Edgbaston Clinic First With Revolutionary Procedures

News
11/04/2017

A Birmingham-based clinic has become the first in the Midlands to offer ‘try before you buy’ hair and ear procedures. Skin & Follicle is offering hair restoration via a transplantation robot which allows potential patients to see their new hair in 3D before committing to a transplant as well as a separate procedure, earFold that corrects prominent ears, complete with a preview.

The state-of-the-art ARTAS Robotic Hair Transplantation System, actual patient photographs to offer several bespoke aesthetic options to choose from – via a rotating 360-degree image – the chosen option then being sent through to the ARTAS robot. The robot creates a map of the hair pattern, ready for the transplant procedure.

The ARTAS Robotic Hair Transplantation System is already very successful in the US. The unique robot uses Artificial Intelligence algorithms to identify strong, good quality hair that can be used as to transplant to other areas. Each hair is retrieved precisely and the parameter for human error reduced significantly, resulting in a lower rate of transection (where the individual hair is cut horizontally). The unparalleled precision of the robot also means that not only does the pre-existing hair remain undamaged, the new hair follows the natural path of hair growth to the exact angle, resulting in a natural look. The entire transplantation procedure is notably quicker and more accurate than a traditional manual procedure.

Reza Nassab, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Skin & Follicle, says:

“Robot-assisted surgery has a firm place in surgical procedures, coming on leaps and bounds over the past ten years. The fact that Birmingham can now offer robot-assisted hair transplantation means great things for those looking for hair restoration. The ARTAS Robotic Hair Transplantation System is a great advancement, both for those suffering with hair loss for medical reasons and for cosmetic reasons.”

The earFold implant is a tiny, curved, wafer-thin strip of metal (approximately the same thickness as a human hair), which is plated with 24-carat gold to reduce its visibility under the skin. It is inserted under local anaesthetic, in a procedure which lasts less than 30 minutes. The implant is placed using a pre-loaded, disposable introducer which releases it in the correct position – a procedure that takes just a few seconds. The implant grips the cartilage and immediately folds it into a pre-determined shape in order to hold the ear back. One or two absorbable stitches are then used to close the incisions.

Reza ,continues:

“It is with delight that we announce the inclusion of earFold™ in the extensive portfolio of treatments available at Skin & Follicle; it is important to us that we carry a varied treatment range, and we are passionate about being at the forefront of cutting-edge technology. What really sets this treatment apart from traditional ear correction surgeries is the simplicity of the procedure, the low recurrence rate, as well as the ability to see what the result will be before committing to it. We are thrilled to be one of only a few centres in the UK, and the first in the Midlands, to offer this revolutionary procedure.”

Traditionally, prominent ear correction (otoplasty) involves a surgical procedure in which the skin of the ear was extensively degloved and cartilage scored or stitched into the desired shape and position. The patient would need to wear a bandage for a week or so after surgery, and there is a possibility that the condition may reoccur. An otoplasty generally takes around 60-90 minutes. As earFold is inserted during a quick procedure, that is performed under local anaesthetic and recovery is easier and faster.