Dr. Simmons | Seager Hair Transplant Centre
26
Jun
2014

FUE or FUT? Which one is better

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Once you have made the decision to improve your hairline with hair restoration, you next have to decide on what approach you wish to take regarding the transplant procedure. Obviously, the most important variables to weigh are natural looking results and long term success. While there are a plethora of techniques out there in the market, the only two proven methods are FUE or Follicular Unit Extraction and FUT or Follicular Unit Transplantation.

Follicular Unit Transplantation

Follicular Unit Extraction

FUE uses a micro-punch to individually extract donor grafts with minimum incision and therefore minimum scarring. (The micro-scar left behind appears as small white dots). Hairs are extracted one by one and are transplanted in the same fashion. Grafts are more sensitive than their FUT counterpart and have a slightly lower survival rate.

Follicular Unit Transplantation

FUT works to remove a donor strip (or group) of hair follicles generally from the back of the scalp which are then separated and into the naturally occurring follicular units – the individual groups of hairs – for use. By removing the hairs in a continuous strip, we are able to microscopically separate this strip into the naturally occurring 1, 2, 3 and 4 haired grafts, leaving natures building blocks intact and ensuring optimal growth. The scar left after extraction is a fine white line on the back of the head which can be easily hidden by your hair even at very short lengths.

Pain & Healing

Pain and healing time are things to take into consideration before undergoing the transplant. Both procedures are done under local anesthesia, with FUT a tension may be experienced on the scalp along with a sensation of temporary numbness for a short period following the procedure. FUE is a less painful experience and does not include any numbness. Swelling occurs with both FUT and FUE and lasts around a week’s time.

Overall…

Both methods have their pros and cons, neither is superior to the other and requires careful examination of the scalp to determine the right route for you. We will advise you on all options and provide all the information you need to make an informed decision that will lead to the greatest personal success.

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16
Jun
2014

Post-transplant Expectations

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If you’ve recently undergone hair transplant surgery, there’s no doubt that you are excited to start seeing results and enjoying your new hairline and thicker, more luscious growth. Here is what to expect in the weeks and months after your hair transplant surgery:

Hair Transplantation

The week after your procedure: Patients will usually experience some swelling immediately after the procedure, lasting for up to a week. If this is the case, you can apply ice to the swollen area for the first two days after surgery. Don’t shower until the next morning. Avoid any hair products for the first few days and if you’re using Rogaine, you can restart using it again within a week.

1-2 weeks: After 7 – 10 days, sutures are taken out (get them taken out by the clinic who performed your surgery), and at this point most or all of your scabs will be gone. A small minority of patients may see a “shadow effect” where the transplanted follicles are visible after two or three weeks. This is why patients with existing hair are advised to keep their hair long enough to help camouflage the immediate effects of the procedure.

6 weeks – 3 months: Some patients – especially women, or patients with a lot of baby hairs may experience a period of time where hair actually thins further instead of becoming thicker. Don’t be alarmed, it is expected as the procedure can actually cause an effect called “shock hair” which may cause additional shedding for this period of time. Rogaine is sometimes prescribed to minimize this process. Generally it happens to most patients and is proportionate to the amount of existing hair in the area that was transplanted, but no-one has ever lost all their existing hair to shock loss!

3-4 months: This is when some patients start to see growth and actually report being happy with the effects of the procedure. If you’re not seeing any noticeable growth by now, there is still no reason for concern.

6-9 months: This is when most patients begin to be happy with the amount of growth they’re seeing and by 9 months, many will see what is close to the final result.

12-18 months: This is when the growth cycle is complete and you will be able to see the full effect of your transplant procedure.

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5
Jun
2014

Tips to get better results with Hair transplantation

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Everyone wants to look and feel their best! For men with early onset hair loss and male pattern balding, a solution that is available to increase self-esteem and restore youth is that of hair transplantation! For those seriously considering making the change, here are some tips to make your experience a successful one.

Hair Transplantation Results

  1. Pick a top surgeon. Your outcome is solely based on your surgeon’s ability to craft a natural and cohesive hairline. The line where your hair meets your forehead is at eyelevel and naturally draws other people’s eyes there. Make sure the hairline suits your face, meshes with remaining hairline, and helps (not hinders) the border of the face. Make sure your surgeon does not wish to start the hairline too low! This can result in patches, a slow period of growing in, and more time and money to fix something that should never have happened in the beginning. Again, a reputable facility like Seager Medical Group will help you avoid these mishaps and find success!
  2. It may all sound the same… But nothing could be further from the truth. We all know it can be all too easy to simply say the right thing, or tell people want to hear. We also know it’s considerably more important to keep your promises. What a Doctor or clinic promise you may well differ from what they are able to produce. The results of a hair transplant last a life time and use a precious and very limited resource, your donor hair. Reputation and results are the only thing that matter when choosing a hair transplant Doctor, if they can’t prove what they say, find someone who can.
  3. Look at pictures. Search the internet for before and after pictures of transplants. Evaluate what you like and dislike about them. It’s even better if you have a gallery from the surgeon you wish to use to see his/her skill level, results, and satisfied customers!
  4. Demand Follicular Unit Grafts (NOT PLUGS) With the advances in the hair restoration field, hair transplants now have a more natural look as they are done in a smaller scale which results in more precision and a natural effect. Where 5-8 hairs shaped in a round plug format were once used, now 1-3 hairs are implanted as a follicular unit. If your doctor has not upgraded to this technique, keep looking!
  5. Adhere to doctor’s orders! Make sure to follow any specific pre and post-op instructions. These rules are in place to ensure a successful result. Be open and honest when answering questions regarding lifestyle and medication. Follow after-care routines for better maintenance and long-term achievement.
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17
Mar
2014

How Long Do Hair Transplant Surgeons Train?

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Surgeon's TrainingIn the world of restorative surgery and plastic surgery, hair restoration is still a relatively new discipline. Choosing just the right surgeon to take on your hair loss and give you the head of hair you envision isn’t always as easy as performing a quick online search and then wading through the results.

You’ll find no shortage of doctors and medical centers claiming to perform hair transplant surgery, it’s finding ones that offer the highest quality results that poses the biggest challenge.

Hair Restoration as a Specialty

Around the world, hair transplant surgery is performed by doctors from a variety of medical backgrounds. The length of time that your hair transplant surgeon has trained overall will depend on what his or her background entails.

As for the specialty of hair restoration, there is an annual conference held by the International Society of Hair Restoration, and the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery offers a Board Certification. Aside from these two designations, different training courses provide the knowledge and skills that a surgeon needs to succeed in the field.

What to Look For

Since specific training is not yet required to perform hair transplant surgery, it’s important to look for certain points to make sure you’re aligning yourself with a quality surgeon.

  • Ask what type of credentials the surgeon does have. What is his background? What type of medical training does he have?
  • Ask about the specific hair transplant training he or she has, and from where?
  • Ask to see before and after photos of hair transplant surgeries he or she has performed.
  • Look for an office or clinic that is clean and professional-looking. Does it seem organized? Did everyone, including the doctor answer all of your questions?
  • Do the surgeons take part in continuing education such as seminars and courses that introduce new techniques and procedures in the world of hair transplant surgery?
  • Is the office and the surgeon clear and up front about the cost of the procedure? There is no reason for hidden costs to show up on the final invoice.

With a procedure that is so personal, and so important to the men and women who get it, finding a reputable practitioner is extremely important. Seager is a recognized and trusted name in the hair transplant industry, and it is a great starting point for your journey.

Feel free to book a consultation so we can show you our credentials, take a look at your hair and explain the process to you in detail.

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14
Mar
2014

Does Hair Transplant Surgery Last a Lifetime?

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Hair TransplantExperiencing hair loss is troublesome and often traumatic and hair loss sufferers considering a transplant are usually full of questions. One of the more common and understandable questions is if hair transplant surgery is permanent or not.

Losing hair the first time is bad enough, but the risk of losing it again would really be tough. Here’s how the whole process works:

The Genetic Program

Your hair growth is genetically programmed from the time you are born. Some people seem to have a pretty full head of hair well into their 70’s and 80’s, and some are only left with the hair at the sides and back before their 20’s are up.

However, it is in that hair at the sides and back – the permanent hair -that the answer to the question of hair transplant surgery lies. Basically, no matter what happens on the top of your head, for the overwhelming majority of people, the hair on the sides and back is genetically resistant to hair loss and destined to last a lifetime.

The Donor Areas

That is why in hair transplant surgery, the donor areas are in the back of your head. Hairs are taken from the back, where hair loss doesn’t happen, and transplanted to the top or front, where it does.

And so, the answer to the question is yes. Hair transplanted from the donor area to an area of hair loss will maintain that genetic resistance once it is in the new location. It will grow and behave just as if it had been left in the donor area and not moved at all.

Future Transplants

Of course, that doesn’t mean you’ll never have to schedule another hair transplant surgery. Chances are, you won’t be transplanting hair to every viable area of your scalp the first time. Sometimes, hairs that were still intact when you had the first transplant will fall out over time, and you’ll want a follow up surgery to make it all even.

Any hairs you had transplanted from the donor area will be there for life, but no one can guarantee what will happen with the other parts of the front and top of your head. Unless it has all fallen out and you’ve replaced it all, there’s a chance you may need a future treatment.

The only way those transplanted hairs will fall out is if the surgeon did the transplant incorrectly. An experienced and skilled surgeon will ensure your new hair is in there to stay!

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