Hair loss affects a lot of men yearly, with a large chunk of that population consisting of aging men who are in their 50’s to 60’s.
When this happens to men around this age, we often attribute it to aging. But 20% of the total number consists of the guys who are still in their twenties to early thirties and are already losing a significant amount of hair.
Virender Sehwag is among these unfortunate individuals and had to be placed in a position where his condition is uncomfortably discussed in public.
There are a number of ways to treat this problem and it includes medications, laser, hair pieces and even the tacky comb-overs. But hair transplant is the treatment option most widely known to be an aggressive approach which is able to create a dramatic improvement.
This surgical method entails having to remove donor hairs at the back of the scalp which are then implanted to the bald or recipient area. Two known approach for removing hair donors are the FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) or the strip method and FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction).
Unlike the other well-publicized hair transplant of Bollywood’s Salman Khan, the one that Sehwag had is different than the popular methods used.
"You sell good when you look good", says Virender Sehwag concerning his hair transplant result in 2010. Sehwag is battling androgenetic alopecia.
For his case, DHI or Direct Hair Implantation method is used. DHI is known as the “no touch” technique which utilizes a small pen-like instrument which is able to implant hair follicles without having to resort to force or excessive handling from the surgeon. Therefore it limits the chances of follicular damage. Furthermore, it also allows the surgeon to control the placement, direction and depth of the hair grafts.
This procedure is able to create a natural-looking hairline, widow’s peak and crown swirls. It also eliminates the need for scalpels, holes and excessive pain because it is done on the topmost layer of the skin. With that only a small amount of local anesthetic is even required.
Today Virender Sehwag is most definitely impressed with his hair transplant results. This can also be evidenced by the improvement of his facial profile.
However this procedure can cost you more than the usual FUT and FUE method of hair transplantation. If budget is a concern but quality is top priority, the usual procedures are just as good when creating a natural-looking outcome. The secret here is that whether if it is FUT, FUE or DHI, it is best to choose a certified and highly skilled hair transplant surgeon.
Like Virender Sehwag, you can have a successful hair transplant of your own when you trust the right people to do it. Photo credit: public.resource.org via Small Kitchen / CC BY
One of Bollywood’s biggest actor and bad boy, Salman Khan was one of the few celebrities who are open about his battle with hair loss and his hair transplant.
As a person whose career is hinged largely on his looks, he certainly used the aggressive approach to relieve the problem. And today, his results became one of those that people look on to as a perfect example of a successful hair transplant.
Hair loss is a condition that is suffered by men, usually those who are aging. But unfortunately for 20% of these men, experience hair loss during their twenties. Salman Khan who is still in his early thirties was already showing signs of a receding hair line. And for someone who had a good volume of hair and whose image was defined by it, a hair transplant is a good option.
Compared to other treatments, hair transplant is considered to be the best viable choice because it gives good coverage and permanent results.
Unfortunately not all hair transplant services result to success, and Khan found this out in his first procedure back in 2003. He had another work done in Dubai back in 2007 to correct the botched results. It was said that it was an American doctor who performed the procedure, but no name was revealed to the public.
To Khan’s advantage, the results were highly favorable as evidenced by the excellent hair coverage. But what approach was used on Salman Khan?
As a public figure, it is important that the outcome provided good aesthetic results. This means that as much as possible it should be natural-looking and free from scars. That is why he opted for FUE or the Follicular Unit Extraction technique.
In hair transplant there are two approaches used to remove the follicular units or the donor hair grafts, and these are FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant) and FUE. FUT is the traditional technique which removes a strip of the scalp containing the hair grafts. Each donor graft is then extracted by hair technicians using a high-powered microscope before it is implanted back to the head.
But the major drawback with FUT is that it causes a large scar at the back of the head, which is exactly what Khan was most certain to avoid. This led him to choose the more lengthy and expensive but aesthetically pleasing FUE.
FUE was developed in order to answer to the aesthetic drawback with FUT. Using a special tool; individual grafts are removed using a punch technique. As a result this leads to less detectable scars that also heal faster.
Reports claim that Khan’s donor grafts were taken from his body hair. This was to maintain the number of hairs in his head. And this is also possible and has been the method used by some patients. Body hair is also a viable option to treat baldness.
Some reports also claimed that due to the scarcity of donor hairs, some synthetic hair was also used to improve volume.
Today Salman Khan graces the screen with a head full of hair and an image crisis is fully averted with a good hair transplant.
There have been speculations whether NBA’s most valuable player Lebron James joined the pool of celebrities who have gotten hair transplants. This spurred when a Nike Diamond Collection Apparel catalogue for the Holiday season came out with him sporting a much rather fuller head of hair.
James, who garnered a remarkable streak during last basketball season have impressed a lot of fans and even critics. However, no matter how much he shines on the court, he can’t veer away from the locker room jokes and comments from reporters about his receding hair line.
Has Lebron James finally had enough?
If the rumors were true, James is not the first famous athlete who had some hair transplant done. The English striker for Manchester United, Wayne Rooney was also candid about his surgical hair restoration procedure. At the ripe age of 26 Rooney’s battle with hair loss have also been catching media attention. James, who is now 27, is also observed to have a slowly progressing hair loss, which he conveniently conceals with a headband while on the court.
But some have started to suspect that his hair loss could be progressing as he was seen wearing two headbands during games. Unfortunately for him, he cannot wear it off the court without looking silly, leaving him with no choice but to brazenly sport his receding hairline. With a 14 million dollar paycheck, it comes as no surprise if he had some work done.
People are suspecting that he had the work done a little over two months ago, which is why we should be expecting the headband to go down a bit more to conceal those growing hair plugs. But we’ll just have to wait and see soon.
Hair loss and men in their 20's
The number of men who are starting to lose hair in their twenties is increasing every year. Back in the day, we only equate this with aging but we see younger males experiencing receding hairlines. Genetic predisposition, diet, stress, medications, and lifestyle are the factors that could be shifting the demographic affected to those who are much younger.
There are different ways to manage hair loss, from medications, laser treatment and the more invasive and expensive hair transplant surgery. Surgical hair restoration seems to be the best resort, but some bow out of it because of its hefty price tag.
These are well suited for those, like Lebron James who have more than enough to cash out on a very good procedure. But if you have the means and determined to get the kind of coverage a hair transplant is able to produce, the first important step is to find you a certified and reputable hair transplant surgeon. You could end up with something like Wayne Rooney’s impressively natural-looking results.
Another ingenious method to conceal the hair loss problem is to shave it off. Studies even show that those with shaved heads are considered to be appear more dominant, masculine, taller, and strong and even exuding leadership potential. This is much more preferable compared to the ingenious comb over and less appealing toupees.
Hair restoration surgery has long been proven to be a viable option for male pattern baldness. Not only does it help restore hair coverage, but it also helps augment a man’s confidence. However, hair transplant scars that may occur after the surgery is one of the issues that patients face.
Fortunately, new developments available today provide a lot of ways to treat the problem. It is important for men who underwent hair transplant surgery to manage the scars properly.
Some might not want others to know that they had something done, while others simply want to have a clean cut look when wearing their hair short. The degree of scarring in a hair transplant will depend on two factors that are controllable and uncontrollable.
First is the manner on which the doctor creates and closes the scar. The location should neither be too high or too low, and it should be closed properly using the right technique. An uncontrollable factor in scar formation is the patient’s genetic healing capacity.
Some may heal better than others, showing a very thin and faint scar that is barely visible. Some, on the other hand, may tend to have thicker and wider scars. In the recipient area the scar formation can be evident around the grafts. These can be in the form of bumps or dents, but these are not as visible as the linear scar at the donor site.
Scar Treatment Options
The easiest and cheapest way to manage a hair transplant scar is to grow the hair longer. For the FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) technique in particular, the linear scar over the donor area at the back of the head can be visible. But with longer locks, this can be concealed easily. However, not all men who underwent hair transplant would go for longer hair, which is why experts look for other possible options.
One way to conceal hair transplant scarring is to use a concealer. It comes in different colors so patients can match based on the surrounding the skin. It has to be applied every day because this is only a temporary method, and it can last until your next shower sometimes even shorter. Brands such as DermMatch and ProTHIK are the ones most patients swear by.
DermMatch is prepared as a compacted powder concealer, while ProTHIK is more known to have superior water resistant and rub-resistant capabilities. The problem with concealers is that not everyone is keen on taking the time to apply it every day, and even several times daily for some. Micro hair tattooing (MHT) is also another way to hide hair transplant scars.
Compared to concealers, this is a more permanent solution. The tattoo is made over the scars to cover it up, and it is made to look as close as possible to the person’s natural hair color. The cosmetic tattoo artist will use several needles of varying sizes and different pigmentation to create a realistic effect. There are companies who develop their own brand of scalp pigmentation inks to perfectly camouflage the scar tissue. It recognizes the tough nature of a scar tissue making it less sensitive in receiving pigmentation or even retains it.
A particular service such as Good Look Ink Scalp Micro Pigmentation first provides a pre-treatment procedure before the actual tattoo is applied. It makes the scar retain the ink better because the process induces the natural production of collagen beneath scarred area. It makes it more vascularized causing the tissue to be healthy and for the ink to stay better.
The company also claims that the pre-treatment method can break down the scar tissue which causes the collagen fibers to realign and stimulate the production of melanin. As a result, both color and texture of the scar is improved allowing the tattoo to match the surrounding scalp more closely.
The Dermaroller is also a possible solution for hair transplant scars that is being observed lately. Even though it is primarily intended for acne scars treatment, stretch mark reduction, and anti-aging purposes, there are some patients who use it for hair transplant scars.
The Dermroller is a roller that is lined with needles which you roll over your skin in order to stimulate collagen production in the area. There is no definitive answer yet on whether it can help with the strip scar in a hair transplant, but some clinics are saying that they see no reason not to try it for this specific purpose.
However, there are some patients who share their positive experience with Dermroller because this product can actually be used at home. In forums they supported their claims with photos saying that the appearance of the strip scar has improved.
Another treatment that is also used on surgical scars is Fraxel. It is a non-invasive fractional laser treatment that is used to treat fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks, sun spots, acne and melasma. It is believed by some clinics as a viable option for hair transplant scars because it works for any skin color without targeting melanin (the substance that causes the skin to darken). It works great for scars that are either flattened or elevated.
For some instead of just covering it up, they just want to get rid of the problem entirely, that is why they opt for scar revision surgery. In this procedure, the scar is removed and the scalp is pulled back together. There will still be some scarring but it will be much smaller than the original. The downside to this surgery is that as the person ages and the scalp loses its elasticity there is a good chance that the scar can widen, making it visible again.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is also another method of concealing hair transplant scars. It can be rather costly since you basically have to go under another hair transplant surgery. This time, the donor grafts are taken from the beard or chest hair and then implanted on the scar. Those with a high hair density in other areas of the body are considered to be the best candidates for this treatment.
Trycophitic Closure Technique Before your hair transplant surgery, discuss hair transplant scar treatments available to your surgeon. Your hair transplant surgeon can help minimize scarring by using a certain closure technique. Most surgeons use the trycophitic closure technique (TCT). Through the TCT the scars can be concealed well because the hairs can grow right through them.
Hair transplant surgery has been around for many years, that is why it is not surprising if hair transplant clinics are sprouting everywhere. As much as this may sound like good news for those unfortunate enough to experience balding, this should in fact raise concern.
There are so many surgeons out there who are now claiming to perform hair transplant surgery even without the right competencies. And with the limited amount of hair to start it, don’t gamble what you can’t afford to lose. So to help you out, here are 5 qualities of a hair surgeon that you should avoid.
Too Good to Be True
It is best to avoid surgeons who heavily use advertising and infomercials. Most of the time, those that comes in the best packages doesn't always bring the best results. Don’t give into these flashy advertising because there is a good chance that these could very well be just advertising, and could not even deliver the best results. You also shouldn't look for a hair transplant surgeon on the yellow pages or get your referrals simply through word of mouth. Remember, each have their own standards of quality, so take the time to research the facts on your own.
Offers low price relative to other clinic
It not advisable to trust a surgeon who gives a very low price for a hair transplant surgery, if you see that the price that the surgeon quotes you on is much lower compared to the rest of the cost within your area, this should raise red flags because this surgeon could give you a haphazard result. A surgeon who has the credibility and the name would not sell themselves short because they know when to put premium on their work.
Promise results in the fastest time possible
Steer clear from surgeons who promise to give you results in the fastest time possible. It is in the nature of a good hair transplant procedure to take time since it requires meticulous effort to ensure that the hairs are removed carefully and properly. This is something that can be done in haste. So go for a surgeon who takes the time to perform procedures, and not even do it in just one sitting. A good tip is to ask how many patients he takes in a single day.
Never trust someone who is simply a cosmetic surgeon
Sadly the practice of hair restoration surgery is not strictly guarded, that is why there are surgeons who can pretty much claim that they can do it. This s the reason why hair transplant surgery earned a negative reputation, but you can avoid this by ensuring that you go for those who had extensive training particularly on hair transplants.
No proof and evidence of previous works
Avoid a hair transplant surgeon who will not provide you with before and after photos of his work. Remember that this is the only way for you to peek through what he can do, and the quality in which he can do it. It is also important that he has a good amount of clients with successful results, because this can assure you that he runs a practice that has quality.
As the old saying goes, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. This is very much applicable when it comes to exercise. If you think spending hours on the gym will make you a big ball of health, you could be wrong. An excess of high level exercise is discovered to cause hair loss. So if you want to spare your hair and have a healthy physique at the same time, you better start improving your habits.
Exercise, of any type, is an activity that is also considered to be a stress to the body. But this is a good stress nonetheless, which is why we are advised to do this every day. But the problem arises when this is done in excess; of course the degree of stress experienced by the body is also increased which can now result to hair loss.
Another reason why exercise is linked to excessive hair loss is because it can also affect hormonal balance. It results to testosterone levels being increased, and this is true for men and women.
Unfortunately for the ladies the change in hormone levels creates more reactions in their system. It results to an altered menstrual cycle and even places them at risk for brittle bones.
The increased levels of testosterone increase the likelihood of hair loss because this very hormone is the one that is turned into DHT or dihydrotestosterone. DHT is the very chemical that is responsible for hair loss. It first causes the hair follicles to thin, shrink and then fall off in excessive amounts.
Another reason why exercise promotes hair loss is that it causes the follicles to enter the resting phase earlier than they are expected to. The problem here is that it affects a large amount of locks resulting in a bulk of it shedding off. This is a condition that is called Telogen Effluvium.
The good thing about Telogen Effluvium is that the effects are temporary. By improving your exercise regimen, and cutting back on the intensity and length, you could very well prevent the progressive hair loss.
You can determine whether you are doing your exercise regimen excessively if you notice that it is ineffective, you feel fatigued, and if you experience sleeping disorders. Dr. Mannoj Khana says that if you experience any of these symptoms and is accompanied by excessive hair loss, you should cut back on your exercise.
If you really don’t know how to go about with your exercise regimen, you can always ask the help of a certified trainer. This way you can get a personalized plan that would suit your energy level. In fact, a person simply needs 30 minutes of exercise every day to be healthy.
You should also check on your hair care regimen after exercising. We all know that working out can cause us to sweat in buckets, and your scalp is no exception. Due to the salt content of your sweat, this can be bad for the hair. The buildup of this salty fluid on the scalp can cause it to dry, which can eventually lead to dandruff and hair loss.
Keep everything in moderation, because when you keep a proper exercise regimen, hair loss can very well be prevented. You could even improve the health of your hair as the circulation in your body is improved.
But if hair loss persists even with the alterations and improvements made, it could be that you are genetically linked to shed excessive amounts of hair. For this type of problem, you can take medications or restore hair volume through a hair transplant surgery.
Kaelyn is a beauty, fashion and fitness blogger who maintains a very regular schedule of posting tons of cool health, fitness and lifestyle information. Her passion for her blog certainly shows through in her content. Bs sure to click through and check her out on Twitter @kaelynlimsg
