| Dr. Sara M. Wasserbauer 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. Why is it important to know about the hair transplant procedures available?
Hair transplantation today is completely natural, basically undetectable, and nothing like the old "plug" type surgeries that were done decades ago. This means that hair loss is more of a choice than inevitable fate for many patients. My patients are not all movie stars (although some have been!) – they are regular men and women who want the dignity of having hair back. As surgical procedures go, this one has many variations among practitioners and their staffs so it is important to do your research, choose a physician with whom you feel comfortable, and above all, get someone who is experienced in the type of hair restoration you want. Insist on seeing results. An experienced hair surgeon should have plenty of happy patients who would be happy to show the results of their hair restoration.
Q. Tell us more about the Body Hair Transplantation procedure.
Body hair transplantation basically involves moving hair from one part of the body to another. For instance, scalp hair can be used to reconstruct an eyebrow or even leg or arm hair. Conversely, hair on the back, chest, or elsewhere may be used to reconstruct hair on the scalp. You can also use hair from the same body parts to fill in natural gaps or those caused by scars, like using beard hair to fill in another area of beard. Body hair transplantation is still a rare procedure and not many surgeons are trained in how to do it and still fewer have actual experience on their own patients. The best course of action if you are considering this type of surgery would be to seek out those few surgeons who do it regularly in order to get the best results.
Q. Are the hair transplant procedures painful?
The procedures are on par with a minor dental visit in terms of discomfort to the patient. For the majority of the day, the whole top of the patient’s head is numb and they are relaxing in the reclining chair in the operating room watching TV and talking with the doctor and staff. Actually, that is the chief complaint patients have – that they get tired of sitting in the chair!
Q. How many hairs are transplanted per session?
The number of hairs transplanted entirely depends on the needs of the patient. Brow and eyelash transplantation result in anywhere from 50-500 hairs being transplanted. In larger reconstructions of a completely bald scalp, these numbers can go as high as 5000. Every patient is unique and an experienced hair transplant physician can give a patient a good idea of how many grafts to expect and the likely density at an initial consultation. Depending on how this surgery is done, it can have quite dramatic results and short healing times.
Q. What can be expected after hair restoration surgery?
After hair restoration surgery, patients usually relax at home the first night. They have a bandage about half the time and are advised to sleep at a slight angle so as to minimize any possible swelling. Patients typically return the next morning for an optional (and complimentary) hair wash, but the only required visits after that would be if they needed to have stitches removed, and a 6 and 12 month follow-up to make certain the hair grows in beautifully. It takes about 3-6 months for the hair to start growing in, and a full year for final results, but this turns out to be an advantage for most patients who feel that dramatic change is best accomplished subtly.
Q. Can the clients wear their hair short?
Yes. Hair can be short or long. It can also be permed or colored, and it is advised that this be accomplished about two weeks before or two weeks after the surgery. Haircuts post operatively should be postponed until after any stitches have been removed - about a week after the procedure. The transplanted hair is permanent and requires no special care.
Q. What is the difference between mini/micro grafting and follicular unit grafting?
One of the reasons hair restoration surgery is so natural and undetectable these days is that follicular unit grafting is the standard transplant technique. A follicular unit is a grouping of typically 1-4 hairs and it is how hair naturally grows all over your head. Mini and micro grafts are bunches of these follicular units and, while small, still can look "pluggy" even from a distance. Most surgeons have abandoned the old micro/mini techniques but there are still old articles in the literature that mention it, so doing research on the Internet can be very confusing. To that end, I typically recommend non-profit sites such as the ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery) or the ABHRS (American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery) as sources of reputable information and surgeons. |
