. This procedure preserves the blood supply, which leads to a higher graft yield. It results in a more natural frontal hairline. [3]

So there you have it. We hope that breaking down these medical terminologies will make you even more comfortable and prepared when discussing treatment options with your doctor. Now you won’t skip a beat the next time you hear one of them, whether during a consultation or elsewhere.

Meanwhile, if you have any hair-related queries or you’re weighing your hair transplant treatment options, go ahead and schedule a free consultation with MAXIM’s professional medical team. We’re ready to help with all of your hair transplant needs.

Footnotes

1. Jewell, Tim. (2019). What You Need to Know About DHT and Hair Loss. https://www.healthline.com/health/dht

2. International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. (2002). Glossary. https://ishrs.org/patients/glossary/

3. Stough 4th, D. B.; Nelson, B. R.; Stough 3rd., D. B. (1991). Incisional slit grafting. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1991881/

HAIR TRANSPLANTS FOR CURLY HAIR

Posted on June 7, 2022June 8, 2022 by maximclinicalteam

Do you think a hair transplant is an option for someone with curly hair? The answer is a loud yes! It is feasible for people with curly hair. This hair transplant surgery used to be extremely difficult for this group, which primarily includes people of African American origin, Middle Easterners, a few Hispanics, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and other ethnic communities. The experiences were not very enthusiastic — transection rates were high and transplant survival rates were minimal. Patient satisfaction used to take the brunt.

However, hair transplant surgeries now can manage all hair contours and textures for both men and women. Although the treatment is more complicated and detailed than the straight hair category, the look of a denser, thicker head full of hair is very much possible for curly-haired people.

Hair Transplants for Curly Hair — Before Hair Transplant

The Significance of Hair Structure in a Hair Transplant

The hair structure is secondary in a hair transplant. All hair follicles that are healthy and alive can be transplanted. It makes little difference whether the hair is straight or curly.

Having said that, curly hair is so much more challenging to manage during hair transplant surgery because there is a greater possibility of hair shaft dissection (inadvertent cutting or damaging of the hair bulb) during the procedure. Nevertheless, a seasoned hair transplant surgery staff that utilizes the technology effectively and has types of equipment designed for curly hair can significantly decrease the transection rate and generate a much better outcome to adequately take care of the bald spot and strengthen one’s self-esteem.

Benefits of Curly Hair Transplant Surgery

Curly hair has a high density of hair per follicular unit, making it simple to cover bald spots with fewer follicular units than straight hair. This implies that, in comparison to those with straight hair, you will require fewer procedures to rebuild your hairline. Therefore, curly hair makes the surgeon’s job much easier because it takes less time.

Curly hair transplants also produce more hair than straight hair transplants. This is due to the curls creating the appearance of voluminous hair in the balding area.

Problems Associated With Curly Hair Transplants

Due to the nature of hair follicles, curly hair transplants are intricate procedures that necessitate high accuracy and diligence. Because curly hair spirals from the edge to the root, extracting and implanting it necessitates extreme caution. This also raises the chances of hair not adjusting to its new surroundings, resulting in an apparent unnatural appearance if the operation is not performed correctly.

Furthermore, African American hair is curly with a distinct root. Compared to Asian or Caucasian hair, this presents a unique post-harvest challenge. Because the roots of African American hair are prone to damage because of the curl, special attention and care to specifics must be given when extracting donor hair from the nape of the neck or the sides to ensure the hair bulbs are not compromised or transected. A hair transplant surgeon with vast experience with African American hair, an excellent eye for precision, and a knowledge of creating hairlines with horizontal, sleek edges are required for the operation.

Best Hair Transplant for Curly Hair Type

As mentioned above, curly and wavy hair requires a great deal of competence on the surgeon’s behalf. When transplanting curly hair, the doctor must ensure that the individual grafts are transplanted at the perfect angle, so the curls afterward lie correctly. When looking at natural curls, you will notice that not each hair is especially wavy, but an entire lot of hair has the same wavy look.

Another difficulty is transplanting very curly hair. Such hair follicles grow a little curved underneath the scalp. Hair transplant using follicular unit extraction (FUE) can be complicated. This is especially true if the hair transplant surgeon or clinician is new to the procedure.

Therefore, it is a widespread belief that follicular unit transplantation (FUT) [1] is the best method for transplanting curly hair. Follicular unit transplantation is a surgical technique in which your surgeon takes out a small strip of hair follicles. The hair follicles are then prepared for transplant in the balding area. You might be surprised to learn that this treatment option gives you fuller hair for life.

It is quite apparent that it is not possible to collect a single hair follicle with curly hair — hence the surgeon gathers the strip of skin with follicles during this follicular unit transplantation, which is why FUT is such a well-accepted procedure for curly hair transplant.

Post Operation Recovery

The donor region might be sore for almost a week after the surgery, or patients may encounter numbness in the donor site. Throughout this time, you should also expect some inflammation and swelling. Patients should begin gently rinsing the recipient site two days after treatment — this is crucial for preventing the formation of scabs. Scabs that form and stick to the scalp and hair may result in the loss of freshly transplanted hair follicles.

Also, doctors may prescribe post-operative medications to help relieve your pain. In general, it is best to rest and avoid intense exercise and other hard manual work for a minimum of a week or 10 days.

The majority of patients can get back to jobs and resume normal activities in a few days after their hair transplant operation. Ensure that you follow any aftercare directions given by the doctor.

Is There a Change in the Structure of the Hair After a Hair Transplant?

The structure of the hair does not modify after hair transplantation. The donor site’s hair will almost have the same structure always as the recipient balding site’s hair.

If the individual follicular units are grafted using the FUE [2] technique, the patient’s hairs usually grow several few months after hair transplant. You will not be able to distinguish between your transplanted hair and your natural hair. That is one benefit of choosing a more challenging FUE technique for curly hair.

If you want to know more about how curly hair transplant works, don’t hesitate to contact us at MAXIM. Our qualified and caring team of experts will be happy to go over the process with you and address questions that you may have. Set up your free consultation with us today — we look forward to hearing from you!

Footnotes:

1. Yetman, Daniel. (June 30, 2020). What You Need to Know About Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). https://www.healthline.com/health/fut-hair-transplant

2. Dua, Aman & Kapil. (2010 May-Aug). Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Transplant. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2956961/

HAIR TRANSPLANTS FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN HAIR

Posted on June 7, 2022January 11, 2023 by maximclinicalteam

Hair transplants are feasible for many people, regardless of race. Nevertheless, African Americans may require special awareness of their unique hair growth dynamics to get the most significant outcomes.

African American Hair Transplant — Before Hair Transplant

Many African Americans who are experiencing hair loss do not believe they are suitable candidates for a hair transplant treatment due to the unique qualities of their hair. This is a long-held misconception. In reality, the curly nature of a black hair follicle provides African American hair transplant clients with an advantage — the “curl” gives the illusion of higher density. Thus, fewer hair grafts are required to obtain apparent results. The challenge occurs with the harvesting of curly hair which can cause transection, resulting in a lower yield, if not performed by skilled clinicians.

Let’s understand a few significant dynamics of Afro-American hair transplants.

Causes of Hair Loss in African Americans

As with any other community, hair loss in African American people also happens due to multiple reasons. Let’s look at a few of them.

Male Pattern Baldness

Male pattern baldness is a major cause of hair loss in all ethnicities. And it’s one of the most prevalent problems the doctors see in African American patients too. DHT, a hormone that diminishes hair follicles with age, is often the cause of male pattern baldness.

Each of us shed hair daily — folks of all ages shed between 100 and 125 strands every day. This hair usually regenerates so that any weakening will go unnoticed.

However, for people susceptible to DHT, hair follicles slowly diminish with age, and the hair that grows back is thinner. The follicle eventually dies and does not regrow.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is a condition in which the immune system attacks hair follicles. The body misidentifies these follicles as an invading infection and strives to eliminate them. This has the potential to cause both temporary and permanent hair loss. Alopecia is more widespread among African Americans.

Traction Alopecia

Traction alopecia, incurable without a hair transplant, may also affect Black men. It can be caused by tugging the hair back into tight hairstyles regularly.

Because textured hair is prone to breakage, prolonged hairstyles such as braiding, twists, and weaving are popular in Black communities. Unfortunately, these styles can cause damage and hair loss by putting too much strain on the base of one’s hair.

Anemia

Anemia may also cause hair loss, according to some studies. Anemia occurs when the body does not produce enough red blood cells to transport oxygen around the body. It can cause exhaustion and discomfort.

Sickle cell illness can cause anemia and afflict those of African heritage significantly. One in every 365 Black people [1] in the U.S. has sickle cell anemia.

What Makes Black Men’s Hair Restoration Unique?

There are a few unique problems associated with African American hair loss. These are some examples:

Strong Curls

While black hair is naturally curly, the tightness and structure of the curls differ based on the individual. People might even have various curl patterns on their hair simultaneously. The hair near the nape may be thick, while the hair on the crown of the head could be thinner.

The angle at which the follicle is re-inserted into the scalp while doing follicular transplants determines how curly the subsequent hair growth will be. Each follicle must be appropriately positioned to make sure that the fresh hair growth matches the adjoining area perfectly.

Highly Fragile

Textured hair is more delicate than some other hair varieties, and the roots are more vulnerable to damage. This is due to the fact that the hair shaft is quite thick in comparison to some other hair types, and the curl extends to the root. A large, curving root renders hair follicle extraction and grafting more challenging and increases the risk of injury.

Hair Transplant Methods for African American Hair

Advanced hair restoration surgery, such as follicular unit extraction, combined with the expertise of professional hair transplant surgeons, can be highly successful remedies for African American people experiencing hair loss. Unique characteristics of the follicles necessitate skill and a particular technique for donor extraction in both FUT and FUE operations. Consequently, using these procedures leads to good growth and, of course, outcomes that are as natural-looking as possible.

Some of the most common hair transplant treatments for Black people are:

Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT)

Follicular unit transplant (FUT) [2] is a surgical treatment that includes extracting a strip of scalp with healthy hair follicles from an area densely covered with hair and grafting them into the balding region.

Some hair transplant doctors feel this treatment is ideal for African American hair because of the additional complications of collecting hair follicles. They believe that this method makes it simpler to extract healthy hair follicles without causing keloid scarring, which African Americans are susceptible to.

However, this treatment leaves a prominent linear scar. This may be more difficult for Black males to conceal as they generally keep very short hair.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

In follicular unit extraction or FUE, hair follicles are picked straight from the scalp, rather than cutting a strip of the scalp from the donor location. Unlike FUT’s strip procedure, which causes a noticeable linear scar, FUE [3] has no apparent scarring, is nearly noninvasive, and has a reduced recovery period.

At MAXIM Hair Restoration, we exclusively use the most advanced technology available for the Afro-American community.

It is easy to transect (cut) donor hair follicles during the harvesting process. If 2,000 grafts are attempted to be harvested, a procedure may only yield 1,000 to 1,500 if done using less than optimal technology and/or in inexperienced hands. This is why many African-Americans traditionally hesitated to undergo hair transplants.

Micro-Pigmentation of the Scalp (SMP)

Scalp Micro-pigmentation [4], also known as SMP, is a nonsurgical procedure that involves the placement of microscopic, clinical tattoos on the balding scalp to replicate the appearance of shaven hair follicles. This technique is safe for males of all ethnicities, as well as women. It can be used alone or combined with surgical treatments to improve the outcome.

As short haircuts are very common in African American groups, the micro-pigmentation technique is especially prevalent.

Excellent results can be obtained with a black hair transplant by using any of the procedures mentioned above. Your MAXIM doctor or clinician may recommend a combination of procedures, also known as Hybrid Hair Restoration. If you’re African American and wondering how to go about your hair restoration, take that critical step of scheduling a private consultation with MAXIM’s experienced staff, and we will be happy to help you.

Footnotes

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (December 16, 2020). Data & Statistics on Sickle Cell Disease. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/data.html#:~:text=SCD%20occurs%20among%20about%201,sickle%20cell%20trait%20(SCT)

2. Yetman, Daniel. (June 30, 2020). What You Need to Know About Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). https://www.healthline.com/health/fut-hair-transplant

3. Dua, Aman & Kapil. (May-August 2010). Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Transplant. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2956961/

4. Gallagher, Grace. (May 28, 2019). Everything You Need to Know About Scalp Micropigmentation. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/scalp-micropigmentation

WHAT IS A HYBRID HAIR TRANSPLANT?

Posted on May 6, 2022May 9, 2022 by maximclinicalteam

If you can’t find a hair loss treatment that offers everything you want, you might be a candidate for a hybrid hair procedure. These procedures combine different treatment methods to give patients a personalized solution that blends various benefits. In this helpful guide, we discuss some common hybrid hair procedures and explain how they work.

Combining FUE With FUT

You might’ve heard of follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT). They’re two of the most popular methods of hair restoration. You can combine these methods to maximize your results in one sitting. Both these methods can be time-consuming, but a hybrid treatment allows your surgeon to meet your intended result with minimal return visits. Here’s how it works.

Follicular unit transplantation, also known as the strip method, is a hair restoration surgery that’s been popular for years. They call it the strip method because the doctor takes a strip of hair from the back of your head, extracts hair grafts from it, and places those grafts in your balding areas. Basically, we take your hair and spread the wealth. This method used to be known as “plugs”, but with advanced technology, FUT procedures give patients a much thicker, more natural look than traditional “plugs”.

Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is similar to FUT, except the surgeon removes each follicular unit individually, creating several single- to multi-hair grafts and then implants it in the affected area of your scalp. Let’s say you’re redoing your lawn for spring. If you pulled up a sheet of sod from your backyard and moved it to your front yard to line the walkway, that’s like FUT. If you plucked blades of glass individually and arranged them carefully to fill in gaps in the front yard, that’s more like FUE. Here are some benefits of blending these two methods into one hybrid hair procedure:

FUE & FUT Hair Transplant Comparison — FUT (left) combined with FUE (right)

FUT leaves a linear scar on the back of your head, but FUE doesn’t. Combining them can limit scarring.
You can maximize the number of grafts transplanted in one appointment. If you have a lot of area to cover, combining these treatments can give you a fuller, thicker head of hair without too many visits.
With FUE, your doctor has more control over where they place each graft. FUT and FUE together can give you a more precise result than FUT can alone.

Combining FUE With Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT)

Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT) is a type of non-surgical hair loss therapy where a doctor induces collagen production using microneedles and serums on the scalp. This can stimulate hair growth by triggering your body’s natural healing mechanisms to break down calcification and fibrosis. This improves tissue oxygenation and nutrient flow, allowing your hair follicles to grow naturally.

You might be wondering how effective CIT is. While it might seem like magic, it’s actually based on scientific evidence. It also dramatically improves blood flow to the hair follicles, slowing down hair loss. CIT can be especially helpful if you have a condition like androgenetic alopecia that causes hair loss. You’d typically receive treatment every four to six weeks until you have gone through treatment three to four times. Then, you can come back a few times a year for maintenance.

You can use FUE in combination with CIT to supplement the hair growth with transferred hair grafts. We’re happy to help you restore your hair’s growth with FUE or FUT, but we know there’s nothing like the real thing. If you want to help your hair follicles re-grow naturally before committing to a full restoration treatment, you may be a candidate for a hybrid treatment using hair growth factors and CIT.

Combining FUE With SMP

Scalp micro-pigmentation (SMP) is a treatment where micro deposits of 3D ink are deposited into your scalp in thinning areas, making your scalp look fuller and darker. Expert technicians apply pigment in the strength, shade, and shape needed to create the appearance of thicker hair. This technique can be ideal for supplementing FUE, especially if your hair is thinning but not fully balding.

Using SMP in conjunction with FUE is a great solution for patients who want the best possible results without undergoing several procedures. FUE helps cover the balding with new hair placement, but if you don’t have enough hair in the donor area to thicken up your hair as much as you’d like, SMP can help create the illusion. If you plan to pursue a hybrid procedure using both FUE and SMP, you’ll probably want to get FUE procedure done first. That way, our staff can take a look at your results once they’re fully healed and make a plan to fill in the spots that need it.

SMP is also a great way to hide scarring on the scalp. While the scars from FUE are nearly invisible, some people may be over harvested by less experienced clinicians, creating a moth-eaten appearance. Linear scars are left behind by FUT as well and depending on your hairstyle, may or may not be visible. Others may naturally have spacious donor areas. In any case, SMP is a great solution to blend these unsightly issues.

Combining Microneedling & Other Non-Surgical Options

If your hair follicles aren’t growing, they might just need a little encouragement. You might consider pairing microneedling with various growth factors and alternative procedures that target different issues within the dermal papilla and scalp. Microneedling is a non-surgical treatment where your doctor stamps a motorized device over your scalp, inserting a series of tiny needles into different layers of the tissue. While it might sound counteractive, creating these micro wound channels actually aids in healing hair follicles and encouraging hair growth. It also improves topical absorbency, making various growth factors and medications significantly more effective.

If needles make you a little nervous, don’t worry. Microneedling for the scalp includes local anesthesia, so you won’t feel the treatment. Plus, the needles can be as small as one millimeter wide, and the treatment usually is done in less than an hour.

You may also combine FUE with microneedling so you don’t need to transplant as many hair grafts, allowing you to save more donor hair for the future.

Microneedling can cause complications in some patients, so be sure to tell your doctor about any other conditions you might have before deciding on the treatment. Your hair is one-of-a-kind, so maybe your hair loss treatment should be too. Hybrid hair procedures are adaptable and functional, so you can meet your goals while sticking to your budget and timeline. You shouldn’t have to deal with hair loss alone, either. Our expert team at MAXIM Hair Restoration can work with you to create a customized hair plan that meets your needs. To get started, schedule a free consultation today with one of our specialists today.

WHAT TO EXPECT WITH A CROWN HAIR TRANSPLANT

Posted on April 16, 2022April 18, 2022 by maximclinicalteam

Are you experiencing hair loss or balding at the crown area of your scalp? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are several great treatment options to help restore the natural look of your hair, one of which is a crown transplant. In this article, we’ll take a look at what this treatment is, what to expect before and after the procedure, and how to prepare.

Is 25 Too Young For a Hair Transplant?

Posted on March 30, 2022April 4, 2022 by maximclinicalteam

Let’s face it, nature isn’t always fair. Nobody thinks that at age 25, they’ll be facing hair loss or balding. The truth is, hair loss is a very common condition, and it doesn’t discriminate based on age or sex. Whether you’re a male or female and you’ve started noticing your hair thinning or a loss of volume, taking action early can help in the long run. We know that hair loss can be concerning and that baldness at a young age can significantly impact your self-esteem. The good news is that MAXIM Hair Restoration can help you return to your former glory with a full head of thick, healthy hair.

How Many Hair Grafts Do I Need?

Posted on February 9, 2022April 20, 2022 by editor

Hair transplant surgery has come a long way since the technology’s first development. The specialists at MAXIM Hair Restoration are each trained in the most advanced hair transplant technologies and procedures. We offer two of these specialized procedures, follicular unit transplantation and follicular unit extraction. How many grafts you’ll need depends on the area needing to be covered and the donor area available. Our specialists can develop a plan to provide you with the best treatment options for your specific circumstance. Reach out to the providers at MAXIM Hair Restoration today to schedule your complimentary consultation.

HAIR TRANSPLANTS: HOW THEY WORK

Posted on December 6, 2021March 13, 2023 by maximclinicalteam

Sometimes because of age or genetics, we begin to see changes in hair growth. This happens to both men and women and is a completely natural experience. However, hair loss can be abnormal due to genetics, nutrition, stress, and various other factors as well. Thankfully, due to extensive research, modern science, and technological advances, it is possible to fight genetics and age-related hair loss. Many people experience hair loss in the crown/vertex, temples, and throughout the hairline, resulting in an aged aesthetic. Read on to learn about how hair transplant surgery can help give you back the hairline you want and the two primary methods used for a hair transplant.

Hair Transplant Surgery

A hair transplant is a simple procedure that moves hair you already have growing from one area of your body to another area of your body that is thinly populated with follicles. Typically, hair is taken from one area of the scalp and transplanted to another, where it is expected to thrive, regrow, and help fill in areas of balding or thinning hair.

This procedure is done in an out-patient facility under local anesthesia. There are two types of procedural methods currently in use for hair transplantation. Follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation, sometimes referred to as the strip method or FUT.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

Follicular unit extraction, or FUE, is a hair transplant procedure that uses a series of small circular incisions to remove hair follicles from the donor site, which stems from the temporal midline above the ear, through the back of the scalp, to the opposing midline ear. Each hair follicle is individually examined to determine if it is a viable candidate to use for transplantation into the treatment site. The FUE technique has become the preferred one for many doctors as it causes barely-visible scarring and has a shorter recovery time. It can be performed using a manual punch or advanced FUE device, such as the WAW, Ellis System, Cole FUE System, ATERA System, or Robotic Hair Restoration.

The chance of noticeable scars decreases with this method because the incisions are so small that the scarring presents as a hypopigmentation effect which is masked by the remaining donor hair. The grafts are extracted one at a time, using a millimeter-sized rotating punch device. Scars are still technically present, but because the size is so small, it is invisible to the naked eye. The results make this method ideal for individuals who like to wear their hair short. This is also a very comfortable procedure as it is far less invasive than an FUT.

Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT)

FUT is the process where the surgeon removes a strip of tissue from the donor site that contains the hair follicles. It is also known as the strip method, due to the donor being removed all at once as a strip. The scalp at the donor site is then adhered using sutures, leaving behind a paper thin linear scar. The stitches remain on the scalp for about 10 days to allow the tissue to heal properly and then they are removed during the next office visit. Meanwhile, the donor strip is dissected to isolate each individual hair follicle to use as a graft. Each graft section contains one to four hair follicles, depending on the donor hair’s density.

Surgeons and their assistants then make incision sites for implantation and the technicians proceed to place the follicles in the clinicians recipient sites. Due to the large volume capable of being removed during a strip, it can sometimes be the better procedure for some individuals who need broader coverage.

With any transplantation method, hair will typically fall and begin to grow within 3 months. Now it’s time for the patience game, as it will grow in slowly over the next 18 months. However, most of your results will be fully recognized around the 12 month mark.

Collagen Induction Therapy

Firstly, let’s define collagen. Collagen is the primary structural protein found in skin and connective tissue. This is important as the outer layers of veins and arteries are primarily composed of connective tissue and collagen is a key component in neoangiogenesis, or the development of new blood vessels from the old. Blood flow is imperative to all organs, hair included, and plays a major role in hair loss.

Collagen induction therapy consists of small punctures using a roller-like needle device with 0.25- to 2.5-millimeter needles or a motorized pen that moves at very controlled depths. Due to the precision and depth testing, as well as the angle of puncturing, micropens are the superior device. The needles roll through the scalp causing uneven, angular microtrauma, whereas pens puncture straight with less trauma at a controlled depth.

The trauma caused to the tissues triggers your body’s natural healing response, migrating and growth factors to the tissue for repair. By doing so, your body opens blood vessels to send the materials for repair and the collagen produced aids in better vascularity, oxygenation, and tissue strength.

Due to the increased sensitivity of the scalp to pain, a ring block is typically used, which is a small amount of local anesthesia creating a numbing ring around the treatment area. The remaining procedure would depend on what type of procedure you are having done.

While alone can improve hair growth by a meaningful amount, it is much more effective when paired with other treatments. For example, the penetration also creates an opening in the stratum corneum allowing for increased absorption of topical compounds such as minoxidil or various topical nutrients. Additionally, this could be done with various regenerative medications that improve healing and growth factor migration, significantly amplifying the results of one another.

Collagen production has several anti-aging benefits, including a more youthful appearance and a healthy glow for the skin, but the growth factors used to repair the skin and the increased blood flow are hugely beneficial to the hair follicle itself.

When you’re looking for qualified and dependable doctors to do a procedure so important to your self-confidence, you only want the best. Here at MAXIM Hair Restoration we have specialists all over the world who are ready to help you achieve the look you desire. Simply fill out our contact form to let us know a little more about you and your goals. Include any questions or concerns you have in the Questions/Comments content box so we can provide you with a comprehensive response to your concerns.

Meanwhile, browse our gallery to see the effects hair restorative treatments have had on others and what our team of trusted doctors can do for you. The results speak for themselves. If you’re in the Sarasota area When you’re ready, set up a free consultation for your hair transplant viability assessment.

HAIR RESTORATION COMPANY OFFERS TELE-HAIR SERVICES

Posted on May 26, 2020February 24, 2022 by

MAXIM Hair Restoration Innovates Tele-Hair Consults for Hair Transplants and Hair Restoration

TeleHealth is part of the digital revolution that MAXIM offers as a technologically advanced organization that serves patients suffering from a broad spectrum of hair loss conditions. TeleHealth complies with COVID regulations by limiting exposure. MAXIM promotes ongoing support for existing and new patients by offering a HIPAA-compliant platform and cost-effective solutions for hair restoration consultations, pre and post-operative care which was historically not available in the industry, at least not via a HIPAA compliant platform.

Introduction:

MAXIM Hair Restoration, an organization that prides itself in keeping up-to-date with emerging med-tech innovations and using cutting edge technology to advance access to patient care and quality of customer service, has now joined the digital revolution by incorporating TeleHealth services through a HIPAA compliant platform for consultations, patient care, and communication.

MAXIM views patients as a top priority which is why increasing patient access to health care professionals remotely provides a safe, cost-effective, reliable, and convenient platform that does not dilute the quality of Doctor-Patient communications.

Statistics:

According to The American Hospital Association, 76% of hospitals in the US connect with Telehealth services.
Home monitoring of chronic diseases is reducing hospital visits by as much as 50% by keeping patients stable through daily monitoring.

As the TeleHealth sector has evolved, the initial adopters were rural hospitals and clinics followed by urgent care centers. Teladoc is now a multi-billion dollar, publicly-traded TeleHealth company that ratifies the demand and success of this service and sector.

Recently, partially due to the COVID-19 crisis, elective and cosmetic surgery as well as non-surgical medical aesthetic providers have jumped on the TeleHealth bandwagon. Providers are offering virtual consultations and pre/post-operative care.

Since HIPAA has temporarily relaxed TeleHealth platform protocols, patients and providers are empowered to choose the best form of communication via phone, SMS/Chat and other messaging systems, video calls via Skype, Zoom or Face Time, inbox messaging, and other vehicles to expedite responsiveness and communication with each exchange in real time.

The ability to address more patients does not dilute the quality of care, rather it democratizes it, giving back the power for patients to feel comfortable and confident in receiving guidance from their health care providers. Using Telehealth has become a necessary response to the rising effects of Covid-19 safety regulations which prohibit in-person and in-clinic patient visits, an extremely prohibitive process for those in need of non-urgent requests.

This transitional period of technology and communications is a critical component in solving a variety of health care challenges that go beyond patent communication.

Telehealth Consultation

Telehealth enables the dismantling of obstacles affecting patients who are actively seeking medical support. It’s an alternative that serves patients with opportunities to overcome mobility-related issues such as transportation and associated costs. Moreover, Telehealth encounters are economically more attractive to patients as they entail lower or no co-pays and other out-of-pocket costs.

From a provider perspective, TeleHealth enables them to target and attract patients beyond their customary radius of let’s say 50 miles or so.

According to Mac Fadra, CEO of MAXIM Hair Restoration, “We are finding that TeleHealth enables us to attract patients from secondary and tertiary markets who would otherwise hesitate. This serves us well since our clients may need to be in our clinic only on the day of their procedure. Pre and post-operative services could be rendered by providers via TeleHealth as much as possible.”

MAXIM Hair Restoration has pioneered the concept of TeleHair consults and services that are focused on the hair restoration sector. These services are not just limited to provider-patient communication and interaction but extend to our ancillary and administrative staff as well.

Furthermore, TeleHealth is integrated with the EHR, CRM and Nurture systems to capture all patient encounters and communication electronically.

“Real-time consultations whether they are urgent, pre-op, post-op, consultative, or those seeking to be educated without the distraction of an advertisement – all deserve to have ongoing open access to professionals ready to respond to each request. MAXIM seeks to be a part of resolving and changing the paradigm of care as we see it today by improving patient care in all ways possible, beginning with TeleHair and TeleHealth,” added Mr. Fadra.

MAXIM has locations in Manhattan, New York City; Great Neck and Huntington in Long Island; Parmaus, New Jersey; Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston, Texas; Alexandria, Northern Virginia; and Southern California. Outside the U.S., MAXIM has locations in Manila and Cebu in the Philippines as well as Dubai and Istanbul, Turkey. Call today for a free consultation!