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New Year, New You: Transform Your Confidence with a Hair Transplant

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New Year, New You: Transform Your Confidence with a Hair Transplant

Male Hair Restoration,

Every year starts with TV commercials for fitness centers and weight loss products. The timing for such marketing is obvious. The new year symbolizes fresh beginnings – the promise you make to yourself that this will be the year you make improvements in your lifestyle, health and appearance.

Of course, these initial good intentions sometimes aren’t carried out into actions, set aside during the following months until next January delivers another guilt-inducing reminder of how last year’s resolutions went by the wayside. But if you need inspiration to kick-start a more vital-looking, self-confident you, a hair transplant can be the first step you take toward a new you in the new year!

Why New Year Resolutions are Hard to Keep

Let’s be honest. Getting in shape requires a lot of hard work and commitment to hitting the gym every other day. It’s a worthwhile goal, but your daily schedule might not be conducive to driving to a fitness center, and you may not have room in your home to accommodate equipment. Losing weight requires a commitment to changing the types of food you eat, and/or frequency of meals. Considering that eating is required to live, making this kind of modification in behavior is challenging on many levels.

When it’s hard to comply during the initial stages of any self-improvement program, motivation tends to suffer. If you’re not seeing results as soon as you’d like in proportion to the amount of effort or willpower you’re exerting, discouragement sets in. After all, why bother?

Unfortunately, this type of attitude leads to giving up and settling back into old, comfortable behaviors. Until next January, when you again feel the need to take control and make those positive changes. But maybe this year will be different!

How a Hair Transplant Can Make a Big Difference

If you are among the approximately 35 million men in the United States experiencing hair loss, a hair transplant can be a life-changing procedure. While well-meaning family members and friends may tell you that your self-esteem shouldn’t depend upon your physical appearance, it is human nature to feel better about yourself when you’re satisfied with the way you present yourself to the world. And that feeling can have a powerful effect.

As cited in our blog post – “The Big Picture: Hair Replacement and Self-Confidence” – multiple studies have linked male pattern hair loss to lowered self-esteem and decreased confidence. An article for WebMD written by journalist Marta Manning and medically reviewed by Jennifer T. Haley, MD, FAAD, cites a 2019 study published in the International Journal of Trichology. The study found that androgenic alopecia (genetic, a.k.a. male pattern baldness) lowered the quality of life for many men, with particular effects in the areas of self-perception and interpersonal relations. A 2018 research study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology identified low self-esteem in many patients with androgenic alopecia and found that confidence can improve after hair transplantation treatment.

Starting your self-improvement program with a hair transplant has one big advantage in that it requires no effort on your part – unlike exercise or following a weight loss plan. Although it generally takes 12 months for a hair transplant to fully grow out, you will begin seeing new growth and thickening from four to six months post-op. Our blog post – “What to Expect After Your Hair Transplant” – covers this topic in greater detail.

A Patient’s Testimonial Says It All

Dr. Marco Barusco – Founder and Chief Medical Officer at Tempus Hair Restoration – has been honored to receive five-star reviews and testimonials from patients on a regular basis. But one heartfelt testimonial sent to Dr. Barusco from “Joe” several years ago continues to stand out:

“After my divorce I was feeling really low. I had gained weight and lost all desire to start over. My hair was receding which made everything else worse. Each day that passed it was harder and harder to look in the mirror and gain the motivation to get my life together. Finally I figured I’d go talk to someone to see what can be done about my hair. I did a quick Google search and came across Dr. Barusco’s website. I was impressed with the vast amount of information … and before and after pictures. I thought I’d give it a shot as there was a consult office in my area and there was no charge … I moved forward with the procedure and was impressed with the professionalism … My confidence definitely increased as the compliments came rolling in. I joined a gym and felt determined again. I just got home from my final follow up. I looked in the mirror and finally feel happy with who is looking back.”

In Joe’s case, undergoing a hair transplant gave him the psychological boost he needed to make other major personal improvements. In a follow-up, Joe reported that he had some cosmetic procedures performed, and is now living his best life!

Which Hair Transplant Procedure Is Right for You?

Dr. Barusco is an award-winning board-certified hair transplant surgeon with more than 25 years dedicated exclusively to hair restoration. He has long been at the forefront of advanced hair restoration procedures, having developed such 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.

Going one step beyond this procedure 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.

Another leading-edge 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 instead of many.

However, it’s important to understand that choosing a hair transplant procedure isn’t the same as ordering from a menu. An experienced, ethical surgeon will examine your scalp, diagnose the cause of your hair loss, then discuss your hair restoration goals and expectations – followed by a treatment plan that is right for your individual situation. Areas to be covered should include the type of surgery, why this type of surgery is recommended, which areas of the scalp will be involved, how the surgery will be performed and the results you can expect. Our blog post, “The Importance of Consultation Before Hair Restoration Treatment” – covers this topic in greater detail.

Make This the Year You Get your Hair and Self-confidence Back

Make this the year you transform your appearance and regain your confidence! Don’t let hair loss hold you back any longer – take the first step toward a new you in the new year! We understand that the main concern you may have is cost, which is why we offer financing options that can place this goal within reach.

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!