Hair transplant surgery is a cosmetic procedure that transfers your hair follicles from a donor site to a balding section of your scalp. The surgery is intended to resolve the problem of hair loss in women or in men, restoring a natural and more youthful appearance.
Indications for Hair Transplantation
Both men and women may be considered candidates for hair replacement. The most common reason for this procedure is andorgenetic alopecia, the loss of hair due to genetics or hormonal changes.
To determine if you are a good candidate for hair transplantation, your physician will consider the following:
- Family history of baldness
- Density of donor area
- Hair color
- Skin color
- Hair texture
- Laxity of the scalp
During Hair Transplant Surgery
Surgeons and dermatologists offer multiple procedures for hair transplantation. All procedures are done as outpatient operations, typically under local anesthesia with sedation. Common techniques include the following:
Strip harvesting with micrografting involves the removal of small hair bearing grafts of scalp tissue. The micrografts are transplanted into small incisions made in the scalp or along the frontal hairline.
Flap surgery requires a surgical removal of a section of bald scalp and a lifting of hair-bearing skin that remains attached on one end. The hair-bearing flap is brought into a new position while the blood supply remains intact.
Tissue Expansion is the insertion of an inflatable balloon device beneath an area where hair-bearing scalp resides near a bald spot. As the device expands over several weeks, the skin is stretched enough to cover the bald area with scalp that contains hair.
After Your Hair Transplant
Your post-operative experience will vary depending on the techniques used during surgery. A dressing is applied and worn for one or two days, after which you can shower and use shampoo. Swelling and bruising should be expected. After about 10 days, you can return for removal of stitches.
After about six weeks, the transplanted hair may fall out and regrow over the next six to 12 weeks. Once a year has passed, the hair growth should be fully stabilized. Follow up procedures are common for hair transplantation. If you're considering a hair replacement procedure, it's important to understand that you will never have the coverage you had prior to your hair loss, but surgery may camouflage the thin areas and give you more fullness.
For more information about hair transplant in New York, contact Sadick Dermatology in Great Neck or Manhattan.
