Question 1

Why choose New Zealand Hair Transplantation Institute?

Answer

New Zealand Hair Transplantation Institute practicing out of Sapphire Appearance Medicine Clinic is the first and only clinic in Auckland and New Zealand that offers full FUE Hair Transplantation with New Zealand born and qualified registered doctors who live and work in Auckland full time. Our doctors are available 24/7 in Auckland to look after our patients. All transplantations are performed only by Kiwi doctors on site 24/7 all year round. Dr Garsing Wong, born in Auckland, is a graduate of The University of Auckland, who is the first Australasian doctor to obtain full membership of the World FUE Institute, Belgium. Dr Wong is an associate member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, former chairman of the Royal New Zealand College of Urgent Care, former Secretary, Treasurer and Censor of the then New Zealand College of Appearance Medicine (renamed NZSCM) and is an Honorary Clinical Lecturer for the Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland. Dr Garsing Wong teaches 5th year Medical Students , and with your permission, the medical students may sit in on consultations and the surgery. Dr Wong is an examiner for both the Royal New Zealand College of Urgent Care as well as the New Zealand Society of Cosmetic Medicine. Dr Thomas Wong Doo also born in Auckland and is a graduate of The University of Auckland as well as a qualified accountant and lawyer. Drs Wong and Doo are both Fellows of the Royal New Zealand College of Urgent Care as well as Fellows of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, and are Associate Members of the International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery. Drs Wong and Doo personally do the hair transplants. Dr Warren Happy, another locally born and trained doctor, has just joined our team. Dr Happy works as an medical consultant for ACC, as well as a surgical assistant for a local plastic surgeon. Dr Happy is a Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of Urgent Care. New Zealand Hair Transplantation Institute will provide you with the best locally born and trained experts that will be here for you around the clock that you can trust.

Question 2

How do I book a consultation?

Answer

Call/email our friendly staff at New Zealand Hair Transplantation Institute which is based in Sapphire Appearance Medicine Clinic who will book you in to see our experienced kiwi doctors. Our office hours are Monday to Thursday 10am to 5pm, and Fridays 10am to 8pm. Standard consultation fee applies. Video consultations are available which is appropriate for most initial consultations, however an acurate quote and planning requires a face to face consultation. Please note any quote given is valid for only six months as your hair situation may change after this period of time. Phone 09 360 1250 Email nzhairtransplant@gmail.com

Question 3

How do I prepare for my initial consultation?

Answer

A family history of hair in all male members of your family, including siblings, your fathers side and your mothers side, as well as grand parents of both parents is best if this is known. Bring a photo or bring all the different products/medications you have used to treat your hairloss, including the period of use and frequency of use. A patient history form will need to be completed before you see the doctor. Our friendly staff will email you the form prior to a video appointment or you may come 15 minutes earlier and complete the history form prior to seeing the doctors. Please bring with you any blood test results you may have in the last year.

Question 4

How much will the treatment cost?

Answer

This depends on your desired goal, compared to what will be the predicted final natural outcome of your hair when you are older. Prescription only medications range from $15 a month to $65 a month depending on your personal requirements. Medical procedures start from $79 per treatment. We recommend progressive hair transplantations starting with a minimum of 400 Follicular Unit Transplantation which is equivalent an average of 1000 grafts, which cost $5450, this includes a comprehensive preoperative assessment and aftercare pack with five followup consultations(video link is available) to make sure that you will have the best hair transplant surgery results. The average frontal temporal regions such as that seen in patients with a Hamilton Norwood Classification of II, will obtain a better result with 700 FUE ie 1800 grafts. An accurate quote after a comprehensive consultation with our dedicated, New Zealand born and trained hair specialist doctors who are here 24/7 in Auckland, will be given if you require more comprehensive hair replacement. It is important to understand that hair loss will be an ongoing process, dependant on the cause, and your genetics. A good analogy is to think of your hair like a bucket of water where there is a hole in the bucket, slowly leaking the water - "your hair"! Hair transplantation is moving the water in the bucket from one area to another, however the leak may continue so there is only a limited amount of water available. The most common form of hair loss in men is androgenetic hair loss which stabilises after the age of 65. Hence we need to predict your outcome when you are older in order to give you a realistic looking result for your future, not only for now.

Question 5

Will I need to shave my head?

Answer

We require a stylish number zero cut on the back as this is where we harvest your hair from. If you wish to leave the recipient site long, then please discuss with the doctors. If this is likely to increase the time required for the procedure, then there will be an additional cost which will be explained at the time of consultation. The recipient site will need to be shaved as this will result in the best hair transplant surgery result.

Question 6

How much time will I need to take off work?

Answer

This depends on your personal choice. Most patient feel comfortable to return to work one week after the procedure. At this time, the donor area (place where the hair has been taken from) has already healed so long as there is no unforseen complication you will be able to wear a hat or hair covering. Naturally the grafted area will still be obvious for several weeks. It is important to remember that all the newly grafted hair can start falling out after two weeks before your new permanent hair starts regrowing three to four months after the transplantation. You must expect other patients who are interested in hair transplants to recognise that you have had this surgery and they will spontaneously approach you to ask about your experience!

Question 7

What should I expect following surgery?

Answer

Day 0: Day of hair transplant. The day starts early for NZHTIL and for patients at 6.45am. Depending upon the size and location of the transplant, the procedure can last several hours. When the surgery is finished, Drs will review exactly how to care for the grafts until the follow up appointment when you will return to have your transplants examined. Drs will prescribe pain medication and may prescribe antibiotics to help with the postoperative recovery after the procedure. DO NOT FORGET, YOU MUST WEAR A SHIRT THAT BUTTONS UP FROM THE FRONT FROM THE DAY OF SURGERY AND FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. Days 1 – 5: The first two weeks following a hair transplant are the most critical. Drs will provide you with detailed instructions on exactly how to care for your newly transplanted hairs. During the first five days, you may experience swelling of the forehead and at the back of the head, which is the donor area. The skin may also look red in the areas where all the tiny incisions were made for the newly transplanted hairs. This redness usually resolves itself after the first week or two. After only a few days, the donor area is no longer tender. We prefer our patients to keep the area dry for one week after surgery. Days 6 – 10: At this point, you will no longer experience any swelling and the redness should only be faint or completely gone. As the area heals, the skin may become a little itchy which can be controlled with over the counter antihistamines like loratadine or cetirizine. For each follicular unit transplanted, a “crust” will form which is the attached skin layer drying out. During this time, Drs will have you gently remove the crusts by thoroughly soaking the grafts, and then gently rubbing them with your fingers. By day 10, all the crusting should be gone and the transplanted hairs will appear like a “crew-cut” haircut. Week 2 – 3: The transplanted hairs will start to shed at this point, and by the end of the third or fourth week most will be gone. This is a normal part of the healing process and is to be expected. The newly transplanted hairs go through a shedding process as the actual hair shaft is released, but the actual follicular unit and bulb are intact and will soon start to grow a new hair shaft. This is part of the normal hair cycle. End of Month 1 – Month 2: The hair follicles have entered into the resting phase of their cycle. The length of the resting phase can vary before they start to grow again. At this stage, patients will appear exactly as they did prior to surgery with regards to the amount of hair present ie it looks like you have not had a hair transplant. Patients are also able to style and colour their hair as they desire. Months 2 – 4: The new hairs should start revealing themselves. For some patients, their transplanted hairs start growing early in the timeline; for others, they will start growing later. Patients will see the new transplanted hairs, but they will be thin at this early stage as they first begin to emerge from the scalp. Most of the native hair will begin growing back at this time. The donor area will continue healing and any redness in the donor site will start to resolve itself. Months 5 – 9: Patients will start to see a considerable amount of hair emerging from the scalp. The hairs will be thinner; many of the transplanted hairs will be over 7cm or longer and capable of being groomed. Toward the end of this period, the hair will show textural changes and start to thicken up. 1 Year: Patients should yield about 80% of the growth from their transplanted hairs. Most of the hairs will have emerged from the scalp. Patients may notice that the hairs have a little “curvature” to them. This is from the micro-scarring that is at the recipient sites. This soon resolves itself and the hair takes on its native appearance over the next year. A further followup with NZHTIL to check on your progress. 2 Years: The final appearance from the hair transplant is appreciated at this point. For some patients, they achieve the full appearance by year one; others will take longer for the hairs to emerge and mature in density and thickness. Additionally, as the hair grows longer it will provide a fuller appearance since the volume of hair is increased within the transplanted areas. Remember, double the length equates to double the density of hair.

Question 8

Facts about Hair

Answer

As far as we know, the most important function of scalp hair today is its role in social relationships. Well-groomed hair is an asset in our personal lives, in our jobs, and in helping us feel good about ourselves. Less important today is the role of hair in protecting the scalp against physical injury, heat loss in winter and damage from solar radiation in summer—we have headgear for this kind of protection. Of the approximately five million hair follicles on the human body, 100,000 to 150,000 are on the scalp when the scalp is unaffected by hair loss. The number of scalp hair follicles is linked to hair color: the greatest number of scalp hair follicles is found in blonds, fewer in brunettes, and the least number in people with red hair. The Hair Growth Cycle The normal growth rate of scalp hair is one-fourth to one-half inch per month. Hair growth has a cyclic pattern that can be affected by a number of genetic, disease, medication or other factors to cause hair loss. Hair is formed in the hair follicle and grows out of the follicle in a continuous cyclic pattern of growth and rest. There are three phases in the hair growth cycle: • Anagen—growth phase, 2 to 8 years; • Catagen—degeneration phase, 2 to 4 weeks; and, • Telogen—resting phase, 2 to 4 months. During anagen the follicle actively grows hair. During catagen the follicle is almost entirely degraded. During telogen the follicle rests prior to re-initiation of an anagen phase and the growth of a new hair shaft. As the new hair shaft emerges it pushes out the prior “dead” hair shaft, and the old hair is shed. About 50 to 100 telogen hairs are normally shed every day; these are the hairs we find in our comb, brush and shower drain. About 10 percent of scalp hair follicles are normally in telogen phase at any Excerpts copied from International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, www.ISHRS.org, © 2004.

Question 9

Facts about Hair Loss and Hormones

Answer

The hormones called androgens are important control factors in hair growth and in inherited male and female patterns of hair loss. The androgen hormone testosterone and its metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are the key control factors: • Testosterone is a key control factor in the growth of beard, underarm and pubic hair. • Scalp hair growth is not under androgen control, but scalp hair loss is associated with presence of DHT in male and female pattern hair loss. DHT plus the presence and activity of hair loss gene(s) are the key factors underlying male and female pattern hair loss. Excerpts copied from International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, www.ISHRS.org, © 2004.

Question 10

Facts about Genes and Hair Loss in Men and Women

Answer

Male and female pattern hair loss is called androgenetic alopecia (AGA) because both androgens (andro) and genes (genetic) are involved. Alopecia is a medical term for hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) “runs in families”. It is an inherited condition associated with a gene (or genes). Both the testosterone metabolite DHT (Di hydrotestosterone which occurs when your testosterone is broken down) and the gene for hair loss must be present for AGA to occur. The gene for hair loss makes scalp hair follicles extraordinarily sensitive to DHT, and this sensitivity eventually causes hair follicles to (1) stop producing hair, or (2) produce only miniaturized “peach fuzz” hair(called vellus hair). The amount of DHT does not need to be greater than normal for AGA to occur; it is the presence of the gene for AGA that causes DHT to halt growth in hair follicles. Patterns of inheritance of the hair-loss gene can be unpredictable for the average person. Having a father or uncle with AGA makes it probable—but not certain—that AGA will occur in a son or daughter. Physician hair restoration specialists are familiar with the genetics of AGA and can usually counsel a patient regarding the onset and progression of male or female pattern hair loss. Excerpts copied from International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, www.ISHRS.org, © 2004.

Question 11

Facts about Male Pattern Hair Loss

Answer

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known as male pattern hair loss, is one of the most common conditions affecting men. In the United States, 35 million to 40 million men are affected by AGA. In some men AGA progresses to baldness over most of the scalp. Degrees of hair loss range from this most severe form of AGA to the least noticeable loss of hair in the front temporal area above the eyebrows. Loss of hair in the front temporal area is usually the first place where hair is lost in male AGA; in some men the loss stops there and never progresses while in other men hair loss continues into other areas of the scalp. Progression of hair loss is rapid in some men, slower in others. A physician hair restoration specialist can often predict the final appearance of hair loss based upon the rapidity of onset and progression. Male AGA occurs in an array of patterns illustrated in the Norwood-Hamilton Scale. The Norwood-Hamilton Scale is used by physician hair restoration specialists in assessing hair loss and in planning hair loss treatment. No matter how severe the hair loss, hair is never lost at the back or sides of the head or on the nape of the neck. These regions are under different genetic control from the gene(s) that affect hair follicles at the front and top of the head. This “preserved” hair at the back and sides of the head is a reservoir of healthy follicles that can be harvested and transplanted to scalp areas where hair has been lost. Excerpts copied from International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, www.ISHRS.org, © 2004.

Question 12

Facts about Female Hair Loss

Answer

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) occurs in women as well as in men. In women, AGA is defined as female pattern hair loss. The patterns of AGA in women are significantly different from the AGA patterns in men. The typical appearance of female pattern hair loss is diffuse thinning of hair over the top of the scalp. The Ludwig Classification illustrates female pattern hair loss in increasing degrees of severity from Grade I and Grade III. Female pattern hair loss can begin at any age from teen-age through middle age. There may not be an obvious hereditary association; whereas a man with AGA usually has close male relatives with AGA, no such family pattern may be apparent for women. While AGA is the most common cause of permanent hair loss in women (about 50 percent of women over age 40 have some degree of female pattern hair loss), it is by no means the only cause. Non-AGA causes of hair loss are more frequent in women than in men; some of these causes are discussed in the next section. Women more than men are also likely to have temporary hair loss that may occur separately or together with female pattern hair loss. Two common causes of temporary hair loss in women are the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and untreated hypothyroidism. A woman who is worried about loss of scalp hair should consult a physician hair restoration specialist for evaluation and diagnosis. Female hair loss can usually be successfully treated after a diagnosis is established. Excerpts copied from International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, www.ISHRS.org, © 2004.

Question 13

Facts about Non Androgenetic Alopecia Hair Loss

Answer

While androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women, hair loss can also be due to a number of other conditions. These conditions may not be recognized until they are diagnosed by a physician hair restoration specialist. Successful treatment is dependent on correct diagnosis. Some of the most important of these non-AGA causes of hair loss: • Alopecia areata—a possibly autoimmune disorder that causes patchy hair loss ranging from diffuse thinning to extensive areas of baldness with islands of retained hair. • Scarring alopecia—hair loss due to scarring of the scalp. A common cause of scarring alopecia is persistent tight braiding or corn-rowing of scalp hair. Over a period of time scarring may destroy hair follicles and result in permanent hair loss. More severe scarring alopecia may be caused by physical cutting-rippingtearing injury to scalp skin or burn injury. • Telogen effluvium—a relatively common type of hair loss caused when a large percentage of scalp hair follicles are shifted into “shedding” phase. An underlying cause may be hormonal, nutritional, or drug-associated. • Loose-anagen syndrome—a condition that occurs primarily in fair-haired persons. Scalp hair sits loosely in hair follicles and is easily extracted by normal combing or brushing. In some cases the condition appears during childhood and improves in later life. • Triangular alopecia—a loss of hair in the frontal area of the scalp that sometimes begins in childhood. Hair loss may be complete in the frontal area or a few hairs may remain. The frontal hair loss can look similar to early-stage AGA. The cause of triangular alopecia is not known but it can be successfully treated. • Trichotillomania—compulsive hair plucking. The condition ranges from idly plucking hair while reading or watching TV to ritualistic plucking of hair in specific patterns. Over time, trichotillomania can cause scarring alopecia and permanent hair loss. Hair loss due to trichotillomania usually cannot be successfully treated until underlying psychological or emotional conditions are treated successfully. • Scalp infections—bacteria, fungi and viruses can invade and damage hair follicles, causing hair loss. The infection must be diagnosed and treated before hair restoration can be undertaken. Excerpts copied from International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, www.ISHRS.org, © 2004.

Question 14

How do we care for you after you have had your hair transplantation?

Answer

You will be given a comprehensive post surgical pack which includes pain relief, neck cushion, spray to care for you new hair, as well as dressing materials. Most importantly you are given our doctors cell phone number which is monitored around that clock should you have any questions. As part of our care package which is included in the cost of the surgery, our doctors will routinely see our patients after surgery one or two days post operatively, one week, one month, six months and one year post operatively. We prefer our patients to keep the transplanted area dry for a week, after which you can gently wash the area twice daily. The crusting in the area generally comes off naturally after one week. Although any surgical procedure can never be described as scarless, the site has generally healed after one week, and it is difficult to even see where the hair has been extracted once this has healed. All the transplanted new hair will naturally fall out after 2 to 3 weeks. This is normal! Your new permanent hair will start growing back after four months, and you will be able to judge your final result after one year. Sometimes the hair can grow back looking intially a little kinky, and in most cases, this correts itself after a year. It is important that you continue to take the medications prescribed, and to restart your topical Minoxidil one week after surgery, as this will reduce the possibility of "shock loss" and will enhance your final result. Remember, our doctors are New Zealand born, trained and locally available to look after you throughout the entire process.

Question 15

Is the procedure painful?

Answer

The worst aspect of the procedure is the administering of the local anaesthetic which can sting a little. Once this is working, then the area is numb and painless. We place an IV line in so that we can keep you hydrated, and administer medicines to help to make the procedure comfortable. You are given relaxants and pain relief during the procedure, and you are constantly monitored by our dedicated staff with an advanced vital signs monitor to ensure your comfort and safety. All doctors are Kiwi trained and based permanently in Auckland, namely Drs Garsing Wong, Thomas Doo and Warren Happy will comprehensively look after you. They are all Fellows of the Royal New Zealand College of Urgent Care, so you can rest assure you are in good hands.

Question 16

Is there any pain after the procedure?

Answer

We can totally reassure you that there is seldom any pain after the procedure. Even so, we provide painrelief to all patients in their post operative packs which is hardly ever used. We are available 24/7 to look after you post operatively to ensure that you are cared for every step of the way. All patients are given the surgeons phone number so that you can contact them post operatively 24/7.

Question 17

What are the qualifications of the Hair Specialist?

Answer

Dr Garsing Wong is the only hair specialist in New Zealand who is a full member of the World FUE Institute. Drs Garsing Wong and Thomas Doo are associate members of the International Society of Hair Restroration Surgery (ISHRS), Fellows of the New Zealand Society of Cosmetic Medicine, and Fellows of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners. Drs Garsing Wong, Thomas Doo and Warren Te Wehi Happy are Fellows of the Royal New Zealand College of Urgent Care. All three doctors are born in New Zealand and are graduates of the School of Medicine, University of Auckland, New Zealand, who live and work in Auckland. We speak amoung us, English, Cantonese, Mandarin and German. The above is true and accurate at the time of publication 23rd November 2020.

Question 18

Do you offer finance?

Answer

We recommend Nova Medical Finance, NZ’s only specialist medical finance company. Applying for medical finance can be done easily through their simple on-line application form. Normal lending criteria applies. Link to Nova Medical Finance FAQ's including cost: https://www.novamedical.co.nz/faqs Application link: https://www.novamedical.co.nz/apply

Question 19

Where can I stay if I live out of Auckland?

Answer

For our patients who would like to stay in the Five Star Hotel Britomart when having your hair transplantation with New Zealand Hair Transplantation Institute, the link below will give you 20% off the list price (valid till 31st Dec 2020) Link Exclusive Hotel Britomart Discount Link We have also negotiated a special rate for the new Three Star Wynyard Quarter Hotel due to open on the 26th October 2020 which is 13min walk from the Surgery. The link below will give you 20% off the list price (valid till 31st Dec 2020) Link Exclusive Wynyard Quarter Hotel Discount Link If you prefer to stay in the same apartment complex, Perspective Apartments, 28 College Hill, Freemans Bay, Auckland, where the Consultation Rooms and Surgical Suite are located. There are fully furnished apartments that are managed by Quinovic Viaduct. Please contact us so that we pass on the promo code for you to have a discount off the list price when staying for your hair transplantation. Please follow the link below. www.quinovic-viaduct.co.nz Last updated 16th September 2020.

Question 20

What is FUE hair transplantation?

Answer

FUE stands for Follicular Unit Extraction/Excision. Our hair on our scalp grows in follicluar units, which consist either single or multiple hairs per follicular units. The average number of hairs per follicular unit is 2.6 hairs. Which means if you require 400 FUE then this is equivalent to 1000 hairs or grafts. The term grafts can also be confusing. This is because FUT - Follicular Unit Transplantation which involves cutting a strip of your scalp and individually cut each hair from the strip of scalp skin - so that each hair or unit of hair that is cut, is called a graft. Hence 1000 FUT grafts can be equivalent to 400 FUE.

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