| Dr. Harrison C. Putman III is a member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Hair transplant.
Q. Please explain the primary procedures performed by your practice.
A. The primary procedures I perform in terms of frequency include the following in general: Blepharoplasty, eyelid lifting, rhinoplasty, face lifting, brow lifts, laser procedures, liposuction and fat transfer, facial bone augmentation, hair transplantation and otoplasty or ear pinning. Of course, injectable fillers and Botox injections are a very large part of our practice, but are considered non-surgical treatments.
Q. What is Hair Transplant and who would be a good candidate for hair transplant surgery?
A. A hair transplant is a procedure in which the patient’s own hair is harvested from a suitable donor area and is then transplanted into areas that are deficient of hair growth. A good candidate for hair transplant surgery is someone suffering from significant hair thinning or hair loss who needs restoration of a suitable hairline or density restored to the deficient areas of the scalp. These are generally people in mid life. Younger patients with hair loss are often more appropriately treated with medical management.
Q. How does hair transplantation work?
A. Hair transplantation is performed by harvesting donor hair from the posterior portion of the scalp and other areas where hair loss does not occur. The grafted scalp material is then cut under magnification into small grafts of one to perhaps four or five hairs, consisting of single hair micrografts, small follicular unit grafts or very small mini-grafts. The distinction is primarily one related to the number of hairs and the size of the graft. While the assistants cut all of the grafts, the operating surgeon creates the recipient transplant sites on the scalp with particular attention to designing a natural, slightly irregular hairline, as well as very small recipient slits for transplantation of the grafts at the proper angle and inclination. Hundreds or even thousands of grafts may be transplanted, depending on the needs of the patient, the size of the recipient area, the desired density and the quality of the transplanted hair. The number of grafts possible is also largely dependent on the number of assistants on the operating team, which may vary from three to as many as six or even more in some practices. The procedure is usually carried out using only local anesthesia, but may incorporate oral or intravenous sedation. General anesthesia is not required. The number of hair transplants required depends upon the degree of pre-existing hair loss and the density that is desired by the recipient.
Q. What are the new hair restoration treatments available for men and women?
A. The only FDA approved products for hair restoration in women are the topical 2% Minoxidil or Rogaine which can be utilized twice daily, along with the possibility of hair transplantation for those who are considered acceptable candidates. For men, 5% Minoxidil or Rogaine as well as a pill, Propecia (finasteride) 1mg, are FDA approved, and of course surgery can be performed for suitable candidates. There are also off label medications that can be used for men and women, including Spironolactone (a diuretic) for women and Avodart (dutasteride) for men. There are many medical conditions which can contribute to hair loss in men and women, and when an underlying medical etiology is disclosed, treatment of this condition may help with restoration of hair growth in those patients. This list is very long, but includes thyroid disorders, scalp inflammatory conditions, dermatoses, autoimmune disorders and drug side-effects among others.
Q. Should medications be taken after hair transplant surgery?
A. Medications are taken for a limited time after hair transplant surgery. These include a short course of antibiotic therapy and pain medication primarily. Occasionally a steroid is prescribed for swelling for a few days. Aspirin, NSAIDs and medications that increase bleeding are avoided for ten days before and after the surgery in general. Some transplant surgeons advocate the adjunctive use of topical Minoxidil or Propecia for patients after hair transplant surgery, but this is not universal.
Q. Do the clients need to use a bandage after the surgery?
A. No bandages are required after this surgery. Bleeding is not usually a significant issue and the hair can be washed very gently beginning the day after the surgery.
Q. When can clients expect to see results?
A. The transplanted hair will begin to grow almost immediately, but patients will go through a period of transient hair loss termed "follicle shock" or "telogen effluvium" generally beginning about two weeks after the procedure. There is also a very short period of crusting. The transplanted follicles will begin to grow new hair noticeably in about four months after the procedure and the new hair will grow out at about one-half an inch per month, making the results readily apparent by six months. |
