Laser Hair Transplantation is permanent treatment for hair loss. Recent innovations have made it simpler, more comfortable, and natural-looking. On an outpatient basis, using local anesthesia, surgical transplant of hair from areas of permanent growth into balding or thinning areas is made. The number of sessions required depends on the look one wants to achieve.
Both men and women with balding or thinning hair may benefit from this procedure.
There is no age restriction for selection of patients, although younger patients fare better because of quicker healing, provided they are medically fit.
This treatment became popular worldwide during the 1990s. The Food and Drug Administrator (FDA) USA, has approved the technology and procedure.
What does Laser Assisted Hair Transplant procedure involve?
The technique involves.
Taking of strips of skin bearing hair roots from the ‘permanent’ area or the back of the head (the donor area).
Hair roots are then separated from these strips into plugs containing single or double hairs. The plugs are then transplanted into evenly spaced holes in the bald area prepared by the user.
The procedure takes 3-4 hours and is performed under local anesthesia. 1000- 2000 grafts are placed in this time.
The scabs (crusts), which form after the transplant, drop off in 1-2 weeks and hair re-grows over a period of 3 – 6 months.
Could you describe the actual surgical procedure?
This is a surgical procedure under local anaesthesia.
A few days before the surgery, the following preparation is required:
1 - 2 weeks prior to surgery, bloodwork is completed to confirm there will be no medical complications.
One week prior to surgery the use of aspirin and vitamin E should be discontinued as these cause thinning of the blood.
The use of any other drugs - legal or otherwise may affect the results of the hair transplantation and should be discussed at the time of your blood work.
On the Day of Surgery
Food can be taken before arrival to the hospital.
Upon arrival, design of the hairline is finalised.
Medication is then provided for relaxation
Then we perform the surgery.
The patient returns home the same day.
The Day After
The next day, the hair and scalp will be shampooed and styled. Presurgical hair can be styled in the normal manner with reasonable caution exercised near the surgical areas.
How is this an improvement on previous surgical procedures?
Traditional procedures are painful, bleeding and cosmetically unsatisfactory solution to baldness. The advantages of the new Laser Technique are that minute (0.6 mm) holes can be evenly spaced over the bald (recipient) area. The laser while drilling coagulates blood vessels and there is no bleeding. Graft uptake is in the region of 85 to 95%, healing is quicker and no scarring or tufting of hairs occurs at the site of transplant.
Laser assisted hair transplant like the micro and mini punch grafting are now obsolete, 4mm punch grafting technique, is indicated for male and female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) mainly and for other forms of non-scarring baldness, excluding patterns of baldness which are temporary, respond to medication, caused by drugs or associated with other system or organ disease (example: collagen vascular diseases or cancers).
What are the benefits of Laser Assisted Hair Transplantation?
- Natural Hair
- No Scarring.
- Permanent.
- Minimal Bleeding
- Single procedure Graft Uptake
- Faster procedure and results.
- Quick recovery
- No significant side effects
Do you think there are some psychological advantages?
The “new” hair is the person’s own living and growing hair
Natural look:
Modern hair restoration surgery techniques allow for dramatically better results today than in the recent past. The results achievable today are even more natural looking, and can be accomplished with less donor material than it was just a decade ago. Furthermore, the hair looks and feels natural because it is natural, and there are no adhesives, lotions, or sprays to apply.
Confidence:
With surgical hair restoration procedures, there is nothing to put on and nothing to fall off. Patients have confidence and are proud of having their own relocated hair follicles grow their “new” hair. Spending crucial time applying oils and swallowing unapproved medication without proper guidance could be stressful.
Economical:
A surprising benefit of hair restoration surgery is that it is often quite economical over a lifetime. After a high initial investment, there is no continuing cost for materials or special maintenance. When the initial cost of surgery is spread out over the patient’s remaining life span, surgery can be considered quite economical.
What is the guarantee hair will grow?
The laser ablates bald skin which is replaced with growing hair. Slit grafts (even micro and minigrafts) are done by jamming the donor hairs into narrow slits which commonly results in crowding and bumps.
The depth of the laser application is computer controlled, therefore, sparing the deep blood vessels which nourish the hair.
Because the laser beam can focus to the width of a single human hair, there is never any damage to neighboring hairs at the transplant site.
Sites are prepared using a Laser. The laser causes vaporization of tissue due to its attraction to water that is in our skin. The laser causes evaporation of tissue to create either a small slit or hole. This method requires the correct type of laser to ensure success. A pulsating laser helps prevent thermal injury when used by an experienced physician. It is found the laser to be quite helpful when partial thickness vaporization is performed. In this method, the subcutaneous fat is not encroached. A small 0.8-mm hole is made in the epidermal/dermal region. This is then advanced into the subcutaneous fat with a blunt end probe. The prepared graft is then placed into this site.
Because the laser beam can focus to the width of a single human hair, there is never any damage to neighboring hairs at the transplant site
Are there any alternatives to Hair Transplants?
- Hair Systems - There are a wide range of materials used to create a full head of hair and attach it to the scalp. Synthetic material doesn't fade but often looks fake. Human hair wears out but can achieve a natural look. All hair systems must be attached to the scalp in some fashion. Some of the more common techniques include weaving the base of hair piece using the customers own hair. As the hair grows, the system must be rewoven. Other systems are glued and taped onto the scalp. Hair systems can achieve a completely full and thick head of hair. There is one major drawback - hair systems are not your own hair.
- Medication - Advancements in the scientific community make likely an eventual cure for hair loss. New pharmaceuticals available today are resulting in the re-growth of hair for some people.
Of course! Some people are completely comfortable with the gradual loss of hair.
What are your achievements in this field?
Laser assisted hair transplant technique was first introduced in India at BNR SKIN HOSPITALS (FORMER Futuristic Medical Techniques Pvt. Ltd) – Bangalore. Our team has performed 2465 grafts transplants. The Centre specializes in the latest techniques for the treatment of hair-related medical problems including mini and micro grafting.
Can people contact you by email?
We do email photo consultations also. You may send in queries to bnrskinhosp@sify.com
The goal of our centre is to provide our clients with up-to-date information on medical treatment options for hair loss. We help them get the best out of the latest procedures.
