Treatment Hair Loss
Options for Treatment: Hair Loss Can Be Helped
Many people will at some point in their life time face the prospect of hair loss. Treatment comes in many forms and can help men and women once again achieve a natural looking growth that restores self-confidence and a youthful appearance. Dr Barry White and his team of surgical professionals at the National Hair Institute have the experience and knowledge to advise anyone considering a transplant procedure about a wide range of new options for treatment. Hair loss does not have to be final, and the NHI has the right people to help patients achieve a new beginning.
Transplant Procedures
The NHI prides itself on keeping up to date with the latest and best knowledge about treatment, hair loss issues and other industry advancements. The two most common forms of transplants today are known as:
- Follicular unit grafting (FUG)
- Follicular unit extraction (FUE)
These two techniques have, for numerous reasons, become the primary forms of treatment. Hair loss is a serious concern for many people, but so are the potential impacts of a transplant procedure. Patients having an FUG or FUE procedure, or in combination, can be reassured the method limits any potential for scarring and discomfort, while restoring the scalps appearance of a natural growth of healthy looking strands.
There are some differences to consider before opting which would be the more appropriate treatment. Hair loss patterns are unique to all our patients and therefore it is right to tailor to each scalp using the proper method.
Dr Barry White and his team of specialists at the NHI are the right people to talk to about treatment, hair loss and any concerns you may have about restoration techniques . Call today on (03) 9699 7733 or submit a helpful online enquiry form .
What to Know about FUG and FUE
The Follicular Unit Grafting method began development in the 1980s and underwent several major advancements in the mid-1990s. Offering a far more natural look than traditional methods of treatment, hair loss sufferers could undergo the minimally invasive procedure with little disruption to their lifestyle.
The Process
At the NHI, both procedures begin with a review by your surgeon, during which he will explain the process, discuss any preferences you may have regarding graft placement and answer any questions you may have. We then place you in a surgical gown, give you some sedatives to help you relax and attach monitoring equipment.
If the patient is undergoing a FUG procedure, next we select a narrow strip of donor scalp. We clipper this area very short and administer a local anaesthetic. After the tissue is removed the two edges are closed with either dissolving sutures or surgical staples and a thin bandage is placed over the donor area. The tissue is then placed under microscopes and dissected into their naturally occurring groups of up to four strands. Once sufficient grafts are cut we commence preparing the recipient sites with a very fine gauge needle and placing the grafts immediately into them.
When all the grafts are placed your surgeon will double check their positioning. You will then be able to get dressed and a technician will read your post-operative instructions a give you your medication for the next week.
What’s the Difference?
The FUE procedure differs from the FUG procedure during several key steps. Instead of selecting and removing a strip of scalp, your surgeon will look through a powerful magnifier and extract follicular units one at a time using a small cylindrical punch and forceps. As each is extracted, a technician will use a microscope and trim off any excess skin so the grafts can fit into the small possible incisions. The many small holes at the back of the scalp are then allowed to heal on their own without the need for sutures or bandages. The follicular units are then implanted into tiny needlepoint holes and the patient is allowed to go home.
Clients are often concerned about the linear scar that is produced by the strip excision method of the FUG treatment. Hair loss patients should be aware however that FUE’s primary advantage of no linear scar does bring with it some disadvantages, such as:
- It is almost twice as expensive to achieve the same result as FUG.
- The absolute yield from a given area of scalp is not as great as with FUG.
- Graft survival rate is not as high as with FUG.
- Those with curly or fine strands are generally not good candidates for FUE.
- Due to the labour intensive nature of the extraction process there are limits on how much can be achieved in one session and therefore multiple sessions may be required to equal the same result as from one session of FUG.
To learn more about this treatment, hair loss and the NHI , call (03) 9699 7733 or visit our Melbourne office for a free consultation.
