Hair Transplant — Hair transplant 101

How Long Does It Take For The Transplanted Hair To Grow?

Posted on October 20, 2010

A common misconception regarding hair transplants is that the client will have a full head of hair immediately after the procedure. For a variety of reasons, this is not possible and it can take a full year, or even longer, for the hair transplant results to be final.

While a hair transplant is a safe and efficient procedure, it is also a long term process. Understanding how the transplanted hair grows will help to keep expectations realistic. For the average hair transplant client, the initial growth is slow and the hairs that do grow in are short and thin. After some time, additional hair growth will be noticed and this growth will continue to improve up to one year and beyond. Continue reading →

Hair Transplant Terms: What Is a Trichophytic Closure?

Posted on October 18, 2010

For those considering a hair transplant with the strip method, the possibility of being left with a long, linear scar is often one of the biggest concerns. In recent years, a wound closure method called “trichophytic closure” has been introduced and is now practiced by many highly respected hair transplant doctors.

A traditional hair transplant strip incision procedure means that the doctor will harvest a strip of hair bearing skin from the back of the head, where after the skin is pulled and the wound is sutured or stapled together. This method often results in a visible scar that can be hard to cover, especially if the client does not have long hair. For those concerned about the visibility of this scar, the trichophytic closure can be a great solution. Continue reading →

Top Reasons to Choose a Hair Transplant

Posted on October 15, 2010

While each person who chooses to undergo a hair transplant procedure might have their very own reason for doing so, there are certainly many other great reasons to choose a hair transplant. While simply wanting more hair in the balding areas of the head is undoubtedly one of the more obvious reasons, there are many additional motives why people choose hair transplants.

Improved self confidence is definitely one of the top reasons people choose hair transplants. Having a fuller head of hair can signal youthfulness and increase the feeling of being attractive to others. Never having to worry about the lack of hair again can make the person more relaxed and confident, and as a result, feel much better about themselves. The fact that no one will be able to detect a successful hair transplant, even up close, allows for additional confidence, especially when getting close to others. Continue reading →

Hair Transplant Terms: What Is a Scalp Reduction?

Posted on October 13, 2010

A scalp reduction is a form of hair transplant surgery aimed to restore hair to the scalp. This procedure means that a bald part of the scalp is surgically removed and hair bearing skin is stretched and sutured together. The scalp reduction was first introduced during the late 1970’s and at the time seemed like the ideal answer, it was quick and straight forward. The bald skin was simply removed and there was no waiting for the hair to grow.

Not everyone was a suitable candidate for a scalp reduction. To undergo this procedure the client needed a high degree of skin laxity, which refers to how much the skin is able to be moved and pulled. During a scalp reduction, bald skin was removed from the crown or the top, never from the frontal hair line. Continue reading →

Are Hair Transplants Expensive?

Posted on October 11, 2010

Considering that a hair transplant is a complex procedure requiring a skilled doctor and his team to operate for several hours, it only makes sense that it does not come cheap. And even though some hair transplants can certainly be pricey, the cost can be justified by all means. With a larger amount of clinics offering hair transplant procedures, competition is increasing and a hair transplant is becoming more affordable than ever.

Though hair transplants fees are often quoted per graft, they can also be quoted by hair or for the entire surgery (flat fee). Regardless of pricing method, prospective hair transplant clients are encouraged to compare different hair transplant clinics in order to explore all their options and find an affordable solution. Continue reading →

How Many Grafts Will I Need For My Hair Transplant?

Posted on October 8, 2010

Since hair transplant costs are often priced by grafts, it is no wonder that those who consider a hair transplant would like to know how many grafts they will need. The amount of grafts needed will depend on a variety of different factors, including the degree of hair loss and how much density or coverage is desired.

The number of grafts needed also depends on what will make the client feel satisfied. An older man who has been bald for a long time might be pleased with a small amount of coverage, while a younger man, who clearly remembers what his full head of hair looked like, might demand more hair. In this case, the older man would need a smaller number of grafts, while the younger man would need a larger amount.

The many other factors that will influence the number of grafts needed include where the client wants the hair, how much density and coverage is desired, and the quality of the hair. A client with thick hair of good quality may not need as many grafts as someone with thin, brittle hair.

While every case is unique and it is hard to give an exact number, a typical hair transplant will require anywhere from 1000-5000 grafts. It is possible to have fewer grafts, but complete coverage may not be achievable with a graft number lower than 1000. In addition, a client who desires 5000 or more grafts would need an excellent donor supply. A client may not be able to have as many grafts as he or she desires, because there may not be enough hair to serve as donor supply.

Understanding the Hamilton Norwood scale can give a brief estimate of how many grafts are needed for a hair transplant. Though a doctor cannot say the exact number of grafts needed without seeing the client, the following numbers can give an overall estimate. For example, a client in stage 2 might need about 1500-2000 grafts while someone in stage 7 could need as many as 4000-5000 grafts. Those in stage 3, 4, 5 and 6 will land somewhere in the middle with approximately 2500-3500 grafts. Another way of calculating the approximate number of grafts needed is by taking the scale number and multiplying it by 1000-1500 grafts. That means someone in scale 2 would need 2000-3000 grafts.

After a thorough consultation, the hair transplant doctor will be able to recommend the number of grafts needed, not only for the first procedure, but also for potential subsequent sessions. However, a doctor should not use more grafts than what is actually needed, as enough hair should be saved for future hair transplants. In other words, even if the client has a good donor supply, not all of it should be used. With any type of hair transplant is it wise to have realistic expectations, as a having a full head of hair may not always be possible.

Photo via hairtransplantcenter

Hair Transplant Techniques: The Lateral vs. Vertical Slit

Posted on October 6, 2010

With the refinement of hair transplants, doctors are paying more attention to the appropriate angle and orientation of the transplanted grafts, and new techniques are constantly emerging and being employed by doctors all over the world. In hair transplants terms, lateral and vertical slits are two different techniques in preparing the recipient sites where the new hairs will be transplanted. Both lateral and vertical slits use ultra fine, often custom made blades to create tiny slits, but the main difference lies in how the slit is positioned.

The lateral slit technique is where incisions are made horizontally, or from right to left, versus the vertical slit, which simply means the slit is made from front to back instead. Lateral slits are also called coronal or horizontal slits, while vertical slits sometimes are referred to as parallel or sagital. Initially, hair transplant procedures were made with almost all vertical incisions. With the introduction of the lateral slit, many doctors have adopted it as they believe it is superior to the vertical slit. Some doctors believe that vertical incisions do not allow for the most natural hair direction.

With the lateral slit technique, hair transplant doctors may have an increased control in the ability to rotate the hair follicles so that they lay out across the scalp. This means that the lateral slit can allow the hair to position itself better by going in different directions and create the illusion of more hair. Lateral slits also allows the doctor to angle the grafts in a way that will look more natural and follow the clients own hair. Advocates of the lateral slit believe that they can ultimately provide more coverage than hairs placed in vertical slits.

While lateral slits are preferred by many highly rated doctors, other doctors don’t agree that lateral slits are superior to vertical slits. And there are studies that suggest that lateral slits are not necessarily any better. As there is no scientific proof that one technique is necessarily better than the other, it ultimately becomes a matter of the doctor’s own preference.

Which hair transplant slit technique is best might just depend on who you ask. Many hair transplant doctors use a combination of lateral and vertical slits, while many other doctors will use only one or the other. In addition to the doctor’s own preference, the method used will often depend on what is best for the individual client.

Photo via Hulpy

Do Hair Transplants Really Work?

Posted on October 4, 2010

Though hair transplants have come a long way, and are constantly improving, it is fully understandable to question whether they actually work. Considering the amount of time and money a hair transplant client dedicates to have the procedure done, it is only valid to be concerned with how successful hair transplants really are.

During a hair transplant, hair in the form of a graft or follicle is extracted from one part of the scalp, called the donor site, and then inserted into another part of the scalp, the recipient site. The doctor will use microsurgical, often custom made, tools to create tiny slits where the transplanted hairs will grow. The body will “accept” this transplanted hair as it is the body’s own hair. Transplanted hair is not likely to be rejected as it is not foreign, and will remain its original characteristics, including color, thickness and quality. Eventually, the transplanted hair will function and grow just like any other hair on the scalp. To increase the chance of a completely successful transplant, clients should use only their own scalp hair and not hair from other parts of the body, as is not likely to grow as well.

Though rare, there is a tiny risk that the transplanted hair will not take root in its new location, and this is often due to dry or injured grafts. It is possible for grafts to dry out or get injured between extraction and insertion. An experienced doctor will take steps to minimize any injury to the grafts, and insure that as many grafts as possible are being used to their full potential.

Other factors that will affect the success of a hair transplant include following pre and post operative instructions given by the doctor. These instructions are very important and should be followed closely. Doing so will have a positive effect on the overall outcome of the hair transplant. Taking an oral hair loss medication such as Minoxidil or Finasteride, before, during or after a hair transplant can also positively influence the results, and slightly increase the amount of hair.

Though a hair transplant is an efficient procedure that most definitely works, results cannot be expected immediately. In the initial weeks and months following the hair transplant procedure, patience is needed, as the surgical incisions are healing and the transplanted hair might shed. The hair follicle itself remains and will produce new hair. It can take several months, sometimes up to one year for the hair transplant to reveal its final result. Until then, patience and positive thinking is needed. While it is safe to say that the vast majority of hair transplants do work, it is wise not to assume that any doctor can do the job. To ensure a successful hair transplant it is of utmost importance to choose a highly regarded hair transplant doctor with many years of experience.

Photo via Dr_Alan_Bauman

How an Eyebrow Hair Transplant Is Done

Posted on October 1, 2010

While restoring hair to the scalp might be the most common form of a hair transplant, other forms are becoming available, such as an eyebrow hair transplant. Those with little to no eyebrows can consider an eyebrow hair transplant as a way to restore the eyebrows and have fuller, better looking brows. Thin or patchy eyebrows can look unappealing, and be a result of genetics, over tweezing, illness or other reasons. Perfectly shaped eyebrows can make a significant positive difference to a person’s appearance, as they are a very central part of the face.

Hair that will be transplanted to the eyebrows is usually taken from the scalp, and may also retain the characteristics of the scalp hair. Hair that has been taken from the scalp may grow longer, as eyebrow hair does not grow as long as scalp hair. If scalp hair is transplant to the eyebrows, the transplanted hair may need to be trimmed.

Eyebrow hairs are single hairs, which means that in an eyebrow hair transplant, individual hairs must be dissected from the grafts and placed as flat as possible. One of the biggest difficulties with eyebrow transplants is in trying to mimic the hair direction in the way it naturally occurs. The doctor must carefully angle and place each individual hair in a way that will match the existing brow hairs. Extremely high precision is required at this point as there is little room for error.

An eyebrow hair transplant is a safe procedure and rarely takes longer than a few hours. Between 50 and 300 hairs are usually transplanted depending on the specific desires of the client, as well as the doctor’s recommendations. Side effects are minimal and can include swelling and discomfort. Overall, the recovery period is short and complication free. One transplant procedure is often enough to achieve the desired results. During the first week of recovery the client might see some crusting in the area where the hair was transplanted. The crusts will fall off and the sutures that were placed in the donor area are removed at the end of the first week. After about two weeks the transplanted hairs falls out and will grow again within the next three months. Once the transplanted hairs begin to grow they should continue to do so for a lifetime.

While it is fully possible today to do an eyebrow hair transplant, this delicate procedure requires a high degree of technical skill to be able to place hairs in a natural looking pattern. In addition, eyebrow hair transplants are not only a technical procedure but also a highly artistic one, as the doctor must work diligently to create an eyebrow shape that matches the features as well as the desires of the client.

Photo via Ronan_tlv

Hair Transplant Terms: What Are Mega Sessions?

Posted on September 29, 2010

Mega sessions and super mega sessions are the names of hair transplant procedures that use a large number of micro grafts in one single session. Though the exact definition and number of grafts used in a mega session depends on who you ask, there is an overall understanding of what these procedures are and what they can achieve.

Though many hair transplant clients desire to have the maximum number of hair grafts transplanted in one surgery, this will not always be possible. In other words, not everyone considering a hair transplant will be able to do a mega session. The client must have high density and sometimes high skin laxity in order to undergo this type of procedure. Density simply refers to the amount of hair the client has and laxity refers to how flexible the scalp is. Though mega sessions are often done with the Strip procedure, they can also be done with the FUE method, though a Strip procedure can transplant a larger number of hairs in one mega session.

The exact number of grafts for a mega or super mega session varies depending on who performs the procedure. A traditional hair transplant session usually uses 2000 or less grafts. A mega session uses 3.000 to 4.500 grafts, and a super mega session is anything over 4.500 grafts and can even reach as many as 5.000-7.000 grafts.

Doctors with expertise in mega sessions can obtain the same results in one mega session as another doctor would with 2-5 regular sessions, but for a medical team to be able to finish a mega session hair transplant procedure in less than 12 hours, they must have a sufficient number of well trained staff members on hand.

The advantages of mega sessions include fewer hair transplant surgeries, less donor scarring, less downtime for the patient, and greater overall value. Some of the disadvantages could be that too much of the donor hair is used, that if the grafts are removed and then not inserted in a reasonable amount of time they could get injured and there could be less growth. And if the doctor attempts to remove a too wide of a strip in order to obtain as many grafts as possible, it could result in a visible scar.

Mega sessions would only be an option to a few individuals, because it requires an excellent donor zone in order to obtain the large amount of grafts needed. If there is enough donor supply, a mega session can be considered. Mega sessions are safe procedures when performed by experienced hair transplant surgeons, and should result in the same excellent outcome as a regular hair transplant would. However, anyone considering a mega session should carefully research prospective hair transplant clinics to make sure they have years of expertise in performing them.

Photo via Lovalizious