| Dr. Lucy J. Barr is a member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Hair transplant.
Q. Does hair transplant look Natural?
A. Yes, the days of ‘hair plugs’ are over. I use the latest technique called follicular unit transplantation which doesn’t have that ‘pluggy’ look. The art of hair restoration involves careful evaluation of the patient’s scalp, their goals, their age and family history as well as any past procedures. I spend a great deal of time during my complementary consultation educating patients about hair loss and the current treatment options. The results of hair transplantation with this technique are typically undetectable. Having said that, hair restoration surgery is not magic. The hair comes from the back of the scalp where hair is not typically genetically predispositioned to fall out. I review ‘hair economics’ with all of my patients and realistic goals are carefully outlined.
Q. How long does it take to recover from hair transplant surgery?
A. Swelling sometimes settles around the eyes in the first few days, but not usually. A hat can be worn during recovery which can help mask the recovery. The sutures come out 10days after surgery. The hair starts growing a few months after the surgery; some red bumps can occur before that time.
Q. What are the types of hair transplants you perform?
A. follicular unit transplantation – hairs are transplanted in their natural state of growth (clusters of 1-4 hairs) using a carefully planned design that mimics the way hair grows in nature.
Q. Are the options for combating Hair loss in men different from women?
A. Yes. Women need to be evaluated for other potential causes before proceeding with treatment (such as anemia or thyroid abnormalities) The medical treatment options also differ. Minoxidil (rogaine foam) is used for both men and women, but in different doses. Finasteride (Propecia) is only used in men. The Hairmax laser comb was recently FDA approved and can be used for men and women. There are some other medical treatments that can also be used in women (and are by most hair surgeons), but these may not be quite as effective as those that have been specifically FDA approved for hair loss. Surgical treatment is available for both men and women, but because the pattern of loss differs between men and women, the design or surgery as well as recovery does differ.
Q. Are there complications or risks in a hair transplant?
A. Every surgery has risks. For hair surgery, there will be a scar at the back of the scalp that is typically well camouflaged by the surrounding hair. The hair can temporarily thin for months after surgery, especially in women, but this will grow back. Folliculitis (inflammation where the hair is growing) can occur as well. Other risks such as infection are very rare. I review all of this with patients in detail prior to surgery.
Q. If a client has already had a transplant with another doctor and is disappointed with the results, can it be redone?
A. Yes. I do revisions for ‘plugs’ that were placed years ago, scar revisions as well as ‘touch up’ procedures to provide a more natural appearing result. |
