Hair Transplant

Hair loss is a common disorder that is seen primarily in men, but also can occur in women. The medical term for hair loss is alopecia. There are multiple causes for adult onset alopecia, including aging, hormonal imbalance, drugs, stress, infection, and a family history of hair loss. As a rule, the earlier hair loss begins the more severe the baldness will become.

Baldness is often blamed on poor circulation of the scalp, vitamin deficiencies, dandruff, and even excessive hat wear; all of these theories have been disproven. It is also untrue that hair loss can be determined by looking at your maternal grandfather, or that 40 year old men that haven’t lost their hair will never lose it.

There are multiple treatment options for hair loss, and include hair systems, medications, hair transplantations, and scalp reductions. The following information refers to hair transplantation only.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Hair replacement surgery is most commonly performed in persons aged 18 and older. As in any surgery, a patient should be in good general health, and have realistic expectations about surgery. Its important to understand that hair transplant surgery depends on the quality of your existing hair follicles and the efficient use of them. Patients must have healthy hair growth at the back and sides to serve as donor areas. Donor areas supply the hair grafts that will be later implanted in the balding regions of your scalp. Other factors such as hair colour, texture, and waviness will also affect the results.

Remember, there is limit as to what can be accomplished. A patient with very little hair may not be advised to undergo hair replacement surgery.
One in five women experience hair loss that is usually caused by aging, hormonal changes after menopause, or illness. Women tend to develop subtle thinning all over the scalp, rather than large bald patches that are seen in men. Hair transplant surgery is an excellent treatment option for these patients.

Before Surgery

During your initial consultation, the doctor will cover all areas of concern including the procedure, incisions, anesthesia, pre/post operative care, risks, and results. Any other treatment options and relevant questions you may have will be addressed. After your initial consultation, a second visit will be arranged, in which a complete physical exam and bloodwork will be done. Photographs will be taken, and fees will be discussed. It is important to note that depending on the amount of hair loss, patients may require multiple transplant sessions to achieve the desired result.
The risks associated with this procedure are rare and uncommon, but include reaction to anesthesia, infection, bleeding, wide scars, localized numbness, cyst formation, poor hair growth, and temporary forehead swelling.

The Surgery

The surgery is performed in our fully equipped surgery center under intravenous sedation and local anesthesia. The patient sleeps comfortably through the procedure, and wakes up in the recovery room without the ill effects of a general anesthetic. Usually, the surgery lasts up to six hours.
Hair transplantation involves removing a small strip of hair bearing scalp from the back of your head. The transplant technicians then proceed with making micro grafts (1-2 hairs) or mini grafts (2-4 hairs) that are used for transplantation in the balding recipient site. The grafts are then individually transplanted in the recipient site holes created by the surgeon. The donor site on the back of the scalp is then closed.

After Surgery

Following surgery, you will be monitored in the recovery room for up to two hours. You will experience swelling, bruising, bleeding, numbness, and temporary discomfort. You will be prescribed a course of antibiotics and pain medications. If the swelling is significant, you will also be prescribed a course of anti-inflammatory medications. You will not be wearing a head bandage on discharge from the clinic. The staff will advise you with regard to hair hygiene (ie. washing, combing, care of wound sites etc.). Over the next few days you may notice that some of the hair follicle grafts are falling out; it is normal for hair within the grafts to fall out before regrowth starts in the new location. The suture from the donor site will be removed in 10-14 days. Patients are advised to follow up at 10 days, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year.

Although you will be up and mobile the day following surgery, you will also be advised to take 7 to 10 days off work. Vigorous physical activity may be restarted after three weeks. Final results should be visible between 4-8 months.

The Results

Hair transplants restore confidence in patients who have become self conscious about their thinning hair. It is important to understand that no matter how many sessions are performed, patients will not have the same volume of hair that they once had years ago. However, with a transplant you will get natural looking coverage that will restore your youthful appearance. Soon, hiding your thinning hair under a baseball cap will become a thing of the past. If you would like to know more about hair transplant, please contact the office to book a complimentary private physician consultation.