Hair transplantation techniques have become more advanced over the past ten years and so has the popularity of hair replacement surgery. Old methods would leave patients with a “pluggy” look that was noticeably unnatural. Today’s options offer patients a hairline that is natural in appearance with an undistinguishable transition between transplanted and non-transplanted hairs. Through hair transplants, patients can improve their look and rebuild confidence.

Hair loss can be caused by a variety of factors, such as aging, hormones, or heredity. In other cases, it may be caused by burns, injury or medical conditions. Male and female pattern baldness are among the most common causes of hair loss and are related to genetics. This type of hair loss can be effectively improved with hair transplant surgery which uses a patient’s existing hair to fill in thinning areas.

The Procedure

In order to be a candidate for hair transplantation, there must be healthy hair growth at the back and/or sides of the scalp to use as donor sites. Donor hair grafts will be created from this existing hair with the patient under local anesthesia.

The most common hair transplant technique, follicular unit transplantation (FUT), involves the excision of a strip of scalp from the back of the head. The strip is divided into hundreds of small grafts consisting of between 1 and 4 hairs each. The grafts are inserted in the scalp in locations where there has been hair loss. The grafts must be placed correctly so the hair will grow in the direction it normally would, and care must be taken when working on the hairline to achieve a natural look.

Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is similar to FUT but instead of removing a strip of scalp, individual follicular unit grafts are excised one at a time. This avoids the longer, linear incision and scar of FUT, instead leaving many microscopic incisions and scars that are typically unnoticeable once the patient’s hair grows out.

Hair Transplant Recovery.

Patients generally feel well in the days after surgery. Scabs may form in the area where the transplant has occurred, but will become less noticeable after a week. Patients may cover the transplanted areas with a hat or bandana if desired. Sutures placed during hair transplant surgery may be removed within 10 days. Any aching or tenderness experienced can be controlled with medications prescribed by the surgeon. Swelling will last for a few days and finally dissipate within a week. Cold compresses can be used to keep the swelling down.

Since hair grows slowly, the final results won’t be appreciated for at least 6 months and the hair will continue to grow in for up to 24 months. Some areas may require future procedures to get the desired amount of hair density.

Hair transplant is performed at Aesthetic Specialty Centre Plastic Surgery & Dermatology, which is conveniently located near Atlanta, Georgia. To learn more, contact ASC today at (770) 393-9000 in Roswell or (706) 467-6500 in Greensboro.

*The information about Hair Loss & Hair Transplant was reviewed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Marc E. Yune. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.