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The Equipment That Defines a Top-Tier Hair Transplant

The tools that are used for a hair transplant are crucial in determining the quality of the outcome. Each graft is individually implanted, potentially for thousands of grafts in a single surgery, starting the first step of a hair restoration process that will last a lifetime. The instruments come into the picture along this entire path. For an FUT, the incisions that are necessary for removing the donor hair are made with a precise blade, while the harvesting is done with a single scalpel. Similarly, in an FUE, a series of devices are used for extracting the grafts from the scalp, requiring smaller-sized devices and a specialized instrument to complete the tasks. The instruments also play a big role in the surgical part of the hair transplantation, determining the method of hair transplantation, the graft count, and a variety of other factors. Once the operation is complete, the instruments will give a good approximation of how the healing process will progress. Tools play a huge role in hair restoration success and contribute immensely to achieving precision in the surgeries. Prior to surgery, there is a conception that patients undergo two stages—the extraction of the grafts from the head and the planting of the follicular units. The hair implantation surgery doesn’t have standardized instruments for all the hair transplant procedures, and a variety of high-quality technologies are utilized for maximum results. In this guide, we’ll get an in-depth look at the tools for a successful hair transplant.

Anesthesia

For a hair transplant to be pleasant and safe for the patient, as well as efficient for the surgeon, anesthesia is a necessity. Different types of anesthesia can be utilized during a hair transplant. The most effective anesthesia in terms of reducing pain and achieving the appropriate level of comfort is performed by injecting a solution known as local anesthesia. The local anesthesia, or a type of local, typically IV sedation technique, is manageable by a team familiar with the patient and aware of the particular demands of surgical hair restoration. General anesthesia might be used only with harvest-only procedures, but only in rare instances.

The surgeon should work alongside the anesthesia provider to develop a procedure that is tailored to the patient’s unique physiological and psychological needs. Typically, local anesthesia is used to numb the skin and the tissue beneath it in a hair transplant. This is given to patients using a much thinner gauge needle to the extent possible through the skin until it reaches the tissue.

The process of transplanting hair can then proceed until the anesthetic is properly functioning and the patient is relaxed. Some hair procedures even begin with a mild sedative to reduce underlying anxiety, not physical pain. There are a number of positive and negative possibilities and side effects associated with the use of local anesthetics in hair transplant. In some instances, just because the provider has the latest version of a particular technological enhancement does not indicate they are aware of what it is. In general, hair transplant anesthesia is not specially treated with certain types of technology.

Comfort and assurance are dependent on the particular approach and teamwork rather than technology. The efficiency of hair transplant anesthesia is not only crucial to the success of the process, but to its potential for results as well. A surgeon would unnecessarily expose a patient to a much greater degree of demanding medical surgery if he or she started a hair transplant without proper medication to induce relaxation, numbness, and stress relief. This can produce a number of unwanted outcomes and complications.

At Vera Clinic, we ensure a pain-free hair transplant experience with advanced techniques tailored to your comfort. Using local anesthesia with options like intravenous sedation for deep relaxation or the needle-free NFI method for minimal discomfort, we cater to individual needs. Our expert surgeons utilize precision tools for quick-healing, stitch-free results, making your journey to restored hair seamless and stress-free.

Sapphire Blade use in Hair Transplant

The sapphire blade is a new implantation instrument based on the old traditional hair transplantation device, which, like other tools made of precious stones, shows function in microtraumatization reduction. Steel scalpels used for hair transplantation do not guarantee an accuracy of hair direction. Steel is also characterized by the formation of incisions and irregular edges, which are responsible for additional soft tissue damage. Unlike steel, sapphire gives a uniform incision that can be cut to different depths, which affects tissue separation and reduces the pressure needed during penetration. The outcomes of the incisions are not visible edges, which are responsible for better skin and hair healing without additional wounds.

All research and experiences obtained, in which we used initial 1 mm handpieces equipped with 0.6 to 0.9 mm sapphire blades, showed an innovative solution in the case of sapphire sharp edges. Living people’s observation using binocular magnifying lamps showed a uniform texture changing through the refractive structure of the precious sapphire stone. The bulbous shape of the angles and smoothness of the blades ensured that the facial follicles were extracted over the entire surface of the scalp with an impeccable slide. The very sharp and smooth edge of the sapphire allowed for the first time in surgery to cut the skin with a better understanding. The reflection of the blade on the surface is responsible for easy cutting and tissue penetration.

The use of sapphire scalpels by some surgeons as a tool for scalp micropigmentation for plastic surgical physical defect camouflage provides better treatment results with minimal mechanical skin trauma. This theory has been confirmed in the hair transplant procedure, directly correlated with the transplantation trauma reduction historically obtained only during the FUE treatment, with slightly visible permanent defects. Moreover, considering the level of training, specificity, high skills, and good hands, the use of a razor will facilitate learning and increase the number of cases prepared into the program, particularly for beginners in the FUE technique, just like selecting standard steel FUE punches.

Today we are establishing guidelines for sapphire blade use, allowing them to be delegated knowing they are safe to use for any physician or hair surgeon. Samurai soldiers preferred knives made of sapphires due to the wear-resistant properties and the precision with which they made the slightest cut on the battlefield requiring instant intervention. All of this refers to other economic aspects of the issue, namely to the cost of blades compared to the cost of replacement steel material per punch.

Running a transplant at first 1000 uf requires the purchase of 1000 steel punches compared to 1 sapphire blade designed for 1000 incisions. The sapphire blade was used by Vera Clinic for the first time on the market in 2017. The presented research is the first to assess its use in hair transplant procedures. Evolution in the whole space of various types of surgery is the transition from invasive to minimally invasive treatment. The advent of sapphire is a natural step for the surgical community in the way of finding an innovative solution and minute-by-minute reducing surgical incursions in every surgery, mostly in the field of aesthetic surgery, particularly hair transplantation.

Micro-Punches

Micro punches are a fundamental part of the hair transplantation process for follicular unit excision (FUE). They are instruments specifically designed to extract the hair follicle. The size and approach of the micro punch are individualized for each hair extraction and should be preferred as the smallest micro punch size with a sharp cutting edge to minimize trauma and maximize effective and aesthetic hair extraction. Using these small instruments for hair extractions is an advancement from using much larger instruments for larger punch grafts of up to 4.5 mm in size. It has long been understood that much less trauma and scarring will result from using smaller as well as sharper instruments.

There are various sizes and characteristics available for micro punches used in FUE, ranging from 0.6 mm to 1.3 mm. Different punching tips (pear-shaped, round, and trumpet) suit different hair and skin characteristics and therefore may be used individually or in combination during the hair transplantation procedure. Although micro punches are required to efficiently extract the follicular units from the donor area, they need to be used within the parameters of the donor area health in an attempt to keep the area looking cosmetically acceptable.

Frequently, innovations are being made, and these involve aspects such as design, sharpness, and even the ability to examine hair follicles under the surface of the skin. This paper will take you through the application, variation, importance, and future of the multi-serrated micro punch. Cases will be used to illustrate the surgical impact of the correct choice.

Treatment Chair

When tied to a chair for an extended period, the importance of the armrest support pillows is amplified. Since most hair transplant procedures take between 6 and 12 hours, patients must be held in place for extended periods. Hair transplant is also included in a group of operations called “procedure-based” or “minimally invasive” surgeries. In other words, surgeries or treatments that can be performed without the patient being hospitalized before and after the surgery. Thus, patients remain in a sitting position during a hair transplant and may occasionally be asked to lie down for another type of operation.

The treatment chair is designed to be a structure in which the patient can be located comfortably and safely for the patient and the operating team working for almost 8 hours. Being able to adjust its different modules individually also plays an important role in achieving a quicker and better result by eliminating the physical difficulties experienced by the surgeon. Starting from the back of the treatment chair, the volume that normally follows the contours of the body is created by increasing the blood flow in the kidney area of the lumbar region of the hair transplant patient.

The armrests of the recliner system used in the treatment chair technology also differ according to the structure of the wrist and arm of the hair transplant patient or those to be treated. Since both left-handed and right-handed doctors can experience strain when the treatment session continues for a long time, the armrests were designed to be fully adjustable in accordance with human physiology.

The dental plate is generally used as a place where patients can place their feet and facilitate the transfer of the hair follicle beds harvested from patients to the planting area. The chair leg socket can fix and stabilize the chair in a very stable way after pulling the chair legs by pushing the foot pedal. This reduces the risk of tipping and minimizes the formation of walking difficulties that occur due to insufficient stability.

One of the most important safety measures is the removal of the electrical and hydraulic parts, which can cause the chair to tilt unexpectedly. Thanks to this situation, we can prevent complications during operation. When the adjustment speed is rapid in the motor systems in the treatment chair design, vibration can be seen, and if the motor takes longer than necessary, the operator has to wait for a certain period of time while working with the hair transplant patient. To prevent these issues, the adjustability is designed to be at an ideal speed. Even a small vibration in a sitting posture, prolonged application, creates negative pressure on the level in which the operation is to be extended. This also affects the success of the hair transplant results.

Hair transplantation doctors also know in practice that the massage effects on a person’s leg and dorsal area can be very effective while relaxing. It is essential to avoid possible harmful substances that can be obtained by using improper materials. The actuator systems and control buttons on the chairs are completely under the control of the doctor’s feet, thanks to a structure built into the feet with an intelligent design. This ensures control of the chair with the foot, without touching the hardware with the hand, and without the need for a second person. By following the feedback given by the patients after the operation and by presenting their thoughts, a sentence is designed according to the patient’s tendency. Over time, the treatment chair expresses the comfort of the patients as if they are listening to the character or appearance.

Petri Dish

Since the hair transplant procedure brings together elements of biology, medicine, and art, innovations in each domain are relevant and impactful. Even a basic item like a petri dish could be a crucial variable for the quality of the final results of the procedure. The petri dish is used for the collection, handling, and storage of hair follicles during the hair transplant procedure. This happens very similarly to its original function, which is to create a small space to grow cultures of living organisms. Of course, the changes that these two purposes serve are substantial!

The basic requirement for the development of all of the petri dishes mentioned above is a high level of design, production, material, and technique that allows you to take better care of hair follicles. In turn, the better you take care of follicles, the more will survive and grow in their new location. Some advancements concern the production of an innovative petri dish able to facilitate the removal of the single hair follicles isolated in position and depth.

The best use recommendations are to use a sterile petri dish that is slightly bigger than the hole used to extract the grafts and for safe preservation to keep the petri dish at a temperature between 4 and 22 °C. Before being implanted again, the grafts are extracted with different surgical techniques and are preserved during time out of the body in a special material, which is contained by different storage methods. This composition contains different substrates to improve follicle vitality, and some of them are quite expensive.

The general trend is that those follicles in the higher-priced substrates survive less time and in a poorer way compared to those stored using traditional hanks and less expensive storage materials. More generally, research is underway in the field of injuries consecutive to different types of traumas, such as burns and radiation, and in the fields of oncology. Potentially, research in biology and material sciences could, in the future, provide innovative solutions for wound bed preparation and for long-term graft retention.

DHI Implanter Pen

DHI stands for Direct Hair Transplantation method, which is a patented hair transplant technique. The DHI Implanter Pen used in the DHI technique has a very special and patented design. It has helped redefine the entire process of hair restoration. No other method provides such complete control over essential elements such as depth, direction, angle, density, and hairline design. The nozzle size can be contracted to fit 0.6 to 1.2 mm hair follicles or micro-grafts. The DHI Implanter Pen can be used to perform an extraction, implantation, and fine-tuning procedure.

Using the DHI PP, it is possible to position the grafts directly in the desired place without using blades or forceps in the recipient area. The advantages of the DHI Implanter Pen against the lateral slit method are that the surgical team will have to deal with the grafts less, and the risk of subsequent graft damage will be lower. With this new technology, the need for making a recipient canal is avoided, the handling of the graft is kept to a minimum, dramatically increasing their survival ratio to over 98% with industry-leading growth unseen before, and crucially offering the patient a guaranteed natural result from the get-go.

The tool is ergonomically designed with unparalleled precision. This ergonomic design ensures that the grafts are not handled; when the total operation is over, the grafts stay in position and are not manipulated to be taken for implantation. The implanter is a specially patented tool that requires thorough training to procure. It is far more delicate than many other tools in hair transplantation.

The number of clinics using the DHI technique is constantly growing due to the universally recognized advantage of an almost non-touching procedure of graft manipulation. Clinics that have been using the DHI technique for a number of years have accrued impressive results, with offers of thousands of hairs being an appealing proposition to the surgeon looking for new options. Natural hairlines and long-lasting results can be achieved by using the DHI technique. The avulsion rates for DHI are absolutely minimal, and the learning curve is steep, if not shorter than FUE or BHT. The DHI technique is embraced in the cosmetic surgery community.

Conclusion

We have presented eight chapters outlining the tools available for a quality hair transplant. Each of these tools can be used alone or in combination to address the individual needs of patients. The primary benefits of the tools are consistent in that they significantly improve the hair transplant process in either safety or efficacy. Over the past two decades, instruments and technologies have progressed, which permits hair transplantation to become better than ever before. Each stage of the hair transplantation journey was discussed. The aim was to articulate to the discerning reader the improved patient experience and the psychological benefits permeating visual outcomes.

The guide’s focus has been on the selection of specialty instruments and technologies used to address the cervical block and anesthetic experience. The instrumentation used to produce refined and delicate results, therefore, impacts hairline design, donor site harvesting, and recipient site creation procedures. Finally, benefits and improved outcomes for both the clinicians and the art of hair restoration have been considered. We invite the reader to consider their individual needs in embarking on a personal hair restoration journey.

Hair restoration is more than just a visual outcome; it is a transformation. We reinforce the importance of the practitioner in the achievement of the best outcomes. The benefit of experience is not limited to knowledge of volume or strategic hair placement alone; experience brings a continuous learning journey, ever attentive to the patient conditions and delivery of a personalized plan. The use of advanced technologies must be supported by the required level of continuous education and professional training. Looking ahead, we believe the next wave of transformational change in hair recovery will come from a deeper understanding of the role of tissue engineering, growth factors, and the next generation of robotics.