New FUE technique for Afro-patients by Dr. U

As mentioned at www.dru.com, leading and board certified dermatologist and surgeon Dr. Sanusi Umar has invented new tools to undertake the hair restoration surgery for his patients with African textured hair. He is nationally recognized doctor for his innovative work in the field of body hair transplantation (BHT) and follicle unit extraction (FUE). American Board of Dermatology certified him for his pioneering services in hair transplant surgery. He is widely recognized and published in this field, and also completed fellowship training in cosmetic surgery under American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Currently, he is a member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) and an associate faculty at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). 

Now he has come up with a solution for African heritage patients who are often turned away by hair restoration surgeons due to conventional methods that are unable to treat fragile hair follicles and tightly curled hair of African people. Those with twisted hair are usually pre-tested of the hair follicles and turned away by many clinics and surgeons because failure rate of hair restoration is too high among African-mixed or African-American patients. 

It is said that African-textured hair are weak for Follicle Unit Extraction (FUE) due to two reasons; one is hair curliness and second is the skin texture. Dr. Umar, who is himself native of Nigeria, firmed to improve the hair restoration surgery for African patients who suffer from hair loss but can’t go for FUE to restore hair. The new tools invented by him include UGraft tools, UGraft Curl, UGraft Punch and UGraft Rotor. An amazing thing is that surgery with these tools don’t require hair pre-testing.

According to the fresh study released by the Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery Journal Global, 18 patients participated who experienced 100 % results and had successful Follicle Unit Extraction and transplantation.  

Dr. Umar said “Patients with tightly curled hair are not a homogenous group. This breakthrough points the way to a universal approach in FUE for people with tightly curled hair regardless of their Geo-ethnic background.” 

With the conventional hair restoration technique, there is almost 80% risk of FUE transection in patients of African-background. However, the new invention has claimed to overcome these issues for African-textured hair with minimal transection rates. It is pertinent to mention here that this new invention may require additional training for hair surgeons in order to get successful results and all these tools are only available at Dr. U’s clinic.

Why you should oil your hair regularly?

Hair oiling has been an important technique for woman of any century. Still it is considered an important routine because it prevent premature greying and strengthen hair roots. Usually women doesn’t know that their scalp also generates its natural oil that helps in hair nourishment. Oil massage is necessary because too much oil can block the pores.

Oil massage not only relaxes muscles and body but also keeps nervous system healthy. Hair oiling keeps calm the mind and also serves as the headache healer. Warm oil leaves special results and relieves, stress, eases muscles strain and increases blood circulation in and around head. More active blood circulation ensures strong hair follicles, hence better hair growth.

Dove celebrity Stylist Mark Townsend says that “Every woman would benefit from using oils even just once a week. You’ll see a major difference in your hair.” Oil nourishes hair, and when hair get enough nourishment, its growth rate improves. Regular hair massage helps regain hair lost due to use of hair styling machines or chemical treatments.

Mark says that oils are great protectant and great health booster. He says “The benefit in most of the oils is all the fatty acids, which replace the lipids in your hair when it starts to get really fine. Right before it splits, that means there’s nothing holding it together, and all those lipids are gone so you need to replace them.”

Hair oiling provides hair limitless benefits. There are some organisms that can attack scalp and damage it. Oil components acts as a barrier against such organisms. Hair absorbs essential oil nutrients that helps hair to acquire health, shine and attractiveness. Over-shampooing washes off oil too that may lead to dullness and dryness.

Oiling keeps hair full of moisture and coconut oil is best to use. As Mark suggested to use coconut oil for dry and damaged hair. He said that “I’ve never found anything more moisturizing for the hair than just straight coconut oil. I even add straight coconut oil to conditioner. Jojoba oil is an amazing lubricant for the hair. Argan oil has the great benefits of leaving the hair soft, silky and smooth – that oil will reflect the light, making your hair look super shiny.”

Dry scalp often leads to dandruff that may cause itching on the scalp and further result in hair breakage. Hair oiling on the scalp helps glands to produce enough oil to prevent damage. Massaging hair once a week is must. Warm oil is preferred by experts to apply on the scalp; it restores the hair shine and soothes the scalp too. 

Perils of dry shampoo

Choice of hair products depend on hair type. However, experts says overuse of dry shampoo may cause hair loss. But results varies from person to person. Some are happy with dry products but some are not. Dry shampoo is basically ideal for those who have oily hair. Dry shampoo soak up oil of hair and make them look fresh and easy to style. Some may become target of dry products as happened with Nicole Baxter of Belfast. As mentioned at dfw.cbslocal.com, dry shampoo caused her to have bald patch on her head. She warned her friends to avoid using dry shampoo and told about her terrible sore scalp. Her dermatologist and doctor said that dry shampoo caused for a large bald patch on her head. Her post was shared by thousands and followed dozens of articles and blogs about the dangers of dry shampoo.

When asked from dermatologists and salon owners about the cause, they said “It’s not the dry shampoo itself that’s dangerous”. People often overuse and misuse the dry hair products.

Trained cosmetology educator and licensed hair stylist Stephanie Johnson of Deep Ellum Hair Studio said “You can suffocate your scalp, It’s almost like a huge pimple will grow and they have to get it lanced from a dermatologist”.

Dermatologist Dr. James Ralston of Dermatology Center of McKinney also blamed dry shampoo for plugging follicle and trapping bacteria. He said “The trapped bacteria causes inflammation in the follicle which leads to pimples or cysts. Brushing it leads to scabs and disrupts the hair follicles which leads to hair loss.”

Moreover dry shampoo can become cause of allergy for its users. He further said “Continuing to use it if you have an allergy can lead to scars and those scars can lead to permanent hair loss.”

Dermatologist Dr. Christy Riddle of White Rock Dermatology advised to avoid using dry products directly on the scalp so it may not cause irritation. The statement of Dr. Riddle in this regard was “Acne, inflamed hair follicles that are itchy, painful, and bumpy. It’s an irritant.”

All experts opined to use dry shampoo once or twice a week only, and spray products six inches from their head on the root only. Dry hair products made from corn starch or aluminum, can dull hair color and affect hair-growth cycle. Moreover, frequent hair wash also causes damage to hair follicle and dull hair color.

If a person uses dry shampoo, he/she must avoid washing hair every day as natural oils are necessary for hair growth and healthy hair. Dry shampoo absorbs oil left in hair so brushing it daily will suffice. Use a pre-shampoo if you feel your hair dull and lifeless. Dry shampoo functions differently if compared with other shampoos. It just absorbs oil but other trap dirt too and remove it from hair. Other shampoos clean the hair and scalp so, unlike dry shampoo. Yes it helps in styling hair but it carries other dangers with itself too. 

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