Hair Transplant Surgery

Hair transplantation is a very safe, common and relatively minor surgical procedure. The transplanted hair seen above the scalp will initially be shed, and the roots will remain dormant for 6-12 weeks. After this period, the new hairs will all begin to grow.

Hair transplantation involves removing a strip of permanent hair-bearing skin from the back or sides of the scalp (donor area) and then, using various techniques, the strip is usually dissected into micrografts (containing 1-3 hairs) and mini-grafts (containing 3-8 hairs) each. The micro-/minigrafts are then meticulously planted into the bald or thinning area of the scalp (recipient area). The creation of very small micrografts (follicular units) has allowed very natural, feathered hairlines to be grafted, and avoids an abrupt, "pluggy look," that was typical many years ago. A mini-graft can be used behind the hairline for added density.

Depending on the degree of balding for the frontal area and similarly for the crown area, 1-3 procedures involving several hundred or perhaps 1,500 or more grafts may be required to achieve the desired density (of course, more procedures could be done if hair loss progresses or greater density is desired). Within 24 hours small crusts will form on each graft which are shed in approximately 7-10 days. The grafted hairs will often start to grow by 6-12

Anyone who has experienced permanent hair loss may be a candidate for hair restoration surgery, including:-
Men with male pattern baldness
Some women with thinning hair - female pattern thinning People with areas of scarring from injuries or hair loss after face lift procedures
People who want to thicken or restore eyebrows, eyelashes, and beards.

Surgery Time required: 3 - 8 hours Anesthesia: Local or twilight anesthesia on an out-patient basis.

Minor infections can occur around a newly transplanted hair follicle, similar to an infected ingrown hair or pimple. Minor scars. Patients may experience mild swelling to the forehead area for a few days following surgery and on rare occasions may experience a black eye if the frontal scalp is transplanted.

Recovery time Patients may be asked to use moist compresses or spray and to sleep in a semi-upright position for 2-3 days following the procedure to minimize swelling and bruising. Small crusts may form on each graft that can be camouflaged by any existing hair that can be combed over the recipient area. These crusts will flake off by 10-14 days after the surgery. Numbness that may occur in the donor or recipient area usually disappears in 2-8 months after surgery.

Good candidates are:
Male pattern baldness type II, III and IV, which has hair loss confined in the front and extending to the vertex but not severe baldness.
The age should be over 40 years; due to the male pattern baldness is a progressive condition. The rate of hair loss may slow down after 40 years, but it never stops completely.
They should be in excellent health with no bleeding disorder, not taking anti-coagulant or aspirin.