| Dr. Glenn B. Cheshire is a member of International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Hair transplant.
Q. Do you provide free consultation?
A. Our consultations are free.
Q. Does hair transplant look Natural?
A. When done properly, hair transplants look very natural. In the past, surgeons used very large grafts consisting of many hairs. These "hair plugs" looked very unnatural. Plugs are no longer used today. Instead, we try to imitate nature by using small grafts consisting of 1-3 hairs. We place grafts with 1-2 hairs along the hairline, and as we move back away from the hairline, we blend in the larger grafts containing 2-3 hairs. We also try to place the grafts into the scalp so that they grow in a natural direction. For instance, it is important that the graft not be placed too vertically, causing the hair to be spiky. A lot of thought goes into the design of a hairline, and if done carefully, no one will know that the patient has had surgery. Once in place, the patient can comb it, wash it, style it, swim with it and anything else that he or she would normally do with their hair.
Q. How long does it take to recover from hair transplant surgery?
A. The surgery is an outpatient procedure and recovery typically does not take very long. Many patients are able to drive themselves home once the procedure is finished. Many patients return to work the next day. However, it is important that patients are careful with the transplanted grafts for three to four days. The grafts need time to become embedded in the scalp so that they do not fall out. We will instruct patients on how to care for their scalp during this time period after which, they can then go back to their normal routine of washing their hair etc. They will see the first growth of hair after about three months. Hair growth will continue for about twelve months.
Q. What are the types of hair transplants you perform?
A. Typically, we transplant hair to balding areas of the scalp. This is a procedure that is effective in both men and women. In fact, a large proportion of our patients are women. We also perform transplants to the face in areas such as eyebrows, moustaches and beards. It is also possible to transplant hair to other areas if needed.
Q. Are the options for combating Hair loss in men different from women?
A. There are basically three proven ways to combat hair loss. One is with the use of Finasteride, also known as Propecia. This is an oral medication that is taken daily. It prevents the loss of existing hair and may revitalize miniaturized hair. This medication is approved for men only because it can cause birth defects. A second medication is Minoxidil, usually known as Rogaine. This is a topical medication that comes as either a foam or liquid. It can be used by men or women and also should be used daily. As with Finasteride, it prevents the loss of existing hair and may revive miniaturized hair. Finally there is laser therapy. Patients can either come to the clinic for therapy which involves them sitting under a laser designed specifically for prevention of hair loss or they can buy a special laser comb to use at home. The laser is safe for both men and women. All three of these treatments have been approved by the FDA. As a friendly warning, people should be careful when choosing anything other than the three remedies listed above. There are many products on the market that promise regrowth of hair. Most of these products will not deliver what they promise. So, as always - buyer beware!
Q. Are there complications or risks in a hair transplant?
A. As with any surgery there are risks and/or complications, but with hair restoration these are minimal. First, there is a chance of infection. Anytime an incision is made into the skin this becomes a possibility. To prevent this from happening, we use a "clean procedure" and give patients antibiotics before the procedure and then continue the antibiotics a few days after the procedure. Another complication that sometimes occurs is facial swelling. It happens in a few patients, and we recommend using ice on the forehead to prevent it from occurring. If it does occur, it should resolve after 24-36 hours. A third complication that the patient will experience is pain at the site where the donor strip was taken. Many patients never have any pain at all or if they do, it is easily controlled with Tylenol or Motrin. For the few patients that have more severe pain, I prescribe Vicodin . The pain typically lasts only the first night after the surgery and is gone by the next day. First there is risk of infection anytime your skin is cut open, but because of the excellent vascularity of the scalp, there is very little chance that an infection will occur. We always give the patient an antibiotic before the procedure and then continue the antibiotic for a few days after the procedure. There is also a chance that there will be facial swelling. Normally, using an icepack will minimize this. Of course there might be some pain. We treat this with pain medications. Many people never use the pain medicine and never have any pain at all. If there is pain, it usually occurs on the back of the scalp where the donor strip was taken and it usually resolves after the first night.
Q. If a client has already had a transplant with another doctor and is disappointed with the results, can it be redone?
A. Yes, it is possible to correct previous hair transplant surgeries. Often this is as simple as adding extra hair to the area that was previously transplanted. Sometimes, it may be more complicated. For example, years ago hair plugs were used instead of the smaller grafts of today. Sometimes it is necessary to remove the plugs, cut them into smaller grafts and then reinsert the grafts for a more natural appearing hairline. Patients that have questions about repair of previous surgeries should contact my office for more details. |
