Frequently Asked Questions about Hair Transplantation

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Q: How do I know if I am a candidate for the procedure?

Surgical hair transplantation can make a dramatic difference for patients affected by male or female pattern hair loss. The ideal candidate is healthy, a non-smoker, on no blood thinners, and has realistic expectations about where they would like to fortify their hair density.

Q: Is there any place that CANNOT be transplanted?

We encourage very young men to avoid transplanting the vertex, or 'bald spot' because it can be difficult to predict how the hair loss will progress. However as men enter their 50's and 60's, depending on their rate of hair thinning, this answer may differ.

Q: Does it really work? Won't the hair eventually fall out?

The hair will grow as long as it is genetically programmed to grow. We harvest the hairs from the back of the head, below the tops of the ears, because we know that historically this hair will continue to grow for most of one's life.

Q: I am afraid of having that 'pluggy look' that I see around town still. How can I avoid that?

Contemporary hair transplantation provides natural results that are cosmetically undetectable. Unfortunately, the technique used for hair transplantation 20-30 years ago utilized oversized 4 and 5mm punch grafts, which looked pluggy and doll-like when the surrounding hairs thinned.

Q: How long does the procedure take?

Depending on the size of the area we are transplanting, it will likely take all of the morning and some or all of the afternoon. We have a DVD screen in our operatorium and encourage all patients to bring movies or music to listen to. The day usually passes quickly though and you are welcome to stretch and use the restroom as needed.

Q: Will I be awake for the procedure?

Yes. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia right in our office. You will receive some Valium the day of to help you relax, and are welcome to take your prescribed pain medicine at the beginning of the procedure.

Q: When will the hair start to grow?

Hair will gradually grow in as it re-enters the anagen or actively growing stage. This may be as early as 4-6 months for some people. Usually we do not see full results for at least 10-12 months after surgery.

Q: What will my recovery be like?

At the end of your procedure we will re-inforce the anesthesia in the donor area to minimize your discomfort. You are encouraged to rest the first night, just watching TV, reading, or using the computer. The bandage will stay on overnight and the next morning you will remove it and spray the area with peroxide and saline (provided by us). Then you will let warm water run over the grafts. You will apply Polysporin to the donor area daily for the first week and the sutures in the back will dissolve on their own.
By day 3 you can shampoo normally. Small scabs will form it the areas we transplanted, but will shed after 2-3 weeks.
You may have slight swelling in the forehead area. We prescribe an oral anti-inflammatory to help reduce this.

Q: Can you transplant the eyebrows?

Yes, but the cosmetic results are not always what one would expect. The donor hair follicle will continue to grow as it would on the scalp, and differ in texture. Thus, these hairs will need continued trimming and upkeep. We generally prefer to reserve these cases where trauma from car accident or surgery has left someone completely without an eyebrow. Surgical transplantation for cosmetic reasons may not provide the patient what they had expected.

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