Hair Transplant

Hair replacement is a surgical technique that takes hair from the back and sides of your head and grafts it where your hair has thinned in order to create a fuller look.

Who Can Benefit From Hair Replacement?

If you have areas of thinning hair, you may be a good candidate for hair replacement, but you must have sufficient hair on the back and sides of your head that can be transplanted elsewhere. If you have very little hair left, this procedure may not be a good choice for you.

This procedure is generally done for men, but there are some women who can benefit from hair replacement surgery as well. Hair replacement is also frequently combined with other procedures. For example, patients undergoing a facelift may have some of the hair that is removed grafted in a hair replacement procedure.

What is the Procedure Like?

Hair replacement is usually performed in the doctor's office using a local anesthetic to numb the areas where the hair will be removed and transplanted. You may also be given a sedative to make you feel relaxed and drowsy, but you will be awake during the procedure. You will not feel any pain during the surgery, and the length of your surgery will vary greatly depending upon the amount of hair to be replaced. There are numerous graft techniques, and the doctor will determine the best ones to create your desired result.

Small areas of hair are removed from fuller areas on the back and sides of your head. Your remaining hair will cover the areas where the grafted hair is taken. The removed hair is then placed into new areas very carefully. A natural hairline is maintained when placing the grafts, as this technique transplants one or two hairs at a time. Your hair must be cut short prior to surgery, and the doctor takes care to make sure the grafted hair is growing in the same direction as the surrounding hair. Additional grafts can be added during a subsequent procedure to provide more density and lower the hairline further.

What Can I Expect During Recovery?

You will need someone to drive you home after your surgery, and you will probably have to wear a bandage on your head for a day or two. You may also experience some swelling and minor pain after your surgery, but the doctor will give you a prescription for pain medication and will monitor your progress with periodic follow-up visits. You will not be allowed to wash your hair for a couple of days, and your stitches will be removed within one to two weeks. In most cases, you can return to work within a few days.

If you have had a more extensive hair replacement, you may need a bit more recovery time before returning to work. The transplanted hair will fall out about six weeks after your surgery. This is temporary and perfectly normal. Within a few more weeks, the hair will begin to grow back in these areas. Depending upon the size of the thinning area, it can take as long as two years before you are able to see the final result of your hair replacement surgeries. This surgery requires a great deal of patience, but many men have found the results well worth the wait.

What Are the Risks of Hair Replacement?

Hair replacement has been performed for many years and is a very safe procedure with rare complications.. In some cases, scalp bumps appear, but these will be hidden by your hair. Hair replacement does not prevent future hair loss in other areas of the scalp, which may require subsequent surgeries to prevent a "patchy" appearance, something that occurs in rare cases.