Hair loss is a common concern for people from all walks of life. Some are fine with covering it up or fading it, but for many, the impact on self-image and self-confidence is significant. Holistic health and wellness solutions promote feeling good inside and out, both contributing to your overall well-being.
With the introduction of SmartGraft, a revolutionary approach to hair restoration, Liquivida Wellness Center in Aventura offers a state-of-the-art procedure that can help people whose self-esteem and confidence have suffered due to hair loss, hindering their ability to enjoy life to the fullest.
What is SmartGraft?
One of the most advanced techniques in the world of hair restoration, SmartGraft uses the principles of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), a hair transplant method that allows individual follicles to be harvested from the back of the head (donor area) without a scalpel. or stitches, without leaving a linear scar.
Image courtesy of Ascend Agency
Developed by surgeons, medical scientists and engineers, the suction-assisted extraction device allows grafts to be harvested more efficiently and safely compared to outdated procedures, while automatically keeping grafts moist and firm until implantation. The technology aligns with Liquivida’s regenerative therapies, harnessing the body’s natural healing mechanisms to restore and repair itself.
Key features of SmartGraft
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Motorized handpiece that extracts hair follicles, enhancing the success of transplants
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Suction system that collects and preserves harvested cuttings in a controlled environment, reducing the risk of damage or dehydration
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Designed for use by medical professionals
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It usually results in shorter recovery times and less discomfort
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No linear scars (“zipper” appearance)
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It optimizes the graft harvesting process, reducing treatment time by up to a third, ensuring better graft viability and successful hair restoration.
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It offers permanent results, allowing patients to enjoy their natural hair for years to come
The procedure is performed at the Liquivida Aventura location by an experienced technician dedicated to this service. Latiqua Williams, certified hair loss specialist and Master Educator and Technician for the SmartGraft procedure, is recognized as one of the top SmartGraft technicians in the country. She knows first-hand the struggles of hair loss and how it can affect one’s self-esteem, and describes the revolutionary process as “where innovation meets confidence. SmartGraft brings innovation and precision to hair transplantation and takes the guesswork out of it.”
Alexander Tirado, PA-C, physician assistant at Liquivida, provides oversight of the entire procedure and monitors the patient’s comfort levels. To ensure maximum client comfort, Tirado administers tumescent, which is sodium mixed with lidocaine and epinephrine, for 20 minutes to numb the area from which the grafts will be harvested. This procedure is safer and has no side effects compared to traditional anesthesia, which puts patients completely to sleep and often results in lethargy, headaches and nausea the next day.
SmartGraft is done during one visit, divided into manageable two- to three-hour intervals. Patients can expect to spend approximately eight hours at the site, with frequent breaks and lunch and snacks.
Doug Patel, owner of the Liquivida franchise in Aventura, points to himself as proof of the process’s effectiveness. The photos provided here are of at Liquivida Aventura websiteillustrating first-hand the success of the process.
Image courtesy of Ascend Agency
Is SmartGraft right for everyone?
SmartGraft is a minimally invasive procedure and a viable option for both men and women looking to restore their hair. Since the client is their own donor, SmartGraft is not an option for anyone who is completely bald, as there is no hair to work with. “We need to physically see the patient to ultimately determine if the SmartGraft is right for them,” says Tirado. “We do a comprehensive consultation to determine if they are a good candidate or if they might benefit from other procedures we offer.”
During the consultation, the doctor and the technician ask questions about it
physical health, medical history, medications, hair supplements and reasons why you want to have the hair transplant.
Liquivida Wellness Center in Aventura encourages clients who want to move forward with the SmartGraft procedure to have a comprehensive blood workup, a core offering at Liquivida, testing well beyond standard blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, revealing hormone deficiencies and vitamins to identify the client’s unique issues and tailor the best protocols and customized treatment plans.
Once the client is ready to proceed, the SmartGraft technician will draw the hairline, create graphics and take photos to show clients their pain points. This is an important step as the client sometimes sees something different from what the professionals see. Once the agreed treatment plan is established, pre- and post-procedure expectations are reviewed. Tirado also encourages taking hair supplements as part of the pre-procedure recommendations to further hair growth.
Customers who do not live in the immediate area can have a virtual consultation, but if they choose to go through with the process, they must travel to the location. On that note, Tirado cautions against traveling to other countries where similar procedures appear to be less expensive. “It might look cheaper, but you don’t know the quality, there’s no supervision, no post-op care, no follow-up, including critical PRP injections. Without it, your final results will not be optimal.”
After the procedure, there is some downtime and restrictions on high-impact activity as the head has suffered some trauma. Most people resume normal activity within a week.
The patient will play an active role in nourishing the area, like cultivating a plant, to help it grow. The team at Liquivida Wellness Center in Aventura has been monitoring progress for several months, answering questions and managing any discomfort.
To determine if you are a candidate for a hair transplant using SmartGraft, schedule a free consultation with a Liquivida licensed physician. Contact Wellness Coordinator Enrique Periera at 786-629-5947.
The Sun Sentinel news and editorial staffs had no role in the preparation of this post.
