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Formerly Groot DermaSurgery

Archive for September, 2017

What can be done about beards?


September 15th, 2017 | General Info, Hair Transplant, Treatments

Tormund Giantsbane - Game of Thrones

In today’s society having a full and lush beard is becoming more and more of a fashion statement for men.  While some men are born with thick facial manes, others require treatment to aid in thickening up their beards.

Not all men are lucky like actor Kristofer Hivju (photo), more popularly known as Tormund from the HBO hit show, Game of Thrones (most of the staff at the Groot DermaSurgery Centre are very big fans of Game of Thrones).

Dr. Thomas Nakatsui, a board certified Dermatologist and hair transplant specialists, has been performing hair transplants for over 18 years.  The exact reasons why men come in for a beard transplant vary.

Some men want to increase thickness, while some men have suffered some form of trauma that caused an area to scar, therefore leaving a portion of facial hair missing.

As with any hair transplant, artistry plays a major role in how the end result turns out.  Hair transplants need to look natural and undetectable in appearance.  Old forms of hair transplants, “plug transplants”, have yielded unnatural and very detectable results.

Having undetectable results is even more paramount whenever dealing with the face as it is always front and center.  Any irregularities can be easily spotted.

To address this issue, Dr. Nakatsui follows the patient’s natural flow, angle, and direction of their beard.  If hairs are placed in any strange angle, it will become very apparent that a hair transplant was performed once the hairs have grown in.

The size of the graft is important as well.  A graft is a natural grouping of hairs that come in 1, 2, or 3 hair bundles.  Dr. Nakatsui typically utilizes the grafts with one hair when it comes to beard hairs.

Beard hair transplants can be a great tool to help thicken up a beard.  One thing to consider before having a beard hair transplant is that the donor hair, which is usually taken from the back of the scalp, may have different texture and/or colour than the recipient bearded area.

Once the transplanted hairs are placed, it will hold the same characteristics as the area where it was taken from.  If there is a significant difference between the donor hair at the back of your scalp and your beard hair, it can potentially become visible and unnatural.

The beautiful thing with a beard hair transplant if it is done correctly is that it now gives the individual the choice whether or not they want to grow a beard or be clean shaven.

Because of the incredibly small incisions that Dr. Nakatsui makes during the procedure, a patient can be cleanly shaven and have no trace of scarring to the area.

 

For more information regarding hair transplants, please visit drnakatsui.com.

 

Solutions for Dry Skin


September 14th, 2017 | Conditions

Dry Skin

Dry skin is particularly noticeable during the winter months due to low humidity and cold temperatures. Other contributing factors include overuse of harsh skin care products especially those containing perfumes and preservatives, aging, and yes, your grandparents (genetics).

 

To avoid dry skin try these options:

  • Choose gentle cleansers that remove the superficial dirt and excess oil from your skin without stripping away all your natural oils.
  • Gently exfoliate the skin with a gritty cleanser or for tougher jobs micro-dermabrasions.
  • Apply a moisturizer which contains ingredients that draw moisture to the epidermis such as glycerine, urea and hyaluronic acid. Moisturizers are most effective when applied to the skin while it is damp.
  • Apply a sunscreen daily with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 45 or more. Even though the winter sun seems harmless it’s UVA and UVB rays can still damage the skin as well as tending to exacerbate dry skin.

Caution: Applying too much moisturizer to dry skin without proper cleansing may contribute to the development of seborrhoeic dermatitis, an inflammatory condition of the skin resulting in scaly, flaky, itchy, red skin.

Written by Patricia Johnston

Fall is here!


September 14th, 2017 | General Info

 

Portrait of beautiful girl with scarf in autumn nature

 

Pumpkin spice everything, leaves falling, and sweaters everyday can only mean one thing:  Fall is here!  This beautiful and romantic time of year can also mean changes in weather and temperature which can affect your skin.  Everyday events that we take for granted, such as stronger winds, can strip away moisture from the skin.  When this moisture is stripped or there are irritants in the air, your skin can become itchy or even a rash can appear!  Here are some basic tips to help your skin retain moisture.  The following are only tips and does not replace seeing a qualified dermatologist.

  1. Shorten the time spent in showers and baths.

Not only is it good for the environment to decrease the amount of water used, limiting the time spent in the shower will prevent your skin from losing its moisture barrier.

Closing the bathroom door to keep moisture in the bathroom is a great way to keep your skin moist.

Hot water can irritate the skin.  Try dropping the temperature to a warm setting.

Use unscented soap products on your skin.

Gently pat your skin dry with a towel.

Immediately after drying your skin, apply a non-irritating moisturizer to your skin.

  1. Apply moisturizers after wash.

Washing your hands will strip away moisture from your skin.  Many individuals, especially those in the healthcare field, wash their hands several times a day.  After washing your hands, lightly pat dry your hands and then immediately apply moisturizer.  This will help keep moisture in your hands.

  1. Wearing gloves.

Wearing gloves when outside is not only a fashion statement, it can help protect your hands from the elements!  Gloves can also help retain moisture on your skin.

Gloves also act as a physical barrier between your skin and other substances in your environment, such as chemicals, potential allergens, and objects than can cause little cuts.

  1. Choose the right detergent for you.

Find a non-irritating laundry detergent that works for you.  It will take some trial and error to find the perfect fit.  Try using an unscented/hypoallergenic detergent to avoid irritation.

  1. Limit time directly in front of the fireplace.

Cozying up next to a fireplace on a chilly autumn day can truly warm the soul.  Just remember fire or any heat source can dry your skin.  Try limiting your time spent directly beside any heat source.  Also, don’t forget that if you are using a fireplace to have a window or door open to allow fresh air to circulate within the home!

  1. Humidifiers

Humidifiers are great tools to help bring back moisture into the air and decrease the chances of your skin drying out.

  1. Don’t forget the sunscreen

Yes, even with the limited hours of sun and increased cloudiness, wearing sunscreen on open portions of skin is still very important throughout the year!  Many sunscreens will also provide a moisture barrier to help retain that needed moisture.

The autumn season is an incredible time of year.  Don’t let dry skin bring an end to your fun.  If you find that your are experiencing prolonged periods of dryness or even a rash, consult with your Dermatologist!