FUT Hair Transplant Diffuse Thinning
If you’re considering a FUT hair transplant, diffuse thinning is different than pattern baldness and it is important to understand this difference. In order to determine whether you will respond well to this surgery, it is essential that you understand the root causes of your hair loss. It can be difficult to determine whether diffuse thinning or pattern baldness is the cause of your hair loss. In this article, we will explore the difference, and help you to decide whether a FUT hair transplant diffuse thinning treatment is the best choice for you.
Telogen Effluvium Explained
Telogen effluvium, and is the most common cause of diffuse hair thinning. It is a condition that causes an increased number of hairs to enter the resting and shedding phases. It is normal for a person to shed between 50-100 hairs a day. If a person is noticing increased hair shedding that exceeds this amount, telogen effluvium could be to blame.
The Hair Growth Cycle
To determine if hair transplant diffuse thinning surgery is right for you, you should understand the hair growth cycle. The hair growth cycle has three distinct stages: anagen, catagen, and telogen. The Anagen phase is also known as the active phase. This is when the hair is growing. The hair follicle is fully attached to the dermal papilla. This allows the hair to grow up through the scalp and increase in length.
When a person is healthy this phase of the cycle will last anywhere from two to six years. The catagen stage is the transitional stage. The bulb at the base of the hair detaches from the dermal papilla, which is its blood supply. Following this, the hair enters the telogen phase where the hair fully detaches from the follicle and is shed.
When a person is suffering from telogen effluvium, the hair follicles remain in the telogen phase longer than they should. Or a large percentage of hairs enter the telogen stage at the same time. If a person is losing more hair than they’re growing, their hair will start to take on a thin appearance.
Signs Of Diffuse Thinning
One of the earliest signs of telogen effluvium is when a person starts noticing increased hair loss. Especially after brushing or showering. Some people may notice the majority of the thinning is taking place at the hairline or at the part line. While others may experience diffuse thinning throughout the entire scalp. In some cases, a person experiencing telogen effluvium can lose up to 30-50% of their hair at one time.
Hospital-Based Study On Diffuse Thinning
A 2015 hospital-based study was conducted to determine the causes of diffuse thinning in women. The study determined that it is a multifactorial condition. This means that there are several different health or lifestyle factors that could be contributing to diffuse hair loss. 180 patients in total were studied, all of whom were experiencing diffuse hair loss.
All 180 study participants had a clinical examination and submitted a detailed health history. They also underwent a hair pull test, and hair microscopy. The participants underwent lab tests to determine whether iron deficiency anemia, thyroid dysfunction, or parasitic infestation were present. We’ll discuss these tests in greater detail below.
Hair Pull Test
During a hair pull test, the tester takes a handful of approximately 40 to 60 hairs grouped closely together. Followed by applying gentle traction. If the tester is able to easily pull out more than 10% of the hairs, the test is considered positive. When telogen effluvium is present the hair test will be positive. If the hair loss is due to pattern hair loss, or androgenic alopecia, there may be areas of the head where the hair pull test will be negative. For instance, the hair at the back of the head that is less susceptible to pattern baldness will test negative.
Hair Microscopy
Hair microscopy analyzes the morphologic characteristics of pulled hair using microscopic technology. The characteristics of the hairs are divided into three categories: typical club hair, atypical club hair, and distinctive AA hair. Typical club hair has a smooth, round bulb at the hair root. An atypical club hair is subcategorized further, presenting with club hair with tail, club hair with remnant sheath, club hair with both tail and remnant sheath, and unclassified hair. These categories describe various ways that breakage and tapering of the hair shaft are observed.
In this study, 20-50 hairs were plucked and examined under a microscope to estimate the percentages of anagen and telogen. Anagen hairs describe the active phase of the hair growth cycle. When telogen effluvium is not present, 80% of the hairs should be in the anagen stage. Telogen effluvium is diagnosed when 25% or more of the hair is in the telogen or resting stage.
Serum Ferritin Levels
Another thing that the study looked at was whether the participants had low ferritin levels. Researchers are still debating the connection between low ferritin levels and diffuse hair loss. They disagree about what the cut-off level of serum ferritin should be. Serum ferritin is also defined as a nutritional deficiency. Serum ferritin is related to intracellular ferritin and the body’s iron stores. Low ferritin concentration is a very specific sign that indicates iron deficiency.
The researchers compiled the data from the hair pull tests, hair microscopy, and lab tests. The study revealed some very interesting information. Out of the 180 participants the most common cause of hair loss, was telogen effluvium, with 64% of the participants testing positive. Furthermore, telogen effluvium or diffuse thinning was most prevalent in women between 21-30 years. The study found that iron deficiency anemia and psychological stress were the most common aetiological factors for telogen effluvium. Those are pretty astonishing findings.
If you are a woman in this age range experiencing increased hair fall, talk to your doctor. It could be helpful to get blood work done and discuss with your doctor whether to test for anemia. If you have been experiencing increased psychological stress, there are many ways to address that root cause. This could include lifestyle changes or practices such as meditation and breathwork. Bodywork treatments such as massage and reiki can also be helpful in reducing stress. While these things should not be a substitute for medical care, they can certainly be a great compliment.
Other Causes of Diffuse Thinning
In addition to iron deficiency anemia, and psychological stress, other factors that are suspected to influence telogen effluvium include:
- Severe illness or high fever
- Hormone changes after childbirth
- Thyroid imbalances
- Diseases impacting the liver or kidneys
- Malnutrition due to crash diets or eating disorders
- STIs such as syphilis
- Medication side effects (also known as drug-induced alopecia)
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
Pattern Hair Loss Vs. Diffuse Thinning Hairloss
Pattern hair loss is another common cause of hair loss and differs from diffuse thinning in many ways. Male pattern baldness is a genetic condition that causes androgens to impact the hair follicles. When it comes to female pattern hair loss, there is also a strong genetic component. The role that androgens play is less clear. Male pattern hair loss is characterized by the recession of hair from the temple. This is as well as balding at the hairline or the top of the head. Female pattern hair loss tends to present as thinning at the top of the scalp. Or it will present as an increased width in the middle part.
There is evidence of a connection between female pattern hair loss and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Pattern hair loss tends to occur earlier and more severely in women with PCOS. If there is a family history of PCOS or female pattern baldness, share this with your doctor.
Preparing For Your FUT Hair Transplant Diffuse Thinning Consultation
When preparing for your FUT hair transplant diffuse thinning consultation, it’s helpful for the doctor to have as much information about your health history as possible. This includes any lab tests. Some of the tests and examinations that should be performed include scalp examination. The doctor performs this not only to assess the pattern of hair loss but also to look for any inflammation. They will also look for scaling, fungal infections, scarring, or any other conditions affecting the scalp. Examining the scalp with a trichoscopy can yield further information about the health of the hair and scalp.
Your doctor or dermatologist should perform an assessment of the hair’s length. They should also note the diameter of each strand, as well as its susceptibility to breakage. Changes on the surface of the fingernails may also be present with diffuse thinning. Sometimes doctors can even observe beau lines. These are grooves in the nail that coincide with the time of arrested hair growth. Some blood tests that your doctor could order include tests for blood count and ferritin for anemia and iron deficiency. Your doctor may also order tests to assess thyroid, kidney, and liver function. If lupus erythematosus is suspected, your doctor might call for an antinuclear antibodies test.
In addition to this, a hair pull test should be performed, as described above. What’s needed for a FUT hair transplant diffuse thinning treatment to be successful? There must be enough healthy hair at the donor site. This is to ensure that there are enough follicular grafts. There must be enough grafts that can be harvested by the surgeon without impacting the hair’s overall appearance and density.
Finding The Root Cause
Many cases of mild telogen effluvium, such as those that occur after childbirth, will resolve on their own. Other times a person may need to make changes to their lifestyle in order to address the underlying root causes. If a person is experiencing chronic telogen effluvium, which is diffuse thinning that is ongoing, they may not be a good candidate for FUT. Our surgeon will recommend that the root causes of diffuse thinning be addressed first.
For example, if a person is experiencing chronic telogen effluvium due to iron deficiency anemia. That condition will continue to impact their hair follicles even after a hair transplant surgery. That means that the transplanted hairs could be shed in a diffuse pattern if the anemia isn’t addressed first. It would be disappointing for a patient to undergo hair transplant surgery only to see their transplant fail to thrive. We at Best Hair Transplant want our patient’s transplants to last for a lifetime.
Am I A Good Candidate For FUT Hair Transplant Diffuse Thinning Treatments?
When we assess whether a person with diffuse hair loss is a good candidate for surgery, it’s important to determine the type of diffuse hair loss they’re experiencing. For example, if the patient is experiencing diffuse patterned alopecia, which causes hair loss primarily on the top of the head, they can be a good candidate for FUT. This is because the hair at the back and sides of the head are not affected by diffuse thinning. This makes it possible for the doctor to harvest healthy follicular grafts for transplanting.
However, if the person is experiencing the other type of diffuse pattern hair loss known as diffuse unpatterned alopecia, a hair transplant may not be an appropriate course of treatment. This is because this type of hair loss falls in a pattern all over the scalp. It is harder to predict which follicular grafts will be viable in the long term. This means it’s hard to guarantee that the transplanted grafts wouldn’t become susceptible to diffuse unpatterned alopecia in the future.
FUT Hair Transplant Diffuse Thinning Surgery May Not Be Right for You
As you can see, if you’re considering FUT hair transplant diffuse thinning treatment, it’s important to find an experienced doctor. You want someone who is going to be thorough in their evaluation of your condition. They should be honest and forthright about what kind of expectations are realistic in terms of results.
People who are not considered good candidates for FUT surgery include people who were born without hair. Patients under the age of 24 are encouraged to wait to ensure they get the long-term results they desire. People with serious health complications such as heart disease, kidney or liver failure, or diabetes may not be suitable candidates for this surgery.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Diffuse Thinning
If you’re interested in FUT hair transplant diffuse thinning treatment, doctors recommend starting with the root cause. Get your scalp examination, hair pull test, and labs done by a doctor or dermatologist. Once you have this information compiled you can come up with a treatment plan to address the root causes. Here are some other effective treatments you can try in the meantime.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil or Rogaine is a topical medication that comes in both liquid and foam solutions. It can take several months of consistent use before you notice new growth. A person must use minoxidil continuously to maintain their results as well. If you stop applying the medication, after a while, your hair loss will resume.
Micro-needling
Microneedling is a home treatment device. It uses hundreds of tiny needles to stimulate circulation on the surface of the scalp. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, micro-needling is an effective treatment for hair loss. Especially if you use it alongside topical medication such as minoxidil. Ask your dermatologist about which micro-needling devices they most recommend, as well as treatment instructions.
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
LLLT treatments stimulate blood circulation to the scalp. In the process of doing so, they stimulate the cells within the hair follicle. This is a gentle, pain-free, non-invasive way to stimulate new hair growth. At Best Hair Transplant we offer the Capillus RX 312 which is the most powerful prescription-grade laser cap available. It is only available through hair restoration clinics and doctors that specialize in hair loss treatments.
The device only requires 6 minutes of use per day. It is easy for a person to use it at home. Its lightweight flexible design makes it easy for a person to wear under a ballcap for discreet use. The best news? It is gentle and easy to use. Plus, over 95% of patients see increased hair count in as little as 17 weeks. Unlike over-the-counter products, the Capillus RX 312 has been clinically tested and independently reviewed by third parties. And it has been FDA-cleared for the treatment of hereditary hair loss. It has been shown to stop further progression of hair loss and to restore lost hair. Because it stimulates the production of melanin, it can also reduce the appearance of grey hair.
Just as with topical medications such as minoxidil, results from the Capillus RX 312 will only last so long as a person is using it continuously. If you stop using the Capillus laser cap, your hair loss will resume as before. The only truly permanent solution to restoring lost hair is hair transplant surgery. However, many of our patients find that they like incorporating LLLT into their daily routines. Once the scalp has healed a patient may use LLLT laser therapy with the Capillus RX 312. This helps to stimulate the growth of their newly transplanted hair.
Advantages of FUT
Provided you have enough healthy grafts for transplanting, hair transplant surgeries such as FUT have high rates of success. There are many advantages to getting a FUT procedure, including that it tends to be less expensive than FUE. Patients also love this procedure because it is less time-consuming than FUE. Furthermore, patients don’t have to shave their hair at the donor site. This allows them to preserve more of their natural hair. This is especially great news for patients that like to wear their hair styled long.
This process of harvesting follicular grafts allows the doctor to transplant a larger quantity of grafts in a single session. This is an especially great option if the amount of hair loss in the recipient area is extensive. As long as you are in the hands of a skilled surgeon, you should have virtually no visible scarring. Find a surgeon with a background in reconstructive surgery or complex wound closure.
What to Expect with a FUT Procedure at Best Hair Transplant
Our surgeon uses a “baseball stitch” to hide this scar and give it a natural appearance once healed. The length of the linear scar will depend on the number of grafts required for your transplant. FUT is an in-patient procedure. The patient is under local anesthesia. Usually, the initial healing stage lasts for between 7-10 days. Most patients get their stitches removed around the 10-day mark.
When you attend your consultation your doctor will be able to give you an estimate of how many follicular grafts you will need. Most patients get between 1500-3000 grafts during a single session. Most health insurance doesn’t cover FUT. This is because they consider it a cosmetic procedure. However, we at Best Hair Transplant are proud to offer the best rates to our patients.
Lowest Priced FUT in Los Angeles
Our clinic is able to offer the lowest prices for our surgeries and services in the entire Los Angeles area. We are able to do this, even while some of our competitor charge double or even triple our rates. We are able to offer such great prices to our patients because we intentionally cut out unnecessary expenses. This makes it possible to pass those savings on to you.
We know how transformative hair restoration surgery can be. When our patients feel good about the appearance of their hair, their confidence and quality of life expand. We love hearing stories from our patients about how our services have positively impacted their lives. Read our testimonials to hear some of their amazing stories! You can also check out our before and after gallery. This is a great way to see what our FUT surgeries look like at each stage of the healing process.
We pride ourselves on providing our patients with safe, high-value services at an accessible price point. We believe that hair restoration should be accessible to the people who need it. If you’ve been struggling with diffuse thinning perhaps FUT hair transplant surgery is right for you. Contact our office today.
Affordable Los Angeles Hair Transplants
Best Hair Transplant is the best place to schedule your hair transplant in Los Angeles. We’ve helped both men and women regrow their lost hair. But don’t take our word for it. We suggest learning as much as possible about hair restoration. Do so prior to making a decision on how to address your hair loss. Not every procedure is right for everyone.
At Best Hair Transplant, we’re proud of our results and happy to provide hair restoration services. Additionally, we’re proud to make hair transplants affordable and help you save money on a variety of hair transplants. To ensure your ease of mind, you can view our customer recommendations HERE. Furthermore, you can also see our Google reviews and Yelp reviews. We can’t wait to help you start restoring your lost hair.
Best Hair Transplant
1970 S. Prospect Ave., Suite 2
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(213) 403-0455