FUE: ADVANTAGES OVER STRIP METHOD (FUT)

FUE has following main benefits over the conventional strip method

1. Donor healing is faster 3-5 days compared to 10-15 days in strip method.
2. Practically pain free recovery due to absence of stitches
3. No linear scar in the donor area so even very short hair style can easily be worn. Strip method leaves a linear donor scar which shows up if the donor hair is short and therefore one needs to keep the donor hair long
4. Strip method at times leads to anaesthetic area just above the line of stitch for a few months. This is not seen in the FUE
5. Other fringe benefits according to me are

• Less bleeding
• Entire procedure performed by doctor & not given to technician
• For athletes or people who must resume full activity right after the procedure.
• Minimally invasive, less-traumatic and patient friendly
• Body hair Transplant is possible only by this method - so larger donor site. This is not possible by Strip Method. Even advanced stage can be treated (NH6-7) with sufficient hair by additional use of Body hair.
• For people who have had a lot of prior transplant surgery that has left bothersome scars, follicular unit extraction allows the doctor to work around the scars and select individual follicular units.
• Provides an alternative when the scalp is too tight for a strip excision
• Ideal for repairing donor scars that cannot be excised
• One can choose one hair or multi-haired graft

ARTIFICIAL HAIR - BIOFIBRE

There are 2 brands of Artificial Fibres available. Biofibre from Italy (http://www.biofibre.com) and Nedo of Japan. These are Polymer Fibres and usually supposed to be inert. They give instant visual improvement because you do not have to wait for them to grow. They also require local anesthetic and the procedure is also a surgery The down sides are :

1. They do not grow
2. They are lost by about 15% a year so there life not more than 10 years.
3. They need regular (daily) cleaning care by special cleaning agents under their protocol.
4. Monthly cleaning of their base by the doctor with special instruments to remove the deposited debris is necessary
5. They may be occasionally rejected by the body due to foreign body reaction or allergic reaction and granuloma formation



Pus formation and granuloma at the site of Artificial fibers that needed surgical removal

6. Being a foreign body and partly exposed to the exterior they are vulnerable to the infection and abscess which may require repeated Antibiotic courses. If the Antibiotics do not take care of the infection they may require surgical cut to remove it. This would leave permanent ugly scarring of your scalp.
7. Because of the above reasons some countries like USA have banned its human use.
8. They are more expensive than the Hair Transplant

I have had bad experiences and I have stopped recommending it.

AMINEXIL OR MINOXIDIL?

Well this product based on Aminexil has a credibility due to backing of company like L’Oreal. But the product is not tested according to FDA standard so no body can say that which one is better. But it is supposed to be working in the similar way as Minoxidil by increasing the the period of Hair Cycle. As for the safety also minimal data of credibility is available about Aminexil. Minoxidil is a FDA approved medication for prevention Hair Loss and has been well studied and its effects are well documented.

HAIR WEAVING,WIG & HAIR TRANSPLANT

Hair Transplant is the surgical procedure by which hair are transferred from the back of the head to the front. It is a permanent method where hair permanently grows and that can be cut coloured and styled. The hair does not require any special maintenance.

Hair weaving is a method of fixing (anchoring) the wig to your own hair. They weave your own hair in a “U” shape and with the thread the wig is tied to your own hair. This is a temporary method with lot of maintenance. It is in the long run, more expensive than the other options like hair transplant. And the expenses don't stop there. First, you will always need two hairpieces -- one that you wear and one that is being re-styled. Soon (usually in about a year to 18 months), you will need to replace both. Although human hair is used, it is constantly being dyed, brushed and permed to match your hair. After a while, just like your own hair, each hair strand breaks or becomes over-processed and the material it is attached to starts breaking down from the constant reattachment. You will also have to visit the hair centre every four to six weeks to have your hair trimmed and have the piece reattached and blended. Sweating and local hygiene is at stake and the constant burden of wig is also cumbersome. Stress on your existing hair, can cause permanent damage to your remaining hair.

A wig is a non-surgical hair addition by external hair-bearing device or cap added to existing hair or scalp to give the appearance of a fuller head of hair. Wig is known by various names like hair weaves, hair extensions, hairpieces, toupees, Hair Integration, non-surgical hair replacements and partial hair prostheses. Devices may consist of human hair, synthetic fiber or a combination of both. The device may have various bases a textile net in which hair weft can be tied or specialized polymer silicone

in which hairs fibers can be injected etc. It may be ready made or custom made.

It can be hand tied or machine made. Custom-fitted, hand-tied, human-hair wig are the best but most expensive.

All techniques use either the existing hair or the skin as anchor sites

EXISTING HAIR: Weaves (use thread)fusion (Use clips)

bonding (use double sided tape or adhesive liquids),

cabling, micro links, beading are general terms of techniques all attached to the client’s existing hair. All these techniques use the existing hair structure. TO THE SKIN: Includes adhesives such as two-sided tapes and new improved waterproof liquids. Vacuum bases- held on by suction through an air tight fitting foundation. All are used to provide more security for the active lifestyle, and they are all dependent on the growing existing hair and therefore must be reattached or tightened as the existing hair grows. (Techniques that stress your existing hair, such as weaves, can cause permanent damage if done incorrectly or on an inappropriate candidate. Even temporary clips attached too tightly can cause permanent hair loss.)

HAIR LOSS DUE TO CHANGE OF PLACE

The change of place has no relations to your hair loss. Excess mental tension due to work load may be the reason for your hair loss iitiation at the early age. There are natives of Mumbai who are bald and there are migrants in Mumbai who have good hair at much older age than you have. Your hair on the top is affected but the air at the back and the side are OK ; had it been due to Mumbai weather or water your hair on the back and side would also get affected by the that. Well pattern hair loss is due to genes and the hormones and is proven beyond doubt. Although ill health, certain medications, acute mental stress, pregnancy in women etc. can initiate this pattern hair loss at a young age.