Dr. Manoj Kumar

Hair transplantation surgery is a procedure where the hair follicles are taken from a donor site (usually the side or back of the head) and implanted on the recipient site that is on the area of baldness. This is a common treatment for men with androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness) where the hair follicles reduce due to the influence of androgenic hormones. It can also help women with female pattern baldness.

Many people have reservations about the procedure but hair transplantation comes with a number of advantages, such as:

Natural growth after surgery - The biggest and most obvious benefit of hair transplantation is that it improves your physical appearance and eliminates the problem of balding completely. This is because the implanted hair follicles continue their natural growth process after they have been transplanted. So, your hair does not look artificial. Premature bald spots often result in low self-esteem and self-confidence issues which can be effectively addressed by the surgery.

Uniform distribution of hair follicles - Hair transplantation with latest techniques gives natural distribution of hair and proper coverage to bald areas.

Easy procedure and no side effects - The operation is done under local anaesthesia. You will feel no pain throughout the procedure. Very comfortable procedure and you will be awake throughout the procedure. This surgery is done at the level of skin and this is not related to the brain. There is no side effect of this surgery. Today, the surgeons mostly use micro grafts which are placed in such a way that all bald spots are covered with minimal effort.

One-time procedure - Hair transplantation is the only permanent solution of baldness. No medical treatment for baldness is permanent. Once hair transplantation has been done, it lasts a lifetime. Since the grafts are made of your own hair, they continue to grow naturally throughout your lifetime allowing you to cut or style your hair as you wish.

The scope of cosmetic surgery procedures includes Breast Enhancement: Augmentation, Lift, Reduction. Facial Contouring: Rhinoplasty, Chin, or Cheek Enhancement. Facial Rejuvenation: Facelift, Eyelid Lift, Neck Lift, Brow Lift. It gives you the new confidence to live. It also improves the quality of life.

Body hair are typically seen as a manly attribution. For this reason, both men and women are constantly trying to keep their body hair free. Common ways of removing body hair includes shaving, waxing and the use of Depilatories. However, none of these techniques can permanently remove hair and hence need to be repeated regularly. The only way to permanently remove body hair is through laser hair removal therapy.

Laser hair removal can be used to address and remove hair on almost any part of the body including the face, arms, legs and bikini line. This procedure involves focusing intense light on the hair follicle pigments known as melanin without affecting the surrounding skin. The melanin absorbs this light energy and converts it to heat energy which in turn stops the stem cells in the hair roots from regenerating. This weakens the hair follicles to the point of falling off.

Hair removal is considered permanent when the hair follicles do not grow back. After the first session, new hair growth is often lighter and less dense than before. On an average, complete hair removal may require 5 to 6 laser sessions. Since laser therapy can be used to address only those follicles that are in the growing stage, these sessions are usually spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. During this time the hair follicles that were in the resting phase can grow out. The number of sessions required also depends on the quality and number of hair follicles, individual’s hormone levels, and metabolism. In some cases where hair growth is very dense, maintenance treatment may be required once in six months or annually.

The procedure is relatively pain free. During the treatment, the patient may experience a faint prick or sensation of warmth. When treating sensitive areas, topical anesthesia may also be used. However, this is rarely needed. This form of laser therapy can take anywhere between 5 to 45 minutes for a single session depending on the amount of area being addressed.

Laser hair removal is considered a safe procedure and has minimal side effects. In some cases, it may cause a temporary change in the color of the skin of the treated area, but this usually resolves itself without medication. This can be prevented by using a good sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection and avoiding exposure to sunlight. In rare cases, people with a dark complexion may develop blisters and experience swelling and redness of the skin. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!​

Favorite pastime of most of the people would be to look at the mirror and analyze the skin. While acne is the most common problem, next in line would be pigmentation. One could have light patches or dark patches on the skin. The color of the skin is due to a pigment known as melanin. Greater the amount of melanin in the skin, darker the complexion. Skin color depends on the following:

1. Age
2. Genetics
3. Ethnicity
4. Degree of sun exposure
5. Skin care routine
6. Stress levels
7. Hormonal levels (related to menstruation, pregnancy, breast feeding, menopause, etc.)
8. Food habits

Hypopigmentation is less common and it is better to seek medical advice to rule out other medical conditions. Hyperpigmentation where there are increased amounts of melanin on the skin. This is quite common and happens with increased sun exposure and age. The most common types are as below:

1. Melesma: Caused by hormonal changes, is very commonly seen during pregnancy.
2. Lentigo: Multiple black spots or freckles. This could be caused by ageing or due to sun exposure.
3. Management of hyperpigmentation: This involves two-fold approach with preventing and treatment

Tips for preventing hyperpigmentation:
Reducing sun damage and using optimal sun protection is the best way to prevent hyperpigmentation. The sunscreen should have at least an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15. A common misbelief is that sun damage happens during the bright days. However, even sun during cloudy weather causes damage, so avoid direct sun exposure as much as possible if you have are at risk of pigmentation.

Regularly scrub and exfoliate the skin to remove the dead cells from the top layers. Dry or sensitive skin can be exfoliated 1 to 2 times weekly, and oily skin can be exfoliated 2 to 3 times weekly. This helps constantly remove the top dead layers and fresh skin cells to come to the top, giving a fresher, more youthful look.

Treatment for Hyperpigmentation Pigmentation is hereditary, and so improved skin care routine is useful in improving appearance. When buying skin care products, check whether the SPF is greater than 15 at the minimum, and there are other essential ingredients like alpha hydroxyl acids, glycolic acid, and lactic acid.

These help in skin regeneration and producing a clearer skin with reduced discoloration. Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and kojic acid are also useful in treating hyperpigmentation. Dietary changes like egg white mask, citrus fruit application, potato peel can help in reducing pigmentation.

Other dietary changes to adhere to include a diet that is less in oil and refined sugars. A fresh fruit and vegetable loaded diet, adequate hydration, good skin care, and proper sun protection can go a long way in reducing pigmentation. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!