Frequently Asked Questions
What causes hair loss?
In typical male pattern baldness, hair follicles that carry genetic coding bond with DHT (dihydrotestosterone – a hormone that slowly kills the hair follicle), weaken hair and slowly cause it to fall out. The hair follicles on the back and lower sides of the head do not attract DHT. Hair on the front, above the temples, top of scalp and crown can all be DHT receptive, depending on your genetic coding. Hair grafts are taken from donor areas on the back and sides, where follicles are not affected by DHT. When these grafts are transplanted to the front, crown, and top of scalp, the retain their resistance to DHT and last a lifetime.
Some medicines, hormonal changes, disease (such as lupus or diabetes) and major stress to the body (surgery, accident) can cause hair loss.
What is common baldness?
The term “common baldness” usually means male-pattern baldness. Male-pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in men. Men who have this type of hair loss usually have inherited the trait (hair follicles receptive to DHT bonding). Men who start losing their hair at an early age tend to develop more extensive baldness. In male-pattern baldness, hair loss typically results in a receding hair line and baldness on the top of the head.
Women may develop female-pattern baldness. In this form of hair loss, the hair becomes thin over the entire scalp.
What is involved in a hair transplant?
At your initial consultation, trained staff members will carefully evaluate your present hair pattern to determine the best possible design for your new grafts. Not everyone is a transplant candidate, so if we feel a hair transplant is not in your best interest, we will tell you so! The procedure will be completely explained and you will know in advance all costs involved. In most cases, the procedure takes only a few hours. Since only local anesthesia is used, you will be home the same day.
Are transplants the answer to hair loss?
There are several products on the market today that promise regrowth of hair. Unfortunately, most of them are ineffective, costly, and certainly not permanent. Of all the options currently available, hair transplants are the only permanent solution.
Is the procedure painful?
Patients report only a small amount of discomfort associated with a hair transplant procedure, (when the local anesthetic is first given). Further, all patients are given a relaxing medication prior to the procedure which improves the hair transplant experience.
Will I need more than one procedure?
That will depend on the extent of your hair loss and the number of implants per surgery. It takes about 4 months to see the new growth. That is a good time to return for further evaluation to see if more sessions are indicated.
How many grafts will I need?
The numbers of grafts you will need depends on you hair loss replacement goals and the doctor’s consultation. The amount of grafts the medical team will be able to implant is also dependant on the amount of donor hair you have.
What does the healing process involve?
Although there may be some redness and swelling for a few days following your procedure, it is usually not very noticeable. Existing hair, if possible, may be combed over the grafted area to hide them while they are healing. You may shampoo gently 24 hours after your procedure. Sutures in the donor area are to be removed by a licensed physician only and are usually removed in 7-10 days. This can be done by your own doctor.
Will my new hair look natural?
The old days of “Barbie Doll” hair or “Corn Rows” are long gone. Hair transplant technicians today (worldwide) use various techniques that transfer one to two to three hairs maximum (per graft) from the donor area to the recipient area. By implementing these techniques, your new hair will look and feel natural and no one will know the difference unless you tell them!