Role of Low-Intensity Laser Therapy Hair Transplant Operative Surgery - Assignment Example

Role of Low Intensity Laser Therapy Hair Transplant operative Surgery Student’s name Course name and number Name of paper Instructor’s name Date submitted The Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT) is the use of the monochromatic light emission which is sourced from a low intensity laser diode to give treatment to chronic conditions, musculoskeletal injuries, and degenerative conditions and also in the healing of wounds. In the treatment process the light source is placed directly in contact with the skin, this allows the photon energy to have a penetration in the tissue where it gets to interact with the various intracellular bio-molecules hence results to the restoration of the cells normal functioning and it enhances the body’s healing process. (Bauman 2007) The treatment with LILT requires 4-20 treatments which have a duration variation of 30-60m minutes. This is the best time for the treatment which has been found to have good results in the restoration of the normal functioning of the units of the cells. The Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT) is found to be curative unlike other therapies which are simply modulating symptomatology. The following are the most common conditions that are treated with the Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT) (Bauman 2007) Scars Chronic and acute pain Inflammatory conditions Diabetic ulcers Osteoporosis Plantar faciatis The Low Level Laser Therapy is generally shining a high intensity light into the area which requires the treatment and the only extra thing here is that the light is usually very intense and the that the light is applied with a very specific dosage. The treatment using LILT is usually painless, non-invasive, non-toxic, without the use of drugs and very safe if properly applied by a well trained practitioner. How LILT works The correct power and wavelengths of light just like in the photosynthesis for an appropriate period of time can surely cause an increase of ATP production and also cell membrane perturbation and this could lead to changes in the permeability and also in the second messenger activity. This in turn results to changes in the function like the synthesis increase, secretion increase and also motility changes. The near red infrared light is the most ideal wavelengths for this process. (Growing Thumbs 2009) The light on the mitochondria as well as all the cell membranes making it the more effective wavelength in the healing process of wound in animal LLLT. The shorter wavelengths are not so got for this operation since they are more expensive and the result to the production of poor penetration making them therefore a poor choice. An appropriate dosage of the light is found to increase the quality and the speed of both chronic and acute wound healing, pain relief, soft tissue healing as well as making the immune system improve and make nerve generation. (Growing Thumbs 2009) Low Intensity Laser Therapy in hair transplant surgery Laser hair transplant has emerged recently as one of the potential non-surgical treatment which is effective in the wake of trying to stop hair loss. In the recent past since its use the laser hair treatment has emerged as one of the few methods of hair treatment that has remarkable results this is because patients have been able to regain their hair growth free of the hair loss as well as their hair growing thicker and healthier. The Low Intensity Laser Therapy is a term that is generally used to describe any process of phototherapy or call it the laser treatment that in its procedures does not cut the skin. (Bernstein RM 2005) LILT is also called the soft laser, Low-power laser, or the therapeutic laser therapy. LILT has over the years played vital role in the hair transplant surgery of improving the health of the already existing hair as well as stimulating the new transplanted hair to grow. The principles behind the LILT treatment are the same as those of any method that is aimed at reducing the pain and the discomfort that comes with a surgery. Not forgetting tissue and wound healing. LILT is known to enhance the cell activity thus allowing more nutrients to reach the hair follicles; in the scalp the blood supply is stimulated and with the correct wavelength of light and this in turn results to the improvement of hair growth. Due to its characteristic of having more repairing properties, Low Intensity Laser Therapy maybe use in the treatment of the scalp after the procedure of the hair transplant is done with. (Bernstein RM 2005) The laser light that is used in the Low Intensity Laser Therapy is found to stimulate the microcirculation in the scalp, lower the inflammation, bring about protein synthesis as well as improve the cellular metabolism. The blood and lymph circulation that takes place in the hair roots and enhance by the Low Intensity Laser Therapy plays a vital role in stimulating he follicular cells and this may in turn help the hair grow thicker and stronger. On the other hand Low Intensity Laser Therapy has been used in the post operative surgical hair operation to accelerate the rate at which the scalp heals, this process aids by a good margin the healing process. (Bernstein RM 2005) Complications and risk factors associated with the hair transplant procedure The hair transplant surgery has been found to be one of the extremely safe procedures; however, due to the fact that it is not involved with a surgery of the opening of the skin to an extent of opening it to the invasion of the bacteria, there are several risks that are associated with it. It is important for a person wishing to undertake the surgery to discuss the risk factors that come with the surgery with the surgeon before the procedure of hair transplant surgery is done. (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery 2005) The patients who have considered the option of the hair transplant surgery should realize that there is some pain and discomfort that comes with the surgery. For that reason the physician opts to use anesthesia to help in the alleviation of the pain and the discomfort in the whole procedure. Medication inform of oral pain control may also be added to ease any pain that may arise due to the procedure. There maybe some pain however even with these measures in place, mild pain maybe felt and discomfort too. But the pain subsides after the 4th day after the operation. (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery 2005) One of the common of the side effects of that are associated with the hair transplant surgery procedure is the post operative swelling. This is the swelling is nevertheless very normal and it should be taken as part of the process as the body starts adapting with the new change as it undergoes the healing process but it does not last beyond five days. Bleeding is another common risk that is well related to hair transplantation, this is due to the involvement of there being a surgery. Though this surgery does not involve large or even deep cuts like the rest of the surgeries, there is a risk of the patient bleeding and an occurrence of excessive bleeding can result and this call for the patient to be very upfront with his or her physician in regard to a any bleeding that may be noted. (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery 2005) Another complication in the hair transplant surgery is the chance of getting an infection even though the score marks are relatively small. Many physicians however, have always worked really hard to reduce the possibility of there being an infection after the surgery. To be able to achieve this, a few procedures are undertaken which may include using sanitized equipments, prescription antibiotics as well as the application of antiseptic prior to the surgery and after the surgery. However, despite these measures being taken there is the presence of small risks that an infection may occur. The risks that are involved in the hair transplant surgery need to be know by the patients before they can proceed with the surgery so that they can be fully aware of the measure s that need to be taken incase of an occurrence. (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery 2005) Scarring makes part of the list of the risks and complications of the hair transplant surgery. Scarring does appear but it is dependant of a number of factors, one of the factors being the ability of the patient’s skin to have its own healing power. This is one of the factors that neither the patient nor the physician has control over since it is dependant on the immune system. On the other hand, the scaring will always disappear eventually considering that the patient will have new hair growth which will cover the scars. (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery 2005) Post-operative care includes administration of appropriate antibiotics and analgesics. Complications are infrequent. Swelling over forehead may occur on day 3 of surgery, due to edema and the result of large amount of saline being injected during anesthesia. This is temporary and can be managed with ice compresses. Use of intradermal triamcinolone acetonide and short course of oral steroids has been advocated (level C). Infection Patwardhan and Venkataram: Hair transplantation S52 Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol | Supplement 2008 and keloid formation are rare if proper procedures are followed. Drug induced gastritis, persistence of crust at the recipient sites, persistent pain at door site, sterile pustules during 2nd month (caused by irritant reaction during hair growth) are some of the other frequent complications. Delayed hair growth is another complication which can happen. (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery 2005) Conclusion Hair transplantation is a rapidly evolving technique; while several steps have standardized procedures; many variations are being used by different surgeons. The procedure is a skill oriented technique and hence different results may be obtained by different procedures or even same procedure by different surgeons. Proper training of both the surgeon and the assisting team is therefore essential for good results. The risks above that are associated with hair transplant surgery are there just as the other surgeries have risk too. The greatest risk however is posed by the patient’s expectations over and above that the same patients may experience discomfort but only for a short period of time after the surgery as well as the swellings. Scarring is one of the common complications which frequently occur from the healed sutures but this is taken care of by the new growing hair which covers the surgical scars. Risk Factors There are several risk factors that are highly associated with the hair transplant surgery and mostly the factors that are said too increase the risks for the various complications such us excessive bleeding, postoperative infections and even delayed healing. Below are some of the risk factors. conditions that require antibiotics prophylaxis, often associated with artificial joints or valves tobacco usage obesity chronic or recurring viral or bacterial infections malnutrition, including anorexia and bulimia certain herbal supplements use of immunosuppressive drugs, including chemotherapy and corticosteroids medications that decrease the ability of the blood to clot, such as anti-inflammatory drug immunosuppressive disease- HIV-AIDS alcohol abuse chronic metabolic disease such us diabetes chronic and maybe the recurring skin infections such as boils disease of the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs or gastrointestinal system Recommendation As the technology of the use of the laser is improving, laser sites are decreasing each day, and the problem of thermal damage which needs to be adequately addressed, the advantage of producing large numbers rapidly is increasing for uniform sites and this will make the laser a more effective tool. The lasers will significantly the transplant process creating more argument for its use when directed to the donor are, cutting the skin and reading the spaces between the natural hair units with minimal thermal injury. The laser scanner will be a very important to if designed for it will secure the existing hair. Until then it is good to be cautious with this treatment and be glad when we see success in the Laser hair transplantation. (Meza. 2002) Works Cited Bauman, Dr. LASER HAIR THERAPY . February 2007. http://www.baumanmedical.com/Default.aspx?tabid=52 (accessed December 15, 2009). Bernstein RM, Rassman WR, Szaniawski W, Halperin AJ. "Follicular transplantation." In Int J Aesthetic Restorative Surg. 2005. Growing Thumbs. Preparation for Hair Transplant Surgery. June 7, 2009. http://www.growingthumbs.com/preparation-for-hair-transplant-surgery/ (accessed December 12, 2009). International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. Hair Restoration Surgery Risk Factors. 2005. http://www.ishrs.org/surgical/surgical-complications.htm (accessed December 14, 2009). Meza., David Perez. "Complications in Hair Restoration Surgery." In Hair Transplant Forum. 2002. Prata, Monica. Hair Transplant Risks & Risk Factors . 2009. http://www.hairlossspecialists.com/hair-transplant-risks.cfm (accessed December 13, 2009). WP, Unger. Laser Hair Transplantation. November 2002. http://www.newhair.com/resources/mp-1996-laser-hair-transplant.asp (accessed December 15, 2009). Read More

       The light on the mitochondria as well as all the cell membranes making it the more effective wavelength in the healing process of wounds in animal LLLT. The shorter wavelengths are not so good for this operation since they are more expensive and result in the production of poor penetration making them therefore a poor choice.

       An appropriate dosage of light is found to increase the quality and the speed of both chronic and acute wound healing, pain relief, soft tissue healing as well as making the immune system improve and make nerve generation. (Growing Thumbs 2009)

           Laser hair transplant has emerged recently as one of the potential non-surgical treatment which is effective in the wake of trying to stop hair loss. In the recent past since its use the laser hair treatment has emerged as one of the few methods of hair treatment that has remarkable results this is because patients have been able to regain their hair growth free of the hair loss as well as their hair growing thicker and healthier. Low-Intensity Laser Therapy is a term that is generally used to describe any process of phototherapy or call it the laser treatment that in its procedures does not cut the skin. (Bernstein RM 2005)

          LILT is also called the soft laser, Low-power laser, or therapeutic laser therapy.  LILT has over the years played a vital role in hair transplant surgery of improving the health of the already existing hair as well as stimulating the newly transplanted hair to grow. The principles behind the LILT treatment are the same as those of any method that is aimed at reducing the pain and the discomfort that comes with surgery. Not forgetting tissue and wound healing. LILT is known to enhance cell activity thus allowing more nutrients to reach the hair follicles; in the scalp, the blood supply is stimulated and with the correct wavelength of light, and this, in turn, results in the improvement of hair growth. Due to its characteristic of having more repairing properties, Low-Intensity Laser Therapy may be used in the treatment of the scalp after the procedure of the hair transplant is done. (Bernstein RM 2005)

          The laser light that is used in Low-Intensity Laser Therapy is found to stimulate microcirculation in the scalp, lower inflammation, bring about protein synthesis as well as improve cellular metabolism. The blood and lymph circulation that takes place in the hair roots and enhance by the Low-Intensity Laser Therapy plays a vital role in stimulating the follicular cells and this may in turn help the hair grow thicker and stronger. On the other hand, Low-Intensity Laser Therapy has been used in post-operative surgical hair operations to accelerate the rate at which the scalp heals, this process aids by a good margin the healing process. (Bernstein RM 2005)

        Hair transplant surgery is one of the extremely safe procedures; however, because it is not involved with surgery of the opening of the skin to an extent of opening it to the invasion of the bacteria, several risks are associated with it. It is important for a person wishing to undertake the surgery to discuss the risk factors that come with the surgery with the surgeon before the procedure of hair transplant surgery is done.  (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery 2005)

The patients who have considered the option of hair transplant surgery should realize that there is some pain and discomfort that comes with the surgery. For that reason, the physician opts to use anesthesia to help in the alleviation of the pain and the discomfort in the whole procedure. Medication information on oral pain control may also be added to ease any pain that may arise due to the procedure. There may be some pain however even with these measures in place, mild pain may be felt and discomfort too. But the pain subsides after the 4th day after the operation. (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery 2005)

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