FUE is defined as a hair transplant technique in which a small round punch is used to extract follicular units (meaning groupings of 1, 2, 3, and 4 hairs) from a patient’s bald resistant areas. These grafts are then transplanted into a patient’s balding areas. In the state of California for example, the punch cutting of each hair graft by the FUE technique is considered surgery and must only be performed by a licensed doctor. The success of the procedure lies in respecting the integrity of each and every graft from the point of extraction to the point of implantation.  Any rough handling of the grafts or air drying of the graft would compromise the integrity of the graft and the success of the procedure.

Neograft is a device currently being marketed as an FUE tool. The premise on which such machines work is based on speeding up the delicate process of FUE. The principle is based on a 3 step process:

1. A electromechanically rotated punch cuts around the follicle to separate it from surrounding attachments
2. Next, a suction mechanism sucks out the separated graft to a receptacle were it is stored.
3. Next, using a pneumatic (air) system the graft is pushed into premade slits in the balding area.

In the opinion of Dr Sanusi Umar who is a pioneer and world renowned leader in the field of FUE hair transplantation; these principles upon which the neograft and similar machines are based upon could constitute a problem to the integrity of the graft hence the success of the procedure. He states that points of concern for him include:

1. The use of air suction to transport the grafts from the cutting end to the receptacle poses a potential threat to the survival of the graft. He states that the most common cause of graft death is air drying. For that reason, the use of a method that literally air dries the graft even for a few seconds is potentially deleterious to the graft “we are suppose to baby in the FUE method”.
2. The air suction method would potentially strip the graft of some of the tissue surrounding it. This tissue serves as a protective buffer from inclement elements like air, dryness and trauma. Removing this buffer is potentially deleterious to the survival of the graft
3. As the graft is forced by suction forces through a tube that leads to the receptacle, it will be exposed to further trauma
4. Any process that is based on air used in pushing grafts into the balding area again introduces the potential for deleterious drying forces and may harm the survival of the FUE process

The net result is a graft that has been through the ringer. It has been subjected to deleterious drying forces, stripped of some of its protective tissue coating and banged and knocked about tube walls. Time would tell if the survival of grafts that are extracted using devices like the neograft would compare favorably to FUE grafts that were treated more delicately.

Dr Umar’s views regarding the neograft have been voiced by Dr William Rassman and Dr Robert Bernstein who were the first to coin the term Follicular Unit Extraction – FUE.

Dr Umar advices that all patients seeking FUE must ask the clinic or Dr to provide ample pictorial and / or video evidence of patient results that they have done using the FUE device in their arsenal. Very that  you are not shown at HT results performed by the strip method that is being passed off as FUE.

Dr Umar, mentions that the claim made by the proponents of neograft in that it is good for performing body hair transplantation aka BHT needs to be proven. Dr Umar who is perhaps the world’s leader of body hair transplantation with a very impressive portfolio of BHT based results states that the grafts derived from the beard and other body locations are more delicate when compared to head derived grafts, and would be less resistant to the destructive forces of air drying to which that grafts produced by neografts and similar devices could be subject. Dr Umar again advices patients to ask for proof of BHT results before committing to surgery by any clinic or individual. If they claim to be capable of performing BHT, ask them to show you results on patients they have performed BHT on using the neograft machine. In the case of BHT; ask to see these patients. Examine the beard and body areas from which the grafts were extracted.

Finally Dr Umar states that there are reports of the vendors of some of these touted FUE machines  supplying novice clinics with a retinue of non physician trainers that in some instances end up performing the FUE procedure in the clinic on an as- needed basis. However, in many states of the United States, that would be illegal. Unlike the traditional strip method of transplantation, each FUE graft must be punched out individually, one at a time directly from the scalp of a living breathing patient. This is considered surgery. Hence the removal of even a single FUE graft by person (s) not licensed to perform surgery in the state or country of jurisdiction would be illegal and must be reported to the controlling medical board for the offense of the practice of medicine by unlicensed persons. The clinics and / or doctors condoning such a practice would be liable to sanctions by their governing medical boards which in some instances might include license suspension or revocation. It is thus in the interest of the public that such practice are not condoned. Potential patients must ask the clinic or doctor before booking for the surgery for a written assurance that all surgical aspects of the procedure would be performed by a person who is licensed to perform surgery in the location of the clinic. Ask the doctor at consultation who would be performing your surgery.  Obtain the names of the persons performing your surgery for future reference.  This concern for the marketing hype heralding the neograft and its potential for its use in performing poor quality transplants by novice clinics and doctors or worse non-doctors is supported by the observations of Dr William Rassman.

Dr Umar opines that neograft as an FUE tool has lot of room for improvement and at this time is not the FUE answer. A device that avoids the use of air and avoids the banging of the grafts against narrow tubes and stripping it of its protective coating would be a step in the right direction and right now, neograft is not it. “The best way to perform FUE is to train with some of us that have been performing the procedure for years with a track record of consistent results.” It is a skill dependent procedure that has a mandatory doctor input that cannot be abdicated wholesale to vacuum device or non physicians.

Sanusi Umar, MD is a board certified dermatologist and the owner of the DermHair Clinic in Redondo Beach California. He is a faculty at the Harbor UCLA dermatology Division in Los Angeles.

You’ve probably heard about a relatively new hair restoration method called Follicular Unit Extraction – FUE for short. It’s an innovative approach in hair transplant technology that surgically restores hair without leaving the linear kind of scarring common with the “strip harvesting” approach. Instead of taking strips of scalp from one part of the head for insertion into another, the FUE approach relocates the units one group of hairs at a time. It’s a delicate, demanding procedure, but the results are worth it.

Recently, the Neograft device, a vacuum-based machine, has exploded on the scene due to heavy marketing. Consumers should make informed choices based on diligent research, rather than TV shows endorsements. Some HT experts have cautioned about potential problem areas with neograft or devices using suction as part of their technology in FUE. There are reports that some of these machines are being marketed to novice clinics and doctors with no formal training in either basic hair transplantation, let alone FUE techniques.

Dr. Umar is troubled by the reports he’s received of failed FUE procedures done by persons in no way qualified to perform them who are using the Neograft machine. Instead of physicians conducting the FUE, Neograft technicians are sent to clinics to perform the actual procedure while the doctor looks on. A patient shows up for surgery expecting his doctor’s hands-on expertise ends up getting operated upon by someone who may not be licensed to perform surgery in the region the clinic is located.

Remember, FUE is a surgical procedure. Every single graft extraction involves cutting the skin. Because it is surgery, it is critical that a FUE hair transplant be done by an experienced, licensed medical doctor. Because it is surgery, it is illegal in many states in America for an unlicensed person to perform FUE transplant. This author opines that when a mass-production device like the Neograft is used by unlicensed personnel to perform a delicate procedure demanding a high level of skill, the potential for disaster is exponential.

Yet, thanks to an aggressive media and marketing campaign, the Neograft machine is hailed as the best solution to FUE procedures, despite the alarm raised by experts such as Dr. Umar. Other pioneers in the field of FUE, such as Dr. William R. Rassman and Dr. Robert M. Bernstein, share Dr. Umar’s concerns about the increasing use of this machine by unqualified, unlicensed persons as well as the flaws inherent to the device even in the hands of experienced FUE doctors.

The precision required for a FUE procedure leaves little room for novice errors. Although specialized technicians do play an important role in hair transplant procedures, their function is non-surgical. Remember, FUE is a surgical procedure; it involves penetration of the tissues of the body in order to directly insert the grafts into your head. Throughout the United States, as here in California, a license from the state medical board is required before a person is allowed to legally severe or penetrate the tissues of a human being in the course of treating diseases, injuries, deformities, and other physical and mental conditions.

In other words, FUE procedures must be restricted to those licensed to practice medicine. Clinics and doctors who support FUE procedures conducted by unlicensed persons could be liable to sanctions by their governing medical boards. This is not something often pointed out in the aggressive marketing campaigns.

It can be very difficult for a consumer to cut through the noise of an advertising campaign to find the truth. But there are steps you can take to help ensure that you have a safe procedure with the best possible end result.

• Learn a little bit about the FUE procedure and what it involves. By reading this post, you have already taken a necessary step to becoming informed!
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the person who will perform your surgery. When you go in for your consultation, ask about – and write down — the names, qualifications and license information of everyone to be involved in your surgery. Find out exactly what each person’s role will be. You are the patient. You have a right to ask.
• Ask the doctor if the device uses vacuum/air suction. A yes answer to this question is a problem in this author’s opinion.

For medical professionals, the answer is also simple. Physicians looking to incorporate FUE into their practice should take time to learn from their colleagues who have the experience and proven track record in the procedure. There is no substitute for this.

Although the causes are undetermined, alopecia totalis is believed to be an autoimmune disorder in which the white blood cells attack the hair follicles. This means that the body reacts to the hair follicles as intruders, like a sickness, and must get rid of them. Stress, another autoimmune compromiser, may exacerbate hair loss for someone suffering with alopecia totalis.

Alopecia totalis can affect people at any age, but generally targets both men and women less than 40 years of age. Children and young adults are most often victims of this traumatic hair loss. Research has found that, in Western society, approximately one in 250,000 women and one in 125,000 men will suffer with alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis.

For those with alopecia areata, hair loss may correct itself within about one year. However, those suffering complete hair loss from alopecia totalis may not be so fortunate. While there have been instances of total hair restoration, the chance of hair recovery is slight in the majority of alopecia totalis cases.

There is good news, yet. There are several hair loss treatment options for alopecia totalis, universalis, and especially areata. This includes:

1.     Topical steroids (creams, lotions, etc).

2.     Injectable steroids or intra-lesional steroid injections where the doctor injects low concentrations of steroids directly into the bald patches.

3.     Oral steroids. This is often used briefly in patients with hair loss from alopecia totalis or universalis.

4.     Contact allergy inducers or irritants: akin to inducing poison IVY in the hair loss areas, chemicals are applied to the area and the changes in immunity may resolve the condition.

The white cells that attack the native hair causing alopecia totalis would also attack grafted hair; hence hair transplantation is not advised as a treatment for this condition. The Hair Peace Foundation and other hair loss organizations can be a valuable resource for more information on alopecia totalis, alopecia areata, and alopecia universalis.

Latisse is a prescription eye drop in use by glaucoma patients who noticed that it had a wonderful side effect – their eyelashes grew longer and thicker over time. The FDA approved use of the drug for eyelash restoration in 2008.

Latisse extends the growth phase of your eyelashes and increases the number of sprouting hairs. You apply it once daily to your upper lash using a sterile applicator, and when you blink the medication spreads to your lower lash. It is critical that you never apply it to your eyeball or lower lid. It’s also important that your remove all makeup and contact lenses before application.

Results are usually seen in as little as eight weeks, with full results coming at 16 weeks. To maintain results requires continued use of the medication.

Have more questions about eyelash restoration? Click here and contact Dr. Umar for a free online consultation today.

If you would like additional information about Dr. Umar and his procedures for hair loss, please contact the DermHair Clinic in Los Angeles. A hair restoration consultation can easily be arranged online via for free. For an in-office appointment, please call the office at (310)318-1500 to check about appointment availability. In-office schedules for the most part are a bit more limited, so any information you can provide over the phone is great.

What Are Some Treatments For Hair Restoration?

• Propecia is a common finasteride drug used to stop hair loss by fighting the male hormone, DHT.
• Hair restoration surgery, such as “strip harvesting” or follicular unit extraction.
• False hair, such as hairpieces, wigs, and toupees.

Like with most conditions, early treatment of hair loss is better and will result in more successful results. For this reason, hair restoration patients have started getting younger.

For more information on hair loss or about Dr. Umar and his hair transplant procedures, please contact the DermHair Clinic in Los Angeles. A hair restoration consultation can easily be arranged online for free.

Generally speaking, Asian people have thicker hair follicles but less hairs per centimeter of scalp. This means the hair has the illusion of greater density, but in fact there’s not as much there to work with as it seems. The lower hair density requires great care when doing the transplant, and larger donor region must be used to obtain the hairs needed for the procedure. Another important factor to be aware of is that Asian people have a higher chance of developing keloids as a response to skin injury, which is why your history of keloids should be explored as part of the evaluation process.

See photos of one patient’s success, and watch a video featuring another lovely result.

Dr. Umar – board certified and with years of hands-on experience – has restored the hairlines of every ethnic group, and understands the individual needs required. Hair restoration is for everyone, as his track record proves.

Have more questions about the role of ethnicity in hair loss? Contact Dr. Umar for a free online consultation today.

Ringworm is nothing to be afraid of, yet it is important to catch it early in order to avoid hair loss. Your first step should be to consult a medical professional or dermatologist if you think you might have ringworm.

Have more questions about ringworm and hair loss? Contact Dr. Umar for a free online consultation today.

This patient’s severe baldness was exacerbated by bad transplants and several failed restoration surgeries done elsewhere. The aftermath:

• Several large widened strip scars that wrapped around his head.
• Scars in the crown and front from an attempt to suture a wig permanently to his head.
• Poorly angled large plugs consisting of five- to six-hairs.
• Severe pitting.
• Depleted donor supply from his head.

He was told by several hair transplant doctors and clinics that he was beyond repair, and would have to wait for hair cloning or hair multiplication. By the time he came to Dr. Umar, he was desperate.

Using Follicular Unit Extraction, Dr. Umar transplanted over 16,000 grafts from the man’s chest, stomach area, arms and legs, along with 2,000 grafts from his beard and another 1,500 grafts from the nape of his neck.

By the time he was finished, Dr. Umar restored the patient’s receding hairline from and hid his scars, a hair transplant repair that would be impossible to achieve using outdated methods.

Curious about ways to repair failed transplants? Contact Dr. Umar for a free online consultation today.

Though the technical procedure of Follicular Unit Extraction hair restoration is the same for all, there are some differences between ethnicities only an expert knows to take note of. Generally, Asian people have thicker hair follicles, which can result in the transplanted hairline ending up with a harsh, artificial look. But by using softer hair from the nape of the neck, Dr. Umar is able to consistently create an astonishingly natural look for Asian hair loss.

For this patient, 3,000 grafts were transplanted to create the new hairline. It was such a success that the patient has had a hard time convincing his professional barber that he has indeed had a hair transplant!

Dr. Umar – board certified and with years of hands-on experience – has restored the hairlines of every ethnic group, and understands the individual needs required. Hair restoration is for everyone, as his track record proves.

Have questions about ethnic hair restoration needs? Contact Dr. Umar for a free online consultation today.