Dr. Behnam's Modified Strip-Method Hair Transplant Protocol
In this article, Dr. Behnam will discuss the modification that has been done to the hair transplant protocol. For information on a Strip-method hair transplant, please click here. The modifications below are the products of research performed by Dr. Behnam to enhance the current hair transplant technique and procedures. Please note that some procedures are off-label uses of FDA approved methods, devices and protocols.
A traditional hair transplant consists of harvesting a strip of hair from the posterior part of the scalp, closing the donor site, dissecting the harvested hair into individual grafts, designing the frontal hair line, and placing the grafts into the recipient sites.
Any potential hair transplant recipient has two questions, how do we minimize the scar on the back and how do we make sure the final result is satisfactory?
To ensure best aesthetic outcome of the scar and the recipient site, the 5 following modifications have been made to the traditional hair transplant protocol.
1. Trichophytic technique & Dr. Behnam propriety scar minimizing technique:
During the initial consultation with Dr. Behnam, you will be given a specific set of exercises to perform at home. Over the years, these exercises have come to be known as Dr. Behnam's propriety scar minimizing technique. In addition, during the procedure, the strip is harvested in a specific ways to minimize the scar. Then, the area is closed using the Trichophytic technique. Trichophytic technique consists of cutting a triangular strip from the edge of the scar prior to closure. All of the above mentioned techniques will help minimize the scar.
2. ACell & Hair Laser Therapy
After the strip is harvested, the hair grafts are dissected under microscopes. Traditionally, the grafts are then placed into the recipient sites in the scalp.
In order to stimulate the hair follicles, Dr. Behnam now uses two technologies during the hair transplant procedure. One of them is called ACell. ACell is an FDA approved, patented technology consisting of natural growth factors. Recent data has shown ACell as a possible stimulator of hair follicles and autocloning. The second technology involves hair laser. Red hair lasers have been used in the hair transplant field for years. These hair lasers have been shown to have beneficial effect particularly after a hair transplant. Dr. Behnam uses these two technologies to stimulate the hair follicles during hair transplant surgery day.
After the hair grafts are harvested, they are placed into a container containing ACell. The grafts are allowed to bath in them for a specific duration of time. Afterwards, the grafts are placed under the red hair laser light for a specific duration of time. Both bathing the hair grafts in the ACell growth factor matrix and under the red laser light will have stimulatory effects on the hair grafts.
3. ACell used an autocloning of hair grafts:
After the hair transplant is completed, ACell is injected into the recipient sites of the scalp. ACell is an FDA approved acellular biomaterial consisting of naturally occurring growth factors. The growth factors injected immediately after a hair transplant will stimulate hair follicles to grow and will induce autocloning of hair grafts.
4. Hair Laser Therapy following hair transplant:
Immediately after a hair transplant as well as weeks after, our patients are placed under the hair laser light for about 20 minutes. The hair laser will not only prevent the hair follicles from going through their natural fall-out stage but will also stimulate the hair follicles to grow, giving a much better and faster hair transplant outcome.
