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The Hair Transplant patient journey at The Private Clinic

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With over 30 years of medical experience behind us, we absolutely understand the fear and anxiety that can come with Hair Loss, and we appreciate the considerations that often come hand in hand when trying to find a suitable treatment.

Patient safety, education and satisfaction form the cornerstones of how we approach and treat those who come to us, so we’re relying on reviews taken from Trustpilot (a customer experience community review platform) to give you a sense of what to expect when you come in for a Hair Transplant consultation and treatment at The Private Clinic.

Prior to your consultation

Hair Transplant procedures are aimed at patients who are suffering from Hair Loss and have bald patches they wish to repopulate with healthy hair. So, for us, the first order of business when you call to book your consultation is to determine whether this is an appropriate treatment for you.

If you don’t have Male Pattern Baldness (Androgenic Alopecia), your hair is only thinning and you have no bald patches, then you should see a hair health specialist, know as a Trichologist. They can determine exactly what’s causing your condition and the best way to treat it. This is particularly the case for women, as female Hair Loss is usually caused by either hormonal imbalances, stress, illness, nutrition or Traction Alopecia.

Preparing for an Eyebrow FUE Hair Transplant at The Private Clinic.
Preparing for an Eyebrow FUE Hair Transplant at The Private Clinic.

During your call we’ll ask you a certain amount of key questions to make sure that you’re on course for the right treatment, and we then offer you a choice between seeing one of our extensively-trained patient advisors for free, or to have a thorough consultation with one of our elite Hair Transplant Surgeons for £100. This option exists so as to provide our patients with the opportunity to gather as much information about the treatment before committing to a consultation.

This was exactly the case for Craig, who meet with our Patient Advisor Sorena to determine if the procedure was a viable option for him. He said:

craig

craig_1

Providing our patients with a comfortable environment where they can discuss their concerns with us is an essential part of the assessment process, and at this stage, our patient advisors will also be able to determine if there is any obvious reason why you may not be suitable for a Hair Transplant and if one of our other experts may be of better help to you – saving you time and money.

During the consultation

A consultation with one of our Hair Transplant Surgeons allows for 45 minutes, during which you will undergo a thorough examination of your scalp and hair, followed by a discussion of your medical history.

This is an opportunity to see if there are any underlying conditions and as Arnold found out, you should be wary of clinics that do not address these matters with you.

Arnold  said:Arnold

It would be unethical for us to offer you a treatment if we don’t think it’s likely to be a success. Furthermore, we work with world-class professionals who will only ever offer you honest advice, and will never push you to commit to a procedure, or give you false assurances.

beard transplants - FUE
Dr Reddy is one of the most sought-after Hair Transplant Surgeons in Europe.

Your surgeon will discuss any pre-operative measures that you may need to take, what to expect on the day of your surgery, and what kind of post-operative care will be required on your part during the appointment. Most importantly, they will manage your expectations, explain the hair regrowth cycle and the frustration you may feel during the first 4-5 months post-treatment, as well as remind you that your full results may not be visible until 9 months after your Hair Transplant.

On the day of your Hair Transplant

Your surgeon will go over the surgery and the months to follow with you once again before the beginning of the procedure. Depending on your needs and suitability, we offer Shaven (FUE) and Unshaven (UFUE) Follicular Unit Extraction. Both involve healthy hair follicles being individually taken from a donor area and being transplanted to a bold area. As the names make it clear, an FUE requires a shaved head, while it can remain unshaven for a UFUE.

Local anaesthetic is used to minimise discomfort and a 0.6mm-0.9mm punch device is used to move the hairs. The procedure lasts several long hours, so patients often chose to chat, read, watch TV or even sleep during the transplant, as most patients say they hardly feel any pain.

hair transplant procedure

After seeing Dr Tam at our Leeds clinic, Mark said:

Mark

JCB Reed agreed, saying:

JCB

Your Hair Transplant team will be constantly checking up on you during the procedure, making sure that you are comfortable and taking care of your needs.

Follow ups and results

After the FUE the team will restate the post-operative measures you need to take, and provide you with their contact details, so that you can keep them updated with your progress.

Patients tend to worry in the seven months following the Hair Transplant, but remember that during this time of transition, we will be just a phone call away, even if all you need is a reassuring chat.

Before, during and after Hair Transplantation at The Private Clinic.
Before, during and after Hair Transplantation at The Private Clinic.

The most common feedback we receive is people telling us that had they known the possible results sooner, they would have opted for the treatment sooner.

The pros far outweighed the cons, according to Andrew:

Andrew

Andrew and our other Hair Transplant patients have had very positive experiences following their procedures, often saying that the results have been life-changing – which, in the end, is what matters to us most.

The Private Clinic

We pride ourselves in having assembled an elite team of Hair Transplant experts who are renowned across Europe for their skills and as leaders in their field.

Hair Transplants are available at our Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, London, Bristol  and Glasgow clinics.

FUT Strip vs. FUE Hair Transplant

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Having emerged in the ‘50s, Hair Transplants gradually became more popular and as research and awareness grew, new techniques gradually came to light.

At first, large grafts or plugs with many hairs, were removed with a punch machine, but in the ‘80s, Follicular Unit Transplants (FUT) was introduced as the revolutionary hair restoration treatment due to the precision and density of the results. Over the years, the method evolved into what is now the current Gold Standard method known as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Hair Transplants, offered only by a select number of highly experienced doctors.

Here, we explore both techniques in terms of procedure and results.

The difference in method between FUT and FUE

The more traditional FUT technique requires for a strip of scalp to be surgically removed from the centre of the donor area, so that all hairs can be carefully dissected from the tissue under a microscope, before being transplanted into the bald patches.

WARNING: The following image contains graphic content.

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Strip_hair_transplant_recovery fut
Glimpses of the FUT procedure and the resulting recovery process.

Although a lengthier procedure, FUE’s focus on detail is immense as it involves extracting individual hair follicles directly from the scalp using a precise punch device – ranging from 0.6mm to 0.9mm in diameter.

hair-transplant-punches
The Private Clinic works with the finest punch devices.

The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, with surgeons at The Private Clinic only working by hair, so as to ensure that only high-quality hairs are harvested, thus avoiding additional, unnecessary thinning of the donor area.

Results, Recovery and Scarring

The first and most noticeable difference between FUT and FUE procedures is that the Strip method (FUT) will leave you with a linear scar at the back of your head. It will be visible if you wear your hair short and puts you at risk of stretched, thickened or keloid scars. Results from the FUT method can be life-changing, when the procedure is carried out by an experienced surgeon who has an eye for density.

With FUE there are no visible, linear scars. The slenderness of the punch device means that limited trauma is caused to the area, while the small diameter of the puncture holes ensures that they will heal swiftly, making them barely visible to the eye.

Before and After Advanced FUE Hair Transplant by Dr Raghu Reddy at The Private Clinic.
Before and after advanced FUE Hair Transplant by Dr Raghu Reddy at The Private Clinic.

Naturally, you can expect there to be discomfort, soreness and/or numbness around the FUT incision line, which will be closed with either degradable sutures or staples. These should be gone by the third week but it can take up to 10 months before laxity to your donor area is restored and your scalp feels like it used to.

There is minimal discomfort following an FUE procedure. You might experience minor swelling, soreness or itchiness as the tiny puncture holes heal, which is a far faster process than healing from an FUT procedure.

Before, during and after Hair Transplantation at The Private Clinic.
Before, during and after Hair Transplantation at The Private Clinic.

Strenuous exercise can put pressure on, or stretch, the back of the scalp after an FUT hair transplant, so should be avoided for a month or two.

When it comes to FUE procedures, you could only have to wait a couple of days and fourteen at the most. Your surgeon will give you advice based on your exercise routine and the extent of your procedure.

Finally, we offer both shaven and unshaven FUE treatments (UFUE), meaning that your transplant could go completely unnoticed should you wish. There’s some extra skill involved in this and we’re proud to have surgeons on our team who are part of the select few able to successfully perform this procedure.

Find out the details of the FUE recovery process here.

Hair Transplants at The Private Clinic

Our Consultant Hair Surgeons are among some of the best in Europe and they prefer the follicular unit extraction (FUE) method because it’s accurate, with a high success rate and involves no discomfort during or after the procedure. Our highly experienced team is also part of a select few to offer unshaven procedures, and their expertise has secured them highly satisfied patients.

Hair Transplants are available at our Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, London, Bristol  and Glasgow clinics.

Workout supplements: How gaining muscle might be making your hair fall out

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Being thin or skinny used to be the body trend everybody chased after, nowadays it’s all about being fit. As far as trends go this is a pretty good one to follow, as in theory it promotes healthy eating, regular exercise and being mindful about your lifestyle.

Some people have amazing discipline and dedication on top of that, choosing to take things to the next level, building up their muscles to impressive levels. As you can imagine, such training requires a lot of energy and it’s important to replenish the body when undertaking such straining workouts. The problem is that some active ingredients in supplements can act as double-edged swords.

fitness-man

The issue with sports nutrition and workout support

As many fitness buffs will tell you, shakes and other workout supplements can come in handy when you’re trying to get in shape. On the other hand, such dietary supplements have often also been demonized.

What’s important to know is what to look out for and how certain components can affect your body. If you’re worried about Hair Loss, you may want to avoid testosterone boosters and performance enhancers like creatine.

creatine
Creatine helps to supply energy to all cells in the body.

Protein shakes aren’t the culprits in this scenario – at least not the pure protein ones. For instance, products that are 100% whey or egg based and free from additives shouldn’t contribute to your Hair Loss – though be aware that the increase of nitrogen-based amino acids (which make up protein molecules) in your body can stress your liver and kidneys over time.

What you do have to keep an eye on, are protein shakes that only have a certain percentage of protein concentrate, as the remaining compounds may have adverse side effects.

Growth hormones: mass over frizz

Those who suffer from Male Pattern Baldness (Androgenic Alopecia), or are likely to due to genetics, are subject to the influence of a steroid and hormone known as DHT (Dihydrotestosterone). It plays an important androgenic role by affecting the development and maintenance of male characteristics as well as the production of blood cells. However, it can also contribute to Hair Loss by reducing and inhibiting the hair’s natural growth process (for a detailed explanation, click here).

DHT
DHT inhibits the hair’s necessary nourishment for proper growth from getting through.

Where’s the connection, we hear you ask? Well, an enzyme called 5a-reductase synthesises testosterone and turns it into DHT. Effectively, it means that substances which increase testosterone levels, will also contribute to a rise in DHT levels.

Steroids that promote testosterone production for its muscle building properties are no longer available for commercial distribution and have been replaced with natural alternatives, such as DHEA (a stress hormone produced in the adrenal glands). We’d avoid it since those who ingest it for any other reason than to supplement a DHEA deficiency potentially end up with nefarious side effects. Likewise, although creatine is very popular and effective in boosting athletic performance, numerous studies have shown that it does raise testosterone levels.

dieta-fitness

To be clear, all we’re saying here is that these dietary supplements are best avoided if you’re genetically predisposed for Hair Loss, or if you’ve already started experiencing thinning, as in these situations high testosterone levels are likely to aggravate the condition.

Unsure what is causing hair loss?

If you are unsure about what is causing your hair loss we have a hair loss DNA test called the The Fagron TrichoTest. This test works by analysing 3 polymorphisms within 16 DNA mutations (SNPs), analysing a total of 48 genetic variations. The test combines the analysis of genetic variations, lifestyle factors and literature related to hair loss treatment. The results will allow the patient to see the likely cause of their hair loss and our team of hair loss experts will be able to suggest the most appropriate treatment options through topical, oral or surgical solutions.

The Private Clinic

At The Private Clinic, we play host to a number of expert Consultant Trichologists as well as elite Hair Transplant specialists, in order to offer complete hair solutions to our patients.

For more information on Hair Thinning, Hair Loss and Trichology, click here.

To know more about our renowned FUE Hair Transplants, click here.

Hair Trichologist vs. Hair Transplant Specialist

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It’s said that hair is a woman’s vanity – but the confidence of both men and women can be rattled equally when faced with hair loss. When it comes to our mops, hair loss, or Alopecia, is often the most likely trigger to make our alarm bells go off. The thing is, a number of factors can be responsible, and while some of them will be genetic, others may not be.

You could choose to consult a GP but why not see the people with the relevant know-how, who in these cases, are going to be trichologists and hair transplant experts. Each specialty serves different purposes so we wanted to clarify what each has to offer.

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Trichology or Hair Transplant?

Trichology is the study of the health of hair and the scalp. You go to see a Trichologist to diagnose and treat your hair-related problems. They are experts in all things hair and scalp, and their aim is to reach an understanding of all the different factors that can affect the health of your hair and scalp.

A trichologist will want to understand your lifestyle, diet, family history and medical conditions, to assess how these factors could be influencing the condition of your hair. They are able to advise you on texture, hair thinning or hair loss, scalp problems such as dandruff, to more serious conditions like Psoriasis or Pityriasis Amiantacea (when a group of scalp hairs is surrounded by sticky and thick scale).

Men – Male Hair Loss

Male hair loss is a gradual process, yet it can affect a man’s confidence just as it can a woman’s.

Men generally tend to associate hair loss solutions to hair transplants. It’s important to keep in mind that if you rank between levels one and two on the Norwood Hair Loss Scale, then a Trichologist may be able to help you treat the condition or prevent further hair loss. Hair transplants are solutions for hair restoration in areas where there are balding or existing bald patches.

Norwood Scale The Private Clinic Hair Loss

Women – Female Hair Loss

Things get a bit more complicated with women – mostly because their bodies are on what seems like a never-ending, hormonal, roller-coaster ride. Hormones will particularly go through changes following pregnancy, menopause, through the use of contraceptive pills or if suffering from Anaemia. Let’s not forget the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, which is similar to a game of roulette in that you never know how it will affect you personally. With some women it increases unwanted hair growth, while with others it may be a contributing factor to hair loss.

Women who experience any sort of initial hair thinning or falling hair should start by arranging a consultation with a Trichologist. Once the cause is found, the Trichologist can move on to suggesting a form of treatment, be it products (shampoos, topical foams) or supplements.

A Hair Transplant is usually only an option for women who experience male pattern baldness, have some sort of patchy alopecia, or for those who would like to lower their hairline.

Hair Loss Patterns

 

More importantly, the sooner you get diagnosed by an experienced Trichologist, the better the opportunity to find a suitable treatment. If the Trichologist finds that you may need a restorative treatment, they will refer you on to one of our esteemed and highly reputable Hair Transplant experts.

Hair Loss DNA Test

Our hair loss DNA test is ideal for patients who are experiencing hair loss and would like to know what the cause is. The Fagron TrichoTest takes an oral swab sample from the patient along with a detailed questionnaire about their health and lifestyle and presents a list of possible causes of hair loss. Being able to detect the early signs of hair loss is important to be able to maintain and protect the existing hair follicles. Using the results of the TrichoTest, our hair loss experts will be able to create a personalised treatment plan is going to help give you the best results by choosing the best and most effective treatments.

The Private Clinic

At the private clinic we pride ourselves in our selection of expert staff, and with over 30 years of experience, you can rest assured that you’re in the hands of professionals. Our Trichologists are all qualified members of the Institute of Trichologists, while our hair transplant team includes Dr Luca De Fazio and Dr. Reddy, who are some of the biggest names in the field.

We offer Trichology consultation at our Glasgow, London and Leeds clinics.

Our leading hair transplant specialists are based in Birmingham, Leeds, London, Manchester, Bristol and Glasgow

Hair Loss Survey Reveals Nearly 50% of Men Would Shorten Their Life to Avoid Being Bald

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What would you do to make sure you never went bald? A new survey reveals that over 30% of men are more worried about going bald than erectile dysfunction and nearly 50% said they would be willing to live shorter lives to ensure they wouldn’t go bald. Men between 41-50 were the most likely to trade away.

No Need For A Comb? The Private Clinic Could Help
No Need For A Comb? The Private Clinic Could Help

The survey was commissioned by Alpecin, a pharmaceutical and cosmetics company. The survey found particular worries about balding are increasingly evident in 21-30 year old men. There are lots of studies and surveys out there that link attractiveness to success and for some people hair is a quality of attractiveness so it’s little wonder that some men are concerned. We recommend fully researching any procedure or treatment before going ahead so that you are in the best position possible to make an informed decision.

It can be very easy to say such things in a survey and reality is very different but it does raise some interesting points about the dissatisfaction men face at the prospect of going bald. The main hair loss treatments are hair loss medications (minoxidil and finasteride), which may help slow down the balding process but the only permanent hair restoration treatment is a hair transplant. There are also other scalp micro-pigmentation and hair pieces/wigs but they do not offer the long-term and natural looking results most patients are looking for if they are balding.

Hair Loss Medication

Minoxidil and finasteride are often commonly known by their brand names – Regaine/Rogaine and Propecia respectively. Minoxidil comes as a cream, foam or spray and is usually used twice a day to promote healthy skin and follicles and it helps to dilate the blood vessels in the applied areas. Finasteride inhibits the enzyme that helps to convert testosterone to DHT, which is responsible for miniaturisation and the primary factor in male pattern baldness. For more info please see our blog post on DHT by clicking – DHT and hair loss.

Hair Transplants

There are two competing procedures often used – FUE and FUT hair transplants. FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and FUT (Follicular Unit Transportation) are quite different procedures but with similar results – a hair transplant. FUE involves extracting and transferring individual hair follicle units under local anaesthetic from a donor area and it leaves little visible scarring. FUT, also known as micrografting, involves invasive surgery to extract a strip of skin and follicles from the back of the head, which is then cut up and transplanted to the transplant area. This requires considerable downtime and is unsuitable for many people who will lose more hair and wish to wear their hair short. It requires considerable downtime and post-operative care whereas FUE involves very little downtime and it can be done far more discreetly. We only offer FUE hair transplants at The Private Clinic because we only offer the best treatments and procedures. As we specialise in minimally invasive procedures we further feel FUE is more suitable for our patients.

Prince Harry’s Hair Loss – Is It Time for a Hair Transplant for Prince William and His Brother?

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Prince Harry used to joke about Prince William’s hair loss but now the joke is set to come back at him as he is spotted out with a spot of hair loss, it seems. Do you think Harry is likely to be balding by 50? Do you think William is likely to be bald by 35, as some hair specialists are saying? Let us know on social media. We’d love to know your thoughts.

Prince Harry Hair Loss

There’s only two years between the siblings but a lot of difference already with their hair loss. Harry has been joking that William has been going bald since the age of 12 but fortunately there are things he could do to halt further balding and take back control with a hair transplant. It is important to use the latest techniques and choose an experienced hair transplant surgeon, if you want long-lasting and natural-looking results. It is also important to understand why you are balding so that you can do all that you can, comfortably and reliably, to halt the progression as much as possible, even with the use of FDA medication. If you do opt for hair loss meds, always make sure that you follow the guidance of a hair loss expert.

Prince William Hair Loss

Male Pattern Baldness

Male pattern baldness affects most men by the age of 50 and 28 year old Prince Harry looks set to be no different. DHT is to blame for male pattern baldness – something we explored recently in a blog post you can see by clicking on this link – DHT. Unfortunately DHT is an essential part of growing up as it is an androgen hormone – or one that related to masculine characteristics – so it cannot be avoided completely. DHT is involved in a process called ‘miniaturisation’, leaving the follicles starved of nutrients, growing thinner and less strong. However you can inhibit the production of DHT in adults with one of only two approved hair loss medications – finasteride or as it is more commonly known by a brand name Propecia.

The Private Clinic

We offer hair loss treatments for men and women – with our Propecia and Minoxidil medical treatments – as well as the only permanent hair loss solution: a hair Transplant. We only use the latest FUE hair transplant technique as we believe it affords patients superior results to the more traditional and outdated ‘strip’ method.

For lots of info about our FUE hair transplants: https://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/treatments/hair-transplant-men/

For info all about our hair loss treatments, including finasteride and minoxidil: https://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/treatments/hair-loss/