(General Information)
Technical name: Hair Transplantation Surgery
Body Parts: Hair Scalp
Recommended Age: Normally not before 25 years of age or when baldness symptoms start to appear
Anesthesia: Local with sedation
Surgery time: Variable, up to 5 hours
Clinic stay: 12h
Scar: Imperceptible, covered later on by own hair
Pre-operative: Routine pre-operative exams
Post-operative: Bandages are removed the following day
Recuperation period: 2-3 days
Results duration: Permanent
Hair loss is a problem that most commonly appears on men, but can also happen with women. The earlier hair loss begins, more severe the baldness will become. Hair loss is usually caused by:
There are some myths that blame hair loss on poor scalp circulation, vitamin deficiencies, dandruff and excessive hat-wearing. In addition, hair loss cannot be predicted by looking at your maternal grandfather. All of these theories are nothing but myths.
Before undergoing a Follicular Unit Transplantation, the surgeon will take a look at your hair, pay special attention to its growth and loss, and also check your family history and ask about any previous Hair Restoration surgery. This is the best moment to ask the surgeon about surgery expectations and ask him everything you would like to know.
Prior to surgery, it is important to be healthy and avoid taking medications that could increase bleeding, such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements. Also, the patient should not have medical conditions that could interfere in the surgery or healing process, preferably be a non-smoker and have realistic expectations about the procedure. [ Top ]
All Hair Replacement techniques use patient’s existing hair. For this reason, the patient should have a healthy hair growth at the back and sides of the head, which will be donated to more visible head areas. If the patient has very little hair, a Hair Restoration Surgery may not be recommended.
Between the 1980´s and 90´s, Hair Restoration techniques improved significantly. Scientists discovered that hair grows in follicular units and each one contains from one to four hairs.
The ultimate technique for Hair Restoration is called Follicular Unit Transplantation. In this procedure, individual follicles are transplanted, providing a more natural look. Previous techniques used to transplant hair tuffs (punch-grafts), resulting in a doll’s hair appearance.
In this new procedure, grafts are carefully prepared with the help of microscopes, ensuring survival of 95% of the hair follicles removed from donor area. You don’t have do fear an artificial result anymore. [ Top ]
According to doctors’ estimation, one in five women experience some degree of hair loss. It might happen due to aging, illness or hormonal changes caused by menopause. However, women’s hair loss is different than the experienced by men. Women present some thinning over the scalp, instead of losing hair in patches.
Wig or hair extension might be an alternative, such as prescriptive drugs. However, these drugs just prevent future hair loss but don’t stimulate hair growth. For this reason, a Hair Restoration Surgery might be the most effective and long-lasting solution. [ Top ]
For a Hair Restoration Surgery, the anesthesia is usually local with sedation, to make you feel relaxed during the procedure. However, you may feel some pressure, but you will be insensitive to pain. [ Top ]
During a Hair restoration surgery, a small stripe of hair-bearing tissue is removed from the back of the head and relocated to the balding area. The donor area will be closed by sutures. The scar is usually not visible because of the surrounding hair.
After that, grafts will be prepared by technicians. With the help of lenses and microscopes, the follicles are separated into units that might contain up to four hairs per graft.
While grafts are being prepared, the surgeon makes tiny orifices in the recipient area, in order to place the grafts. The entire procedure requires a high number of well trained professionals, because grafts and recipient area should be carefully prepared at the same time.
It is possible to transplant more than 1,100 grafts in a session; in this case, the procedure is called Mega-session Transplantation. [ Top ]
After surgery, a little discomfort is expected, but with no pain. Usually recovery is bandage-free, so there is no need to apply any dressing. A sterile compress is placed in the donor area, at the back of the head. The compress is removed at the day following surgery.
On average, the patient can go home a few hours following the procedure. However, the patient should come back at the next day in order to have head washed by a nurse.
Some swelling is expected between the 4th and 5th day after surgery, because of the saline solution injected with the anesthesia during the procedure. Stitches will be removed a week following surgery.
Some patients show interest in undergoing a second Hair Restoration Session. As long as the patient has donor area available, another session can be performed. However, a minimal nine months break should be taken between sessions. Nine months is the time usually required to achieve complete healing from the first session. This additional session might be motivated by the desire to cover other areas or even to increase density of the area transplanted at the first session. [ Top ]
An improvement of appearance and self-confidence but within real expectations. Final results may vary, according to each individual reaction and healing abilities. In addition, the coverage might be altered by hair color, texture and curliness.
Between 3 to 6 months following surgery, permanent hair begins to grow. However, final results can be seen about a year after surgery. [ Top ]
Just like any surgery procedure, there are some risks. It is important to ask your plastic surgeon everything you would like to know and share with him all your feelings and fears.
It is also extremely important to follow your physician’s instructions, ensuring best results. The incisions should not be subjected to excessive force, abrasion or motion during the healing process.
In some cases, a “touch-up” surgery might be necessary, in order to achieve more natural results. The “touch-up” is performed after the incisions have healed.
