The Value of Hair Transplant Medical Technicians  

Hair transplant technicians are an integral and important part of the operation in hair transplant surgeries.  Therefore properly trained hair technician plays an important role in hair restoration results.

At US Hair Restoration we utilize a well designed system in which we train our hair technicians.  Our hair technicians are selected by a discerning level of criteria:

*    A high level of personal ethics
*    Initially demonstrate a natural level of strong hand eye coordination
*    General training as medical or surgical assistant
*   Further training as hair transplant technician —  is provided in our office for more junior   technicians.

Hair Transplant Technician Selection

After a vigorous selection process our technicians must complete US Hair Restorations custom designed Hair Technicians Training Program. Our technicians complete intense period of training under the direct tutelage and supervision of medical director Dr. Parsa Mohebi. This training includes:

     *   lectures
     *   surgical observation
     *   demonstration high level of skills on synthetic hair and laboratory models
     *   compliance of surgical techniques and standards

At each level technicians must show proper improvement and competency prior to moving to the next level of training.  We do not allow technicians to work on actual patients before they demonstrate proper skills and above satisfactory completion of our training program.

US Hair Restoration Hair Technician Training Program

During this program each technician first learns how to cut and place grafts on synthetic hair and scalp at the next level the hair technician candidates’ advance to working and mastering their skills Bovine skin which is close enough to human hair orientation for laboratory purposes and skill development.

Laboratory conditions replicate the hours of actual surgery. During this time future hair technicians for US Hair Restoration spend hours cutting and implanting bovine hair grafts. This training improves their hand eye coordination until they reach a level of competency to assist in an actual hair transplant surgery.

 Advancement to Hair Transplant Surgical Procedures

Upon successful completion of all necessary lecture series and hands on training our hair technicians receive approval from the medical director to working in the operating room under supervision of a senior hair restoration technician.

When hair transplant technicians are properly trained they will demonstrate their abilities and skills by passing the written and oral examinations.  After demonstrating that they are capable of working to the high standards of US Hair Restoration, they graduate as hair transplant technicians.  Recently graduated hair transplant technicians continue to be supervised to improve their skills.  They also are required to participate in internal educational series, as well as, and external hair transplant seminars that are designed for hair technicians.

We are proud to announce that US Hair Restoration is ready to train technicians for other centers that need to have highly trained technicians for their hair restoration services.

Q:

Dear Dr. Mohebi,

I have a question regarding the FUT hair transplant process. Will the white hairs separated from the strip of scalp be used for hair transplant too? As I have some white hairs at the back of my head.

Thanks a lot.

-

A:

Good question. We generally don’t discriminate between black and white. Every hair will be used. However, we can decide to use more of grafts with black hair on one area rather than others. We usually discuss these factors before a hair transplant and will definitely consider individual styling preferences when planning for a hair transplantation.

Q:

Hello Dr Mohebi,

I recently read an article on the web that you commented on Harvard research for hair cloning.  I am in my early 40′s, fairly broke, and eagerly awaiting the day that hair cloning is successful and available to the market.  For the past decade, I keep hearing the same promises that it will arrive in 5 years, but still no luck.  Can you comment on why it is not here yet, and perhaps when we will see it.  Thanks in advance.

A:

Hair multiplication also referred to as “Hair Cloning” is a hot topic in hair restoration over the last few years it is garnering more and more attention.  The research for multiplying hair (hair cloning) has been going on for years now in several centers around the world over the past few years.  The study that we performed with collaboration with some scientists in Cedar Sinai is only one of the many steps that need  be taken to successfully multiply hair.

Hair multiplication would offer superior benefits to patients and represent a significant advance for medical science and hair restoration. Still the march towards this being a medical reality moves slowly for a several different reasons:

1.  Although hair loss has detrimental effects on patients’ lives, is yet to be recognized as a burning issue in medical field to warrant more funding for hair loss research.
2.  Hair multiplication studies are usually done in private setting without the support of larger institutions such as universities and NIH (National Institute of Health).
3. The growth rates of the hair stem cells are extremely slow in cell cultures.  That makes the overall period of hair multiplication timelier and adds exponentially to the cost of these studies.

The combination of above three factors and other obstacles in this process has made progress of hair multiplication very slow.  My best estimation of current research is that hair multiplication is probably at least 8 years away from practical medical application.  The reason for this is that any new medical treatment or device needs to go through different phases to obtain FDA approval for its use in the U.S.

The last phase necessary in development of a new treatment is ‘clinical trials’. The phase three is done on volunteer patients to find out more about long term complications that might be associated with the treatment. At this time no study has reached the clinical trials stage this makes it unlikely that we can have hair cloning available to public within the next eight years.

Innovation in Hair Loss

Hair loss continues to be one of the leading medical cosmetic concerns among men and to a lesser degree for women. Modern hair transplant is a proven natural solution and continues to benefit many people. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is growing in popularity and can offer a unique solution to some individuals with limited donor hair.

Many men today are opting for shaved or ‘military type hair styles where the entire scalp and hairline frames the face with closely cropped ‘stubble’ hair. A person with limited donor hair can be a prime candidate for this safe and less invasive hair transplant procedure.

Hair Transplant Surgeon Can Combine both Techniques

Skilled hair restoration surgeons can take individual follicular units (FUs) and create the maximum balanced coverage over the scalp. They can then create further ‘look of density’ by simulating hair stubble with scalp micro-pigmentation (SMP).

SMP is a procedure where special surgical needles are used to inject dermal pigments into the scalp or other areas such as eyebrows into the skin. The color of pigment selected is close to that of the patient’s hair resulting in a cosmetic hair shadow. SMP is a safe and very non invasive procedure.

Combining FUE and SMP to resolve the challenge of hair loss for people with little alternatives and represents an advancement in modern hair restoration. This solution is not for everyone but is a welcome choice for some people who previously had limited alternatives to resolve their hair loss problem.

Q:

Dr. Mohebi,

We discussed a second procedure several months ago to increase density. I was told about 1500 grafts would be necessary. I’d like to get a better idea of what level of density I can expect. Is there a way to show me an example from another patient, or compare it to another area of my hair so I can set my expectations accurately?

Thanks,

 A:

Generally, one hair transplant creates about 35-40% density in the areas that we dense pack. Although the appearance of baldness is eliminated in most cases, the density you once had may not be able to be replicated. This is particularly important in regards to the front of your hairline where adding to the density can make the hair line look more solid. In the photo attached, you can see the frontal view of a patient before a hair transplant, ten months after the first procedure and ten months after the second procedure.

Today’s hair transplant surgeries differ greatly than the previous decades.  Patients no longer end up with results that appear as an artificial ‘doll like’ look as in the era micro-grafts and plugs thanks to the modern Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) methods.  In the Follicular Unit Transplant, hair grafts are harvested with different techniques; Strip and FUE. The difference in these procedures is the manner in which the donor hair is harvested from the donor area of scalp as described below:

1. Strip method in which a strip of scalp is removed from the back of the head and the surgical wound sutured or stapled. This strip then has the follicular grafts removed from it or “harvested” for donor hair to be transplanted. Strip method is the most often performed hair restoration procedure at this time.
2. FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method is the other type of hair transplant procedure. FUE hair transplant involves the removal of the individual follicular units from the permanent zone one at a time. FUE does not require removal of a strip and these grafts are selectively taken throughout the permanent zone.

Both FUE and strip methods have their own advantages and disadvantages.  If the patient selection is done right both procedures could be successful to achieve the patient’s goals. The chart below provides a comparison between FUE hair transplant surgery versus Strip hair transplant.

* FUE Research Committee of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery has been established in 2012 to perform several studies to find the answer for these and many other questions.  We will update this information when the results of those studies are available.

 ** Patients who are qualified for large number of grafts (gigasession) should have high density and good laxity of scalp.

Los Angeles is known as the Mecca of Stars and celebrities. From Beverly Hills, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, ‘The Valley’ and the county the faces of film, television and stage can be seen in cafés, markets and the like. The professions of celebrities demand that they maintain a great self image. So, there is no wonder hair loss becomes an even more important issue for many in LA.

US Hair Restoration of Beverly Hills and Los Angeles are leading hair transplant centers.  US Hair Restoration has been serving celebrities as well as people of all walks of life to improve their self image and appearance.  The advent of follicular unit extraction hair transplantation has thrust our Southern California hair restorations to the forefront by taking the newest of Follicular Unit Extraction hair transplant procedures and establishing a method that allows public figures to restore their hair without intruding on their demanding schedule.

Renowned surgeon Dr. Parsa Mohebi has developed an innovative process to transform celebrities’ hairlines without interruption of their busy public schedules. Of course any one can take advantage of this least invasive method of hair restoration. The results are natural and proven because it is your own hair.

Celebrity FUE Transplant involves having the follicular units to be removed individually. There is not surgical incision for removal of a strip of scalp.  Unlike other FUE transplants there not a need to shave the entire back or the thinning area of head. This outpatient procedure that takes not more than 3-4 hours allow the person to maintain his/her hair look with no obvious sign of a surgery. The process is more gradual because we limit the number of grafts to four to five hundred at a time. The transformation is also more gradual and undetectable. That is exactly what most celebrities prefer and choose. The celebrities enjoy the benefit of minimal interruption to their eventful lives and not a drastic change in their appearance.  Each person may need to repeat this procedure a few time based on the extent of the balding area or the desired density.

Of course this new approach is not limited to celebrities.  Celebrity FUE transplant is for anyone who wants to enjoy the benefit of a healthy head of hair with minimal downtime and scarring. Whether you opt for a single procedure or our unique Celebrity FUE Hair Transplant we are certain you will like the new you after your hair restoration process.

Q:

Hi Dr. Mohebi,

Trust you are well. It was a pleasure meeting you in Los Angeles back in June. I had a few concerns about taking Finasteride and wanted to have your opinion before taking the medication.

I read few articles that side effects of finasteride include impotence, abnormal ejaculation, decreased ejaculatory volume, abnormal sexual function, gynecomastia, erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorder and testicular pain of which I experienced some of them when using the medication back in 2010. It was also stated that patients have reported persisting erectile dysfunction despite discontinuing the drug. I do feel this is also the case for me at times. Do I need to consult with a Urologists?  Would taking 1/4 of the pill every other day have any impact on slowing down/ prevent the hair loss and at the same time not damage sperm quality?

I am still looking at a few dates to come back and get my hair transplant as I don’t want to depend on medications for long. I am aiming for either this Nov. or April at the latest.

 Regards,

A:

The initial double blind study of Propecia (finasteride) did not reveal any evidence of permanent side effects from it.  This research was done on over 1000 patients and around the same number of people who were enrolled in placebo arm of the study. In fact it showed that the adverse effects of Propecia in people who initially experienced sexual side effects and decided to continue the medication improved over one year from the time they started experiencing the side effects. Recent reports from smaller studies that focus on possible long term or permanent side effects of Propecia, listed side effects including erectile dysfunction, lack of sex drive or even mood changes.  After reviewing the cited articles and their methodology, I was not convinced that the data was collected and documented properly.  The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) also assembled a group of hair restoration doctors to evaluate the validity of some of these reports regarding the side effects of Propecia.  The group’s evaluation did not support the claims of the new reports on irreversible side effects of Propecia.

It should be noted that, Merk & Co. Inc, pharmaceuticals now include an insert in Propecia packaging. This insert discusses the possibility of long term side effects. We also review this with our patients.   My thought is that a more significant study on a large group of people who took finasteride for a long period of time is needed to confirm the new claims.

If you have any sexual side effects such as changes in sex desire, erection or sperm count, you need to be evaluated by your primary doctor or a urologist instead of assuming that it is only a side effect of finasteride.

All the Best,

Dr. Parsa Mohebi

US Hair Restoration Centers welcomes people who have considered hair restoration for years to make this step in 2013. The science of medical hair restoration is now a natural, proven and permanent method to improve your self image. Led by renown Los Angeles and Beverly Hills Surgeon, Parsa Mohebi, MD we continue our commitment to be leaders in the field. Learn More >>>

We wish all our patients and everyone a promising and successful new year!

One of the most common medical problems is hair loss. and it will affect most men at some point in their life. Hair loss is more than cosmetic it detrimentally effects the self esteem of many men an women.

It is a complex hereditary condition androgenic alopecia – baldness can begin for some even in puberty. Women can also suffer from androgenic alopecia.

Recent medical advancements have brought two FDA medical solutions that can positively affect hair loss; finasteride (Propecia) and Minoxidil. However, hair transplants are the most natural, proven and permanent solution for baldness. The FDA medications have proven to be a good adjunct treatment; but hair transplants are the most successful permanent solution for hair loss. Learn More>>>