Our Services
MALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS
Male Pattern Hair Loss (MPHL) is very common. About 40% of men 40 to 50 years of age are affected. Male Pattern Hair Loss describes a progressive thinning, or miniaturization, of scalp hair. The Norwood Scale can be used to categorize typical hair loss patterns in men. Typical hair loss is divided into 7 categories and sub-categories. Note that a Norwood 1 indicates no hair loss.
Male Pattern Hair Loss is sometimes referred to as Androgenic Alopecia or Androgenetic Alopecia. The term Androgenic combines the words androgen and gene, because both androgens and a genetic predisposition are thought to play a role in MPHL. Androgens are hormones, such as testosterone. Miniaturization is a process by which hair becomes smaller and finer with each growth cycle until finally, it stops growing altogether. A progressive increase in dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is widely accepted as the cause of miniaturization. Men who are genetically susceptible to MPHL have increased levels of Type II 5 alpha-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT.
All people have DHT but only some will suffer from hair loss, because of a genetic predisposition for hair follicles with an overabundance of androgen receptors to which DHT attaches. Over time, DHT causes a gradual miniaturization and finally the death of these susceptible hair follicles. This action is largely inherited. Although anti-androgen drugs may slow or halt hair loss, they are really only effective at regrowing hair in the crown.
Male Pattern Hair Loss can be halted by hair loss drugs such as Propecia (Finasteride).
FEMALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS
Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) is more common than we think. FPHL is a thinning or miniaturization of the hair on the top or crown of the head which affects about 50% of women by the age of 50. Female Pattern Hair Loss is sometimes referred to as Androgenic Alopecia or Androgenetic Alopecia.
The Ludwig Scale can be used to categorize typical hair loss patterns in women. Typical hair loss is divided into 3 categories and sub-categories. Type I shows a general thinning at the center part, type II shows thinning progressing to the crown of the head, type III shows nearly full hair loss at the crown.
Hair loss in women does not have as clear a cause as male pattern baldness. Women with hair loss often suffer from diffuse thinning all over the scalp rather than in a distinct pattern. This hair thinning is sometimes temporary and can be caused by a variety of factors tied to the actions of hormones, including: thyroid conditions, pregnancy, and menopause. Where illness or underlying hormonal conditions are not the cause, DHT acting on an overabundance of androgen receptors in hair follicles, appears to be the culprit in thinning and hair loss in women (as it is the case with men). Female hormones are thought to influence the time of onset, severity, and pattern of loss experienced by women.
When considering hair transplant surgery, women should first consult a specialist to rule out causes such as illness and hormonal influences.
Female Pattern Hair Loss can be helped by the hair loss drug Minoxidil, which stimulates hair growth.
FOLLICULAR UNIT HAIR TRANSPLANT
Follicular Unit hair transplant is based upon the principle that hair does not grow individually but in naturally occurring groups of up to 4 hairs. These follicular units are obtained through microscopic dissection of tissue that is harvested in a single strip.
Using stereoscopic microscopes it is possible to identify and extract these microscopic 1-4 hair units and transfer them to the areas of balding scalp. This method literally transfers the hairs in the same way that nature grows them and allows us to mimic a totally natural looking head of hair.
The advent of follicular units was a significant step forward over the previously available mini and micro grafts. Mini grafts were up to 2.5 mm in diameter and could contain up to 6 - 8 hairs resulting in a tufty appearance and an uneven or "cobblestone" appearance on the scalp. Micro grafts were 1-1.5 mm in diameter and whilst their size allowed for for a natural appearance because they were cut with the naked eye the natural grouping of follicles was ignored and vital anatomic structures were damaged in the dissection process. As a result growth rates of 50% were not uncommon.
At the Aravali Hair Institute grafts are cut using the stereoscopic microscopes. They allow us to identify and dissect the follicular unit whilst sculpting around the sebaceous glands and other appendages that are crucial for the grafts survival. The resulting grafts are the smallest possible grafts you can achieve that will experience a very high growth rate, 95% or above is common in the hands of the right surgical team.
FUE HAIR TRANSPLANT
The No Scalpel, No Strip, Minimally Invasive Procedure
Follicular Unit extraction or FUE as it is known is a relatively new technique of extracting grafts individually from the scalp. In this type of procedure a small round punch generally less than 1.00 mm in diameter is used to make a small circular incision around the follicular unit. These follicular units are then individually plucked from the scalp. This new procedure negates the need for a linear incision at the back and sides of the scalp with the inevitable scar that is produced. Follicular Unit Grafting and Follicular Unit Extraction are sometimes viewed as being two totally different procedures. Follicular Unit grafting involves surgically removing a strip of skin from the back and sides of the scalp, this strip is then microscopically dissected into follicular units and these are implanted back into the balding areas of scalp.
FUE individually harvests these 1, 2, 3 and 4 hair grafts from the back and sides of the scalp. Each follicle after being extracted is examined under the stereoscopic microscopes and further trimmed of non hair bearing skin if required. And then reimplanted into tiny incisions in the balding area. So effectively once these grafts are out of the scalp the implantation procedure is exactly the same as it is for FUG.
So in effect when a comparison is made between FUE vs. FUHT what is really being compared is linear strip excision (FUHT) vs. individual graft extraction (FUE). As FUE does net leave a linear scar it is of particular interest for those who wish to wear their hair very short at the back and sides.
In summary the one disadvantage of FUHT is the scar at the back of the scalp. However with the advanced surgical techniques in use at the AHI the reality is that over 90% of our patients have a scar that is very fine. That said FUE is a fantastic new advance and gives prospective patients an additional treatment modality to choose from. It certainly is technique of choice for those who want to keep their hair short. Apart from that FUE makes available additional donor areas.
The Aravali Hair Institute is one of the few centres in India specialising in both FUE and FUHT,and therefore are well placed to offer unbiased advise to prospective patients on both procedures taking into account their own individual circumstances.
OUR TECHNIQUE
Dr B K Garg and Dr Udit Bhanu Rao are plastic and cosmetic surgeons by training and both had opportunity and privilege to work alongside stalwarts of this field. They have extended same high standards of aesthetics, safety and excellence to their hair restoration practice based in Gurgaon, Delhi .
Two techniques
AHI has expertise to offer both FUHT(strip) and FUE technique.So, at AHI you get unbiased opinion for your hair restoration surgery.Since at AHI price differential between two techniques is quite narrow ,so you are able to choose techniques on scientific basis and not on price alone.Apart from that availability of two techniques simultaneously provides you more flexibility.
Two surgeons
At most of the hair restoration centres , surgeon is involved partially in your surgery.Our surgical team has two surgeons which ensures all steps have direct surgeon involvement thus ensuring high levels of process control.This higher involvement of surgeons makes it possible that every step is directly controlled by surgeon.
FUE Hair Transplants at AHI
Punch size
We believe no two patients are alike and hence one instrument can not be applied to all. We maintain punches with different characteristics regarding diameter, sharpness and depth control. Initial few minutes are spent in evaluation and finding right combination of instruments. We routinely use punch size with outer diameter ranging from 0.75 mm to 1.0 mm. We have never used punches larger than 1.0 mm in diameter in our practice. Most frequently used punches are 0.8 and 0.9 mm in diameter. It is possible to ensure rapid and virtually scar less healing at this punch size while maintaining very low follicular transaction rates.
Graft Optimization
At AHI, we frequently optimize FUE grafts under stereoscopic microscope for further refining of our result. This is particularly important in patients with large follicular unit size.
Dense Packing and Lateral Slit
Particular attention is paid to dense packing, correct alignments and atraumatic handling of grafts at AHI. We believe alignment of grafts is of particular importance for ensuring natural result.
FUHT Hair Transplant (Strip Surgery)
FUHT procedure is either offered as standalone procedure or as part of hybrid procedure in combination with FUE procedure in selected patients. Our team of skillful technicians dissects grafts under stereoscopic microscope under direct supervision of surgeon. Availability of both FUHT and FUE at our centre allows patients to have greater choice.
FUE Vs FUHT
We believe FUE is significant advance in hair transplant surgery and with continuously improving technique, more patients are being found suitable for this technique. At AHI, we feel that this surgery should be made available to all suitable patients. Hair Transplant cost in Delhi rationale for FUE hair transplant surgery is also based on this belief.
