A Breakthrough Treatment for Hair Loss
A full head of thick hair represents youth and vitality for women and men alike. Hair loss can be an emotional part of the natural aging process. More than 60 million people will experience it – 40 million men and approximately 21 million women suffer from male/female pattern baldness
or thinning hair.
Ross Clevens, MD, FACS of Clevens Face and Body Specialists stays on the leading edge of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery which is why he became certified to bring the latest breakthrough treatment for hair loss with hair transplantation to his patients.
The Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) method utilizing the NeoGraft Automated Hair Transplantation System, is the first and only FDA cleared follicular unit harvesting and implantation system. This makes it a more desirable option because of the benefits that this less invasive technique offers.
The FUE method removes individual hair follicles from the scalp in their naturally occurring groupings of about 1-4 hairs and are then placed in the areas of the scalp where balding has occurred. The advanced technology allows patients to achieve natural looking results with no linear scar, minimal downtime and a shorter recovery period to achieve a discreet solution to hair loss.
“It is a very detail oriented procedure,” explained Dr. Clevens, who is a fellowship-trained facial plastic cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon.
CONVENTIONAL STRIP METHOD (LEFT) VS. NEOGRAFT (RIGHT)
PHOTOS COURTESY OF NEOGRAFT
Other traditional techniques like the “strip method” of hair transplantation harvested a strip from the back of the scalp, leaving a big scar and incision site. The older technique gives hair a “pluggy” look like rows of corn. These methods created a less natural look because it didn’t involve harvesting individual hair follicles.
“No incision, no stitches, no scalpel, no scar” said Dr. Clevens, summing up the greatest advantages of the NeoGraft.
The system automates the surgical removal, collection, and placement of individual hair follicles, one at a time, eliminating the need to remove a large strip from the back of the scalp. The system can double the number of grafts transplanted per session, saving patients both time and money. Dr. Clevens performs the procedure with a team of hair technicians that have over 10 years of experience.
“It requires lots of focus, expertise and an artistic way,” he said. “It truly takes a team to do this.”
The sessions take four to six hours to perform. Patients are under local anesthesia and are given an oral sedative. The process is comfortably and safely performed in office. Because it is less invasive, patients can truly get back to work in 48 to 72 hours.
Both men and women can see dramatic results from the procedure. Men as early as 20 or 30 may experience hair thinning and hair loss can begin at any time in their adult lives. For women, hair loss is usually more of a thinning or scattered pattern and often appears as they reach the age of 55-60.
“Certain hairs are predestined to die which is why you see patterns of hair loss,” said Dr. Clevens.
The NeoGraft procedure can “fill in” areas of early loss or extensive replacement – including 
thousands of grafts during multiple sessions. Once the hair follicle has been implanted into the balding area, the grafted hair will stay in place for about two to three weeks before shedding. After shedding, the new growth will begin in 3-4 months; this is normal and an important part of the new hair growth process.
After that time period, the hair will continue to grow normally; the effects will look healthy and natural. The hair that is transplanted is genetically programmed to grow back so the results are generally permanent. Up to 97 percent of hair survives which is substantially better than the strip method and makes the technique more efficient and therefore affordable.
Additionally, Dr. Clevens pioneered a platelet-rich plasma gel that assists the natural healing process with stem cell therapy. It speeds up the healing process, decreasing down time, increasing hair survival rates and improving hair growth.
Achieve a younger appearance again with a natural looking head of hair. The best possible outcomes are accomplished with the new NeoGraft system.
How it Works
Step One: Donor Hair Removal
The NeoGraft procedure begins with hair being removed from the donor area in the back of your head where your hair is genetically programmed to grow back.
Step Two: Dissection of the Follicular Units
Each graft is extracted with the same consistency in diameter and length.
Step Three: Creation of the Recipient Sites
“Recipient sites” are created in the proper angle, direction and orientation according to the hair transplant plan Dr. Clevens designs specifically for you.
Step Four: Placement of the Hair Graft
The follicular units are then carefully separated by size. Grafts are transplanted into the balding and thinning areas of your scalp. Each graft is meticulously harvested as it naturally occurs and implanted individually to ensure the best results.
There are several major benefits of this new technology.
- It is the least invasive procedure for hair transplantation
- Patients feel little to no discomfort
- No stitches or staples are used
- No unsightly linear scar
- Flexibility for any hair style of your choice, short or long
- Shorter recovery time – patients can typically go back to work the next day
- Fewer restrictions on your normal daily activities
- Natural looking results
For more information, visit DrClevens.com. Call (321) 727-3223 to schedule a consultation.
Dr. Ross Clevens
Dr. Clevens is a fellowship-trained facial plastic cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon. A noted educator, author, lecturer and innovator in the field of facial plastic surgery, Dr. Clevens completed his undergraduate training at Yale, and medical school and internship at Harvard.
Dr. Clevens completed his residency and advanced fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School, where he also served as Chief Resident and as a member of the Facial Plastic Surgery faculty. He participates in the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Domestic Violence Project, offering pro bono reconstructive surgery to victims of domestic violence and trauma. Dr. Clevens has also founded Face of Change, a nonprofit charitable entity that brings medical care and delivers food to needy children in developing nations.
This article appears in the May 2015 issue of SpaceCoast Living HEALTH.
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