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Female vs Male Hair Transplant Blog - Sydney Hair Transplant - Dr Daood

Female Vs Male Hair Transplant: Defining Differences

Updated : October 31, 2019

Hair loss can take different forms in men and women. Therefore, treatments also vary to suit each patient’s needs. Hair transplant is one of those that can be customized accordingly, especially when addressing male and female hair loss. Here’s how the process differs for men and women. 

Hair loss in men and women

Androgenetic alopecia is a genetic condition that affects males and females. The reasons may be similar, but it progresses differently.

Both male and female hair loss stems from an increased sensitivity to male sex hormones. Testosterone, which is also present in specific amounts in females, becomes dihydrotestosterone or DHT when it comes in contact with a particular enzyme. DHT is the culprit behind male pattern hair loss even though it is said to possess specific beneficial effects on other parts of the body.

Androgenetic hair loss for both sexes is defined by a genetically determined shortening of the hair’s growth (anagen) phase. It also takes a lengthier time when hair sheds and the start of another anagen phase. So, in the course of the normal growth cycle, it takes longer for hair to start growing back. 

Androgenetic hair loss is also accompanied by follicular miniaturization. It is when the hair follicle shrinks, resulting in shorter, thinner hair shafts. 

Hair Life Cycle

It is in the pattern that the hair loss progress that men and women differ. Guys start to lose it from their front hairline. It starts to thin and regress towards the center of the head, forming an inverted M or a U. For women, hair loss begins at the center part of the hairline going outwards.

The pattern in which hair loss progress is a key characteristic that distinguishes male and female pattern baldness. In men, it starts above the temples as the hairline recedes to form an “M” shape eventually. The hair at the top of the head also thins out, which usually progress to baldness. In women, androgenetic hair loss begins with gradual thinning at the part line, which is followed by increasing diffuse hair loss that radiates from the top of the head. Frontal hairline recession is rare in women, and women also rarely go bald. 

Female vs Male Hair Transplant Comparison

Male Hair Transplant

Considerations

Whether you are financially and psychologically ready for surgery, there are other considerations your surgeon must take.

As an initial step, they will determine if hair loss progression has run its course before hair transplant can be done. There is no universal age when hair loss stops. The amount and rate of hair thinning depend on several factors (e.g., diet, environment, a person’s health in general). Genetics also determines when and how much hair a man will lose.

If a patient jumps the gun prematurely by undergoing hair surgery much early on, then hair loss might still progress. So a man could end up with a restored hairline but is eventually left with a bald center.

Hair loss medications maintained before the surgery would still be continued even after the procedure. This is to prevent hair loss from worsening or control it entirely.

The procedure

A male hair transplant is done by removing donor grafts at the back of the head since this area is often unaffected by the condition. There are two techniques in doing this, the FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) and FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction). FUT, also known as the “strip method,” involves the removal of a piece of the scalp which contains the donor graft. This is more invasive, but it promises better yield because it is less traumatic to individual hair follicles. FUE, on the other hand, is a newer technique which uses a special tool that acts as a punch to remove individual grafts directly from the scalp.

Female Hair transplant

A lot of men may make great candidates for hair transplant, but this isn’t necessarily the case for women. As mentioned earlier, the donor areas for men are found at the back of the head. It is called a “stable site,” which means that it is not affected by DHT. In female pattern baldness, the same areas are usually unstable. These areas are also thinning, just like the other areas of the head. 

Therefore, if you remove hair from these areas and transplant them to thinning areas, they would eventually fall out. Any surgeon who attempts to transplant hair from an unstable site is unethical and is only taking advantage of the patient.

What is the goal of treatment for female hair transplant?

Unlike men, the frontal hairline in females remains unaffected since their hair loss takes on a more diffuse pattern. Hair transplants for this group are not aimed at framing the face but restoring volume from the top and the back. FUE is often the technique of choice for such cases, although some clinics prefer the strip method.

Who is a suitable candidate for a hair transplant?

Not everyone can undergo a hair transplant. A surgeon has to thoroughly evaluate patients to see if this treatment will be appropriate for them. The potential female candidates include:

  1. Women who have suffered hair loss due to mechanical reasons, such as traction alopecia. It occurs in women who frequently style their hair in tight buns, braids, or weaves.
  2. Women with a distinct hair loss pattern similar to that in male pattern baldness.
  3. Women who suffer from hair loss that is caused by burns, accidents, and trauma.
  4. Women who had previous cosmetic or plastic surgeries and are concerned about hair loss on the incision sites due to scarring.
  5. Women who are suffering from alopecia marginalis, which is a condition that is closely similar to traction alopecia.

Results

Female hair transplants have provided excellent results in patients who have undergone the procedure. The Daily Mail shared the journey of one woman who had the surgery done, and how she came out of it very satisfied and confident of her new look.

Hair transplant today is not the same as it was ten or twenty years ago. Today, the practice has dramatically improved to provide natural-looking results. It is less painful, it can be minimally invasive, and it also guarantees strong and healthy follicles for donors. These are also the reason why female hair transplant cases are slowly catching up to male hair transplants.

Sydney Hair Transplant Clinic is also keeping abreast of the tools and techniques available for your specific case. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Daood today for a personalized plan of action.

If you’re considering hair transplant surgery, contact us to map out your plan today.  Book a private consultation with Dr. Daood today.

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Medical Issues and Hair Transplant Surgery What You Need to Know to Keep You Safe

Medical Issues and Hair Transplant Surgery: What You Need to Know to Keep You Safe

Before you go in for surgery, it is important to discuss a range of medical issues with your doctor or surgeon. Remember, you are not coming in to simply tape those new strands of hair on your head. A hair transplant is an invasive treatment that your body should be able to deal with to achieve successful results. Here is a list of concerns you need to cover during a consultation.

Physical Health

Before an operation, a physical examination is important to assess whether you are physically fit for surgery. A hair transplant may not be as invasive as other cosmetic procedures, like breast augmentation or tummy tucks, but the fact remains that it disrupts skin integrity. In line with this purpose, the surgeon will prescribe that you undergo blood tests, cardiac testing, or pulmonary clearance. This step is essential in minimizing the risk for complications like excessive bleeding or infection at the surgical site.

Your general health can also determine how you recover after surgery. For the new hair grafts to grow healthy, you need to have a healthy system to nourish it from the inside. Consequently, good physical health will also allow incisions to heal faster.

Diabetic patients, for instance, are given special instructions because the disease can impair their ability to heal properly. Prominent factors that affect the rate of healing in a diabetic include poor circulation, immune system deficiency, and infection.  This is the reason why a personal consultation is always necessary so that you can discuss your specific concerns with your surgeon.

Medical History

Gathering your medical history is also an important step because this helps the surgeon to be aware of pre-existing conditions and surgery you have had in the past. This influences decisions about the operation you will have or the type of anaesthetic to be used.  A complete medical history record should include information like:

  • Diagnosis
  • Known Allergies
  • Current Medications
  • Past and Present Illnesses
  • Previous Surgery
  • Family Medical History
  • Current History
  • Medication History
  • Immunization Records
  • Insurance Information

Hair Evaluation

A hair evaluation is a step in the surgical process that is unique to hair transplant surgery. The information gathered will help the surgeon determine the extent of your hair loss, the history of hair loss in your family, and any prior surgical or medical treatments for hair loss that you have had. Furthermore, this will also help the surgeon map out a surgical plan based on the unique characteristics (e.g. hair distribution, angle, or direction) he observed upon assessment.

These hair evaluation methods are grouped into three main categories: non-invasive methods (e.g. questionnaires, daily hair counts, standardized wash test, hair weight), semi-invasive methods (e.g. trichogram or unit area trichogram), and invasive methods (e.g. scalp biopsy).  When interpreted with caution, these methods are valuable tools in making a diagnosis and monitoring.

Risks and Possible Complications

A realistic approach to hair transplant surgery is to consider the possible complications aside from its obvious benefits. Knowing the risks will help you weigh whether a hair transplant is right for you or not.  Just because it has been a highly successful surgical procedure, doesn’t mean that it is your best option. You need to weigh the risks against its potential benefits to see if it is worth going into.

Potential complications associated with hair transplant include, infection, excessive bleeding, swelling, scarring, itching and numbness.  Dissatisfaction is also possible with any type of cosmetic surgery, although this is avoidable.

These matters need to be discussed to avoid exposing the patients to these risks and potential complications. On one hand, this information can also determine if you are a good candidate or not.

Medications and Supplements

If you are taking medications, tell the surgeon what you have been taking on a regular basis, or have taken recently. Over-the-counter preparations and even supplements must be disclosed because these can also put you at risk during and after the surgery. For example, supplements with gingko biloba may increase the risk of bleeding. Even your vitamin E supplement poses a certain risk for bleeding.

Past Reactions to Medications

If you have had any bad reactions, or have experienced certain side effects with a certain medication, inform your surgeon during consultation. This warning should include anaesthetics or any solution used during surgery. Any reaction to shellfish should also be disclosed because in some surgeries, an Iodine solution would be applied on the surgical site, which has similar components.

Your Habits and Health

Smoking and drinking too often is a habit that can steer you away from surgical success. As a matter of fact, these habits can increase your risk for complications.

The nicotine in cigars is a vasoconstrictor (constricts blood vessels) which reduces nutritional blood flow to the skin. A study showed that slower healing has been observed clinically in smokers with wounds that are a result of trauma, disease, and surgical procedures.  Compared to non-smokers, smokers also have a greater degree of complications following breast surgery. This is why smokers are advised to stop smoking at least 4 weeks prior to surgery, or even when recovering from it.

Alcohol, especially when consumed in copious amounts regularly, can worsen medical conditions and also delay wound healing. The presence of alcohol in large quantities in the body can damage the immune system increasing the risk for infections, bleeding, and other complications. Binge drinking alcohol significantly reduces the levels of key components of the immune system that are involved in healing.

Physical preparedness is definitely an important aspect for you to consider in deciding on a hair transplant procedure. Not every patient comes in with a squeaky clean bill of health, so we ensure that we have the right candidates before we even move forward with surgery. This is why we want to talk to you so that we know how best we can approach any existing issues that may affect the procedure or its outcome.

Talk more about your hair transplant concerns with Dr. Daood today. The Sydney Hair Transplant team aims at giving each patient that walks through our doors a customized approach to hair transplants. We ensure that everybody is given the care they deserve to achieve the results they desire. Book your appointment today, and let’s map out a plan suited to your unique needs.

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Superfoods for Hair Loss: Eat your way to hair regrowth

superfoods-for-hair-growth-sht-blog

You don’t have to blame entirely your parents for your thinning mane. It turns out, it is not only genetics—our diet and certain lifestyle choices can also tell whether we’re down the balding road or not.

According to the International Hair Restoration Society, people who are tied to typical eating patterns or married to restrictive diets may have a higher risk of hair loss. This is because these kinds of diet do not guarantee the presence or right amount of essential nutrients such as Zinc, protein, Biotin, and iron which are crucial to maintaining healthy hair follicles so hair growth occurs.

Thankfully, nutritionists and hair loss researchers have teamed up to list down ‘superfoods’ that alleviate and prevent hair loss. What’s more surprising is, you don’t need to make your way to a specialty store to stock-up these nutrient-packed munchies! You may even have them in an arm’s reach.

Let’s have a closer look at how ‘super’ these food items are when it comes to treating and regrowing your thinning mane:

 

Spinach

On your next trip to the grocery store, stroll to the vegetable section for a bag of spinach. Spinach, not only Popeye’s go-to food to bulk up but also can be your go-to superfood to load up nutrients for your hair follicles.

According to the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, spinach is listed as one of the remedies to treat alopecia. It is rich in iron, protein, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin C which enables the body to balance out hormones and to produce essential oils in the scalp. These natural oils condition the scalp which eventually lead to increase hair growth.

 

Sunflower (Oil & Seeds)

Those pretty sunflowers are not just there to light up your Tuscan-themed brunches but they also work wonders for inducing hair growth. You may want to start to stock up a bag of sunflower seeds and a bottle of sunflower oil. Did you know that sunflowers seeds are rich in Zinc, vitamin E, oleic acid and vitamin B6? These nutrients strengthen your hair strands and improve oxygen and blood flow while sunflower oil’s emollient properties condition the scalp, making it a viable environment for your tresses to grow.

There’s something to remember, though. If you’re using its oils for cooking or garnish, be careful with the amount that you put in because as much as it is celebrated for its heart-friendly fats—the monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, it contains a hefty amount of calories. A tablespoon alone has 184 calories. Just like other healthy fat sources, like avocado or virgin coconut oil, it should be used in moderation to reap up the benefits without setting yourself up for unwanted weight gain.

 

Eggs

Your locks may want to thank those early morning sunny-side-ups and tasty quiches.  Did you know that our hair is made up protein fibers called Keratin? The nutrients found in egg, mainly protein, Sulphur, Zinc, and vitamin E bring back the health from the roots of your strands, making it possible for a healthier regrowth.

eggs-superfoods-for-hair-growth-sht-blog

Fortunately, according to the Dietitians Association of Australia, a typical Aussie diet is basically protein-packed.  However, Aussies still needs to be careful on choosing their protein sources as others have are burdened with saturated fats. And these are our least favorite type of fats, right?

 

Black Raisins

If you are suffering from hair loss, you might be iron-deficient. Iron is vital for hair health and growth because it helps in the production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the red protein which assists the delivery of oxygen throughout the body. Moreover, having a good circulation is crucial to stimulate our hair follicles and encourage hair growth.

Aside from other nutrients such as calcium, vitamin K, magnesium, and anti-oxidant properties, iron can also be found in black raisins. A small box of raisins contains 0.8 milligrams of Iron. According to healthline.com, women are recommended to consume 18 milligrams of iron daily while men should have at least 8 milligrams. Healthline also noted that because of this higher iron requirement, women may have higher risks of being iron-deficient than men.

Adding these black iron gems in your diet can positively affect not only your tresses but your health in general as well. Why not have it as a snack or as toppings for your baked goodies? Weight-watchers do not need to worry, black raisins don’t raise a red flag as a mere box contains low-fat content—as the perfect post-workout snack!

 

There you go. These are some of what you want to be adding to your list the next time you stroll to the supermarket. Moreover, these foods are versatile ingredients, thus, they would perfectly complement the recipes you’re already used to.

Although these hair superfoods may be one of the answers, there’s no really definite time when to see our desired results because each hair loss case is different and other lifestyle factors may be playing out as well. It may take some time to restore hair’s natural cycle before you can finally bring back your ‘crowning glory’. For some, it would take years. But don’t lose hope! What some people do is, they complement their nutrient-rich diet efforts with exploring other hair loss solutions such as medications and hair transplants.

Each of the available hair loss solutions has its own pros and cons. However, based on the recent statistics, hair transplants seem to be the choice of the many to address what seems like a perennial problem.

The 2015 data from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery reported 1,055,480 patients who have undergone hair restoration procedures, lording over the figures of the year 2006 with 645,281 patients.

Behind every successful transplant procedure is a careful assessment of the root cause of the problem and the right treatment for it. The nature of our scalp, our hair follicles, diet, lifestyle and our biological reaction to certain substances are different. This is why it really pays to never cut corners and treat our problem as special from others. Reputable and competent surgeons and dermatologists are very aware of this matter and they will have you prepare enough for the operation to ensure no complications will occur.

You should not be perennially obsessed with hair loss problem. Let’s explore the available solutions suitable for you so you can finally toss out those horrific wigs and toupees and enjoy a fuller, thicker hair! Book a consultation and talk to us!

Image Source: Jay Wennington via unsplash.com and pexels.com

 

 

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10 Things You Should Know If You’re Considering a Hair Transplant

10 Things You Should Know If You’re Considering a Hair Transplant

A Must Read For First Time Hair Transplant Patients

Hair transplant is an expensive hair restoration treatment that has been gaining better acceptance today. It has quite a reputation back in the day due to the numerous botched outcome, but it has far improved today. This is thanks to the development both in techniques and equipment. However, there still remains some poor results every once in a while. Here are the red flags you need to watch out for.

1. Avoid the “gives you more plugs in just one sitting” pitch

Don’t be so quick to grab it like it’s a golden opportunity out of your hair loss woes. This is actually very poor marketing right off the bat, and a clear red flag. A good surgeon would tell you that hair transplant surgery requires a good amount of time to finish; from the extraction down to the transplantation. So if a surgeon says that he can give you more grafts compared to other surgeons, then you should be careful. First of all, he can’t say that without even evaluating your case. Having more grafts don’t mean more value for your money, but rather creating good quality outcome even with fewer grafts is. So be wise in spotting the difference.

2. The doctor or clinic does not focus on hair transplant surgery

There are places who offer hair transplant treatments, but their services are not mainly focused on performing it. In some cases, these places are even advertised as a spa. As customers, it is important that you scrutinize the places or practitioners that you are considering. The doctor should be trained and experienced in hair transplant alone. This speaks a lot when it comes to his expertise and his ability to deliver quality results.  So should you decide to get a consult, always check to see if they have the proper training, equipment, and experience to perform the procedure? You wouldn’t prefer a clinic who only performs hair transplant occasionally over one who has a dozen procedures a week, right?

3. They cannot give you a portfolio of their past work

It’s just like having someone boast of their greatness but have nothing to show for it. A clinic that cannot give you their portfolio is a shady one. How will you be able to check their work against their word to see if what they’re claiming is true? A reliable clinic should have concrete evidence of the quality of work they are able to put out, this means before and after photos, otherwise, cross them off your list.

4. They will not give you any contact with previous patients

It is a common practice for hair transplant clinics or hair surgeons to give you a contact information of any of their previous clients. So if a surgeon refuses to do this, it’s best to steer clear. A good surgeon would have a ready list of clients who can vouch for his work.

5. The doctor or clinic does not have any online reputation

Let’s face it, we are in the digital age and pretty much every information we have can be found on the internet. A good doctor should have an online reputation which you can often find in blogs or forums. People will always talk, and when someone is making a mark in his field, they will always get a mention. Take note of this in doing your online research; credible testimonials are a big plus.

6. The doctor or clinic does not have professional affiliations

Being affiliated or evaluated by a recognized professional organization is a strong indicator of credibility both for the surgeon and the clinic. This means that the surgeon or the clinic has passed stringent qualifying standards. This allows you to go through your hair transplant surgery with confidence.

7. Agrees with everything you say

The reason you go to a consultation is for you to get assessed by a professional. It isn’t any better if the surgeon agrees with everything you want. He is the expert, so he should know better. A good hair transplant surgeon would give you the facts straight out even if it doesn’t necessarily agree with what you want, just as long as it’s best for you. So be very keen if he agrees with everything you say, instead of advising you.

8. Be wary of clinics who are not clear with their prices

It is important that a clinic be upfront with their prices. They should be able to give you a quote depending on your specific case rather than talking in circles around the subject matter. This speaks a lot about the clinic’s transparency when it comes to doing business with you. It is also important to know that hair transplant clinic today either charge you by the graft or give you a sliding scale fee.

9. Shun the one size fits all approach

A surgeon who relates to you in this approach is definitely a bad sign. There is no cookie-cutter solution for every hair loss problem. A good surgeon personalizes his approach based on the needs of the patient. This goes for all hair loss treatments, like shampoos or medications. It will get you the result that is perfectly suited for you.

10. Clinics who offer consultations only through phone or e-mail

A good consultation should be done personally. How best can a surgeon assess your problem unless he sees it for himself. Phone or e-mail consultations prevent the surgeon from giving a proper evaluation. Therefore, you need to cross surgeons who are contented in doing this out of your list.

Every discerning patient should watch out for these red flags. Hair transplant is a procedure that demands careful work because it also comes at a price. There are hair transplant surgeons and clinics today, but this doesn’t necessarily mean to be a good thing because now you have to weed out the shady ones. I hope this will guide you in your search for successful restoration.

Your Confidence. Your Social Life. Your Hair. BRING IT BACK!

Hair Transplants can be a great way to boost confidence, helping you look and feel better for your age.

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