HAIR TRANSPLANT

PROCEDURE

A hair transplant is the transference of hair grafts from a donor region to another region affected by normal male pattern hair loss or female pattern hair loss. This is done by removing a strip of hair-bearing scalp from the back or sides of the head where hair growth is permanent and not affected by Dihydrotestosterone. The most common donor area is from the back of the head, rather than the sides. This strip of hair bearing scalp can vary greatly in size but, as an example, can measure 1-2 cm wide and 10 or more cm long. After it is removed, the doctor will close the donor area with sutures. These will need to be removed in approximately seven days.

Best Candidates
Anyone who has experienced permanent hair loss may be a candidate for hair restoration surgery, including:
"Men with male pattern baldness
"Some women with thinning hair - female pattern thining
"People with areas of scarring from injuries or hair loss after face lift procedures
People who want to thicken or restore eyebrows, eyelashes, and beards.

SURGERY

Time required: 3-8 hours
Anesthesia: Local or twilight anesthesia on an out-patient basis.
Post surgical side effects
Minor infections can occur around a newly transplanted hair follicle, similar to an infected ingrown hair or pimple. Minor scars. Patients may experience mild swelling to the forehead area for a few days following surgery and on rare occasions may experience a black eye if the frontal scalp is transplanted.

RECOVERY

Patients may be asked to use moist compresses or spray and to sleep in a semi-upright position for 2-3 days following the procedure to minimize swelling and bruising. Small crusts may form on each graft that can be camouflaged by any existing hair that can be combed over the recipient area. These crusts will flake off by 10-14 days after the surgery. Numbness that may occur in the donor or recipient area usually disappears in 2-8 months after surgery.

Please note that this information should be used only as a guide to your treatment. All specifics will be discussed with your Surgeon during your initial consultation.