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The Effect
Hair transplantation is a very safe, relatively minor surgical procedure. The transplanted
hair seen above the scalp will initially be shed, and the roots will remain dormant
for 6-12 weeks. After this period, the new hairs will all begin to grow.
The Procedure
Hair transplantation involves removing a strip of permanent hair-bearing
skin from the back or sides of the scalp (donor area) and then, using various techniques,
the strip is usually dissected into micrografts (containing 1-3 hairs) and mini-grafts
(containing 3-8 hairs) each. The micro-/minigrafts are then meticulously planted
into the bald or thinning area of the scalp (recipient area). The creation of very
small micrografts (follicular units) has allowed very natural, feathered hairlines
to be grafted, and avoids an abrupt, "pluggy look" that was typical many years ago.
A mini-graft can be used behind the hairline for added density.
Depending on the degree of balding for the frontal area and similarly for the crown
area, 1-3 procedures involving several hundred or perhaps 1,500 or more grafts may
be required to achieve the desired density (of course, more procedures could be
done if hair loss progresses or greater density is desired). Within 24 hours small
crusts will form on each graft which are shed in approximately 7-10 days. The grafted
hairs will often start to grow by 6-12 weeks after the procedure and will continue
to grow for a lifetime
Before and after Pictures
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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
Risks
All surgery carries risk, and you should be fully aware of the medical risks
associated with this procedure before you consent to surgery. Your surgeon will
discuss these risks with you during your consultation, and you are encouraged to
ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
More details about your consultation.
You will be required to sign a consent form before surgery stating that you have
been informed of the risks involved; that you understand those risks; and that you
accept those risks. This is standard hospital protocol and surgery will not be performed
if you do not sign.
More details about the required forms.
It is your obligation to inform your surgeon of key medical information that
may influence the outcome of your surgery or may increase the level of risk. These
include medications you are taking, history of disease, medical complications, etc.
Risks and risk rates vary from patient to patient depending on a range of factors.
No two people are alike
More details about the risks involved in plastic
surgery
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 time
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 Physician at your consultation.
If you have questions that are not answered in this website, then please contact us.
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