Hair Transplant & Restoration

If you are fortunate enough to have a full head of hair in your fifties, chances are you’ll keep it for life. However, for many men, hair loss will be inevitable. Roughly 80% of men will experience some amount of balding, with in a noticeable change in appearance. Many men (and women) become increasingly self-conscious as their hair begins to become progressively thinner and eventually dies altogether.

Most often, hair loss is not caused by an illness but is simply a genetic trait. It begins most often in middle age, but can start as early as in the teens. It can also skip generations. And it is not necessarily passed on from the mother’s side of the family, as a widely circulated myth claims. Scientists aren’t really certain how this genetic trait is passed on.

There are several available treatments for restoring a natural looking head of hair. The most common is the hair transplant or hair restoration. In a hair transplant, the doctor removes hair follicles from a different part of the body and grafts them onto the area of balding or thinning. Micrografts (grafts of 2-3 hairs) and minigrafts (grafts of 4 or more hairs) are frequently placed just behind the hairline to build up hair density.

If you are considering a hair transplant, the following information will provide you with a good introduction to the procedure. For more detailed information about how this procedure may help you, we recommend that you consult a dermatologist who is board certified or has completed a residency program that includes instruction in this procedure.

What are some of the most common benefits of hair transplant or restoration?
How are the treatments performed?
How long do the treatments take?
Where are the treatments performed?
How much pain is there?
What can I expect after a hair transplant?
Ideal candidate:
Other important information:
Risks and limitations:
Hair Transplant Costs:
Choosing a doctor:
Questions to ask your doctor:
Be sure to:
Related Hair Transplant Articles
How do I finance this procedure?
Find a doctor that specializes in Hair Transplant & Restoration

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What are some of the most common benefits of hair transplant or restoration?

Hair transplant can provide a new, natural-looking head of hair. While hair transplants do not actually add any hair to the head, they can provide the appearance of more hair.

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How are the treatments performed?

Before the doctor performs this procedure, he/she will arrange for a consultation with you. During the consultation, your doctor will talk to you about the changes that you would like to make in your appearance. He/she will explain the different options available to you, the procedure itself, and its risks and limitations. He/she will also explain the kind of anesthesia required, the location where it will be performed, and the costs.

Your doctor will begin with a complete medical history. He/she may also take photos, and give you specific instructions about how to prepare for the procedure. Be sure to tell the doctor if you have had previous hair replacement surgery, if you smoke, or if you take any drugs or medications, including aspirin.

Take this opportunity to ask all the questions you have about the procedure, and ask to see photos of the doctor’s recent patients, before and after procedure. Also ask for, and follow up on, patient references. Learning everything you can about your options, risks and benefits is the key to making an informed decision. See Questions to ask your doctor below.

Strips or patches of hair are taken from the back of the head. Hair from this area is less likely to thin, regardless of where it is transplanted. Hair removal from this area is also virtually undetectable. As much as half of the hair in this area can be taken without producing a noticeable difference.

The removed patches, or strips, are cut into smaller pieces, which are then “planted” in the balding area. This transplanted hair continues to grow just as it did before. It will not thin or die unless hair in the region of the head from which it was taken also thins or dies.

There are two common methods used for removing hair to be transplanted. Hair can be removed in small circular areas (plugs), each containing between eight and twelve hairs. Or, hair may also be removed in long strips along the sides or near the bottom of the hairline. The advantage of the second method is that it provides the physician with more hair to cut and mold into different-sized plugs and/or grafts. Thousands of grafts can be created from one strip of hair, each containing as few as 1-2 hairs.

Next, incisions slightly smaller than the plugs are made in the balding area. For grafts, even smaller incisions are made with a tiny scalpel, or even a needle. Your doctor may use a laser to make these tiny cuts. (Despite marketing claims, a laser in this situation has no special advantage over other incisioning tools.) The plugs/grafts are carefully spaced in order to allow adequate blood supply and produce a natural angle, growth direction and appearance.

Sutures are applied to close the area where the grafts or plugs were taken from. The skin will naturally stretch to cover a wider area. No sutures are required in the area where the plugs and grafts have been placed. The body’s natural fluids will bond the plugs and grafts to the head.

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How long do the treatments take?

Most doctors perform more than one session of transplanting to achieve the best results. Each transplanting session takes between two and four hours, depending on the extent of the treatment.

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Where are the treatments performed?

A hair transplant can be done in an outpatient surgery center or in an office surgical suite. Most hair transplants are performed under local anesthesia (like that used by dentists) combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. You'll be awake but relaxed, and although you may feel some tugging and mild discomfort, you won’t feel any pain.

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How much pain is there?

The amount of pain depends on the extent of the procedure, and varies from person to person. Immediately following the procedure, there may be some mild discomfort that can be alleviated with oral pain medication. You should discuss your goals, budget, and pain tolerance with your doctor in order to help him/her determine the procedure, or combination of procedures, that will produce the best results for you.

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What can I expect after a hair transplant?

During the first two or three days following the procedure, there may be some discomfort in both the area that hair was taken from as well as the area of the transplant. Mild headache, swelling and bruising around the eyes are common.

Bandages are usually applied after the procedure and should be left in place overnight. The sutures are removed about 10 days after the operation. It is common for medical staff to shampoo the hair the first time after the procedure, and your doctor will give you instructions regarding hair grooming during your recovery. Some scabbing usually occurs in both areas, and should disappear within about 8-10 days Some numbness may also occur, and may last for up to 2-3 months.

There is a small risk of the plugs/grafts coming out, so you should avoid vigorous or strenuous exercise until scabs have completely healed.

Other than avoiding vigorous exercise, most people are able to return to their normal routine the day after the procedure.

About two days after the procedure, the hair from the graft will begin to fall out, and hair re-growth may be thinner for several months. This is normal, and is caused by the brief period of diminished blood supply that occurs during the procedure.

During the first month and a half, little or no new hair will grow in. However, within three months of the operation, new hair will begin to sprout in the grafts. After another three months, the procedure may be repeated to fill in spaces between the grafts, for an even fuller, thicker head of hair.

Because the plugs and grafts are taken from areas where hair is strong and healthy, transplants should continue to grow throughout an individual’s lifetime. While it normal for some of the grafts not to take, most people are pleased with the results of their hair transplant.

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Ideal candidate:

In general, the best candidates for hair transplants are:

Mature enough to fully understand the procedure
Knowledgeable about the procedure
In good physical and psychological health
Wanting to improve their appearance
Realistic in their expectations
Non-smokers or able to stop smoking during the healing process
Possessing healthy hair on the sides and back of the head
Informed about the effects of their hair texture on the outcome

The above is only a partial list of the criteria that your surgeon will consider in determining whether or not this procedure is appropriate for you. Be sure to ask your surgeon if he / she considers you an ideal candidate for this surgery.

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Other important information:

There are a variety of alternatives to hair transplants, including scalp reduction surgery, flap surgery, hairpieces and drug treatments. Ask you doctor for help in determining which is best for you.

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Risks and limitations:

Complications are usually minor when a hair transplant is performed by a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in performing hair transplants. You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following your doctor's instructions both before and after the procedure. You should be aware that:

Scarring may occur on the graft sites. However, most scars are small and are covered up by growing hair.
Infection can occur in the grafted areas. Your physician may decide to prescribe antibiotics before the procedure, as a precaution, or afterward if infection occurs.

You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following your doctor's instructions both before and after the procedure.

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Hair Transplant Costs:

Costs for this procedure vary, depending on the doctor, the location, technique used and the difficulty of the specific case. The national average of 1999 surgeon fees for a hair transplant was $3,184 (Source: The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). Regional averages: New England states: $3,833; middle Atlantic states: $3,079; north central states: $2,184; south central states: $3,746; and mountain/Pacific states: $2,712. These fees do not include anesthesia, operating room facility, or other related expenses.

Use our payment calculator to see what your monthly payments might be if you financed this procedure.

Apply now

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Choosing a doctor:

It is very important that you select a physician adequately trained and experienced in this procedure. We strongly recommend that you consider choosing a doctor who is board certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. See our Physician Locator feature to find a surgeon in your area, including detailed profile information for many of the listed doctors. Also read How to Select a Dermatologist for a more detailed discussion on choosing the right doctor.

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Questions to ask your doctor:

The following questions should help you to select your doctor, and better understand the procedure.

Are the desired results I described realistic?
Where is the procedure performed? How long will the procedure take?
Would another procedure, such as scalp reduction, wig or drugs work better for me?
Are there other procedures that I should consider to enhance the affects of this procedure?
What kind of anesthesia is used?
How much does it cost?
What is your experience in performing this procedure? (How long has he/she performed this procedure, and how many he/she has performed in the past year?)
What percentages of patients have had significant complications? (The physician should disclose this information to you.)
Will you repeat or correct procedures if it does not meet agreed upon goals? And if the procedure must be repeated / corrected, will I be charged again? (The physician should provide you with his/her policy on this issue.)
May I see "before and after" photos of recent patients? The physician should provide many photos of recent patients.
May I have the names and contact information for several recent hair transplant patients? (Follow up to get first-hand information on the procedure and the doctor.)
Could I observe the exact procedure I am considering before I decide to have it done? (Either on videotape or ask to view one in real life.)
What should I expect post-operatively in terms of soreness, what to watch for, medication, bathing, and level of activity?
Who will be assisting during the procedure? What are their qualifications? (Does the dermatologist perform the entire procedure?)
Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage denied, revoked, suspended?
Do you offer patient financing?

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Be sure to:

Tell your doctor about any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements).
Tell your doctor if you have any serious medical condition(s).
Tell your doctor about all medications, herbal supplements or natural supplements you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription), including such natural remedies as Echinacea and St. John’s Wort.
Carefully follow any instructions your surgeon gives you regarding eating and drinking, smoking, and vitamins.
Avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing medicines for two weeks prior to surgery.
Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery.

The information on this web site is only intended as an introduction to this procedure and should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the result. The best method of determining your options is to consult qualified doctors who are able to answer specific questions related to your situation.

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How do I finance this procedure?

Did you know that 29% of all Americans have considered having an elective procedure? Of those, 60% would schedule a procedure immediately if financing was available. With iEnchance's patient financing options, money no longer has to be the barrier between you and your new image. By filling out our on-line application you can qualify for a loan in as little as 30 seconds.

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Find a plastic surgeon, cosmetic surgeon, dermatologist,
vision specialist, cosmetic dentist or other specialist.

At iEnhance, find information on top plastic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation, liposuction, facelift, tummy tuck, BOTOX ® Cosmetic, eyelid surgery, thermage, rhinoplasty; as well as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and other cosmetic dentistry procedures. Locate a plastic surgeon, cosmetic surgeon, cosmetic dentist, or specialist today!


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Hair Transplant & Restoration

What are some of the most common benefits of hair transplant or restoration?

How are the treatments performed?

How long do the treatments take?

Where are the treatments performed?

How much pain is there?

What can I expect after a hair transplant?

Ideal candidate:

Other important information:

Risks and limitations:

Hair Transplant Costs:

Choosing a doctor:

Questions to ask your doctor:

Be sure to:

Related Hair Transplant Articles

How do I finance this procedure?