What to expect on the consultation day?
Meticulous discussion about the condition of hair loss or other hair diseases. Starting with history of the condition and how it progressed to the current condition and an insight on how it's expected to progress.
It would be also helpful to provide us with photos of your family members who have the same hair loss pattern. It is crucial to mention if you are on current medications and also if you are allergic to certain kinds of medication.
General examination, so any underlying medical problems should be controlled and marked as free before advancing with any medications or surgical options.Hair assessment and evaluation: The hair shaft and the hair bearing scalp will be inspected to document any existing lesions, scars or miniaturization.
For long hairs, a Pull Test will be performed to note the number of hair loss. Basically the hair will be combed with fingers gently multiple times and the number of hair loss will be counted.
The donor area will be inspected and its density will be calculated via the Dermoscope.
Some Laboratory tests will be required to be done to assess us with the diagnosis of the hair loss like:
Blood picture: Anemia is one of the hair loss problems, as the red blood cells are needed to deliver oxygen and nutrients for the hair cells to grow.
Iron profile: to treat low ferritin level and Iron deficiency anemia. The body needs a normal range of iron level to produce enough hemoglobin which is responsible to carry the oxygen within the red blood cells.
Thyroid function tests: Hypothyroidism, low Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 , affect the development and growth of hair, resulting in hair miniaturization across the scalp and eyebrows. Some people may have Gluten allergy, which triggers inside their body an auto-immune disease that attacks the thyroid cells resulting in decreased levels of T3 and T4.
Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 & Zinc levels
Hormonal profile: FSH, LH Androstenedione & Testosterone levels.
Other tests : Hepatitis B,C and COVID-19 tests will be required before the surgery. Also Coagulation profile: to check the bleeding status. Drugs causing low coagulation profile like Aspirin should be stopped one week before the surgery.
Hair restoration plan: Next we will discuss the optimum Hairline design for your hair loss condition based on the given donor area options and how many hair grafts needed to cover the recipient site. We will discuss which technique of hair restoration surgery is optimum for you and also the non-surgical treatment options beside the medications. Eventually you will have a clear and complete picture of your hair restoration journey.