Tempus Hair Restoration Logo
Schedule a Free Consultation!

When Should You Have a Hair Transplant Procedure?

Schedule Consultation
Home

Tag Archives: Hair Transplant

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?

General, ,

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!

Spring Into Action Now – Making the Decision to Get a Hair Transplant

Dr Marco Barusco, , ,

Spring is typically the time for new beginnings. However, spring 2020 was anything but typical. Many plans had to be put on hold, or canceled entirely due to the spread of COVID-19. If you were considering a hair transplant earlier this year, the suspension of elective surgical procedures necessitated a delay in taking action. If you had not fully committed to scheduling a consultation with a hair restoration surgeon to learn your options, you’ve had a longer opportunity to think about it. Now that our Port Orange surgical center has reopened, the wait is over! Should you still be hesitant, here are some questions to ask yourself about how hair loss is affecting your self-esteem and other areas of your life.

 

How do you feel about yourself when you look in the mirror?

Do you feel older and less self-confident? The desire to regain a fuller head of hair and a more youthful hairline should not be considered vanity. You don’t want to look like a movie star – you just want to be able to recognize yourself as you see yourself. 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 truly powerful effect.

As a great example that we like to share, Dr. Marco Barusco – Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Tempus Hair Restoration – was honored to receive a testimonial from a patient who described himself as plunging into a deep depression after his divorce. Deciding to have a hair transplant turned out to be the first step in his journey to improving his physical and psychological health. Inspired by the results of his transplant, the patient soon after joined a gym and lost a significant amount of weight. His success in this area then led him to undergo some cosmetic surgical procedures. Through these positive changes, he transformed himself into a healthy, fit, confident man who today is living his best life!

 

Do you feel that your hair loss is preventing you from getting a job or promotion – or getting back in the dating scene?

It may not be your imagination. Our blog post – “Does Hair Loss Hurt Your Career?” – referenced surveys and studies concluding that balding men are at a disadvantage during a job search or climbing the corporate ladder. According to Hiscock’s 2019 Ageism in the Workplace Study, more men than women feel that their advancing age has adversely impacted their careers – with 43% of men surveyed believing their age has prevented them from finding a new job.

The blog post was published before the pandemic. Because of the resulting societal changes, many job interviews are now conducted virtually, which can create an even more adverse situation for men experiencing hair loss.

While our blog post emphasized the effect of hair loss on men in professional-level jobs, the effect on those who make their living in the public eye can have especially devastating effects. English actor Jack P. Shepherd – star of the long-running daytime drama Coronation Street – recently discussed his two hair transplant surgeries, admitting that his hair loss had taken a toll on his mental health to the point that he almost quit the show. Now sporting a full head of hair again, the 32-year-old actor plans to enjoy many more years in front of the camera.

As for dating, the scene had been rapidly changing pre-pandemic. Dating apps have largely replaced in-person opportunities for meeting people, which means that a profile photo or video is all a prospective romantic prospect has to go by. Again, like it or not, appearances count, and you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression before someone scrolling through a dating app swipes left.

However, “appearances” can consist of a combination of positive traits that can shine through a photo: warm, twinkling eyes, self-confidence (that word again), inner-strength and kindness are all attractive qualities. If you’re apprehensive about being passed up because of a sparse head of hair, you’re not likely to project a high level of confidence in a photograph – or on an actual date.

 

Won’t people know I’ve had a hair transplant? Will it look odd right after surgery?

This is the time to weigh long-term benefits over short-term self-consciousness and inconvenience. However, some advanced procedures offer immediate concealment of donor areas of the scalp, as well as maximum coverage of large bald areas in one surgery.

For those who are good candidates, the advanced No-Shave FUE procedure pioneered by Dr. Barusco allows hair to be harvested from the donor site without having to shave your existing hair. The typical FUE (Follicular Unit Excision) procedure requires you to have your donor hair shaved, so everyone knows you had treatment unless you take off an extended period of time to let the shaved patches regrow.

Dr. Barusco developed the groundbreaking No-Shave FUE to eliminate this problem. It has become so popular that patients fly in from all over the world for this innovative procedure.

Dr. Barusco is also known for the combined FUE and FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) technique, which is designed to treat advanced hair loss during a single surgery as opposed to several with a one-year waiting period between – as is typical. This procedure allows patients to achieve their ultimate goal in less time, with one procedure versus many.

Even the traditional FUT – otherwise known as the “strip” method – has undergone advances to the closure methods and the healing of the donor incision. In most cases, the resulting linear scar from a strip hair transplant surgery is small and thin, with the patient being able to cover it well without having to grow their hair very long. A haircut with # 3 or # 4 clippers on the back and sides of the head usually completely conceals the donor scar.

In the popular FUE procedure, hair follicles are individually extracted from the back and side of the patient’s head and individually transplanted to the recipient area. Although some hair restoration practices emphasize the FUE and try to steer patients away from the FUT, the FUE technique is not appropriate for everyone.

However, because each person experiencing hair loss has numerous factors that need to be considered – such as the cause of hair loss (genetic, scarring, medication, etc.), extent and area of hair loss, and medical history, among others – getting a hair transplant isn’t the same as ordering a meal from a menu. A consultation with a surgeon specializing in hair restoration will give the surgeon the information that he or she needs to make a diagnosis and determine the best procedure for your individual hair loss.

This is also the time to discuss with the surgeon how much (if any) downtime post-surgery recovery will require, how much (if any) areas of your scalp will show visible evidence of the procedure and when you can expect new growth.

Again, depending upon the procedure, others may be able to tell that you’ve undergone hair restoration surgery. But this should not be reason for embarrassment. Cosmetic procedures – both surgical and minimally invasive – are widely accepted in today’s society. In fact, you may be surprised by the support you’ll receive from those who admire you for taking this important step! You could even inspire your family and friends who have been considering a hair transplant to follow your lead.

 

Isn’t a hair transplant expensive?

Our blog post – “Busting Common Hair Transplant Myths” – covers this question in detail. We highly recommend you read the entire article, as there is a good deal of misinformation and deceptive marketing claims by some practices.

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 will discuss 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.

 

It isn’t too late to make the most of 2020!

Let’s face it – 2020 isn’t likely to be remembered as anyone’s favorite year. But if a hair transplant has been on your mind, you can greet 2021 with a new growth of hair on your head! If you remember the optimism you rang in this year with, it is still possible to make a positive change that will give you the sense of achievement you anticipated.

So what are you waiting for? Spring into action now! 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. No matter how far the distance, we welcome the opportunity to help you on your hair restoration journey!