By Sudha Hariharan
Most people become especially concerned about skin and hair problems because disorders of the dermis ( which includes both skin and hair) are extremely apparent, both to the victim and those around. Such conditions are seldom fatal or even disabling but they do produce psychological problems which may, in turn, trigger other physical illnesses such as depression, over-eating, obesity and acne.
Many people have difficulties with their hair ans scalp. Unlike the skin from which it grows,hair serves no indispensable function --- many bald people live to a healthy, old age.. However, the appearance of the hair is psychologically important----- attractive, well-groomed hair makes a person feel poise and confident.
Hair growth is affected by sex hormones and because more men than women become bald, the male hormones are probably the culprit. Hair loss cannot always be explained by hormone- hereditary patterns. While some hair loss with advancing age is natural,sudden hair loss at young age and especially among women has become more of a problem in recent times.
At Mumbai’s Dr. L H Hiranandani Hospital, a computerized hair analyzer is used to determine the cause of hairfall and pinpoint the deficiencies. A US FDA- approved latest hair growth laser that delivers energy to the hair roots and improves hair growth is also used to treat the problem.In addition to a team of surgeons, patients are also counseled by members of the International Hair Restoration Society.
Dr. Rajesh Rajput, Plastic Surgeon with the L.H. Hiranandani Hospital in Mumbai, who has been conducting hair transplants for over a decade now, spills the beans on keeping baldness at bay.
There are other causes of hair loss such as stress, dandruff, fungal or bacterial infection, liver or thyroid disease, crash dieting, iron, calcium and vitamin deficiencies, systemic illness or side effects of prolonged medication like painkillers, anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, gout drugs, anti-cancer drugs, chronic constipation, lack of sleep, neglecting the cleaning and maintenance of the hair. These causes can be investigated and treated with suitable medicines.
Advances in scientific research, and medicines like Minoxidil and Finasteride have given relief to patients with early or mild hair loss. Severe degrees of baldness can now be corrected by the latest technique of Follicular hair micro -grafting.
Baldness is a progressive disorder, becoming increasingly apparent in younger age groups. Hair on the front and top of the head is lost because it has receptors that are sensitive to hormones (male pattern baldness) and many other changes in the body. Fortunately, hair on the sides and lower back of the head is not sensitive to any of the causes and is naturally long- lasting. As much as a person goes bald, even at the age of seventy, he will always maintain a band of hair on the sides and back of the head.
“Plastic surgeons use the person’s own hair roots, removed from the long lasting areas and transfer it onto the bald areas. Such a transfer was earlier done with punches, outdated for the past 25 years, due to the clumpy unacceptable look”, says Dr Rajput
“ Next came the single follicle technique, which gave very poor density and a thinned out appearance. This too is outdated over past eight years. Now, it is realized that natural hair grows in units of 1, 2 or 3 hairs.” In the latest Follicular Micro Grafting Technique, the natural units are maintained to give good density with natural looks. All these roots grow new hair that can be cut, styled and combed as you want. If you shave this hair, it will all grow back and will continue to grow, practically for the rest of your life without any further treatments or visits to the doctor”. he adds.
Dr. Rajput, who has been conducting these procedures for over a decade says, “Good Follicular micro grafting is team work…because trained and skillful surgeons are required to handle and transplant the hair roots. “
Elaborating on the technique, he says it is important to match the angle and the direction of growth of hair in the patient The implantation is done under local anaesthesia. Once the scalp skin is numb, the hair roots are implanted, using an injection needle prick. This ensures minimum injury to the scalp so that there are no scars and the grafts heal quickly.
Dr. Rajput is assisted by Dr. Sandip Sattur alongwith five trained nurses as graft- cutters . So far this team has achieved 95-98% success rate in all the cases for the last 3 years..
The hospital is equipped with a dedicated Hair Transplant Theater( on par with global stabndards) made as per International standards. It has cold lights which do not harm the grafts, special cushioned adjustable patient support ensures the patient a comfortable lie down for 4 – 6 hours. Controlled humidity, natural lighting and temperature control are also present. Leveled platform and back rests for increasing efficiency of the graft- cutters, besides the adjustable position, enable the surgeons to implant simultaneously in combined areas. The procedure, lasting 6 hours can be offered to a patient of any age group and the patient can be discharged on the same day.
Prepping for the procedure:
On the day of the surgery, the patient is asked to come with an antiseptic body bath. A small strip of hair 1.2cm x 10cm is trimmed; local anesthesia given and this strip of skin is removed, while the patient is lying with his face down..Surgeons prepare small microscopic grafts from the harvested strip of skin. One hour later, local anesthesia is administered in the bald area and the grafts are placed in naturally occurring units with simple, painless, injection needle pricks. Placing of 2000 micro grafts is completed in 6 hours. There is no bandage on the head. A temporary dressing is applied on the backside for two days and the patient is sent home the same day. Antibiotics and painkillers are advised for 5 days. Patient is asked to avoid a head bath for 3 days and take rest at home to protect the grafts from dust, pollution, sunlight for 3 days. Small 2mm scabs at the graft site fall off at 8–10 days. Stitches from the donor area on the backside are removed after 10 days. The grafts start growing after their natural cycle of 3 – 4 months.
With such a state-of-the-art set up, the team performs 2000 – 3000 micro grafts in one sitting, while many centers in the world do only 400 – 600 grafts per session. So, a patient requiring 3 – 4 sittings is planned and transplanted in one sitting, saving repeated visits, time and money. In fact the procedure is so cost-effective that patients from all over the world have successfully availed of this surgery.
Dr. Rajesh Rajput, is also a .Member International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons,
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