Balding Banter

Artistry In Hair Restoration

2008-05-28T10:00:00-07:00

Artistry in hair restoration is one of the key differentiating points between an average result and an excellent one -- one that is both natural and maximizes the appearance of fullness.

It is not difficult to take hair from the back of the head and move it to a bald or thinning area on the scalp. However, an artistic hair restoration surgeon is not simply in the "moving business".

Since the surgeon is only able to use a small number of hair grafts relative to what was once there, the importance of angle, direction and orientation of the grafts becomes critical for greater hair density and for achieving the most natural, aesthetically-pleasing result. When I look at a patient, I take into consideration the anatomy of my patient’s face, the shape of their head as well as their facial features. Recognizing that hair restoration is constructed on a three dimensional canvas, is key. I design a hair line that takes all of these factors into consideration along with the age of the patient, degree of loss, availability of donor hair, family history and hair quality as well as the patient’s desired goals.

My patients don’t come to me for just surgery; they come to me for results that are life changing, changes that you have to live with -- today, tomorrow and for the rest of their lives.

Surgery itself is not the challenge, rather the challenge is finding an artistic surgeon with an eye for the subtleties that create an undetectable result. Ask yourself, what look is important to you: Cosmetic or natural? That answer should guide your search for your personal hair restoration surgeon.

The Criticality of a Superior Surgical Tech Team

2008-05-22T10:00:00-07:00

Patients who have never had a hair transplant procedure are often surprised to learn that the surgeon does not perform every step of the procedure by him or herself. Veterans of the hair transplant procedure are not only relieved but very comfortable with the fact that the formula for success relies on the surgical team created by the surgeon. This is imperative because today’s procedure often involves the microscopic dissection of 3000 grafts and subsequent implantation which is all performed in one day. At Ziering Medical the surgeon will establish a short and long term hair restoration plan which includes surgical and non-surgical treatment options and combinations. Additionally, your surgeon will outline the treatment zone with a surgical pencil to help you visualize the transformation that will take place with your hair restoration.

Our surgical tech teams are composed of at least five members. They microscopically sliver the donor strip and then dissect the individual grafts into one, two, three or four hair follicular units which are then placed into the recipient sites that have been created by your surgeon.

Our highly qualified and selectively chosen senior staff has been trained specifically in the latest industry and Ziering patented techniques. Completing a year-long intensive training program is a requirement for every member of every surgical team. We have a Team Leader as well as Surgical Coordinator for every case, so there are always checks and balances during your surgery which is orchestrated by the surgeon. It’s a very meticulous process that requires great attention to detail over long periods of time. The ability to rotate and tag team fresh hands and eyes, preventing fatigue, insures that the highest quality of care can be delivered to every surgical patient throughout the entire procedure.

A great surgical team can make a good surgeon even better, but a bad team can make a great surgeon have poor results. That is why we take great care in hiring, training and continually investing in our Ziering family of surgical technicians. I take great pride in my team whom I consider to be highly skilled craftsmen. We will not compromise in our staff, as they contribute in making a difference in our patient’s lives every day.

Advice for the Terminal [Hair]

2008-05-16T03:03:45-07:00

Live life to the fullest.

Experiment with new styles.

Avoid being seduced by quacks perporting to be able to cure you.

Take your medicine. Even slowing down the inevitable can be worthwhile.

Associate with your neighbors (as they can be a great source of support).

Spend time with family. They have determined your fate and you will impact theirs.

Enlist the services of a great stylist. He or she is professionally trained to assist you in looking your best.

Place your faith in a competent doctor. Today's new treatments can add life to your years.

Brought to you by the staff of Ziering Medical - masterful magicians of the mane.

What's the difference between FUE's and FUT's?

2008-05-07T15:30:00-07:00

From time to time I'm asked, what's the difference between follicular unit transplant and follicular unit extraction? In Follicular Unit Transplantation the hair for relocation is obtained by surgically excising a strip of hair bearing skin from the donor region of the scalp. The skin edges of this wound are then sutured closed and the result is typically a thin, fine line scar oriented horizontally across the back of the head. Follicular Unit Extraction or FUE is a contemporary revival of an antiquated technique of obtaining donor hair in which a small circular cutting instrument is used to harvest follicular units one at a time from the donor area. Each harvest or extraction creates a small circular scar and a transplant session creates a number of discontinuous, individual scars contrasting with the continuous liner scar of FUT. Short hair styles are well supported with either method of harvesting. Large session sizes are much more easily accomplished utilizing FUT technique and costs for FUE are often quadruple the cost of FUT on per graft basis.

[ Yet to be ] recovered from a Japanese physician's collection of poetry circa 1940

2008-05-07T01:32:58-07:00

I wnt (sic) looking for some hair one day

in the merry, merry month of May

Up hill, down dale... all to no avail

Until by chance, while gazing askance

I spied to my considerable surprise

population hordes running asunder

And I began to wonder...

DHT- What is it and can I get rid of it?

2008-05-05T17:05:55-07:00

DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is the hormone responsible for male pattern hair loss. A man produces the hormone testosterone. The body then breaks down this testosterone into the metabolite hormone called dihydrotestosterone or DHT. Before and during puberty this DHT is used by the body for other physiological functions of development. But after puberty this DHT really has no physiologic use. It is however still formed and produces effects that are less than desirable. One of those is hair loss.

If one has the genetic receptor inside the hair follicle for the DHT hormone, it will attach to the receptor and cause miniaturization of the hair follicle over time. Eventually it will cause total destruction of the hair follicle and baldness results. You either have the genetic receptor in the hair follicle or you don't. Men who don't lose their hair still produce the DHT hormone. It is just that they don't have the receptor for it in their hair follicle so it can't cause thinning or baldness in that person.

You can't get rid of the DHT hormone altogether, but you can decrease the production of it. This is accomplished through taking the oral pill Propecia (finasteride 1mg). Propecia blocks some of the production of DHT by inhibiting the converting enzyme that changes testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. If the production of DHT is inhibited then its effect on the hair follicle is inhibited as well.

We can educate you further on medical and surgical management options of hair loss at Ziering Medical. Call today for your complimentary consultation and get started on stopping and/or replacing your hair loss today.

Hair Loss in the African American Community

2008-05-01T15:10:34-07:00

“Alopecia’s in black women are common. It is the fifth most common dermatoses in African Americans, with chemical and traction alopecia cited as the predominant types” as Dr. Ziering stated, addressing a full crowd, standing room only of over 61 African American men and women from the Marina del Rey community.

His poignant lecture of the psychological impact and differences of hair loss due to hair styles and grooming practices among the African American community hit close to home for many men and women. Dr. Ziering empathized with the masses as he has found that women in particular, regardless of race with hair loss has largely been unheard by the larger medical community. In fact, there is less social acceptance with increased social anxiety, more stress and decreased psychosocial well being. Patients are often told that there is no treatment available and that she should consider wearing a wig.

Well Dr. Ziering found this to be unacceptable. As an industry pioneer, leader and lecturer he remains in constant pursuit of seeking and developing new technology and surgical procedures like the Sneak Peek Long Hair Transplant Technique. He also specializes in facial hair aesthetics and corrective procedures to camouflage scars from burns, trauma and other cosmetic procedures including outdated “plug” techniques. Ultimately, as Dr. Z expressed to his listeners, those that benefit from his skills are the one’s whom he cares about the most: his patients.

However, what separates Dr. Zieirng from the rest of his competitors is that he recognizes there are differences and certain keys to success which must be utilized when performing hair transplant surgery successfully in African American patients. And it is this greater understanding of these differences as to why so many seek Dr. Z’s talents.

You Are Never Too Old To Look Your Best!

2008-04-29T16:30:25-07:00

These past couple of weeks I have been delightfully surprised to have patients who have been in their 70's. This just reminds me that we are never too old to look our best. And while a hair restoration procedure is one that is usually done with expendable income, you don't have to wait until you are in your 70's to have saved enough money to have the procedure done.

At Ziering Medical we provide an affordable procedure with the most advanced technology and best results possible in today's industry. There are many financing options available as well.

Even if you are beginning to lose your hair in your late teens or early twenties, call Zieirng Medical today for an individualized evaluation that can offer you both medical and surgical options that will best suit your particular needs. If you are in your 30's, 40's or 50's- what are you waiting for- call today, you don't have to wait until you are in your 60's or 70's to be able to afford a hair restoration procedure. However if you are in your 60's, 70's, or even 80's, remember that you are never too old to look your best, so you too should call Ziering Medical today.

It's about Time... It's about Space...It's about New Hair in the Strangest Place [ Back on top of your Head ]

2008-04-27T22:31:54-07:00

If you're old enough to remember the TV show whose theme song contained these slightly paraphrased lyrics - then you stand a 50% chance of having sustained a significant degree of hair loss at this point in your life. A typical profile of a gentleman who visits us during these middle years reveals a degree of loss which is discernable to all yet often with some degree of retained hair. This presentation is the 'sweet spot' for surgical hair restoration as the regrowth of lost hair following transplant ensues so subtly within the retained hair framework that it frequently avoids detection by even close family members and friends.

At a time when increasing numbers of medical practitioners are embracing the concept of manipulating hormonal levels so as to slow down age-related changes that otherwise predictably occur and detract from one's physical prowess - why not additionally embrace the look of your youth - especially when it is available without having to adopt an appearance that is in any way different from that you once enjoyed ?

It is a particularly enviable position for us in the niche of surgical hair restoration at Ziering Medical to be able to offer restorative work that so closely mimics nature's original design that even when a person's appearance is changed such that renewed vitality is evident - the source of the change is frequently not perceived [ and when disclosed by choice on the part of the hair transplant recipient is often refuted by the examiner whose eyes fail to view anything other than a perfectly natural appearing head of hair ].

So look you (again) without looking done over. And take a trip back in time to a place you once enjoyed. Just make sure the physicians at Ziering Medical captain your journey.

Cutting Edge Research

2008-04-23T09:46:36-07:00

At Ziering Medical, advancing the art of hair restoration is truly my passion. As a leader in innovative techniques, I promise to provide my patients the latest in cutting edge technology and state of the art procedures.

I'm excited to share with you my latest research endeavor in the field of regenerative medicine. Unlike stem cell research, this technology will offer huge potential benefits for current unmet therapeutic needs without the controversial issue of embryonic stem cell or animal product use.

This new technology has yielded a product that's been tested for its ability to induce hair growth and data shows that the material, when injected, stimulated resting hair follicles as well as inducing new hair follicle formation.

Although still in preclinical studies, hair multiplication (cloning) maybe just around the corner.