Surgical Treatment

Hair Transplant Surgery for Men & Women

One of my research interests. There are actually many different types of hair loss patterns. Each with their own individual treatment and management. We use specialised tests and equipment to diagnose these. Most hair loss is reversible, however some types such as cicatricial alopecia are irreversible. I always tell my medical students, if they are unsure of the type of hair loss a patient has, they should refer them urgently to a  dermatologist for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Cicatricial alopecia is indeed a dermatological emergency.

Comprehensive hair treatment is provided at all our dermatology clinic locations in Somerset West, Sea Point and Century City Cape Town. Dr Parker provides specialist dermatologist treatment for the restoration of hair using various techniques. A thorough check and diagnosis will first be made by a specialist dermatologist as to not miss a rare cause of hair loss. The use of a dermatoscope and trichoscopy will always be used when assessing this.

Some techniques used at our specialist dermatology and hair clinic include platelet rich plasma (PRP). PRP hair treatment, or Platelet Rich Plasma therapy, is an innovative hair restoration procedure used to stimulate new hair growth around thinning areas. PRP’s regenerative technique has been used for years to aid in the healing process for those who have suffered an injury or
undergone surgery. Now, technological advancements have led to the use of PRP for hair loss restoration. Both men and women suffer from hair loss, and over 50% of the population will experience thinning hair as they age. For those looking to add thickness to their scalp, PRP hair loss treatment is a promising, non-surgical solution that can assist with this. PRP is available at our specialist dermatology practice in Somerset West only.

During PRP hair restoration, blood is drawn from the arm and then carefully spun using a specialised centrifuge; this process separates the platelet rich plasma found in your blood sample from the accompanying red and white blood cells. Once isolated, the PRP is then prepared for reinjection into the scalp. At the dermatologist practice in Somerset West, we will then use a small needle to inject
the platelet rich plasma into areas of thinning hair.

Other options include certain hair stimulating foams and gels, as well as certain medications which are used under specialist dermatologist supervision for hair loss.

Dr Parker and our friendly staff will be happy to meet with you to discuss hair loss treatments at our specialist dermatology practice in Somerset West.

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)

FUE – or Follicular Unit Extraction is a hair transplant process that replaces lost or thinning hair by taking healthy follicles from a donor area of the head (usually the back and sides) and transplanting them to a thinning area of the head, such as the hairline or crown.

FUE hair transplant works by extracting naturally occurring groups of one to four hairs, and transplanting these to the area of the scalp – typically the balding area.
Dr Parker and his team will first remove a number of grafts typically in groups of between one and four hairs from the safe donor area. These groups of hairs are usually extracted from the sides of the head or back of the neck, using a specialised extraction instrument less than 1mm in diameter. Our extraction device is imported from South Korea due to their high quality and reliability. These follicles are then transferred to the recipient area of the scalp and implanted using powerful surgical loupes.
Dr Parker takes great care to implant the hairs at the correct angle to mimic the old hair, just as it would naturally grow to ensure the newly transplanted hair blends perfectly and resembles a natural hair pattern.

FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant)

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is a surgical procedure where hair is transplanted from the permanent zone, the area in the back and sides of the scalp where hair is more resistant to balding, to the bald or balding areas of the scalp. The benefit of FUT here is that the best and strongest follicles are chosen from the permanent hair zone or donor area.

This is accomplished using naturally-occurring groups of 1, 2, 3, or 4 hairs, called follicular units. After the patient’s scalp is anesthetized, the doctor removes a strip of tissue from the donor area. This donor strip, under high magnification, is cut into thousands of individual follicular units.

The Dermatology and Hair Institute uses microscopes imported from Italy for microscopic dissection. Grafts are then inserted into chosen recipient sites within the bald area to provide a natural look.

Which hair transplant method is best?

Ultimately, the best hair restoration/ hair transplantation method is the one that works best to meet your needs. Dr Altaaf Parker is able to assess which method is best for your specific hair restoration journey. He is expertly trained in both methods and will be able to diagnose hair loss treatments appropriately. Some patients may indeed need a combination of both FUT and FUE hair transplant surgery.