Hair Transplant Information provided by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

By age 50, about 50% of American men-and a substantial number of women-are affected by hair loss, much of which is hereditary. Micro-hair transplantation is a state-of-the-art hair transplantation technique that has replaced "plugs" or larger grafts of hair.

Technique:
Most micro-hair transplant procedures (individual hair micrograft restorations) use local anesthesia and are performed on an outpatient basis. Other procedures such as flap surgery, require general anesthesia and are performed in a surgical setting. After approximately six weeks, the transplanted hair will fall out and be replaced about three months later when the new hair grows in. To achieve sufficient density, several sessions may be required. Transplantation is a progressive process requiring hundreds of micro-grafts, each of which will generally contain from one to three hairs mini-grafted from a donor site on the side or back of the head. They are randomly implanted in the bald (or thinning) area so that they will grow in a natural pattern and produce an undetectable result.

Benefits:
The surgeon may or may not bandage the area after surgery. Generally, the eyes swell shut for a short period of time. It is important to keep the head elevated when lying down. Cold compresses can be used to help reduce swelling and discomfort. Sutures are removed within 10 days. Swelling and bruising is normal and will last about 2 weeks. Patients return to normal activity in 2 weeks, but may have to avoid strenuous activity for a longer period of time.

Other Considerations:

• Must have availability of healthy hair in donor areas of adequate density. May be combined with other surgical procedures in patients with larger areas of baldness.
• Time-consuming process that may require multiple sessions over 1 to 2 years.
• Procedure involves some degree of minor discomfort, bruising and swelling.
• There may be numbness around the donor or recipient site, which generally disappears within 2 to 3 months.
• Several days are required before normal activities can be resumed.
• Patient should not have unrealistic expectations about the nature and extent of transplanted hair growth. Individual hair characteristics, such as coarseness and curl, can affect the possible density of transplanted hair.
• Survival of transplanted hair is not always predictable.

For Hair Transplant Surgery in San Diego choose Stuart Kincaid.

Procedure Information Courtesy of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

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