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by Alan J. Bauman, MD, ABHRS
February is the month of love, so it got me reflecting on some romantic comedies I’ve seen that I particularly enjoyed. Do you remember the 2005 film, “Hitch,” starring Will Smith? It’s about a “date doctor” who helped men, who didn’t know how, get the women of their dreams – even ones they didn’t think were get-able.
Well, I realized that I have something in common with Hitch. I’m a “hair doctor,” and I can often help you get the hair of your dreams – even when you think that kind of hair isn’t get-able (minus all the drama).
And then there was the 2000 movie, “What Women Want,” starring Mel Gibson, and I thought about the fact that one of the things many women tell me they want is a man with hair!
OK. Enough of the silly romantic movie references. Let’s get serious.
Losing your hair is no laughing matter, and in my practice there’s no “one size fits all” approach to helping you restore it. That’s why during my 25 years in practice, I’ve researched, carefully chosen, and added numerous options to produce the best possible result for each individual’s particular situation (for both men and women).
There are too many to include in this article, but here are several of my favorites (and patient favorites as well).
TED
Patients tell me it’s easy to fall in love with TED. TED (Trans-Epidermal Delivery) is a highly effective innovation that treats hair shedding, hair loss, and thinning hair.
It’s ideal for people who’ve avoided getting medical treatment for thinning hair, like PRP, because they’re averse to having their blood drawn.
TED is needle-free, pain-free and requires no anesthesia.
Your skin (including your scalp) is designed to keep out moisture and other substances we might come into contact with in our environment. That’s good for our health but not ideal if we’re trying to get beneficial substances past this barrier.
That’s where TED comes in.
How it works
First, we slowly move our FDA-cleared Class 1 medical device that looks like a small massage tool over your scalp. Gently it emits safe ultrasonic sound waves and air pressure. There is a little vibration, but no discomfort or pain whatsoever. (Many patients fall asleep at this point because it’s so relaxing!)
Then, we apply a specialized topical hair growth serum on your scalp in the treatment zone and move the device over the area where we want the serum to be absorbed.
The 20-25-minute process enhances the penetration of the serum into your scalp by temporarily increasing scalp permeability and blood flow. It also stimulates hair follicles to produce thicker, stronger, healthier hair. And here’s an amazing fact. TED has been clinically proven to start minimizing shedding and improve hair growth and scalp health within minutes. That’s right. Within minutes.
What does TED do best?
TED is ideal for patients wanting to improve their hair’s overall thickness and appearance. It treats early male or female pattern hair loss, excessive shedding and enhances other hair growth therapies you may already be doing. It also addresses hair loss after COVID or other infections, patchy beards, and even weak eyebrows.
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
PRP is a comfortable in-office procedure with no recovery time, downtime, or significant risk. Derived from a small blood sample, platelets are separated from other components of the blood, concentrated, then painlessly applied into the scalp under local anesthesia where weak hair follicles exist, promoting hair growth for at least a year for most patients.
PDOgro™
Researched and developed here at Bauman Medical, we were the first U.S. hair restoration clinic to use PDO threads to enhance hair growth. PDO, or polydioxanone, is a synthetic absorbable FDA-cleared material placed in the scalp to stimulate hair growth. The threads dissolve and are absorbed over time, safely stimulating collagen production and new blood vessel formation, and triggering the release of hair rejuvenating growth factors within the skin. Typically done with PRP, the results can last 12-18 months.
FUE
(Follicular Unit Extraction)
FUE is an advanced, minimally invasive method of harvesting hair follicles from the sides and back of your scalp (those not affected by DHT, the hormone that makes hair fall out), as little as one follicle at a time, without a scalpel incision or the need for sutures or staples.
FUE replaces the older invasive method of “strip” or linear harvesting known as FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation), which had a longer, more uncomfortable recovery and leaves a telltale linear scar. FUE provides a permanent, natural-looking living and growing result, with no linear scar to hide.
Getting Started
Interested in falling in love with your hair again? Make a date with me, your personal “Hair Doctor,” and I’ll tell you about your many options – and you don’t even have to give us a box of chocolates. Just give us a call at 561-220-3480 or point your camera at the QR code below to schedule your private one-on-one
in-person or virtual consultation.
Tips on Finding a Hair Restoration Physician
A top hair restoration physician is someone who specializes exclusively in the medical diagnosis, treatment, and tracking of hair loss and hair regrowth, as well as the latest in hair transplantation procedures. A top hair restoration physician has typically been recognized by his peers and the industry as a pioneer, leader, expert, and educator in the field.
Look for a full-time hair transplant surgeon certified by the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS) and accepted by the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS).
Avoid part-time or “non-core” cosmetic physicians/plastic surgeons who may offer multiple types of cosmetic procedures on their “menu,” but lack specific expertise, training, credentials, and experience in hair restoration.
Due to the limited number of full-time, experienced ABHRS-certified hair restoration physicians worldwide, prospective patients should be prepared to travel and-or consult “virtually” via a simple video call, one-on-one with your doctor.
Avoid the lure of coupons, discounts, or free consults when seeking cosmetic treatments or procedures, especially hair transplants. Consider if a surgeon offering a “Free Consultation,” “Discount,” or “Rebate” truly has your best interest in mind.
Before choosing your doctor, visit the clinic, read reviews, ask for before-and-after pictures, and most importantly, ask questions about how to achieve your desired results and what should be done to maintain them.
Ask for a referral from your primary care doctor or dermatologist to a full-time Hair Restoration Physician who is fully equipped and trained to diagnose, treat and track your hair loss process and achieve your hair restoration goals.
Bauman Medical
Hair Restoration for Men and Women
www.BaumanMedical.com
561-220-3480