Sapphire FUE
Sapphire Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) builds on the traditional FUE technique by using a scalpel tipped with sapphire. This precious stone achieves a more than significant reduction of the postoperative effects, including bleeding, redness and scarring. We have optimized this technique at the Noan clinic to maximize the survival of follicular units.
FAQs
What is hair density and why is it so important?
Hair density is measured in number of hairs or number of follicular units in one square centimetre. On average, human hair has a density of 80 units per square centimetre. Density is of great importance in trichology and hair surgery because although it is not the only important factor, it is one of the most determining factors in the success of a hair implant. Even so, it is important to bear in mind that the objective of a transplant is not density in itself but coverage. Therefore it does not make sense to waste follicles to obtain density but it is better to look for coverage, using for example angulations and optimal hair distributions to obtain it.
What factors can result in a negative outcome for a hair transplant?
There are so many. Just take a flight back from Istanbul, Turkey, and you will see plenty of them. From physical damage to the graft, leading to a depleted donor area, to poor placement, such as placing grafts in lines; and from poor angulation or poor overall front line design to incorrect postoperative care. And I could go on... Many things can go wrong in the wrong hands; hair surgery is much more complex than it appears and many things must be in order to achieve a good result. The good news for you is that I'm an expert trinchologist, and so you're safe in my hands.
Do you focus on high density with your grafts or are you more conservative?
Hair surgery its not a "one size fits all" science. We tailor it to every patient to achieve the best results possible. It depends on a lot of factors like what are we're transplanting into, the donor hair characteristics, the patient's wishes and desired results, etc. I do tend to work with higher densities because I think they result in more natural results and the outcome is much better, but it's always a case-by-case basis as many times that is just not possible.
How many follicular units per cm2 is the correct density?
Strictly speaking there is no such thing as a "correct density". The density we obtain depends on many factors and has to be adapted to each individual case. Thus, factors such as the characteristics of the hair in the donor area, the properties of the recipient area and the desired results will determine the density we want to (or can) obtain.
Without finasteride, will transplanted hair eventually shed?
No, it should not. Let me explain: we use blockers like finasteride and dutasteride to treat androgenetic alopecia. If the transplanted hair is affected by androgenetic alopecia, then it is possible that that hair may be lost over time left untreated. There is also a possibility of hair shedding due to other unrelated conditions. But androgenic blockers will only help in the case of underlying androgenetic alopecia. Fortunately we extract the hair follicles from what we call "safe area", so most of the time donor hair is not affected and thus will not suffer the same fate of the hair that was natively in the recipient area.
How do you achieve a natural look?
This comes down to a combination of three things. The first is having good eye: understanding how nature looks and having the artistic ability to be able to mimick it. Of course, to do it you need good hands. Being precise with the hair selection (this is using the thinnest single hair follicles on the first hair line for example), as well as its placement and angulation. Then, of course, we need to have a full understanding of human physiology.
Will I be awake during surgery?
During FUE surgery we use local anesthesia. That means that only the area being worked on is anesthetized. Particularly, I tend to do nerve blocking (this is anesthesizing the nerves that go to the scalp: supraorbital, auricotemporal, major and lesser occipital nerves), so overall less anesthetic is used, leading to a safer and way less painful surgery than if the doctor doesnt do nerve blocking. Patients can remain fully conscious during the whole procedure, but often they are so confortable that they end up falling asleep!
Is Androgenic Alopecia curable?
Unfortunately not. Androgenetic alopecia is a chronic condition that has a heavy hereditary component. We can however, the same way as with other chronic illnesses (for example, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, etc), treat it effectively in the vast majority of cases and achieve a very satisfactory long term outcome for the patient. This sometimes implies medical treatment, surgical treatment or the combination of both.
Does hair grow back in the donor area?
Unfortunately not. Hair surgery basically consists of relocating the hair follicles. Thus, once we extract a follicular unit from the scalp, it will grow back in its new implantation site but there will no longer be that follicle in its original position. This is why donor area management is so important: hair follicles are a limited resource and must be treated with the utmost care, planning and skill.
What is the minimum and maximum age for a hair transplant?
There is no age limit as such. Age is just one factor among many to consider. For example, with androgenetic alopecia, it helps to have a forecast of how much hair the patient is likely to lose over time. The younger the patient, the more likely it is that the alopecia will continue in a more aggressive form. On the other hand, these patients are the ones who will benefit most from a consultation, as stopping the progression of alopecia in time will help to reverse it in the future with surgery.