A full head of hair suggests attractiveness and vitality, and can be ego-boosting both personally and professionally. Hair loss is a near epidemic for both male and female populations, with approximately 50 million men and 25 million women suffering from some form of pattern baldness or thinning hair. Hair restoration procedures offer a solution for restoring hair volume and with this, restoring confidence.
How does a hair transplant work?
At the center for plastic surgery, we believe that natural looking results with minimal downtime and no visible scars are the goal for our hair transplant patients. We use the technique of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), where individual hair follicles are harvested from the back of the scalp and then used to replace areas of thinning hair.
What happens at the first consultation?
During your consultation, you will explore your type of hair loss, the history of your hair loss and how severe your hair loss is. With all of this information we can come to a decision as to whether or not you are a good candidate. In some cases a hair transplant might not work as well for you as someone else and we want you to know that. Before you decide to go ahead with surgery think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your provider.
The game changing advantages to the FUE technique are:
- Least invasive technique for hair transplantation
- Less discomfort than traditional techniques
- No unsightly scar
- No stitches or staples
- No numbness where the donor hair is harvested
- Quick recovery time
- Less restrictions on your normal daily activities after surgery
- Flexibility for any hair style, long or short
- Natural looking results
Can FUE technique be used for men and women?
Yes, this technique is suitable for both men and women looking to improve the appearance of their hair.
How long does a Hair Transplant take to do?
The time required to perform the transplant typically depends on the extent of hair restoration requires. We typically ask that patient set aside an entire day to be at our office for the procedure.
Is a Hair transplant painful?
Before getting started, we thoroughly numb your scalp both at the area where the hairs are harvest and the area where they will be transplanted. This is the most uncomfortable portion of the procedure, and can be helped by using oral pain medication and oral sedatives that are prescribed before your procedure. Most patients find the procedure to be comfortable, with most patients falling asleep through portions of the procedure.
What is the downtime after Hair Transplant?
Downtime after hair transplant depends on the extent of treatment and the area treated. Downtime from scalp hair restoration is generally 5-7 days after surgery. Patients are not allowed to exercise for 2 weeks following the procedure.
How soon will I see results from Hair Restoration?
After the hair follicle is transplant to its new home in a different area of the scalp, the normal cycle of hair growth restarts. The grafted hair will stay in place for 2-3 weeks before normal shedding occurs, which is an important part of the new growth process. After shedding occurs, new hair growth will be seen in 3-4 months, and the hair will “grow in” normally. This cycle of growth also helps conceal the hair transplant process from others, as your results will appear as healthy and natural hair growth.