| Dr. Albert J. Nemeth is a member of the International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery. Here the doctor has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Hair Transplant.
Q. What is Hair Transplant and who would be a good candidate for hair transplant surgery?
A. The basic principle of hair transplant surgery has its origin in science and observations over 50 years ago of "donor dominance." In lay terms, this means that the "factory" that grows a hair(s) can only come from an area where it is genetically programmed never to fall out. Think of the baldest bald person one has ever seen, no matter how old, who never loses that strip of hair in laurel wreath shape around the back of the head. When these hair growing factories, which reside deeply in the fat of the back and side of the scalp (the "donor area" on the same person), are physically removed surgically and transplanted into the areas of hair loss, they will keep growing in the bald area just as they did in the donor area.
It had always been recognized that patients desire permanent results. That is why the donor area is finite and limited to this small area genetically preprogrammed never to fall out, and why advances were pioneered to preserve as much of the donor area during a hair transplant procedure as possible.
All patients with hair loss, who perceive themselves as candidates for a permanent solution like hair transplant surgery, must absolutely be examined by a Board Certified Dermatologist or other physician specializing in hair loss. It is imperative to determine the cause of the hair loss, and is worth reiterating that a physician actually examine the patient and order appropriate laboratory and perform other tests since there are numerous causes for hair loss. Seeing a salesperson, and not a physician, at a "Hair Transplant Clinic" intent on "selling" a procedure is simply no evaluation or examination at all and an abomination.
If the cause of the hair loss is an underlying skin disease, then the treatment is to treat the disease. If the cause is hormonal e.g. Thyroid dysfunction or a connective tissue disease like Lupus, then the treatment must be directed at those causes. There are a myriad of other, similar examples. Only your examining physician, based on an appropriate evaluation and examination, can determine if you are a candidate for hair transplantation. An in depth, full discussion of your medical and surgical options, and their combination, should be presented to you.
Q. How does hair transplantation work?
A. Modern Hair Transplantation is an intricate, extremely labor intensive, but straightforward outpatient procedure involving artistry and requiring experience. This is why Dermatologic and Reconstructive Surgeons who are already proficient in the procedure from their Residency training are often so far advanced.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia during which the anesthetic is initially injected without needles (used for pediatric patients routinely and that is why I also use this technique for adults who similarly desire as comfortable an experience as possible!) along with one of three cooling technologies to further enhance the comfort of this preliminary, necessary step. Now that the patient feels nothing, the donor hair transplant area which includes the hair making "factories," is removed and the area sewn up with a standard dermatologic/ plastic surgical/ reconstructive layered technique that results in a hidden incision line. Using special backlighting and magnification, our veteran team with 17 years experience prepares the natural Follicular Unit (the good Lord put them in there that way and we can never improve upon that) Transplants. The Sapphire Erbium Laser is used to create the recipient sites into which the Follicular Unit Transplants are meticulously transplanted with the utmost delicacy. During the procedure the patient is comfortably sitting, engaging in conversation or watching TV.
Q. What are the new hair restoration treatments available for men and women?
A. The State of the Art surgical option utilizes the Sapphire Erbium Laser. Topical Minoxidil can be an effective option for both male and female patients and males have the additional option of an oral FDA approved medicine called Finasteride. Importantly, any option should be pursued only after consult, examination and evaluation with a Board Certified Dermatologist or physician specializing in hair loss.
Q. Do you provide free consultation and do the clients need to bring any information with them?
A. Since I am the physician who will medically examine and evaluate all of my patients, and not a salesperson, office visit fees are routine as they are for all my patients. Patients are encouraged to bring any and all recent laboratory work and all information regarding previous tests, biopsies or studies with them to help avoid duplication whenever possible.
Q. Should medications be taken after hair transplant surgery?
A. Current medications a patient may be taking are routinely discussed as part of the global operative plan as well as medications routinely prescribed after the procedure which may include an antibiotic, a medication to help combat any routine swelling after the procedure as well as prescription medicine to maximize post-procedure comfort.
Q. Do the clients need to use a bandage after the surgery?
A. Bandaging after modern, state-of the art Hair Restoration Surgery is almost as ancient as wrapping mummies during the time of the Pharaohs in Egypt. There has been no need for bandages for over two decades now. Sadly, despite this undisputed fact, unique individuals continue to proclaim that this is a "new" advance in hair restoration surgery.
Q. When can clients expect to see results?
A. Hair growth continues uninterrupted as it would have in the donor area. Both the patient and I joyously view the new growth in the hair transplants "new home", the area of previous balding, ten days post procedure when the patient first returns to the office. Full cyclic growth and cosmetic impact is appreciated throughout the post- procedure time period as it continues its crescendo of growth and permanency.
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