Why Do Hair Transplants Go Wrong?

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Why Do Hair Transplants Go Wrong?

Why Do Hair Transplants Go Wrong?

Hair plays a major role in one’s self-esteem. During various periods throughout history, elaborate wigs were signs of status and wealth – for obvious reasons. Today, instead of covering hair loss with a full or partial hairpiece, hair transplant surgery is readily available and within the economic reach of many. However, such availability comes at a high price for those who make the wrong choice in the doctor who performs the procedure, ranging from severe scarring to unnatural growth patterns of new hair.

Many factors can contribute to bad hair transplants. The following are the most prevalent.

Inexperienced Surgeons Can Cause Errors

The main reason for an unsuccessful hair transplant is selecting an unqualified doctor. Many are not certified by the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery. Such patients face the risks of surgical complications, scarring and infections. Many patients choose a doctor based on their advertising campaign, extravagant promises of results or low cost (or any or all of these). Also, at many clinics, the doctor (who may not even be on the premises at the time of surgery) allows technicians to harvest grafts or perform other procedures for which they have no medical qualifications.

Dr. Marco Barusco – founder and Chief Medical Officer of Tempus Hair Restoration – is a board-certified surgeon who is internationally recognized as a leader in hair restoration. His many credentials include: Diplomate and Past President (2017) of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery; Assistant Professor of Surgery – University of Central Florida College of Medicine; Fellow of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) and Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS). He most recently received American Registry’s America’s Most Honored Professionals 2018 award and was recognized as being in the top one-percent of this distinguished group.

One of the most important stages of a hair restoration process is graft placement, as it determines the outcome of the final appearance of the patient. If this stage does not take place properly, the procedure will fail. It is easier for inexperienced doctors to make mistakes when trying to determine the safe donor site located on the back of the patient’s head, where the healthy follicles are extracted. Overharvesting could cause significant damage in the donor zone and result in a catastrophic outcome.

Hair Loss Types

Not knowing which hair transplant procedure is best for your type of hair loss could lead to disaster. Topics such as surgical treatments and post-operative stages are important to discuss with your surgeon prior to undergoing treatment. A surgeon with limited experience may only perform the procedure he is familiar with, assembly line-style, whether or not it is right for you. In addition, less experienced surgeons are often not up-to-date with newer (yet clinically proven) technologies and surgical procedures that could achieve superior results.

Sometimes, the degree of hair loss may not be enough for the patient to be an appropriate candidate for hair transplant surgery, yet recommended for the procedure. When asked about consulting young patients (early 20s) suffering from hair loss, Dr. Barusco explained: “They’re usually not the best candidates for surgery because of the potential for progression of hair loss. My approach with the young patients is to delay surgery, bring force to medical therapy, keep following them over a year, two, five, ten years until I think they’re ready for the procedure.” Timing is crucial. If you don’t seek the procedure at the right stage of your hair loss, it could result in a very odd-looking appearance.

Causes of Hair Loss

Another factor in determining the need for hair restoration surgery is medical condition. Hair loss may be due to many non-hereditary elements, such as stress, weight loss or hormonal imbalance. In such cases, hair loss is usually temporary. A poorly qualified doctor or unqualified clinician may misdiagnose a non-hereditary cause and perform a transplant. An unethical doctor may recognize the cause, but perform the procedure anyway.

Can a Bad Hair Transplant Be Fixed?

Every patient who undergoes any type of medical treatment is unique, and may have different results. Dr. Barusco has met several patients who have dealt with poor outcomes. When asked about how he approaches this situation, he said: “Sometimes I can help them, but sometimes I can’t. A bad liposuction or a bad breast surgery can at least be hidden from view. A bad hair transplant cannot. And what is even worse, is that these patients are coming to me not only with poor results on their hairline, but also terrible scarring and thinning in their donor hair (the limited supply of permanent hair we use for transplants) caused by taking too many hair incisions that are larger than they should be.”

At Tempus Hair Restoration, Dr. Barusco performs every procedure himself. Our team pays great attention to your emotional well-being and follows up with every step of the procedure to ensure you are well-informed and directed in the right path. Our consultation is free. Dr. Barusco will discuss the different treatments available and will recommend the one that will work best for you. Depending on the cause of your hair loss, a non-surgical treatment course could be successful.

The pain, scarring, emotional distress and considerable additional expense of a bad hair transplant can be avoided by performing due diligence in the process of selecting a surgeon. Check credentials with professional accreditation organizations, such as those listed in the fourth paragraph of this article. Don’t hesitate to ask questions during the consultation – and make sure your consultation is with the surgeon, not a salesperson. ISHRS provides an excellent list of questions to bring up, including: Who will be involved in performing my surgery, what role will they play, and what is their education, training, licensure, and experience performing hair restoration surgery?

Choose your surgeon carefully 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. Dr. Barusco also conducts virtual consultations for those who can’t travel to one of our 14 Florida locations, and our office will arrange travel and accommodations for out-of-area patients. We invite you to learn more about our procedures, then contact us to schedule your free consultation with Dr. Barusco. We look forward to meeting you and discussing your options.

No More Pencils – Your Guide to Eyebrow Transplants

Full, well-shaped eyebrows are highly desired among women today. The “Instagram brow” popularized on social media by such celebrities as Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner has achieved aspirational status, setting an aesthetic standard that many attempt to achieve through cosmetic means. With so much emphasis on eyebrows, an increasing number of people – including men – consider them important to self-esteem. For those experiencing thinning brows for such reasons as over plucking or genetics, an eyebrow transplant is a solution that can provide permanent, natural-looking results.
 

Eyebrow Transplants vs. Tattoos, Tweezing, Topicals

Ironically, beauty standards of previous decades favored a narrower brow line, resulting in overly tweezed eyebrows – which eventually shows up as thinning areas and bald spots. Corrections such as cosmetics or “permanent makeup” tattoos have drawbacks. Eyebrow pencils, powders and gels must be applied at least once daily, and their results largely depend upon the user’s artistic talent. Bad brow days are perhaps even more prevalent than bad hair days. Tattoos do not replicate the look of individual brow hairs, and eventually fade, creating a blotchy, even more artificial effect. Eyebrow transplantation offers a pleasing, natural-appearing restoration that signals youthfulness.

Increasing awareness of eyebrow transplantation has, in turn, led to the need to educate potential candidates about the procedure – and the credentials to look for when selecting a surgeon.
 

The Eyebrow Transplantation Procedure

At Tempus Hair Restoration, the extent of restoration depends upon the patient’s goals – whether to conceal a scar or achieve full restoration of both brows. In the case of a complete restoration, Dr. Marco Barusco – founder and Chief Medical Officer at Tempus Hair Restoration –  works with the patient to recreate the eyebrow in a natural contour, outlining the eyebrow area to complement the natural symmetry of the face.

Hair Transplant Near Me, Florida Hair Doctor, Eyebrow Replacement, Hair Loss Treatments

During the consultation, Dr. Barusco determines what transplantation method is better for the patient based on the patient’s hair type. Donor hairs are typically removed from toward the neck – where the hair quality is more compatible to facial hair. Grafts are carefully selected to achieve the appearance of natural eyebrow hair once transplanted. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, after which the patient can resume normal activities apart from post-surgical instructions regarding care of the donor and recipient sites. New growth typically becomes more dense than the hair in the original transplant grafts.
 

Experience Makes the Difference

Because eyebrow transplantation is a relatively new procedure, those considering it need to perform their due diligence. Research the qualifications and experience of those you contact for a consultation. The precision necessary to achieve the best possible aesthetic results depends upon the experience and skill of the surgeon (who should be performing the procedure, rather than an assistant or technician). The disclaimer “under the medical direction of” used by many clinics should be a red flag to potential patients that someone other than a surgeon will be performing this exacting procedure.

Dr. Barusco is a board-certified surgeon who is internationally recognized as a leader in hair restoration. His many other credentials include: Diplomate and Past President (2017) of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery; Assistant Professor of Surgery – University of Central Florida College of Medicine; Fellow of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) and Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS). Dr. Barusco conducts all consultations (both in-office and virtually – via Skype chat) and performs all hair transplantation procedures.

At Tempus Hair Restoration, we offer the most advanced technology and the highest level of artistry in our hair restoration treatments. We invite you to schedule a free consultation to discuss your goals and learn about the options we can provide.

Hair Restoration Scams: Beware of 21st Century Snake Oil

Unfortunately, bogus hair loss “remedies” are more popular than ever.

The battle against baldness is almost as long as history itself. The Ebers Papyrus – a medical text from 1550 B.C.E. – offers a number of recommended cures for ancient Egyptians suffering from hair loss. Suggestions include a mixture of fats from a hippopotamus, crocodile, tomcat, snake and ibex. While such a concoction now strikes us as obviously ineffective, all too many people are still willing to put their faith – and money – into modern-day “snake oil” hair restoration remedies that range from useless to harmful. With proven, effective treatments – both surgical and non-surgical – readily available, Dr. Marco Barusco and our team at Tempus Hair Restoration want consumers to recognize bogus products and dubious procedures.

Hair Loss Scams

Just as is the case with many other medical conditions, bogus products claiming to prevent baldness or restore hair aggressively market to susceptible people through online advertising, multi-level marketing (MLM) companies, radio ads, late-night infomercials and other media. Such products either use medical-sounding language or sell themselves as a “natural” remedy.

Hair loss restoration researchers have concluded that the leading cause of baldness for men is the male sex hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone). This hormone has been linked to hair loss in women, as well. DHT prevents the follicles in the scalp from promoting hair growth by attaching itself to the follicles’ receptor cells and inhibiting any proteins, vitamins and minerals needed for their survival.

Those who have a genetic tendency for hair loss are more sensitive to the effects of DHT. The only way to prevent or restore hair loss is to block this hormone. Scam marketers often dance around the subject by mentioning DHT, but refrain from stating clearly that their product efficiently blocks this hormone. The FDA-approved prescription medications that actually are effective in blocking DHT will be covered later in this post.

To avoid regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), marketers of these bogus products identify them as food or nutritional supplements, carefully choosing their words to avoid making an outright claim of medical results. These deceptive marketers often use phony testimonials and product reviews, all of which are impossible to verify.

Consumers are often confused by such slick sales methods, not only wasting money, but valuable time. The longer that hair loss goes untreated, the chances for success diminish.

How to Know When it’s a Hoax

One big red flag signaling a scam product is overselling and/or guaranteeing hair growth. If it promises “amazing” and “quick” results, be suspicious. Legitimate non-surgical treatments produce gradual results, depending upon the individual. Again, consulting with a hair restoration specialist should set realistic expectations about the results that a particular treatment can achieve for you.

What Does Work?

Medical hair growth treatments help stabilize hair loss and maintain hairs that would otherwise be lost. The following are FDA-approved medications proven to be effective.

Minoxidil – Minoxidil (brand name Rogaine) is a medication used for male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) treatments and hair growth in women with thinning hair.

 It is in a class of drugs known as vasodilators. By widening the blood vessels, minoxidil  allows more blood and oxygen to reach the follicles, causing those in the telogen phase (the resting phase of the hair growth cycle), to shed. They are replaced by thicker hairs in the new anagen phase (the active growth phase of hair follicles). Rogaine is available over-the-counter. Dr. Barusco typically recommends the foam option, which must be done at a 5% concentration in order to assist in blocking DHT. In order for this medication to keep supporting hair growth, it should be used continuously.

 

Finasteride (brand name Propecia) – This is a prescription tablet used to block DHT and treat hair loss for men only. A 1 mg dose of finasteride can lower DHT levels by 60% if taken daily, and slows down hair loss as long as it is taken continuously. The American Hair Loss Association recognizes finasteride as the leading non-surgical hair loss treatment for men.

Inform Yourself

Knowledge is power. Being an informed consumer will allow you to tell the difference between science and pseudo-science, and seek legitimate treatment for your hair loss before it’s too late to reverse or restore. Choose your surgeon carefully based on experience, results and professional integrity.

Dr. Barusco is a board-certified surgeon who is internationally recognized as a leader in hair restoration. His many other credentials include: Diplomate and Past President (2017) of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery; Assistant Professor of Surgery – University of Central Florida College of Medicine; Fellow of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) and Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS). Dr. Barusco conducts all consultations (both in-office and virtually) and performs all hair transplantation procedures.

Our team pays great attention to your emotional being and follows up with every step of the procedure to ensure that you are well-informed and directed in the right path. Our consultation is free. Dr. Barusco will discuss the treatments available and recommend the one most appropriate for your type of hair loss. Contact us to learn your options.

No Distance is Too Far To Select The Most Experienced Specialists in Hair Restoration

No matter where in the world you live, you’re only a call away from Dr. Barusco and his experienced team of hair restoration specialists. We have become known worldwide for accommodating international patients who have traveled great lengths to reach our surgery center located in Port Orange, Florida.

There is no distance too far when it comes to achieving the best results!

At Tempus Hair Restoration, we make access to expert advice easy for those seeking the award-winning, industry-leading solutions. Our online video consultation connects you virtually with Dr. Marco Barusco via Skype, Facetime, or WhatsApp.

During your video consult, Dr. Barusco provides you with a comprehensive diagnosis, treatment plan, and surgical recommendations unique to your situation. His trained eye and keen ability to identify your specifics needs by sight is proven with the continued return of patients spanning the globe. If you want a consult with one of the international leaders of hair restoration, look no further!

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International Patient Specialists are here to help!

We understand there is time and planning involved with traveling for your hair restoration procedure and want to make it as seamless as possible for you. We help plan and cover your travel expenses. We offer a complimentary two-night hotel stay just one mile from our surgical center.

Discover the world’s finest destination for hair restoration. Contact one of our International Patient Specialists for your free consultation, today!

Dr. Barusco lectures in the 24th World Congress of Hair Restoration Surgery

Once again, Dr. Barusco a key presence among leaders in the industry.

Dr. Barusco lectures once again in the 24th Annual World Congress of Hair Restoration Surgery of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS). His leadership was in focus in the conference that was attended by over 700 physicians from all over the world

The meeting was held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Dr. Barusco’s agenda included Chairing the Advanced/Board Review Course, which helps doctors prepare for the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS)  exam and educates experienced hair transplant surgeons in hair restoration. For this event, Dr. Barusco invited a great group of faculty, coordinated the speakers and gave a few lectures.

Dr. Barusco also led a Breakfast with the Experts on “FUE Mega Sessions: Planning and Execution” and had multiple committee meetings and other leadership activities.

Another important part of his time in Las Vegas was to meet with key industry leaders and scientists to discuss new technology and treatment options for hair loss and baldness.

Over the next few weeks, Dr. Barusco and the team at Tempus Hair Restoration will be implementing new technology and new treatment modalities to better serve our patients, so stay tuned for some exciting news!!

Dr. Barusco’s leadership and dedication to the ISHRS and the ABHRS were recognized by his peers and he is already making plans for his next speaking engagements, which will take him to San Diego, Orlando, St. Louis and Prague so far next year.

Tempus Hair Restoration Celebrates LGBT Pride Month – June 2017

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month) is currently celebrated each year in June. Tempus Hair Restoration is proud to honor one of our transgender patients this month by sharing her story with others.

Hair loss does not discriminate. It affects men and women, all ages and races. For many, the loss is embarrassing and can create a lack of self-confidence. For some, like Ronie H., not having a full head of hair can even be damaging to one’s identity. Ronie is a transgender woman who wore wigs and hats to cover her hair loss for years. After learning about hair restoration surgery, Ronie wrote an emotional letter to doctors all over the country asking for their help. Dr. Barusco was the only surgeon to respond. Dr. Barusco and the team at Tempus Hair Restoration helped her with her hair issues, which gave Ronie more confidence to continue to advocate for LGBT rights.

Dr. Barusco recently accepted an invitation to prepare and coordinate a workshop on transgender hair restoration during the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery’s annual meeting in Prague happening October 4 – 7, 2017.

Watch Ronie’s Thoughts in Her Post-Surgery Video

Dr. Barusco Awarded Fellow Status by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS)

Dr. Barusco recently received the designation of Fellow of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS). The ISHRS is the largest professional association dedicated to hair restoration surgery in the world. It has thousands of members worldwide.

Is the ISHRS Fellow Category Available for Everyone?

To be accepted for the Fellow category of membership, a member has to pass a vetting process. He or she must demonstrate commitment and dedication to the specialty. This can include serving in committees and leadership positions in the ISHRS. Also, if the candidate has achieved diplomate status with the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery, it is a plus. Currently there are only about 100 members worldwide with the Fellow designation (less than 10% of all ISHRS members). Thus, this is an important distinction.

Dr. Barusco’s History with the ISHRS

Since joining the ISHRS, Dr. Barusco has served in many committees. To name a few, he acted as Co-Chair and Scientific Coordinator for many editions of their most traditional educational event, the Orlando Live Surgery Workshop. Also acted in the Planning Committee of many of their Annual Scientific Meetings, and Chaired important events such as the Beginners Course, the Morbidity and Mortality Conference,  and the Advanced/Board Review Course. Moreover,  Dr. Barusco has been a prolific writer with an important column in the ISRHS’ official peer reviewed publication, the Hair Transplant Forum International. The column is entitled “Complications and Difficult Cases”, and in in Dr. Barusco analyzes complicated cases performed by him or submitted by other doctors, in order to educate others in these issues.

I am extremely happy to have done enough to be awarded this important distinction. Thank you to the ISHRS for recognizing my contributions. It is a great honor for me. – Dr. Marco Barusco.

Join us in congratulating Dr. Barusco in this important achievement.

Dr. Barusco’s No-Shave FUE Technique to be featured for the second time in a major medical textbook devoted to Hair Transplantation

Dr. Barusco’s innovative No-Shave FUE technique – which has been very popular among patients and has taken Dr. Barusco around the world to present and demonstrate it to other doctors – is going to be once again featured on the most widely used textbook in hair transplant surgery. Scheduled to be released next year, the book will also include another chapter by Dr. Barusco. This is a reaffirmation of the popularity and impact that his technique has had worldwide, and underscores why patients trust Dr. Barusco and Tempus Hair for their procedures. The team led by Dr. Barusco is always in the forefront of developing new and innovative techniques, and apply the best available science and technology to make their procedures safer and their results better.