Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure in which hair from
the back and sides of the scalp is moved to the bald areas. Back
to Top
A Hair Transplant can be done in the early stages of hair loss when the hair
is just beginning to thin, as well as in the later stages when baldness is more
apparent. Back to Top
It is most commonly used to treat male pattern baldness. Hair
Transplantation has,
however, been performed with excellent results in the treatment of genetic hair
loss in women, as well as in scars resulting from face lifts and other facial
surgery, burns, accidents, or as a result of various hair loss diseases (See Photo
Gallery). This surgery is also done to help replace thinning eyebrows and eyelashes. Back to Top
Transplanted hair should grow normally in the recipient area as long as it
would in the donor site from which it was taken. Back
to Top
In almost all cases, the vast majority of transplanted grafts should yield
growing hair. Pre and post operative instructions are provided to minimize
the risk of graft injury and subsequent compromised growth. It is
important to realize that the number of hairs growing from each graft will vary,
depending on the density of the hair at the donor site and on the size of the
graft selected. Back to Top
Hair Transplantation is a minor office procedure which requires
only local anesthetic. There is initially some discomfort associated with
the administration of the anesthesia, but this is of very short
duration. We have developed techniques to reduce this discomfort, and
most patients tolerate this brief period very well.
The donor area (the back or sides of the scalp) as well as the recipient area
(the bald or thinning area) are made numb with the local anesthetic. Up until several
years ago, round grafts (plugs) were always used throughout the hair transplant
process. The desired number of round grafts were removed from the donor
area and then transferred to the bald area. Today these larger grafts have
been mostly replaced by smaller grafts (follicular units, micro, mini or slit
grafts), since these grafts produce a much more natural transition from thinning
or baldness to increased hair growth. In most cases where very small
grafts are used, this surgery can be accomplished almost undetectably.
Specific recommendations are discussed at a personal consultation.
When smaller grafts are to be transplanted, the following technique is used:
The hair to be transplanted is trimmed close to the scalp, and the desired
amount of donor skin and hair are then removed. This donor site is then
sutured closed, generally resulting in a fine scar which is only detectable on close
inspection. The donor hair-bearing skin is then divided into
very small pieces which contain 1-3 hairs. These grafts are
then rapidly inserted into small openings made in the recipient area. Back
to Top
This depends on the size of the bald area as well as on the donor area. When there is extensive
baldness, a procedure called a scalp reduction may be useful in order to
decrease the size of the bald area. Subsequently, grafting is done as
described above. Back to Top
The number of sessions varies, and will depend on the:
Back
to Top
Minimum time intervals will depend upon individual circumstances. However, there is no maximum
interval between sessions. Certainly, the shorter the intervals between
sessions the more rapidly the hair transplant is completed. Back
to Top
The transplanted hair generally sheds within the first 2-3 weeks after the
procedure and new hair begins to grow approximately 2-4 months later. The hair
then grows at the normal rate of 1/2 inch each month. The transition from
thinning or baldness to greater fullness of hair is very gradual. Back
to Top
A scalp reduction is a procedure which is performed under local anesthetic in
which a large bald area of skin is removed. This leaves a scar on the
scalp which must later be camouflaged by grafting directly into the
scar. Back to Top
Scalp flap surgery is a procedure in which an entire segment of hair-bearing
scalp is transferred into a bald area. This is a relatively uncommon
surgery and it is performed by few surgeons. The risks include improper hair
direction at the hairline, as well as the more serious risk of partial or
complete loss of survival of the flap and the hair within it. Back to Top
In the past, hair transplant surgery often resulted in a very artificial look
sometimes referred to as a pluggy, doll's head or corn row
look. This was usually seen in the intermediate stages between hair
transplant sessions, or if a person decided not to complete the required
number of surgeries. With the advent of the tiny grafts being
used today, the result can be very natural even after a single surgery.
Back
to Top
Laser hair transplantation has been used with some success. To
date, results with lasers have been shown to be inferior to those obtained with traditional
non-laser hair transplant
surgery. For this reason, they are not in common
use. Back to Top
Depending on the type of procedure you have done and the type of work you do,
it is often possible to go back to work in one or two
days. Back
to Top
Hair transplantation is an extremely safe out-patient procedure that is
generally without significant risks or complications. However, as is the
case in any surgery, there are risks, and these are always presented and
discussed in detail at your personal consultation with Dr. Eisenberg.
Back
to Top
All patients must have normal results to standard pre-operative blood
tests prior to confirming a surgery date and arranging travel
plans. Detailed pre-operative and post-operative instructions are
forwarded to each patient prior to the surgery date. Patients also
complete a Consent for Surgery form prior to the surgery.
