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Can women get hair transplants?

January 24th, 2012

Up to 40% of women suffer from excessive hair loss. In fact, most women suffer from exactly the same type of hair loss as men – androgenic alopecia. Despite that, when we think of hair transplantation, we usually think of men.

 

It’s time to think again.

 

Women with androgenic hair loss can definitely benefit from hair transplant procedures. Androgenic alopecia in women results from a combination of hormonal issues and genetic predisposition. Androgenic alopecia is a condition that leads to an increasing shortening of the growth cycle of the hair. The end result is that the hair stops growing completely.

 

Unlike men, women typically do not end up completely bald. Instead, a woman’s hair becomes extremely thin, usually on the top of the head, making styling and camouflage of the problem almost impossible. It’s at this point that many women look for help.

 

What makes a good candidate for a hair transplant? A thorough evaluation from a qualified hair transplant surgeon is the place to start! You should be looking for an established clinic with a thriving practice, such as SureHair International. But there are some points to keep in mind even before you go for an evaluation.

 

To begin with, you need to be realistic about your final outcome. Hair transplantation is not a procedure that can make your hair thicker than it already is. In effect, the hair transplant procedure will move hair follicles from one part of the scalp to another – but it does not create new hairs. This means that the best outcome is one that creates a better cosmetic result.

 

Your surgeon will be looking for a good ratio of potential donor hair to recipient area.  For instance, if you have very thin hair on top of your head, but the hair along the sides and back is also limited, you may not have a reasonable amount of donor hair available. If you have very generalized thinning, it’s possible that you have limited donor hair.

 

Keep in mind the type of hair that you have. Wavy or curly hair will look thicker than fine or straight hair. Wavy hair will also cover more of your scalp. You may also get better coverage with coarse hair. Coarse hair again covers more scalp. Fine hair may not cover as much scalp as other hair types, but it tends to result in a very natural-looking result. So these factors will have to be balanced out with your objectives for the hair transplant procedure.

 

If you are in good overall health, you tend to get a better result with transplantation. If you are a heavy smoker. have poorly controlled diabetes, or have other conditions that affect circulation and vascular health, you may find that the transplanted follicles do not grow as well as expected. Your surgeon will discuss these kinds of issues with you as part of the evaluation for your hair transplant procedure.

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Part 2: Hair transplants: Hairlines, angulation, techniques, Uni-Strand

January 2nd, 2012
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Happy New Year!! My New Years resolution was to quit smoking – no cigarettes for 36 hours. So forgive me if I write a bit testy today. Not me, just nicotine withdrawal.

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Having worked as a Hair Transplant Consultant for 4 years, I field questions, myths, realities and wake up calls on a daily basis. I do so because I myself once looked in the mirror, saw hair loss and decided to get a hair transplant and received a horrible one at that. It took me years to find a fantastic clinic to restore not only my hairline but my confidence and happiness.

In this series of articles I am going into my favourite subject. Hair Transplant Hairlines!  I originally decided to write these articles because when someone comes in for a consultation, I never have the time to adequately explain why Dr. Ferreira and his team and only several other Doctors in North America (my personal opinion) create phenomenal, natural hairlines while the rest of the clinics remain doing archaic and sometimes (sadly and frustratingly) barbaric work.

In the previous article (December 28th) I used this video as an example of what I see on a regular basis: youtube.com/embed/mXJe48y6FHs

In this article I am going to get into the specifics of what you should be looking for in a clinic when getting a hair transplant. Firstly. You want an undetectable hairline. Above density, coverage and graft count comes naturalness. If you get an unnatural hair transplant, what was the point in the first place?

The landscape of hairlines changed with the advent of the Follicular Unit:

“Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is a hair restoration technique where a patient’s hair is transplanted in naturally occurring groups of 1 to 4 hairs, called follicular units. Follicular units also contain sebaceous (oil) glands, nerves, a small muscle, and occasional fine vellus hairs. In Follicular Unit Transplantation these small units allow the surgeon to safely transplant thousands of grafts in a single session, which maximizes the cosmetic impact of the procedure.[1] FUT is considered an advance over older hair transplantation procedures that used larger grafts and often produced a pluggy, unnatural look. In a properly-performed follicular unit transplant, the results will mimic the way hair grows in nature and will be undetectable as a hair transplant.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Follicular_unit_transplantation

 The creation of the follicular unit allowed for far more natural results than previous hair transplants! However, this was the first step of many towards truly natural and undetectable hairlines. Things have truly advanced through techniques and trial and error. Grab a cup of coffee, take a deep breathe and go to part 3 above this article. If you’re a hair junky like me, you’re about to get very interested. If you just want more hair (shameless plug, it’s my column, I can do what I want) you have seen how great Dr. Ferreira’s work is so come on down for your free consultation today (I saw a shameless car salesman advert on TV the other day, seemed to work for them) and stop reading this before I make you fall asleep.

Paul-Joseph

Hair Transplant Specialist

416 747 7873

care@surehair.com

 

 

Hair Care, Hair clinic, Hair Loss, Hair Replacement, Hair Transplants, Uncategorized

Evolution of Hair Pieces

May 18th, 2011
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Did you know that Americans are paranoid about hair loss? In fact, almost 35% of Americans feel that something as basic as wearing a hat can also lead to hair loss. Unfortunately there fears are not misplaced! Furthermore, despite the availability of several treatment options for hair loss, there are several restrictions associated with them. For instance, Propecia, which is extensively used to control hair loss in men, when administered to pregnant women, can lead to major child birth defects. Besides this, some chronic cases of hair loss might not even respond to any treatment at all. This is when one can resort to hair pieces. Hamilton in Texas proves to be the ideal city to buy these accessories.

Hair pieces in Hamilton have evolved drastically since their inception. The hair enhancers available today are nothing close to the artificial mops of hair which could be easily distinguished from the natural ones, earlier. Today, hairpieces are an extended part of an individual and play a huge role in revamping the external appearance, in complete coherence with ones real self.

Hair Pieces Hamilton: Scoring Parameters
It is better to evaluate the available options properly, before opting for hair pieces in Hamilton. To begin with you must know what to expect from these modern hair accessories before you invest in them. Some of the scoring points you need to look at are:

* Unlike their predecessors, modern hair pieces in Hamilton are extremely light and easy to wear. You do not feel the weight of carrying an artificial hair piece all day long. The weight is just as much as your normal hair strands would weigh.
* It is easier to style them according to your fancy, provided you opt for accessories that are made from natural fabrics. You can change your look as and when you please with dyeing and styling techniques.
* They provide for improved looking hairlines which lend a perfectly natural look. There is nothing superficial or artificial about them which can let your secret out.
* You can use a single insertion without having to worry about too many of them. A single piece, held securely in place can do away with your hair woes forever. This makes wearing these accessories absolutely hassle free.

These are some of the advantages of opting for modern hair pieces from Hamilton. However, it is important to make it a point of purchasing high quality variants only.

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Hair Pieces, Canada: Why Opt for Natural Hair hair?

May 5th, 2011
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Wigs or hair pieces were so popular in the Elizabethan era that if a child ventured out in the dark, he ran the risk of getting his hair forcefully shaven for making wigs! These artificial hair pieces have been around for long and have also been popular choices with men as well as women. However, modern hair pieces in Canada are radically transformed versions of the ones available to mankind in the yesteryears. If you have the ability to choose your options well from the available range of hair pieces in Canada, most often, these will look like an extension of your natural hair. Hence, you can use them to create an impression of lovely, lustrous locks, as and when you please. However, when you buy hair pieces or wigs, it is important to make a well informed choice. Gathering relevant knowledge on the subject could come in especially handy.

Advantages of Natural Hair Pieces, Canada
When you choose to purchase natural hair pieces in Canada, you could either opt for those made of synthetic fiber or natural hair. However, the latter is gaining steady prominence for a variety of reasons. Some of the associated advantages include:

* To begin with, when you opt for wigs that are made from natural hair fiber, they tend to look and feel like the real thing. Although synthetic hair pieces are also close to being perfectly natural, natural fibers definitely have their own charm.
* With wigs made from natural hair, it is easier to maneuver your look as and when you desire. These hair pieces can be treated exactly as you would treat your natural hair. They can be patterned, styled, curled and permed. If you opt for synthetic fibers instead, they will be accompanied by a user’s manual, which will bear instructions pertaining to what you can and cannot do with these hair pieces.
* If you wish to dye your hair, hair pieces made from natural fibers would be the most suitable choice for you. You can dye them as per your wish, without damaging the wig. Synthetic fibers, on the other hand, do not lend themselves to dyeing.

Whether you opt for natural fibers or synthetic ones, it is always a great idea to opt for custom made hair pieces in Canada. These will be made to order and will suit you ideally. However, custom made wigs are far dearer than readymade ones and you should be ready to shell out a hefty amount for that perfect look.

Hair Care, Hair clinic, Hair Loss, Hair Replacement , , , ,

Tips on Buying Hair Pieces in London

April 26th, 2011
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While the use of hair pieces as adornments dates back to the 16th century, wigs were extensively used even further way to the age of the Pharaohs in Egypt. Most often, Pharaohs would shave off their heads to do away with vermin infections and wear wigs instead. However, wigs have come a long way since then. Today, when you seek to purchase hair pieces in London, they are every bit an extension of your natural hair in their look and feel. High quality hair pieces in London are indistinguishable from natural hair and are known to create a truly original look. Gone are the days when wigs were synonymous with ugly and artificial add-ons, which would stick out like a sore thumb. Most often, chronic and acute hair loss might motivate people to resort to these hair loss solutions. Although the cost of high quality wigs may be high at times, these could prove to be the only available option in many cases.

Hair Pieces London: Purchasing Tips
It is important to read up a bit on the styles, mechanisms and makes of hair pieces in London before proceeding to make the final purchase. Some aspects that need to be looked into include:

* Consider the shape of your head as well as the contours of your face before selecting a wig for yourself. You also need to keep your skin tone in perspective. This could be especially crucial if you are opting for readymade wigs.

* The base used in hair pieces in London is known as the foundation. Most wearers prefer a silicon base, as opposed to the traditional netted one. This is because silicon foundations are known to impart a more natural look.

* You need to choose your attaching options as per your suitability. One option is to attach the hair pieces with the help of clips. However, the flip side would be that these could actually fall off as a result of rigorous activity. The other option is to use snaps, where the wig is sewn with the natural hair by a hair expert. This will secure the hair piece but since the attachment is not readily removable, there could be hygiene problems.

* Hair pieces made from natural hair needs to be washed frequently, conditioned and blow dried. Synthetic fiber pieces would require cleaning once a week and then towel dried. Buy the one that seems more comfortable.

These basic tips can help you choose the most suitable option from the range of available hair pieces in London. You should also consider the colour of your natural hair when you make your final choice.

Hair Care, Hair clinic, Hair Loss, Hair Replacement , , , , ,

talking about Hair Systems

December 5th, 2010
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All societies have placed a lot of emphasis on the appearance of a person. The way a person looks determines the way in which he or she is treated by others. And in the long run, our appearance has a telling effect on our lives. Even in situations when the ability of a person is more important than the appearance, a disheveled or ungainly appearance can make us look unsuitable for the task.

One of the things that that defines our appearance is our hair. If we are balding then we invariably look older and what is worse, unattractive. Earlier people used to simply reconcile themselves to the situation because they thought that nothing could be done about this because it was a natural process. While it is true that hair thinning and loss is a natural process, it is not that you cannot do anything about it now.

Recent advances in the field of medical science, has ensured that hair loss can be curbed and also effectively concealed.

If you wish, you may opt for hair replacement treatment. However, if you cannot or do not wish to go for these treatments because of some reason, you need not lose all hope. You may go for hair systems that conceal the hair loss that you may have suffered. These are designed scientifically and therefore these are far more effective than the wigs that people used to don in the days of yore.

Gone are the days of unwieldy wigs which could give people away at any moment leading to embarrassing situations. If you do not want such situations to arise, all you have to do is get a good hair system.

Some people tend to think that these are prohibitively expensive and difficult to maintain. However, both these myths are to be busted. The fact of the matter is that hair systems are quite affordable. And considering the way in which they can improve your appearance, you need not keep yourself from checking out one that will suit you just because of a few dollars.

Well, it is true that you cannot do whatever you want with hair systems. However, as long as you take some precautions to make sure that these are not exposed to steam or hot water and other things like sand, you can be sure that these will last for a remarkably long time.

Hair Care, Hair clinic, Hair Loss, Hair Replacement , , , ,

Hair Transplant Surgeons Can Do Magic for You

November 29th, 2010
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Everyone from the famous celebrities to the average man on the street wishes to have good hair. In fact it is said that the path to fame is often paved with great hair. However, it is unfortunate that almost all of us tend to become bald as we grow older. It is more pronounced in many men and some women because of hereditary reasons.

Most people will tell you that this is an inevitable effect of growing old and you must learn to live with it. However, this is not quite true anymore true because of advances in the field of hair transplantation. Surgeons in this field can treat your scalp in such a manner than your hair will always grow and you will never really grow bald!

If you consult a hair transplant surgeon, he or she will tell you that it actually possible to take existing strands from your head and then plant them in the balding parts of your head. These transplanted strands will not fall off because these are from the part of the head where hair does not fall off.

A thin strip of your scalp is removed from the lower part of your head. This is done to keep the hair perfect for transplantation. Good hair transplant surgeons usually take just a few minutes to do this. The entire task including stitching and making sure that the process is painless obviously makes the process more time consuming.

Then the follicles are removed by experts who use microscopes to ensure that each strand is properly removed. Then the hair transplant surgeons inset the follicles in the balding parts of the head so that these can grow naturally. This means that you will be able to comb and style these just as you style hair in other parts of your head.

You must make sure that you get this transplantation done only by good hair transplant surgeons because they will able to ensure that results are indeed permanent. Moreover, they will also be able to ensure that the scar that is left behind when the thin strip of scalp is removed is stitched properly. If this is not done properly, the scar will be visible to everyone and people will keep asking you how you managed to get so badly scarred.

The highly qualified professionals at Sure Hair International have performed this procedure many a time and will be able to satisfy you.

Hair Care, Hair clinic, Hair Loss, Hair Replacement , , , ,

A Few words about FUE

November 23rd, 2010
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The technology in the hair transplant field has come along way especially in the last 15 years. The discovery of naturally occurring follicular units, and the ability to use a microscope to dissect hair into follicular units means that a hair transplant can be virtually 100% natural.

The most established follicular unit technology is the strip method. In the strip method, a strip of skin is taken from the back and sides of the head and then dissected into follicular units (grafts) and then placed into the thinning area into small holes. In experienced hands, the results can be spectacular. However, in a small percentage of cases the door scar did not heal well or widened. This led to the idea of transplanting hair into the scar to make it less obvious. The hair was harvested from the back and sides of the head one at a time by using a small punch biopsy so that it would not leave behind a very visible scar. This was the birth of the FUE (follicular unit extraction).

Initially the FUE was designed for small cases where only a few grafts were needed. With the FUE method you cannot see the root of the grafts until it is pulled out of the head. As a result, traditionally there is a high rate of transection which means the root of the follicle is cut and will not grow. This was considered acceptable since only a small number of grafts were needed. Since the FUE method leaves very small scars that are very hard to see, many doctors started promoting the FUE method as an alternative to the strip method.

The FUE has been promoted as a “scarless” surgery. This is not true. It is true that often the scars are so small that a patient can wear the hair very short. The technology for the FUE has evolved and now there are powered drills that help take out larger number of grafts in a more efficient manner. However, for reasons we do not understand, sometimes even when large number of “good ” FUE grafts are planted in a FUE transplant, many will not grow. I am sure that with time the technology will improve.

A word of caution about the FUE. It does leave a scar. If a hair transplant is done using 2000 grafts for example, then the patient will be left with 2000 little scars. This may not be a problem the first time. However, if a patient needs a second transplant with 2000 grafts, then he will have a total of 4000 little scars at the back of his head. This can leave the patient with a “swiss cheese“ look. Furthermore, it becomes more and more difficult to find “good grafts” amongst the scarring in the donor area when the FUE is used. Typically with the strip method one scar is all that is produced no matter how many surgeries.

Recently, a news show showed a new machine that takes out follicular units automatically using the FUE method. This new machine was marketed as being the “latest breakthrough” in hair transplant technology. In fact, the machine has been around for many years and was not considered a reliable method of doing the FUE. I know for fact that the company who makes the machine has improved the technology and that it is now at the 7th generation with the device. This is good news. Myself and other hair transplant doctors are waiting to see how well the machine performs before considering routinely using such as a device.

However, it seems that some doctors are now purchasing the new machine with the intent of performing hair transplants when they have little or no experience performing hair transplants. A hair transplant is a very delicate procedure that takes an entire team of people to perform. It takes a lot of practice and experience to do a good hair transplant.

There are many reputable hair transplant doctors who feel that it is not appropriate for non-experienced doctors to jump on the bandwagon and perform hair transplants because “the machine will do all the work”. If a machine could perform all the technical aspects of a hair transplant, you still need a doctor to plan and design the transplant. You can’t just put hair anywhere! You need to plan for future hair loss. A doctor needs to have the artistic skills produce a natural hairline and understand donor recipient ratios and density gradients. Think of it this way: there are air guns that will put nails into wood boards very quickly and efficiently. However, you wouldn’t let a machine build your house – you still need a contractor who knows how to build a house!

There is a time and a situation where any technology will serve you well. Make SURE you speak to an experienced professional who can offer the right technique for you!

* Additionally you can visit the International Hair Restoration Surgery website (www.ishrs.org) and read their position paper on the FUE method.

Dr. Nelson Ferreira, B.Sc., CCFP, MD
Medical Director, Sure Hair International
2115 Finch Ave. W, Suite 401,
Toronto, M3N 2V6
Tel: 416-747-7873 Fax: 416-747-7441
Email: care@surehair.com

Hair Care, Hair clinic, Hair Loss, Hair Replacement , , , , , ,

Why You Need a Laser Comb to Enhance Hair Growth

November 19th, 2010
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Did you know that even the ancient Romans knew that sunlight was good for their hair in certain times of a day? Hence they built structures that would let them experience the warmth and the therapeutic effects of staying in the sun. Well most of us are not as lucky as the wealthy people of the Roman Empire and thus we can’t always expose our hair to sunlight when it is good for hair. To enable people like us, companies have come up with a laser comb that emits laser rays of certain wavelengths.

There are several reasons why people are enthusiastic about these laser combs. The first reason is that these are extremely easy to use. You just have to use these for fifteen minutes per sessions at your own home. You need to do this just a few times a week. This means that you will be able to avoid appointments with the parlor where you may go for such treatments. Not only will you save time because you will be able to complete the treatment at home, you will also be able to be able to do it whenever you find time.

The second reason why laser combs are so popular is that it is quite affordable compared to the treatments that are provided by the salons where hair treatment is done. You just have to buy the equipment once and then you can use it as many times as you want.

You will be able to notice the positive effects of using a laser comb within a few months because these will simulate the roots of your hair. However, you must also make sure that your scalp is getting the nutrition that is required for good hair growth. The reason why people tend to grow bald is that their scalp contains DTH. This tends to get attached to the follicles of hair and prevents the absorption of the nutrients that are required by the follicles to grow properly.

To make sure that the laser combs produce results that are visible, you should make sure that your hair gets the nutrients it needs with the stimulation. DTH removing shampoos and serums are required for this.

You should also make sure that your hair is very clean because dirt and oil also prevent the absorption of nutrients. You will get laser combs and good shampoos at Sure Hair International.

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How to Tackle Female Hair Loss?

November 11th, 2010
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Hair loss in females is not age-specific anymore. Women are being affected by it all over the world even if they are in the age group of 25-35. It is said that a hair follicle has a growth period of about 2-6 years. After it falls out, a new strand starts to grow in its place. Did you know that we lose between 50-100 strands each day?

Female hair loss can occur due to a variety of reasons. The most common reason is heredity. Fluctuations of the estrogen hormone in women and thyroid disorders also cause hair fall and might lead to baldness. Increase in male hormones like androgen has a very negative reaction on the follicles. A recent study has shown that anxiety, tension, and stress are vital factors that contribute to hair fall.

Are you experiencing a similar problem? After all, possessing beautiful hair is a natural asset for women. A bald patch or thinning hair is a huge source of embarrassment. In fact, it has an emotional effect on the person too. Often it has been observed that women who are suffering from such problems tend to withdraw into a shell and isolate themselves from everyone.

However, you can easily combat this problem by getting the required treatment. Hair transplant is the best method in this case. There are usually two types of transplants:
* Surgical – A surgical solution is used to cut a strip of hair from the area of the head where the growth is thick. This strip is cut into small units (individual follicles) and implanted on the scalp. Choose your surgeon wisely or else you might be left with a permanent scar on the back of your head. You may experience slight swelling in some areas but these will go away in a few days time.
* Non-surgical – This method is perfect for someone who is fearful of undergoing a surgery. Customized wigs made of artificial hair are stuck on the sides of the head. Here also there are two kinds of materials that make up the wig; one is made of polymer that is cheap but causes discomfort and the more expensive one is made of mesh. The mesh is much more convenient as it is comfortable and looks more natural.

The nature and texture of the follicles is very important. So make sure that you consult with a hair specialist before you opt for any procedure. Severe scarring, extreme swelling, and various other disastrous side effects may occur if it is done by an incompetent doctor. SureHair.com is one of reputed clinics in Canada that has been operating for quite some time. They have cured many cases of female hair loss in the past and they will definitely be able to help you out. Call them now!

Hair Care, Hair clinic, Hair Loss, Hair Replacement , , ,