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Why Do Some Hair Transplants Fail?

Uncategorized,

If you’ve heard about hair transplants that were unsuccessful and have concerns about how it could happen, your questions may make you hesitate to schedule a consultation with a hair restoration surgeon to learn your options. But examining the reasons why some hair transplants fail can help to alleviate your doubts and apprehensions – and better position you to achieve the result you want should you decide to address your hair loss.

Dr. Marco Barusco – founder and Chief Medical Officer of Tempus Hair Restoration – cites 10 of the most common reasons that hair transplants sometimes don’t attain the patient’s aesthetic goal. This article is based on the video – “Why Hair Transplants Fail?” – produced for his YouTube channel, Hair Loss Medical Advice.

Dr. Barusco’s insights are based upon his more than 20 years of experience as an internationally renowned hair restoration surgeon who has developed innovative advances in hair transplant procedures – such as the No-Shave FUE, which completely conceals harvested donor sites immediately, allowing patients to resume their regular activities with very little downtime. During the video, Dr. Barusco shares his experiences working with patients who have come to him after an unsatisfactory procedure.

Dr. Barusco begins by giving his definition of a failed hair transplant. “When I say the word ‘fail,’ it doesn’t mean that nothing grew, although it can be that, too. A failed hair transplant, in my opinion, is anything that didn’t produce the results that you were expecting after the transplant procedure was done.”

Dr. Barusco ranks the 10 main reasons for a failed hair transplant, beginning with the most frequent cause.

Number One: Poor Diagnosis of Hair Loss

“The first cause I see many times is that the hair loss itself was not diagnosed correctly,” says Dr. Barusco. “Not every hair loss is equal; not all hair loss is treatable with a hair transplant procedure.” Dr. Barusco notes that people often have the misconception that hair transplants are a treatment for hair loss when, in fact, they are a restorative measure.

“To prevent and treat hair loss – that is, the androgenetic male or female pattern hair loss – we need to treat with medication. So if you don’t diagnose the hair loss correctly, you may perform a hair transplant [in the wrong area of the scalp] or on a patient who should not have had the procedure. I see this sometimes because in many practices out there, the consultation is done by a consultant or a salesperson, or someone who has had some experience, but is not trained as a doctor to really diagnose hair loss. So a patient can fall through the cracks, and a surgery will be recommended for a patient who did not need to have that surgery.

“I make it a point to see all my patients because I’ve been studying hair loss for many years, as well as talking and teaching about it, so certain things can be subtle – and you need to be looking for them so that you can diagnose correctly. When you do this, of course, the chance of having a successful outcome is better.”

Number Two: Poor Understanding of Hair and Scalp Anatomy

What does that mean, and why is it important? A surgeon operating on any area of the human body must understand anatomy – not only the location of organs and structures in the surgical area, but how they all connect, interact and work together. The same is true of a hair transplant procedure.

“I need an understanding of the landscape of where I’m operating,” Dr. Barusco says. “The scalp has many different layers. It has nerves, veins, arteries and the skull. It has some important structures that I need to avoid. The hair itself has certain structures that need to be protected and transplanted together with the hair so that we can get an outcome that’s favorable.

“Inexperienced surgeons and technicians lack this knowledge, and can cause damage to major blood vessels and nerves, as well as other areas of the scalp. You may end up having numb areas, or areas of tissue that die off – which is known as necrosis of the scalp – and which I have seen. Wherever you go for a consultation, make sure you know who will actually be performing the surgery.”

Our blog post – “Complications in Hair Transplant Procedures” – covers this important topic of unqualified doctors or clinic technicians performing hair transplants in greater detail, with advice on how to protect yourself. Additional valuable information is available on the website of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) – of which Dr. Barusco is a Fellow. Fewer than 10 percent of ISHRS members have achieved this honor.

Number Three: Poor Understanding of

Hair Physiology

Hair is a very complex organ. Understanding exactly how hair grows and the numerous mechanisms of cellular interactions requires high levels of education, training and experience. “When we transplant a follicle or a hair, it looks very simple, but we have to understand what goes on at a cellular level – how these things are going to play out in the survival of the graft. Grafts need to be treated and handled correctly to keep them viable to the time they’re implanted, as they are deprived of blood flow. You need to understand what goes on during the healing phases of the transplant in order to optimize so that every hair is protected and provided with good blood flow and a good environment for healing.”

Number Four: Poor Emphasis on Education

Dr. Barusco often sees patients who have been seen by other hair loss specialists who were ready to schedule surgery without recommending treatment with such medications as minoxidil (brand name Rogaine) or finasteride (brand name Propecia).

“Treatments were never mentioned to maintain their hair to prevent further loss. I usually recommend a patient first do medical therapy with medication for six months to see if he can comply with post-surgical treatment. Because if not, my transplant will not provide what you want over the long term. If I don’t educate the patient on hair loss, I’m not doing a service. Sometimes, the education involves recommending against the surgery. Not everyone is a candidate for a hair transplant. Education is key, and that’s the reason for the consultation in the first place.”

Number Five: Lack of Recommendation for Medical Treatment

This reason is closely related to the previous, a poor emphasis on education. Treatment with medication – for male and female patients – is essential in helping to prevent or slow further hair loss. Too many clinics and doctors do not prescribe medications or map out a treatment regimen, erroneously leading patients to believe that a hair transplant is a once-and-done solution.

Number Six: Not Listening to Your Concerns and Your Goals

The surgeon may look at you during the consultation and assume you want coverage in a particular area, when you actually want to see growth on a different area of your scalp. You must be sure to communicate your goals to the surgeon during consultation – then make certain the surgeon has heard and understands you.

If you sense the surgeon isn’t listening, or has already decided which areas(s) to focus on despite your description of the desired result, continue asking questions until you are satisfied with the answer. This should not be in the spirit of being difficult. If the surgeon has a vision that differs from yours, there may be a reason – but it is the surgeon’s responsibility to explain their reason so that you understand and can make your decision based upon this information.

“The surgeon needs to explain to you what is and what is not possible,” says Dr. Barusco. “I need to make sure that your goals are aligned with what I can deliver.”

Number Seven: Poor Planning of the Transplant Procedure

If you’ve ever seen men with a hairline that looks “off,” or not natural, you may not have been able to quite figure out why. This unsettling effect can be attributed to poor planning on the part of the surgeon.

“A hairline that’s not correct – such as too aggressive, too rounded and feminine for a man, very young looking on an older man – reflects poor planning. This also includes poor use of the donor zone. For example, using a lot of the donor area hair for a small area of the recipient area is not good planning. You have only so much hair that can be harvested, so I need to use it very wisely. You may need another transplant in the future, so if it’s all used at one time, there will be none left.”

Number Eight: Poor Technical Execution of the Transplant Procedure

Unfortunately, this particular “fail” is often linked to the previous, poor planning of the transplant procedure. A surgeon who lacks the skill to plan the procedure properly to create a natural-looking hairline and growth patterns also is likely to botch the implantation process itself. This includes placing hairs at the incorrect angle or direction, placing the hairline too low, and placing transplanted hairs very close together.

As previously mentioned, proper treatment of the hair grafts to keep them alive so they can take hold in the recipient area and grow is essential to a successful transplant. Grafts that are poorly prepared, allowed to dry out or otherwise mishandled at any point during the procedure will not be viable.

Number Nine: Poor Management of the Limited Number of Donor Hairs

As Dr. Barusco observes, we have only a limited supply of donor hair, although bald areas keep enlarging as hair loss continues over time.

“As hair transplant surgeons, we have to paint a beautiful picture, but we only have so much ink to do it. If we don’t utilize that ink in the best way we can, you’re not going to be happy and I’m not going to be happy. So that involves some compromise. While we can treat an area really well, we can’t treat the whole entire area of hair loss with the donor hair that you have. I need to explain that to you so you understand, and can make your decision. And then we’re going to be successful.”

Number 10: Damage to Existing Hairs by Overly Aggressive Surgery

People who have their first hair transplant too soon after hair loss begins are at risk of a poor eventual result. “In such a case, they still have a good amount of their own native hair, but it’s just starting to thin, and someone goes there very aggressively and puts a lot of transplants in between the existing hair. What then happens is that the transplants traumatize a large amount of those hairs, so they lose a lot of hair from the surgery. The transplants grow, but that trauma caused a good deal of loss of the native hair – so in the end, it’s a wash. They lost as many hairs as probably were placed, so the surgery didn’t produce any visible change.”

For this reason, Dr. Barusco uses a conservative approach, preserving as much native hair as possible. As always, Dr. Barusco emphasizes educating the patient on how hair transplants are planned and performed – including the follow-up medication treatment.

Knowledge is Power – Choose Your Hair Restoration Surgeon Wisely!

As you begin your search for a hair restoration specialist, having the facts at hand can help you avoid being swayed by advertising campaigns that offer a misleading idea of what a hair transplant involves over both the short and long term. Unlike buying a car, most people have no experience in choosing a hair restoration surgeon. This is an important decision that depends upon your knowledge of industry best practices and professional ethics in order to achieve a successful outcome that will allow you to face the world with the self-confidence you deserve.

Ultimately, choose your surgeon based on experience, results and integrity. Dr. Barusco’s long list of accomplishments, his notable artistic ability and his successful surgical team make Tempus Hair Restoration a renowned practice. Contact us to schedule your free virtual consultation. Dr. Barusco conducts every consultation himself, giving you the opportunity to learn your options in the comfort of your home – or any location, on any internet-enabled device. 

Dr. Barusco conducts consultations in English, Spanish and Portuguese. For your greater convenience, Tempus Hair Restoration offers a two-night complimentary hotel stay to out-of-town clients who travel 100 miles or more to our Port Orange, Florida, surgical center. No matter how far the distance, we welcome the opportunity to help you on your hair restoration journey!

Was 2021 a Very Good Year? Plan on Making 2022 Even Better by Getting Your Hair Back!

Male Hair Restoration,

As the world began to reopen in 2021, the plans that had to be postponed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic were resumed. Yet even if 2021 was a good year for you, perhaps some goals still had to be put off – for example, a hair restoration procedure. If this was the case, 2022 can be the year you get your hair back!

Should a hair transplant be on your new year’s resolutions list, you need to be up-to-date on the significant advancements that have been made in the hair restoration field. As you begin researching your options, be aware that not all hair transplant surgeons or clinics offer every procedure – especially those requiring significant experience and top-level skill. Also keep in mind that even such popular procedures as the Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) demand an experienced surgeon to achieve the desired aesthetic result. Avoid the pitfall of assuming that because the FUT and FUE are well-established procedures, all surgeons perform them equally well.

Advancements in FUE

Hair transplantation is constantly evolving. Improvements in techniques and technology make possible outcomes that not only look like natural hair growth, but involve less patient downtime. Developments in FUE provide an excellent example.

To start at the beginning, FUE is a surgical hair transplant technique in which follicular units in groupings of one, two or three hairs are individually extracted from the back of the head (donor area) using small circular punch blades instead of a scalpel. The grafts are then transplanted to the thinning or balding areas of the scalp. Once the desired number of grafts are obtained, the donor sites are left to heal without suturing.

One aspect of the procedure that can be a downside is that it requires the donor area be shaved in order to harvest each graft. For many, this can be a difficult, embarrassing process because of appearing in public with a half-shaved head. Some patients may have to take time off work in order to allow their hair to grow back.

For this reason, Dr. Marco Barusco – Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Tempus Hair Restoration – developed the innovative No-Shave FUE, which completely conceals harvested donor sites immediately, allowing patients to resume their regular activities with very little downtime. Dr. Barusco has produced an informative video for his YouTube channel, “Hair Loss Medical Advice,” that describes the procedure in detail.

Now, going one step beyond the no-shave FUE is the long-hair FUE. It is also known as the “preview” long-hair FUE because it gives the patient a preview of what the ultimate result will be. As with any hair transplant, the hair in the newly implanted grafts soon falls out, to be replaced by new growth as the grafts establish themselves. Dr. Barusco is one of only a few doctors in the world with the experience and skill to perform this technique.

Dr. Barusco explains the procedure in his Hair Loss Medical Advice video, Long-Hair FUE.

“It started with my good friend, Dr. Marcelo Pitchon from Brazil. I’m from Brazil originally. He popularized the method of the long-hair transplant with the strip method a few years ago. Nowadays, with the advantage of certain types of equipment that we have, they allow us to harvest hairs via FUE and still maintain the hair shaft at the same length that it was – one or two inches in length sometimes – and then we can use that length inside, keeping the hair instead of clipping it short. And then when we transplant, the patient has a preview of their result. Obviously, this only lasts for a few days, since most of the hairs that we transplant fall out during the healing phase – but it allows the patient to have an idea of what the result is going to be like.

“It also allows me, as a surgeon, to see that I’m not missing anything. Maybe I need to add a bit more density in a little area that I’m working on. The surgery is very laborious and time-consuming to perform because the longer hair gets in the way, so it requires a lot of patience and skill.”

How Can You Know if an FUE Procedure is Right for You?

Because the traditional shaved FUE and no-shave FUE are well-known procedures, those interested in a hair transplant often request them. However, the type of hair transplant procedure that’s best for your particular situation may be different. Only a consultation with an ethical, conscientious surgeon who asks the right questions can help you determine the procedure that will provide the optimum immediate and long-term outcome. Our blog post – “Is the FUE Procedure Right for You?” – covers facts and possible risks (mainly from non-medical personnel performing the procedure) so that you can have a more productive consultation and be confident in your decision.

For even more in-depth information, watch Dr. Barusco’s videos – “Formal Indications for Hair Transplantation via FUE” – and “Contra-Indications for Hair Transplantation via FUE” – which covers the situations in which FUE is not (or should not be) recommended.

Choose Your Surgeon Wisely, and Get 2022 Off to a Great Start

If you’re determined to no longer delay restoring your hair, you deserve to know all of your options – and have an internationally recognized surgeon providing the right, and the best procedure for your individual situation.

Ultimately, choose your surgeon based on experience, results and integrity. Dr. Barusco’s long list of accomplishments, his notable artistic ability and his successful surgical team make Tempus Hair Restoration a renowned practice. Contact us to schedule your free virtual consultation. Dr. Barusco conducts every consultation himself, giving you the opportunity to learn your options in the comfort of your home – or any location, on any internet-enabled device. 

Dr. Barusco conducts consultations in English, Spanish and Portuguese. For your greater convenience, Tempus Hair Restoration offers a two-night complimentary hotel stay to out-of-town clients who travel 100 miles or more to our Port Orange, Florida, surgical center. No matter how far the distance, we welcome the opportunity to help you on your hair restoration journey!

There’s More to Movember than Mustaches – Your Guide to Facial Hair Transplants

Facial Hair Transplants,

Society’s expectations of men have always been high. No matter what their challenges, men are expected to be strong and silently shoulder any burden. But this expectation – which men often internalize – can be deadly when they neglect their health – including mental health. In 2003, a group of men dedicated themselves to raising awareness of men’s health issues, and launched the non-profit Movember Foundation. Since that time, its signature Movember fundraising campaign has featured the fun challenge of growing a mustache during the month of November.

While Movember’s emphasis is on upper lip hair, facial hair in general has made a major comeback over the past several years. The clean-shaven look prevalent throughout most of the 20th century has given way to a wide range of individual expression through beards of all lengths and configurations. Ironically, this trend harkens back to the 19th century, when beards were prevalent and unadorned faces rare. Yet for men who yearn to grow a full beard – or goatee – but nature isn’t cooperating, a facial hair transplant is an option that (when performed by an experienced hair restoration surgeon) provides a satisfying, natural-looking result.

The Growing Demand for Facial Hair Transplants

As reported by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), studies indicate that “… men who grow an unshaven beard are perceived as older, more masculine, and more dominant and aggressive, and attract more positive female attitudes than those men whose face is clean-shaven.” Bearded men also are seen as more intelligent – as evidenced by the popular culture stereotypes of psychiatrists, college professors and scientists depicted with beards.

ISHRS is a global non-profit medical association and the leading authority on hair loss treatment and restoration. Dr. Marco Barusco – founder and Chief Medical Officer of Tempus Hair Restoration – is a Fellow of the ISHRS. This is a distinction that is only given to those who achieve certain landmarks on teaching and leadership. Currently, fewer than 10% of the ISHRS members are Fellows.

Based on the statistics of the ISHRS 2020 Practice Census, facial implants (beard and mustache) increased 196% worldwide from 2012 (4,707) to 2014 (13,956), and 121% from 2014 to 2019 (30,957). While all components of a beard are important, the highest ranked features included strong goatee (15.8%) and strong cheek beards (15.8%).

“They are becoming much more common,” says Dr. Barusco. “Everybody wants a full, even beard.”

As for what type of facial hair his patients most frequently seek, Dr. Barusco says the most common requests are for a goatee and cheeks – which aligns with the ISHRS’s findings. “Many men can grow a satisfactory mustache, but often the mustache does not connect with the goatee, or they have sparse hair on their cheeks and can’t grow a full beard.”

Why Can’t Some Men Grow Facial Hair?

As our blog post – “Facial Hair Transplants – Getting the Best Beard and Mustache” – reports, genetics is the reason, but not because there’s a gene that suppresses facial hair growth. The facts are more complex. Men start to develop facial hair – which is regulated by testosterone – during puberty, and it doesn’t fully mature until their early 20’s. The interaction between testosterone and the hair that already exists causes it to grow thicker and darker.

While thick beard growth is commonly attributed to a high testosterone level, the truth is that most men actually have about the same level of this hormone. What makes the difference in facial hair growth is how one’s body responds to testosterone – which is genetically determined. Being highly sensitive to testosterone results in more facial hair. On the down side, it contributes to baldness.

Who is a Candidate for a Facial Hair Transplant?

According to the ISHRS, patients who are typical candidates for facial hair transplantation include:

  • Those who have a total absence of hair or low density from birth with spaces in the beard.
  • Those who have scarring hair loss due to burns, injuries, acne, cleft lip corrective surgery or any other type of surgery.
  • Female-to-male transgender patients, to create a more masculine appearance.

What Does a Facial Hair Transplant Involve?

As with hair transplants to the scalp, a facial hair transplant may be performed as a Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) or Follicular Unit Excision (FUE). Which procedure is used depends upon the area to be covered. For large areas, hair is harvested from the same donor site as that for a hair transplant. This provides an advantage for those who want to grow a longer beard. Dr. Barusco describes the procedure in greater detail in a video for his YouTube video channel, Hair Loss Medical Advice.

The hair for facial hair transplants is typically harvested from the sides and back of the head, which are the same areas used in normal hair transplant surgery for bald and thinning areas of the scalp. The difference is that the hair removed is usually from lower down toward the neck, where the hair quality is more compatible to that of facial hair. This includes planning the angle and direction of hair for the most natural looking results. Dr. Barusco understands how hairs from different areas of the body behave, and has the skill and artistry to harvest those that are the best match, and ensure the hair follicles are angled correctly when transplanted.

“The challenges with transplanting into the face are many,” says Dr. Barusco. “From a technical standpoint, the most crucial is the angle and direction in which the hairs have to be placed to produce a natural result that will allow the patient to grow it long, if they so desire.

“Another aspect of the facial hair transplant is the donor area selection. Most of the time, we use scalp hairs from the safe donor zone, and the patient may need these hairs in the future, should they develop male pattern baldness. This factor becomes more important because most of the patients looking for facial hair transplants are young men. If the area(s) to be filled are small and few grafts are needed, we may use beard hairs, which are usually harvested from under the chin, as the source of donor hair.”

In his experience with facial hair transplant patients, Dr. Barusco has found that sparse growth and patchy growth are equally prevalent conditions – and normally coexist in the same patient, who can have areas of sparse growth (defined as a low density of hairs), as well as areas where the beard is patchy.

In another Hair Loss Medical Advice video, Dr. Barusco focuses on one case study of a 44-year-old male who wanted a fuller goatee and to better connect the goatee with his mustache. The video includes photos of the pre-op planning process and the final results one year later.

More About Movember – What Men Need to Know

We began this blog post about the purpose of Movember, and the importance of men taking charge of their health and well-being. Donations raised in behalf of the Movember Foundation go to fund groundbreaking health projects to make a difference for mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

As Dr. Barusco emphasizes educating people about a variety to topics relating to hair loss and hair restoration through his YouTube channel, we highly recommend taking time to watch “Movember, Finasteride for Hair Loss and the Post-Finasteride Syndrome” – which is given to the prevention and early detection of prostate cancer. His candid discussion includes a recommendation for regular prostate examinations, and ties it in with the use of Finasteride –a standard medication used for hair loss and prostate enlargement – and its potential side effects.

Not only do men need to be there for their loved ones, they need to be there for themselves – and each other. Movember’s message is “Whatever you grow will save a bro.” And you don’t need to feel left out if your ‘stach needs Dr. Barusco’s help. All kinds of mustaches are welcome to join the cause! According to the Movember website, “Patchy, lopsided, itchy or epic – whatever Mo you grow this Movember, your face will raise funds and awareness for men’s health.”

Considering a Facial Hair Transplant? Choose Your Surgeon Wisely!

While Movember doesn’t judge participants on the basics of their mustache’s aesthetic quality, you may want to have your “A-game” mustache ready for next year’s event. But regardless of the type of facial hair transplant you’re considering, the surgeon you select will make a significant difference in its success, and your satisfaction with the results. A transplant can be technically correct – that is, the surgery involved no complications, and the hair follicles survived and thrived – yet fall short of the appearance you want because the hairs weren’t placed correctly, or without consideration of your ethnicity.

Just as Dr. Barusco takes into account the ethnic background of hair transplant patients in order to achieve the right aesthetic effect, he does the same for facial hair transplants. Beard growth and density is different for men of different ethnic groups. Indian and Middle Eastern men tend to have denser beards, while Caucasians and men of African heritage have good density and more hair in their beards than Asian men. It is important for the surgeon performing a facial hair transplant procedure to achieve the aesthetically appropriate result that truly represents and respects your heritage.

We invite you to schedule a free, no-obligation virtual consultation with Dr. Barusco. His long list of accomplishments, his notable artistic ability and his successful surgical team make Tempus Hair Restoration a renowned practice. Contact us to schedule your free virtual consultation. Dr. Barusco conducts every consultation himself, giving you the opportunity to learn your options in the comfort of your home – or any location, on any internet-enabled device. 

Dr. Barusco conducts consultations in English, Spanish and Portuguese. For your greater convenience, Tempus Hair Restoration offers a two-night complimentary hotel stay to out-of-town clients who travel 100 miles or more to our Port Orange, Florida, surgical center. No matter how far the distance, we welcome the opportunity to help you on your hair restoration journey!

Complications in Hair Transplant Procedures

Facial Hair Transplants

Every person who schedules a hair transplant procedure expects a successful outcome. However, just as with any other surgical procedure, it carries the potential for complications. We at Tempus Hair Restoration consider our blog an important means of educating potential patients on every aspect of hair restoration – be it surgical or non-surgical. Our YouTube channel – Hair Loss Medical Advice – is another educational tool in which Dr. Marco Barusco – Founder and Chief Medical Officer at Tempus Hair Restoration – covers a hair loss-related topic in a conversational style. This article is based on his video, Complications in Hair Transplant Surgery, which we highly recommend you watch. Knowing what can possibly go wrong and how complications can best be prevented will make you a better informed patient able to ask the right questions and find an experienced, qualified surgeon specializing in hair transplant procedures.

What is a Complication?

A complication is an unanticipated problem that arises following – and is a result of – a procedure, treatment or illness. Fortunately, says Dr. Barusco, complications in hair restoration surgery are very rare. Serious complications are even rarer. However, although complications do not tend to be life-threatening, cosmetic complications can result in excessive scarring, decimation of the donor area caused by overharvesting, poor growth and unnatural-appearing growth patterns. In extreme cases, a complication can be permanently disfiguring.

Donor Area Complications – Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)

Also known as the strip method – in which hair follicles are harvested from the donor area of the scalp as strips – an FUT can result in tissue necrosis originating from wound dehiscence (the separation of the edges of a surgical incision) at the donor site. Dr. Barusco explains this complication as follows:

“Basically, if you take too much of an area too wide and you close it and there’s a lot of tension in the skin, you can stretch the vascular supply or the blood supply and the skin around the edges won’t survive so it’ll create these kind of dead areas there – and eventually it will heal, but it can leave a bigger scar that’s completely preventable. You just have to be careful in this area. Behind the ear there’s a little mastoid bone there where the skin is much tighter. There’s not a lot of movement, so when I train doctors on strict procedures, I warn them about this risk.”

Other complications with FUT procedures include a wider scar, rather than the typical “pencil line” scar that is eventually concealed by new hair growth. This can be a complication if the patient wants to keep his hair short.

Rare complications such as infections, bleeding, hematomas (a collection of blood outside of blood vessels) and a suture break that opens the incision back up can also occur.

Donor Area Complications – Follicular Unit Excision (FUE)

In this method, follicular units are extracted individually from the scalp. According to Dr. Barusco, complications in FUE transplants are more difficult to treat. The most common is scarring. Because patients who select this procedure tend to do so because they want to keep their hair shorter without the scars being visible, this complication defeats the purpose of the FUE – as the scars can be concealed if the hair is a longer length.

Why does this complication occur? Some people are more at risk for it. Dr. Barusco emphasizes the need for choosing a knowledgeable, experienced surgeon who is able to determine if the patient is a good candidate for the FUE. Also, punches that are too large in diameter and too close together can be another factor in scarring. This also limits the donor area, as no additional follicles can be harvested without resulting in a bald spot.

This leads into the fact that some bad outcomes are due to a botched surgery rather than a complication. Examples cited by Dr. Barusco include harvesting too many grafts from very high in the donor area – causing thinning – and a patient with already thin hair who was an inappropriate candidate for an FUE. Overharvesting in general, taking too many hair follicles from a small area and incisions too close together are other bad practices that result in disastrous outcomes.

“If you are going in for an FUE procedure, you have to be even more careful about who you let work on your scalp, because the burden of success for FUE procedures is much higher, and the problems with complications are much worse. So you want to go with someone who has a lot of experience and credentials – and you want a doctor performing it.”

Recipient Area Complications

Again, the following are not so much complications as they are botched surgical outcomes from bad medical practices. These include a poor hairline, low-density unnatural appearance, edema, necrosis (tissue death) and postoperative folliculitis/pustules.

Is the Person Performing Hair Transplants Qualified and Experienced?

Not everyone who performs hair transplants has the education, qualification and experience to do so – not even all surgeons! Dr. Barusco explains the situation as follows:

“Surgical specialty skills are not transferable. A surgeon who’s experienced at liposuction won’t necessarily be good at hair transplants, and vice versa.”

However, such surgeons are encouraged to see hair transplants as a new and profitable revenue stream by sales representatives of devices using robotic technology. The devices are typically sold as turnkey products, with the company providing non-medical technicians to not only operate the machine, but harvest and implant hair follicles. If you are not familiar with our practice and have not yet read Dr. Barusco’s insightful article – “The Truth Behind Advertising Devices Instead of Surgeons” – you owe it to yourself to learn the difference between marketing hype and medical best practices.

“A lot of doctors have fallen prey to that, and unfortunately, a lot of patients have been and are being harmed by that because the doctor is really not doing anything – he’s delegating to these technicians that the companies send them, or relying on a machine to make all the calculations, then push buttons and expect the machine to do everything.

“Hair transplant surgery may look simple, but it’s a very complex procedure. A lot of decisions are made in real time, in a real fast environment in terms of the angle and direction of hair growth – so you need someone with experience. We’re seeing complications now that we shouldn’t be seeing.”

The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) is the world’s leading medical authority on hair loss treatment and restoration. Dr. Barusco is a Fellow of the ISHRS. This is a distinction that is only given to those who achieve certain landmarks on teaching and leadership. Currently, fewer than 10% of the ISHRS members are Fellows. The ISHRS makes the following statement regarding this increasingly widespread practice of non-medical technicians performing hair transplant procedures:

“When a physician has taken the time to earn their medical degree, they will often spend additional time and resources to properly learn their craft so that they can offer the best medical service possible. Many hair restoration surgeons have spent numerous years learning from their peers and attending ISHRS-sanctioned surgical workshops to learn the advanced and basics of proper hair restoration surgery. This significantly reduces the chances of negative outcomes due to the time invested to learn the craft of hair restoration.

“Technicians, however, have no such training. Any training that a technician receives in a technician-driven clinic is usually from technicians learning from technicians. And that technician most likely learned from another technician, and so on. This means that there is potentially very little effort and time invested in learning the craft of hair restoration surgery, to the point that the methods necessary for achieving naturalness and high rates of growth are poorly understood.

“Moreover, the technicians never went to medical school and are not licensed to practice medicine! Most of these clinics do not understand even the most basic fundamentals of naturalness as it has taken many of the finest hair restoration physicians several years to master this aspect of their craft. All of the research into all of the meaningful areas of hair transplant surgery are performed by doctors, and this information is shared among colleagues.”

Clandestine Black Market Clinics – Why They’re No Bargain at Any Price

Clinics operated by non-physicians or technicians are becoming more common – especially in such countries as Turkey, Mexico, India and Sweden. According to the ISHRS, Turkey conducts the most aggressive marketing. Wherever the location, such clinics produce botched hair transplants much more as a rule rather than an occasional exception.

“Many of the illegal clinics have sophisticated websites ranking high with Google paid ads to attract the consumer into a clinic that appears on the surface very professional. The marketing tactics are deceptive as it appears like a team of professional doctors with excellent testimonials. However, the reality is your surgery may be done by someone with no medical training. The demand is so high, reports are that Taxi cab drivers and Syrian refugees do the surgery in some overseas countries.”

Our blog post – “Consumer Beware – The Risks of Medical Tourism for Hair Transplants” – covers this topic in depth, and features the ISHRS’s Fight the FIGHT campaign against fraudulent hair restoration clinics. Dr. Barusco participates in this consumer awareness campaign, which he covers in his video. The photo he shares of a horrific, permanently disfiguring outcome of a hair transplant performed at such a clinic can be found on the ISHRS’s Fight the FIGHT website, which is also linked above.

Knowledge is Power – Choose Your Hair Restoration Surgeon Wisely!

Some complications can be corrected by a skilled, experienced surgeon specializing in hair transplant procedures. Of course, avoiding such a situation in the first place is preferable to correcting a poor outcome later.

Ultimately, choose your surgeon based on experience, results and integrity. Dr. Barusco’s long list of accomplishments, his notable artistic ability and his successful surgical team make Tempus Hair Restoration a renowned practice. Contact us to schedule your free virtual consultation. Dr. Barusco conducts every consultation himself, giving you the opportunity to learn your options in the comfort of your home – or any location, on any internet-enabled device. 

Dr. Barusco conducts consultations in English, Spanish and Portuguese. For your greater convenience, Tempus Hair Restoration offers a two-night complimentary hotel stay to out-of-town clients who travel 100 miles or more to our Port Orange, Florida, surgical center. No matter how far the distance, we welcome the opportunity to help you on your hair restoration journey!

An Up-close Look at Hair Grafts

Male Hair Restoration,

If you are just beginning to explore your hair restoration options, you’ve doubtlessly encountered the term “hair graft.” But what exactly is a hair graft? The sources you may turn to for information could assume that you possess more background knowledge than you actually have. There is nothing wrong with that. As we at Tempus Hair Restoration always say, knowledge is power. The more you know about what a hair transplant involves, the better able you’ll be to find an ethical practice dedicated to providing the best possible result for your individual situation.

Dr. Marco Barusco – Founder and Chief Medical Officer at Tempus Hair Restoration – answers this fundamental question in an episode of his YouTube channel series, Hair Loss Medical Advice. Also known as a hair implant or follicular unit, a hair graft is a cylinder of skin and hair that encompasses the hair follicle, the sebaceous gland (which secretes sebum – a lubricating oily matter – into the hair follicles to lubricate the skin and hair), the arrector pili muscle (a microscopic band of muscle tissue which connects a hair follicle to the dermis), and the papilla – or bulb – of the hair, which is an important stem cell reservoir. A hair graft includes all of these structures. Each follicular unit graft can contain one to three (or even four) hair follicles.

How Are Hair Grafts Harvested?

The type of hair transplant procedure you have will determine how the grafts are harvested. For the Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) method, hair follicles are harvested from the donor area of the scalp as strips. After harvesting, each strip is divided into smaller sections until ready for transplantation. For the Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) method, follicular units are extracted individually from the scalp.

As you now know, each hair graft is a complex structure that must be harvested carefully so that it remains intact. And this is the point at which Dr. Barusco cautions against the increasingly popular use of robotic devices in hair transplantation. Many hair clinics that utilize such robots promote this as a selling point. The website for one such practice proudly states that “The physician does not actually harvest the donor grafts; the harvesting step is completed by the [brand name redacted] robot.”

We invite you to read Dr. Barusco’s insightful article on this topic, in which he shares his experience in treating patients whose original hair transplant procedure was botched by robots operated by non-licensed, non-medical personnel. Although the subject has been covered in some of our previous blog posts, unfortunately, it still bears repeating.

The Issues With Robotic Devices

The following excerpt from Dr. Barusco’s article explains the situation from his insider’s perspective.

“My practice has always been very busy with patients coming in for repair of procedures performed by other doctors. But in the last few years, I have seen a sharp increase in patients coming in for me to repair or replace hair transplants that were not done by experienced hair transplant surgeons, but by robots and/or by unqualified people under poor or no supervision of a qualified physician. In some cases, patients did not even know the name of the doctor they chose, but they knew that they had a robotic ‘procedure’ or the new FUE device ‘procedure.’

“Many doctors have also bought a robotic device that assists in FUE procedures. A robotic arm makes incisions in the skin to remove follicles from the donor area. The new version also makes recipient incisions and places the removed hair grafts. But robots are machines, and if the person behind the controls does not know basic rules of hair transplantation, the results may be bad. Sometimes, the robot can’t see the hair very well (the best case for the robot is dark, straight hair against light skin) and the surgeon has to switch mid-procedure to a manual extraction. Well, what if the surgeon does not know how to do this?

“In non-ideal patients, hair follicle damage (transection) rates can be higher than manual extraction done by an experienced surgeon. Also, manual extraction and an experienced surgeon allow the use of very small diameter punches (0.8mm or smaller), which creates very small incisions. The robotic device uses a two-step punch (a sharp punch scores the skin, and a slightly larger, dull punch dissects the hairs). This limits how small the punches can be. Bigger punches create larger incisions, which in turn create larger scars. Finally, a robot is a machine, and cannot provide the constant small adjustments needed to create a natural-looking transplant, which is the outcome you’re looking for.”

An Important Fact About Hair Grafts

Once a graft is taken from the donor site, hair will never grow there again. This is yet another important reason to research the credentials of any hair transplant surgeon and/or practice that you consider to perform your procedure. Only an experienced, skilled surgeon can harvest grafts without creating “patchy” areas that are missing hair, or leaving scars that cannot be concealed by new hair growth. And, only such a surgeon knows the proper alignment when implanting the grafts to the receptor site to achieve the effect of natural growth for an aesthetically pleasing result.

Keeping Hair Grafts Viable

Taking the proper steps to keep hair grafts viable after harvesting is just as essential as the harvesting procedure itself. Improperly treated grafts quickly die, and will not grow in the recipient area – resulting in a failed transplant. Poor quality control conditions include dehydration, warming and oxygen deprivation.

During your consultation with your (potential) hair transplant surgeon, ask how hair grafts are treated and prepared for transplantation after harvesting. An ethical surgeon will readily answer this – and any other – question you may have. If the surgeon wants to know why you want to know, or hesitates or offers a general “answer” – such as the practice follows industry standards (without explaining what those standards are) – continue your search.

By the way, the person who performs the actual consultation should be the surgeon him/herself – not a technician, nurse, associate or salesperson. Our blog post – “The Importance of Consultation Before Hair Restoration Treatment” – covers the process step-by-step, including questions a good hair restoration surgeon will ask each patient, and the examination of hair and scalp to make an accurate diagnosis in order to determine the appropriate treatment. It also contains a link to Dr. Barusco’s video on this topic. As most people have no experience in how to evaluate the practices and clinics with which they’re about to schedule a consultation, this is critical information for protecting yourself and achieving your hair restoration goals.

Now That You Know, Choose Your Surgeon Wisely

The hair graft is the foundation of every hair transplant procedure. From how it is harvested, prepared before transplantation and finally implanted to achieve the effect of natural hair growth, the graft must be in the hands of an experienced, skilled surgeon at each step. Dr. Barusco’s long list of accomplishments, his notable artistic ability and his successful surgical team make Tempus Hair Restoration a renowned practice. Contact us to schedule your free virtual consultation. Dr. Barusco conducts every consultation himself, giving you the opportunity to learn your options in the comfort of your home – or any location, on any internet-enabled device. 

Dr. Barusco conducts consultations in English, Spanish and Portuguese. For your greater convenience, Tempus Hair Restoration offers a two-night complimentary hotel stay to out-of-town clients who travel 100 miles or more to our Port Orange, Florida, surgical center. No matter how far the distance, we welcome the opportunity to help you on your hair restoration journey!

The “Zoom Boom” – Is There More Demand for Hair Transplants as the World Reopens?

General,

COVID-19 had many unexpected consequences. Long lockdowns and working from home resulted in men who had more time to look at their receding hairline in the mirror and on screen during Zoom meetings – and decided they didn’t like what they saw. The resulting phenomenon in men seeking hair transplants and cosmetic surgical (and non-surgical) procedures has been dubbed the “Zoom boom.” While the surge in demand for cosmetic procedures of all types includes almost equal numbers of men and women, we will look specifically at male hair restoration.

Even before the pandemic, however, the trend was already definitely upward. According to results of a member survey conducted by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), the number of people seeking proven medical and surgical treatments for hair loss grew 13 percent from 2016 to 2019. Specifically, 681,964 surgical patients sought treatment in 2019 (a 14 percent increase from 2016), with 1,401,589 nonsurgical patients treated in 2019 (a 13 percent increase from 2016).

This increase represents a continuous trend over the last decade of more men and women of all ages turning to hair restoration, as the ISHRS reported a 157 percent increase in hair restoration patients from 2008 to 2019.

Patients are Honest About Their Reason for Getting a Hair Transplant

In the not-so-distant past, many candidates for a hair transplant cited somewhat general reasons for seeking the procedure – such as a desire to look younger, or be better able to compete in the job market or dating scene. Today, prospective hair transplant patients specifically name Zoom as the motivation that brings them to the surgeon’s office.

According to a report in Esquire magazine, the need to look “Zoom ready” has led to a surge in demand for procedures. It is not helped by the fact that 11% of men feel as if they look five years older as a result of the stress brought about by lockdown, according to a report from the Uvence clinic from September 2020.

This demand is also occurring “across the pond.” Amid recent news that English comic Jimmy Carr had a hair transplant and extensive cosmetic dentistry, British plastic surgeons have reported a 70% rise in requests for video consultations over 2020.

Why Zoom is So Unforgiving to Faces

Just as with every other type of camera – be it still or video – your desktop computer’s camera is interpreting a three-dimensional object (your face) on a flat surface. Distortions are inevitable, which means that without special lighting or camera angles – or filters – the image others see of you won’t tend to be flattering. Add hair loss to the equation, and the picture that looks back at you in that little square can have a very unsettling effect on your self-image and self-confidence.

Of course, there will always be those who believe we should simply accept the hand we’ve been dealt. There may be well-meaning people in your life who say you can’t compare yourself to celebrities. But it ultimately isn’t about comparing yourself to others, or a matter of vanity – it’s all about living up to the image you have of yourself. If that image is youthful, healthy and successful, that’s what you want to see represented in Zoom calls as well as in person!

Just Looking Into Your Hair Restoration Options? Here’s What You Should Know!

Assuming you had been somewhat concerned about your hair loss before video conferencing became part of your life but did not have a sense of urgency in reversing it until now, researching hair restoration procedures and options can be challenging. While you want to restore your hairline or eliminate that bald spot as soon as possible, do your homework carefully. Rushing into a procedure without researching the reputation of the hair restoration practice – and surgeon – you’re considering could have serious consequences.

However, most people have no experience in how to evaluate the practices and clinics with which they’re about to schedule a consultation. How do you know what to look for, or what questions to ask? Our blog post – “The Importance of Consultation Before Hair Restoration Treatment” – covers this critical step in detail.

Dr. Marco Barusco – founder and Chief Medical Officer of Tempus Hair Restoration – is a tireless advocate of consumer education in his field. People seeking treatment who have little to no knowledge of best practices are vulnerable to poorly qualified, unethical practitioners who misdiagnose patients and/or perform an unnecessary procedure – or even the wrong type of procedure. For this reason, Dr. Barusco emphasizes the importance of consultation. Knowing how the surgeon should conduct the consultation – and knowing what questions to ask – are essential to finding the right surgeon to trust with your procedure.

Dr. Barusco’s informative YouTube video – “The Importance of Consultation” – is a comprehensive discussion of what you should expect during your hair loss consultation. Running at just over 24 minutes, this video covers every aspect in detail – complete with Dr. Barusco’s candid observations about how less-than-conscientious practitioners fail their patients. The video includes a link to a Hair Loss Consultation Checklist to print out and take with you to your consultation appointment.

But first comes the matter of deciding upon a hair restoration practice to contact for a consultation. Because national franchise hair clinics do a great amount of advertising and have high name recognition, they’re more likely to get your attention. Keep in mind that such clinics operate on volume, and may offer a very limited number of procedures. One in particular offers only the Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) procedures.

If you visited the home page of our website before visiting this blog post, you would have seen that Tempus Hair Restoration offers every surgical procedure – including those you may not have known about, such as the No-Shave FUE developed by Dr. Barusco. This advanced technique allows hair to be harvested from the donor site without having to shave your existing hair – thus greatly reducing postoperative downtime.

In addition, if your hair loss was caused by scarring due to head trauma – or if your hair loss is exposing such scars – a high-volume franchise hair clinic isn’t likely to help, as their surgeons typically lack the experience to conceal scars and/or the facility itself isn’t equipped to provide the sterile environment required. Treating special circumstances hair loss is among Dr. Barusco’s specialties. We invite you to read the story of one such patient, for whom Dr. Barusco concealed extensive scarring from head trauma after a near-fatal motorcycle accident.

In the interest of consumer education, there are far worse pitfalls than choosing a clinic with only two options for transplant procedures. Clinics in which non-medical technicians perform surgeries assisted by robotic devices and foreign clinics engaging in “medical tourism” present serious risks to patients – including scarring, infection, destruction of the donor site (which means that no hair remains to perform a corrective procedure) and poor, unaesthetic “pluggy” results.

Knowledge is Power – Choose Your Surgeon Wisely

Ultimately, choose your surgeon based on experience, results and integrity. Dr. Barusco’s long list of accomplishments, his notable artistic ability and his successful surgical team make Tempus Hair Restoration a renowned practice worldwide. 

Knowing what you know now, we hope that you are ready to make one more video conference call – one that can put you on the road to feeling much more confident about your appearance on future calls! Contact us to schedule your free virtual consultation. Dr. Barusco conducts every consultation himself, giving you the opportunity to learn your options in the comfort of your home – or any location, on any internet-enabled device. 

Dr. Barusco conducts consultations in English, Spanish and Portuguese. For your greater convenience, Tempus Hair Restoration offers a two-night complimentary hotel stay to out-of-town clients who travel 100 miles or more to our Port Orange, Florida, surgical center. No matter how far the distance, we welcome the opportunity to help you on your hair restoration journey!

Deciding Between Hair Restoration and a Hair System

Male Hair Restoration,

Those looking into hair restoration options may be considering a hair system as a possibility that offers the instant gratification of immediate concealment of their balding scalp. In spite of the dramatic before-and-after photographs on the websites of establishments specializing in hair systems, however, there are a good number of factors to weigh in your decision.

Assuming you’re doing your homework – which is presumably why you’re on our website’s blog page – you probably are already familiar with the basics of today’s hair systems. A hair system is designed to provide complete or partial coverage of the scalp. Unlike the toupee of days past, a hair system is applied semi-permanently, and is only removed for replacement or replenishing at the provider’s salon or facility. One reason a hair system may be attractive is its ability to provide a wide range of options in fullness, length and style – whereas the results of a hair transplant depend upon the amount of donor hair you have available, as well as the potential for future hair loss.

Having said that, not every hair system is the same, yet has the same potential drawbacks. Here are the questions and factors to consider.

Does the Hair System Use Human or Synthetic Hair?

Human hair, as can be expected, provides a more natural look than synthetic. Most human hair comes from China and India, and is stripped of its cuticle and dyed to match client specifications (in the case of a custom-made system). A colorfast garment dye is used, rather than salon hair color. Additional processing may be done to alter hair texture.

What is the Foundation of the Hair System?

Another factor that affects quality and price is the foundation, or base, to which the hair is attached. The base is typically lace or polyurethane. The higher the quality, the more refined the foundation – and the higher the cost. At the upper price range, the foundation will be carefully shaped to mimic a natural male hairline.

However, here is something for Floridians to consider. No matter how lightweight the hair system’s foundation, it – and the attached hair – will cover the entire scalp, or most of its surface. Given the Sunshine State’s intense summer heat, wearing a hair system attached to the top of your head by adhesive will be hot and uncomfortable if you spend any amount of time outdoors. Add the inevitable sweat that stays trapped underneath the foundation to the equation. Now, keep in mind that the hair system cannot be removed except by the provider of the service.

Is the Hair System Custom-Made or Mass-Produced?

Again, a bespoke hair system will provide a more natural appearance than a mass-produced or “stock” system that’s only adjusted for fit and trimmed for style.

What is the Cost of a Quality System, and How Long Does It Last?

Prices vary among providers for both custom and stock systems. If you’ve already conducted basic research online, you’ve probably seen that even general, “ballpark” figures are difficult to find and not particularly useful. Providers want prospective customers to schedule an appointment rather than lead you to expect a set price, which is understandable. For reasons that we hope are obvious, you should not order a hair system online.

The lifespan of a hair system is easy to determine, however. A system can last for two to six months, but most providers recommend replacing it after two to four months, before signs of wear-and-tear become obvious. For this reason, providers recommend purchasing at least two systems. In addition to needing to be replaced frequently, other regular costs include monthly maintenance and/or retightening charges.

The Advantages of a Hair Transplant Procedure

For the advantages that hair system providers claim, this solution entails ongoing expense, high maintenance and – for those living in hot climates – some amount of discomfort, especially during triple-digit summer temperatures. With a hair transplant – no matter which of several procedures is determined best for your particular case during a consultation with a hair restoration surgeon – you have your own hair, growing from your own scalp.

Unlike the extensive maintenance that a hair system involves, transplanted hair requires no special care. Our blog post – “Busting Common Hair Transplant Myths” – dispels the notion that you’ll have to “baby” your transplanted hair indefinitely. Aside from following initial post-surgical care instructions, you can shampoo, dry and style your hair as usual – as well as enjoy your favorite outdoor activities.

If the non-surgical aspect of a hair system appeals to you, a hair transplant procedure involves minimal discomfort. Local anesthesia is administered by injection, numbing the scalp. You remain awake and comfortable during the procedure. Post-surgical discomfort is readily treated by short-term prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers. Depending upon the type of procedure, down-time is also minimal. While you don’t get the immediate effect of a full head of hair, once your newly transplanted hair starts to grow, it’s all yours!

One exception to the need for patience is the breakthrough No-Shave FUE. Developed by Dr. Marco Barusco – Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Tempus Hair Restoration – this procedure immediately conceals donor areas of the scalp, allowing patients to quickly resume regular activities. The No-Shave FUE is of particular benefit for those whose job puts them in the public eye, although anyone who is a good candidate will appreciate the instantaneous aesthetic result.

For others considering a hair system, not having a complete understanding of state-of-the-art hair restoration techniques could be weighing the decision more toward this end. One common misconception is that hair restoration only involves hair transplantation. Depending upon your individual case, hair transplant surgery may be followed up with such non-surgical treatments as Finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil (Rogaine) to prevent or slow further loss and promote growth.

More recently, the introduction of adipose tissue and growth factor treatment has proven to be effective when administered as part of a course of treatment that includes surgery, or as a stand-alone treatment. It promotes stronger hair growth in thinning areas, improving volume and scalp coverage. Adipose (fat) tissue is a biologically active tissue that can stimulate the growth cycle of scalp hair. This therapy utilizes the stromal vascular fraction of subcutaneous adipose tissue, and the growth factors they secrete.

In other words, the treatment uses the patient’s own fat, harvested from just under the skin through a very thin liposuction cannula, with no stitches necessary. The fat is concentrated and purified in a centrifuge. It is then combined with plasma obtained from the patient’s blood, and injected into the scalp. This therapy helps repair damaged hair follicles, stimulating stronger, thicker growth. Results may be seen in three to four months, with 12 months typical to achieve the full benefit.

Our blog post – “Adipose Tissue and Growth Factors – Expanding Hair Restoration Horizons and Telling the Truth” – describes this treatment in detail, as well as Dr. Barusco’s role in its ongoing research through the STRAAND clinical trials.

Another concern may be the possibility that subsequent hair transplant surgeries will be necessary as hair loss continues. While the non-surgical treatments just mentioned are prescribed and administered to prevent or slow the progress of further hair loss, an additional transplant may be needed. However, this is a situation to be discussed with and monitored by your hair restoration surgeon.

Why You Should Consult a Hair Restoration Surgeon Before Making a Decision

Before choosing a hair restoration system over a hair transplant, schedule a consultation with a hair restoration surgeon. An ethical surgeon will conduct a thorough consultation and recommend the course of treatment appropriate for your individual situation. In fact, you may even be told that you are not a good candidate for a hair transplant. If so, this would not necessarily be a green light to get a hair system. Any recommended non-surgical treatment would require a non-covered scalp.

Dr. Barusco covers what prospective patients can expect during a consultation with him in our blog post – “The Importance of Consultation Before Hair Restoration Treatment” – as well as in his informative YouTube video – “The Importance of Consultation” – both of which explain the role of consultation in making an accurate diagnosis of the cause of hair loss and mapping a treatment plan that will achieve the optimal outcome.

Weighing the Cost of a Hair Transplant Procedure

Finally, we understand that a good deal of one’s decision may be influenced by price. As previously covered, the true cost of a hair system over the years adds up considerably – and in the end, you have nothing to show for all of the money spent.

Should you reach a point where a hair system is no longer desirable, practical or affordable, consider whether your self-image and self-confidence will be removed as the last system is peeled from your scalp. A hair transplant is permanent, even if an additional procedure may eventually be needed. Again, supplemental non-surgical treatments can help prevent or slow the progress of further hair loss. A hair transplant is an investment in yourself that can ultimately pay big dividends!

Unlike many other hair restoration practices and clinics, Tempus Hair Restoration does not have set-fee procedures or pricing per number of hair grafts. Our approach is to treat each client as an individual, taking into account such factors as the following:

  • Your specific type of hair loss
  • Amount of current and projected hair loss
  • Complexity of procedure
  • Ethnic background (which affects hair texture and growth patterns)
  • Medical history/pre-existing conditions
  • Desired aesthetic result
  • Additional relevant circumstances, depending upon your individual situation

Once Dr. Barusco has made a diagnosis and treatment plan, our patient educator discusses next steps, including pricing and financing options. We offer qualified clients third-party 12-month interest-free financing — as well as low-interest 60-month financing. A hair restoration procedure by world-renowned surgeon Dr. Barusco can be within reach.

Learn the Facts, and Choose Your Surgeon Wisely

Ultimately, choose your surgeon based on experience, results and integrity. Dr. Barusco’s long list of accomplishments, his notable artistic ability and his successful surgical team make Tempus Hair Restoration a renowned practice. Contact us to schedule your free virtual consultation. Dr. Barusco conducts every consultation himself, giving you the opportunity to learn your options in the comfort of your home – or any location, on any internet-enabled device. 

Dr. Barusco conducts consultations in English, Spanish and Portuguese. For your greater convenience, Tempus Hair Restoration offers a two-night complimentary hotel stay to out-of-town clients who travel 100 miles or more to our Port Orange, Florida, surgical center. No matter how far the distance, we welcome the opportunity to help you on your hair restoration journey!

We’re All Famous Now! Why You Deserve to Be Your Best!

General,

If you’re of a certain age, you probably never expected to be in front of a video camera unless you were in show business or a TV news anchorperson. Today, of course, most of us are on camera on a regular basis – from Zoom meetings to dating apps. While it may not seem fair, appearances really do count! We at Tempus Hair Restoration are seeing the trend toward hair restoration procedures driven by social media and virtual meeting apps.

If you think that your hair loss may be holding you back in your career and other areas of life, you could be right – and you are definitely not alone! Our blog post – “Does Hair Loss Hurt Your Career?” – shares compelling evidence of a “yes” answer. The post cites a study in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, which found that a few more hair follicles can make all the difference between people seeing you as a success or a lost cause. In this study, Johns Hopkins University researchers recruited participants to compare photos of men before and after they got a hair transplant. Although they were looking at the same men, participants rated men after they got their hair transplants as more attractive, approachable and successful.

Thomas Cash – emeritus professor of psychology and author of The Body Image Workbook – conducted a study looking at bias against bald men. His study found that when people were shown photographs of bald men and asked to estimate their age, they added an average of three years and nine months to the men’s actual age. Men with a full head of hair had an average of two years and five months taken off.

Going from Self-awareness to Selfie-awareness

The term “selfie-awareness” was coined by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). The organization recently released results of its 2020 members’ survey, which revealed that many patients were seeking a “real-life filtered look,” with 75 percent of surgeons detailing patients seeking cosmetic procedures to look better in selfies – representing a 33-percent overall increase since the AAFPRS first identified this trend in 2016. The trend, of course, isn’t limited to cosmetic surgery. The booming demand for Botox and injectable fillers indicates a desire to banish wrinkles and an overall tired appearance through minimally invasive, non-surgical procedures. In addition, estheticians now offer a high-tech array of specialized facial treatments designed to turn back the clock by firming facial muscles and minimizing lines.

Actually, this is a continuation of “The Brand Called You” phenomenon. Coined by Tom Peters and featured in a Fast Company article in 1997 (long before the first selfie was snapped), this concept holds that each individual is their own brand – just as much as Starbucks or Nike – and so we need to market ourselves accordingly to stand out in an increasingly competitive society. The idea that we are the star of our own story has been around for quite a while. Social media has upped the ante, placing increasing emphasis on presenting a youthful, vital image as it gives us a virtual stage on which to shine.

The New Attitude Toward Hair Transplants

Not so long ago, men who underwent hair transplant surgery kept it a secret – as much as possible, that is. Their attitude paralleled that of women who had a facelift. Be it new hair growth on a once-balding scalp or a  firmer, younger-appearing face, patients perceived their rejuvenation as something that would be ridiculed by society, rather than admired. 

Fortunately, today’s attitude is much more open, as those who have benefitted from a hair transplant or cosmetic surgery procedure are proud of their journey and are often willing to talk about their experience to help others considering doing likewise. In either case, people no longer worry about being judged as vain. Instead, they see their physical transformation as also being emotionally and psychologically transformative, providing the boost in self-confidence and optimism that inspires them to achieve their goals.

Not Your Father’s Hair Transplant – Improved Techniques Provide Improved Results

Also relegated to years past are “pluggy” hair transplants, easily identified by large unsightly grafts spread apart unnaturally. As a leader in hair restoration procedures, Dr. Marco Barusco – Founder and Chief Medical Officer at Tempus Hair Restoration – has developed such advanced techniques as the groundbreaking No-Shave FUE. Short for follicular unit excision, the No-Shave FUE completely conceals harvested donor sites immediately, allowing you to resume your regular activities with virtually no evidence of the procedure.

Another leading-edge, yet proven procedure is the combined FUE and FUT (follicular unit transplantation). This technique covers large areas of baldness in a single surgery. Patients with advanced hair loss are typically required to undergo multiple hair transplant procedures to obtain coverage of their entire bald scalp – having to wait one year or more between procedures. This allows patients to achieve their ultimate goal sooner, with one procedure versus many.

Picture-perfect Facial Hair Transplants

Thanks largely to Instagram, eyebrows have become the center of a billion-dollar beauty industry dedicated to achieving the perfect arch. As an increasing number of women find their artistic talent and time are limited (not to mention the ongoing expense of cosmetics, and the often botched results of microblading and permanent tattoos), eyebrow transplants are becoming a popular alternative. 

This procedure uses your own hair, harvested from the scalp, with preference for the temporal areas, where the hair quality is more compatible to eyebrow hair (finer, more delicate hairs). Grafts are carefully selected to achieve the appearance of natural eyebrow hair once transplanted. The individual follicular units are then extracted and treated to ensure they remain healthy and viable when inserted at the recipient site.

Dr. Barusco’s technical skill and artistic eye places each hair in keeping with the angle and direction of natural growth – a critical factor for the natural look of any hair transplant, particularly the eyebrows. As a Fellow of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) and Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), his experience and credentials are unmatched in making Dr. Barusco uniquely qualified to perform eyebrow restorative surgery.

As for beards, their popularity shows no signs of abating. While many men strive for a full, healthy beard, some experience patchy areas with no growth. A beard transplant can provide what nature did not, or expertly camouflage scars where facial hair no longer grows.

The hair for facial hair transplants is normally taken from the sides and back of the head, which are the same areas used in typical hair transplant surgery for bald and thinning areas of the scalp. The only difference is that the hair removed is usually from lower down toward the neck, where the hair quality is more compatible to facial hair. Dr. Barusco understands how hairs from different areas of the body behave, and has the skill and artistry to harvest those that are the best match.

Be it Scalp, Brows or Beards, You Feel Your Best About Yourself When You Look Your Best

So hop on your next Zoom conference, update your dating app profile photo or take that selfie with confidence! You owe it to yourself to invest in yourself and reach for the new opportunities available to those who embrace change. Choose your surgeon wisely, and be ready to claim your online fame!  Contact us to schedule your free virtual consultation. Dr. Barusco conducts every consultation himself, giving you the opportunity to learn your options in the comfort of your home – or any location, on any internet-enabled device. 

Dr. Barusco conducts consultations in English, Spanish and Portuguese. For your greater convenience, Tempus Hair Restoration offers a two-night complimentary hotel stay to out-of-town clients who travel 100 miles or more to our Port Orange, Florida, surgical center. No matter how far the distance, we welcome the opportunity to help you on your hair restoration journey!

 

 

 

When Should You Have a Hair Transplant Procedure?

Male Hair Restoration,

If you’re experiencing hair loss, you may be wondering if there’s a “right” time to explore your hair replacement options. Should you schedule an appointment with a hair restoration surgeon as soon as you notice hair loss, or wait? At the other extreme, is it possible for hair loss to be too far advanced for you to be a good candidate for a transplant – or for you to be too old? 

As you may have already guessed the answer, each person experiences hair loss differently – therefore, there is no single window of opportunity that presents itself to everyone in the same manner. However, there are ways to help you determine when a hair transplant is advisable.

Are You Too Young for a Hair Transplant?

Male pattern baldness affects up to two thirds of men in the United States by age 35, and can start showing as early as age 18. Almost 85% of men experience thinning hair and a more extensive degree of loss by the time they reach age 50.

These statistics provide the starting point for questions. We’ll begin at the first extreme: very young men.

Dr. Marco Barusco – Founder and Chief Medical Officer at Tempus Hair Restoration – advises against hair transplant surgery for those under the age of 25. The reason is because a hair transplant relies on using donor hair from the back of the head. If performed too early, the donor hair may be distributed too heavily in one area, leaving too little to be transplanted later, when needed on another area of the scalp as hair loss progresses.

Also, the male hairline continues to form up to approximately age 29. Younger men may believe their hairline is receding, when in fact it’s evolving into what is known as a mature hairline. This occurs when the hairline moves back about a half inch to one inch from where it used to be. A mature hairline forms the “M” shape that distinguishes the male hairline from the female oval hairline shape.

Being able to recognize the difference between developing a mature hairline and early-stage male pattern balding may be difficult. Signs to look for include excessive hair shedding, extra hairline recession at the temples and short hairs beyond your hairline.

Although transplantation surgery isn’t advisable for young men, there are proven non-surgical treatments available to prevent/slow further loss and promote growth. Finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil (Rogaine) are the two most popular. Caution: Propecia is not for use by women and children.

More recently, the introduction of adipose tissue and growth factor treatment permits earlier intervention for younger hair loss patients. This breakthrough therapy can provide a positive outcome, as stronger hair returns in the areas that are thinning, improving volume and scalp coverage. Adipose (fat) tissue is a biologically active tissue that can stimulate the growth cycle of scalp hair. This therapy utilizes the stromal vascular fraction of subcutaneous adipose tissue, and the growth factors they secrete.

In plain language, the treatment uses the patient’s own fat, harvested from just under the skin through a very thin liposuction cannula, with no stitches necessary. The fat is concentrated and purified in a centrifuge. It is then combined with plasma obtained from the patient’s blood, and injected into the scalp. This therapy helps repair damaged hair follicles, stimulating stronger, thicker growth. Results may be seen in three to four months, with 12 months typical to achieve the full benefit.

Our blog post – “Adipose Tissue and Growth Factors – Expanding Hair Restoration Horizons and Telling the Truth” – describes this treatment in detail, as well as Dr. Barusco’s role in its ongoing research through the STRAAND clinical trials.

Although younger men are typically not good candidates for a hair transplant, placing yourself in the care of an experienced, qualified surgeon is essential to make sure you receive the best possible treatment to prevent further hair loss and promote new growth. Should a hair transplant eventually be advisable, you’ll be in a good position to make an informed decision.

Who are the Best Candidates for a Hair Transplant?

Dr. Barusco discusses this topic in his YouTube video, “Who is a Good Candidate for a Hair Transplant?” As Dr. Barusco explains:

“When I see a patient in the office, the first thing I do, obviously, is to diagnose their hair loss. Even patients with hair loss that can be treated surgically may not be good candidates for surgery. What makes someone a good or a bad candidate for surgery has to do with many factors: age, degree of hair loss, color of their hair, potential for hair loss in the future and family history of hair loss. All these things are taken into consideration when I’m telling someone whether they need surgery or not.

“The best candidates are men or women in their 30s or 40s, and their hair loss is already significant enough that it bothers them. We, of course, rule out every other type of hair loss that could not be treated with surgery, and then they are willing to do some kind of medical therapy to stabilize the loss, because hair loss tends to be progressive over time, and they have abundant donor hair – the hair on the back of the head that doesn’t fall out – and they understand the limitations of the surgery. It’s still a procedure. We make sure that their expectations are correct.”

Are You Too Old for a Hair Transplant?

Men over age 50 are a rapidly growing category for first-time hair transplantation. In addition to society’s emphasis on youth, men want to stay competitive in the job market longer – as well as on the dating scene. As noted in our blog post – “Busting Common Hair Transplant Myths” – older men can benefit from the boost in self-esteem that a fuller head of hair can provide. This is especially true for those who lead a healthy lifestyle and pride themselves on being fit and projecting a more youthful image. As society redefines aging, a hair transplant can help enhance your enjoyment of life on your own terms.

However, those with type 2 diabetes need to have their condition under control, and get clearance from their primary medical care provider for the procedure. Tell your hair restoration surgeon during your consultation about any health conditions, as well as prescription medications that you take. A conscientious surgeon will ask about your medical history – as well as many other areas – during the consultation. Our blog post – “The Importance of Consultation Before Hair Restoration Treatment” – covers this crucial, yet often overlooked, topic in depth.

Also, keep in mind that the goal of a hair transplant should be to produce age-appropriate correction of hair loss. Therefore, having realistic expectations about the result is essential. Goals should be frankly discussed and agreed upon between the patient and surgeon.

Are You Too Bald for a Hair Transplant?

While this is definitely a question to be discussed during a consultation with a hair transplant surgeon, there may be a solution. Dr. Barusco offers a safe, proven hair transplant procedure for patients with advanced hair loss: a combined procedure that he developed in which – by using both Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) techniques – he is able to move a large amount of hairs in one procedure, covering large bald areas at one time.

This allows patients to achieve their ultimate goal in less time, with one procedure versus many. But be aware that this is an advanced procedure and should be performed only by doctors and teams with a great amount of experience. For this reason, selecting the right doctor and team is even more important!

Choose Your Surgeon Wisely for Your Hair Restoration Journey

If you are concerned about hair loss, any time is the right time to schedule a consultation for a diagnosis and treatment options. You have important issues that need to be addressed, and the sooner you have definitive answers and a path to treatment, the better the opportunity for a positive outcome.

Ultimately, choose your surgeon based on experience, results and integrity. Dr. Barusco’s long list of accomplishments, his notable artistic ability and his successful surgical team make Tempus Hair Restoration a renowned practice. Contact us to schedule your free virtual consultation. Dr. Barusco conducts every consultation himself, giving you the opportunity to learn your options in the comfort of your home – or any location, on any internet-enabled device. 

Dr. Barusco conducts consultations in English, Spanish and Portuguese. For your greater convenience, Tempus Hair Restoration offers a two-night complimentary hotel stay to out-of-town clients who travel 100 miles or more to our Port Orange, Florida, surgical center. No matter how far the distance, we welcome the opportunity to help you on your hair restoration journey!

Is the FUE Procedure Right for You?

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If you are starting to explore your options for hair restoration treatment, you’ve doubtlessly heard about the Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) procedure. Developed in the late 1980s, this procedure has been refined over the years and is now perhaps the most in-demand hair transplant technique. But just because the procedure is popular doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. Factors such as age, degree of current and expected hair loss, quality and quantity of the donor hair, etc., are all factors that need to be taken into account. Nor does it mean that every clinic offering the FUE is experienced in treating hair loss.

As we at Tempus Hair Restoration always say, knowledge is power. Our goal is to educate people about the causes of hair loss, hair restoration treatments, hair transplant procedures and qualities to look for in an experienced, ethical hair restoration surgeon – as well as how to be your own advocate as a patient. When people start their search with the clinics and practices that heavily advertise, they run the risk of going with the procedure they already have in mind based upon how that procedure has been promoted – whether or not it’s best for their particular type of hair loss – or being steered into the procedure the doctor is most familiar with – again, regardless of the patient’s individual situation.

While the FUE achieves excellent results for many people, learning more about it can help you be better informed when you schedule a consultation with a hair restoration specialist. It is important that you, the consumer, ask the right questions of the practice you are considering for your surgery, and that you check the doctor’s credentials and experience in the specific field of hair loss and hair restoration surgery.

What is Follicular Unit Excision?

Performed under local anesthesia, FUE is a surgical hair transplant technique in which follicular units in groupings of one, two or three hairs are individually extracted from the back of the head (donor area) using small circular punch blades instead of a scalpel. The grafts are then transplanted to the thinning or balding areas of the scalp. Once the desired number of grafts are obtained, the donor sites are left to heal without suturing.

One aspect of the procedure that can be a downside is that it requires the donor area be shaved in order to harvest each graft. For many, this can be a difficult, embarrassing process because of appearing in public with a half-shaved head. Some patients may have to take time off work in order to allow their hair to grow back.

For this reason, Dr. Marco Barusco – Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Tempus Hair Restoration – developed the innovative No-Shave FUE, which completely conceals harvested donor sites immediately, allowing patients to resume their regular activities with very little downtime. As with every hair transplant procedure, scheduling a consultation is necessary for Dr. Barusco to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for the No-Shave FUE.

Dr. Barusco has produced an informative video for his YouTube channel, “Hair Loss Medical Advice.” The video – “Be Careful with Practices Who Only Offer FUE Procedures” – deals with the issues that consumers typically don’t hear about.

Risks of Poorly Performed FUE Procedures

Two main factors in botched or poor-quality FUE procedures are the diameter of punches to harvest grafts and how close together the incisions are. This method leaves numerous small circular scars scattered throughout the donor region. When done properly, the resulting scars are less noticeable to the eye than a horizontal linear scar – as can be characteristic of the Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) procedure – when the hair is cut very short.

“Every time you take an FUE graft, the area where the follicle used to be will become a scar,” says Dr. Barusco. “So when people say there are no scars, there’s always a scar. But they should be so small that when you look at a patient from a distance, you won’t be able to see it. That is the principle of the FUE.”

One factor is the size of the punch used to harvest grafts. As Dr. Barusco explains, “There are different diameters of punches for different hairs or different hair calibers. So we need to make sure that we use the correct punch. Sometimes, either doctors are less experienced, or even the device itself that is being used has limitations on how small the punch can be, so you end up having bigger incisions and bigger punch diameters, which create more scarring.

“The second factor is how close together these incisions are. When you do FUE procedures, you want to spread them out far apart so you don’t have connecting incisions.”

When this occurs, Dr. Barusco notes that in addition to excessive, visible scarring, such a poor-quality procedure can make it impossible to harvest more grafts for future hair transplants. “We never want to sacrifice the entire donor hair of a patient for one procedure, no matter how much hair they need, so safety and good common sense is paramount here. So again, be careful about who you choose to perform your surgery. Do your homework.”

Not Every Practice Can Perform the FUE Hair Transplant – Watch Out for Technicians Performing Surgery

As Dr. Barusco’s video makes clear, not every practice can perform the FUE hair transplant and achieve aesthetically pleasing results that also preserve enough donor area hair for future transplant surgeries.

Regular readers of our blog will recognize the caution we frequently bring up. Many physicians have recently added FUE to their practice, but employ technicians – not surgeons – to harvest the hair follicles. Using non-medical technicians to perform hair transplant surgeries is becoming so prevalent that consumers have come to accept this as a typical, legitimate situation – which it is definitely not. These clinics gear their marketing and advertising to mislead the public into believing that technicians have a high degree of training and are just as capable as a surgeon to perform most – if not all – of the procedure. And that doing so allows them to offer hair restoration surgeries at a discount.

Don’t believe it. So serious is this problem that the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) – the world’s leading medical authority on hair loss treatment and restoration – has initiated a patient awareness campaign designed to help consumers understand why a surgeon is the only person who should be performing the procedure, and how to see through misleading marketing that makes technician-performed surgery seem safe and foolproof. Our blog post – “Don’t Let a Technician Perform Your Hair Transplant Surgery” – covers this issue in greater detail.

Dr. Barusco is a Fellow of the ISHRS. This is a distinction that is only given to those who achieve certain landmarks on teaching and leadership. Currently, fewer than 10% of the ISHRS members are Fellows. As such, Dr. Barusco and the Tempus Hair Restoration team are proud to help the ISHRS in this important mission.

Do Research, Ask Questions and Choose Your Surgeon Wisely

Another pitfall that those who are considering a hair transplant need to be aware of is the fact that some surgeons specialize in the FUE and perform that procedure exclusively. Those who are ethical inform prospective patients upfront. Others, however, may lead you to believe that it’s the best procedure for you, even if that is not the case. Also look for a practice dedicated to hair restoration, rather than a clinic that offers other cosmetic procedures.

Says Dr. Barusco, “Do your homework, look at the surgeon’s credentials, go to a few consultations before you decide, and make sure that whatever team you choose to do your surgery has your best interest in mind.”

Ultimately, choose your surgeon based on experience, results and integrity. Dr. Barusco’s long list of accomplishments, his notable artistic ability and his successful surgical team make Tempus Hair Restoration a renowned practice. Contact us to schedule your free virtual consultation. Dr. Barusco conducts every consultation himself, giving you the opportunity to learn your options in the comfort of your home – or any location, on any internet-enabled device. 

Dr. Barusco conducts consultations in English, Spanish and Portuguese. For your greater convenience, Tempus Hair Restoration offers a two-night complimentary hotel stay to out-of-town clients who travel 100 miles or more to our Port Orange, Florida, surgical center. No matter how far the distance, we welcome the opportunity to help you on your hair restoration journey!