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1. How many grafts in hair transplant surgery will give me enough hair density?
2. How long should I wait after hair transplant to shave my head?
3. Does a hair transplant leave scarring?
4. What causes hair loss?
5. How effective is medication against hair loss?
6. Am I a good candidate for hair restoration surgery?
7. Does the procedure hurt?
8. After the procedure can I resume my normal activities?
9. What can be done if I have had a less than satisfactory previous hair transplant?
10. What about transplants to other parts of the body?
11. Is my transplanted in danger of falling out without propecia or proscar?
12. Failed hair transplant or natural hair loss progression?
13. Concerns about hair shedding and shock loss after hair replacement surgery
14. Can I wear a hat to hide my hair transplant?
15. How long does a hair transplant take?
16. Concerns about scab removal and hair shedding 12 days after hair transplant surgery
17. When can I brush my hair normally after hair replacement surgery?
18. Hair transplant surgery can be great, if done right.
19. Hair transplant surgery can restore your naturally growing hair for life.

How many grafts in hair transplant surgery will give me enough hair density?

Question:

If I get a hair transplant, how many follicular unit grafts / hairs per square CM is considered adequate hair density? 40/60/80?

Answer:

The answer to this question will vary however, it honestly depends on your hair characteristics, number of hairs per graft, and your hair restoration goals.

Typically at 50% of your natural hair density, you will present a good illusion of hair fullness. Since the average natural hair density without any hair loss is approximately 80 follicular units per square cm, 40 follicular units per square cm should give you a significant improvement in the appearance of hair density after hair replacement surgery.

In my opinion, the higher density you can achieve in an area (taking into consideration future hair loss, coverage verses density, feathering of the immediate hairline, etc), the better it will look. Keep in mind that not every patient is a candidate for super high hair densities. Whether or not a hair transplant surgeon performs this type of session will depend on the size of the balding areas (immediate and future potential) and available donor hair.

How long should I wait after hair transplant to shave my head?

Question:

How long after the hair transplant before a person can - A, shave his head with a razor and B, shave his head with a number 1 or 2 setting?

Answer:

It is possible to shave the head immediately after a procedure, but it is probably best to wait about 3 weeks. The appearance of the shaved donor area will depend on the total number of grafts obtained in a procedure. If 25% of the follicular units are removed from the donor area, this will leave gaps in the donor area where follicular units were removed in an effort to relocate them to the top. A number 1 guard will conceal these gaps, however. It is possible to clip to a number one at any time after a FUE procedure. If you are concerned about gaps in the donor area, one way to minimize these is to add body hair into the FUE extractions at the same time that grafts are removed.

Does a hair transplant leave scarring?

Question:

If I wanted hair implants, would I have a scar on the back of my head?

Answer:

Any time skin is cut, it will leave a scar. Therefore, hair transplant surgery is not without scarring.

There are two hair transplant techniques worth considering. Both of them have benefits and drawbacks that should be carefully evaluated before deciding on a technique.

In follicular unit transplantation (FUT) also known as strip surgery, the physician removes a strip of scalp containing hair follicles and then sutures or staples the area back together. Follicular units (hairs in groups of 1, 2, 3, and 4) are slivered and dissected preferably under microscopes and then placed into tiny incisions made by the hair transplant surgeon. You will end up with a thin linear scar. Be sure to research the possibility of scar stretching and what you and the surgeon can do to help minimize the risk. Wearing your hair a bit longer in the sides and back will help camouflage this. Additionally, with the new trichophytic closure technique, hair can grow through the scar which will also help minimize its appearance. In many cases, this will enable you to wear your hair pretty short in the back without showing the linear scar.

In follicular unit extraction (FUE) also known as the follicular isolation technique (FIT), a surgeon will extract one follicular unit graft at a time from the donor area. This will eliminate the linear scar however in its place, will be little white dots where the hair has been removed. Taking too much hair from a concentrated area can make the donor area (the sides and back of your head) look like swiss cheese.

What causes hair loss?

There are many reasons for hair loss but some 95% of all cases are due to a condition called "androgenetic alopecia." In men, this is commonly referred to as "male pattern baldness." The onset of this condition is due to several factors including: 1) a genetic predisposition to lose hair; 2) the presence of the male hormone, dihydrotestosterone; and 3) age.

It is normal for an individual to lose approximately 100 hairs every day, but these hairs then regrow several months later. When the hair loss exceeds new hair growth, baldness results. Once it starts, hair loss is progressive and often continues for a lifetime.

How effective is medication against hair loss?

Several medications have FDA approval for the treatment of androgenetic pattern hair loss. Minoxidil (brand name Rogaine) is a topical medicine for men and women that must be applied twice daily. Finasteride (Propecia) is a pill only for men to be taken once daily. These medications have limited effectiveness, slowing down or stopping altogether the progression of hair loss in the back of the head in less than two-thirds of all men. The only permanent remedy for hair loss is surgical hair restoration, or hair transplantation.

Am I a good candidate for hair restoration surgery?

Anyone who is concerned about hair loss and is willing to undergo a minimally invasive procedure is a potential candidate. Patients have ranged in age from the late teens to the late 70'5, with hair loss patterns ranging from early thinning or minimal hairline recession up to advanced baldness where there is only a rim of hair along the sides and back of the scalp.

Does the procedure hurt?

Virtually all our patients report that there is very little, if any, discomfort in the hair restoration process. Patients are offered local anaethestic and a pill for relaxation.

After the procedure can I resume my normal activities?

Most people are able to return to work and most social activities in one to three days. In four to six days all activities, including most exercise and regular hair care, can be resumed.

Tiny crusts will develop around each graft, falling out after one week. During this first week a powder, Toppik, provided by the office can be applied to the scalp to conceal the crusts. The transplanted hairs then usually fall out two weeks later, only to regrow in two to three months.

What can be done if I have had a less than satisfactory previous hair transplant?

Over 30 percent of the procedures the doctor performs are on individuals who have had transplants previously and are disappointed with the results. A variety of techniques are available to dramatically improve appearances. Because of his experience, Dr. Epstein has lectured and written on the subspecialty of revision surgical hair restoration.

What about transplants to other parts of the body?

Through follicular unit grafting, hair can be transplanted to virtually any part of the body. The doctore has successfully transplanted hair to the eyebrows, beard, mustache and chest.

Is my transplanted in danger of falling out without propecia or proscar?

Question:

I am interested in a hair transplant but have a question about the use of hair loss drugs (like Propecia and Proscar). Several people I know have had sexual side effects using finasteride, but they continue taking them for fear of losing their transplanted hair. In your professional opinion, do I need to continue taking Propecia to keep my transplanted hair from falling out? Is transplanted hair susceptible to DHT?

Answer:

The good news is, transplanted hair is permanent and does not require the use of Propecia or Rogaine. Hair restoration surgery operates on a principle known as "donor dominance". This means that transplanted hair keeps it's donor characteristics and is immune to DHT.

The bad news is, hair transplant surgery does nothing to stop the progressive nature of hair loss. Propecia and Rogaine (especially when used in combination with one another) can slow down or stop hair loss in its tracks, and even sometimes facilitate hair regrowth.

Failed hair transplant or natural hair loss progression?

Question:

I had hair transplant surgery 9 months ago and I have yet to really see any results. I am extremely depressed, especially since I am reading that one can usually see results after only 5 months. However, my situation may be different. I had a full head of hair except for extreme thinning hair in my balding crown. After the surgery, i was very stressed and no matter what I did, I would see four times as much hair loss in the shower than usual. It also easily came out when I combed it. This continued for about 2 weeks and now I feel as though I have about 1/4 less hair than I used to. i was told there may be hair transplant postoperative shock loss, but I was wondering what you think is going on with my case?

Answer:

Though a hair transplant isn't fully mature until approximately 12 months after surgery; most patient see significant new hair growth by 9 months. Given your description above, I am wondering if your transplanted hair did grow but that your hair loss progressed significantly these last several months.

Remember that a hair restoration procedure does nothing to stop the progression of male pattern baldness. It only surgically removes hair from one part of the scalp and replaces it in balding areas. Nonsurgical hair loss products like Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) can complement a hair transplant by preventing androgenic alopecia from continuing. Without them, loss can and will continue as dictated by your genes. In my opinion, if you are not already on these, you may want to consider them if you want to stop hair loss.

Concerns about hair shedding and shock loss after hair replacement surgery

Question:

I am now 17 days out from hair replacement surgery and I'm starting to shed some of the transplanted hair which is making my hair look a lot like it did before surgery. From what I understand, this is normal?

I'm also worried to death about shock loss. Can you please tell me when this is most likely to happen, not to the newly transplanted hairs but to the existing "native" hair in between the follicular unit grafts?

Answer:

It is perfectly normal for hair shedding of the new grafts which typically occurs between two to four weeks after hair restoration surgery. You will lose most, if not all of the new hair, but don't worry. Below the surface of the scalp, the follicles are healthy and resting (catagen) and will rise again and most likely begin to break through the skin between three to five months. Hair growth is gradual and won't be visible at first, though you will be able to feel them with your fingertips. They also will grow at different rates slowly maturing up to one year or eighteen months before you see the final result.

Shock loss is always a possibility for those who have had hair transplanted in between and around existing natural or "native" hair. This "shock" is a result of trauma to the scalp during surgery and can occur anywhere from a few days to a couple of months after the procedure. The good news is, in most cases, hair replacement shock loss is temporary and these hairs too will regrow typically around the same time new hair regrowth starts. Permanent shock loss can occur if a natural hair follicle is transected or heavily damaged beyond repair during surgery (minimal risk in the hands of an elite hair loss doctor) or if the hair was already miniaturizing and on its way out anyway.

Can I wear a hat to hide my hair transplant?

Question:

Can you wear a hat after a hair transplant procedure is finished so that nobody knows about it?

Answer:

The good news is, yes - you can wear a loose fitting hat immediately after your hair transplant procedure, even before you step outside of the clinic. Be sure that you put it on and take it off carefully and gently as to not rub against the newly transplanted hair. Ten days after your hair replacement surgery, the follicular unit grafts will be secure in your scalp and you can go back to wearing a hat normally with much less caution.

In my opinion however, give your scalp as much of a chance to breathe as possible, minimizing the use of the hat when inside of your house or in places away from public eye. Though a hat will not stunt hair growth, exposing your scalp to the air will facilitate healing.

How long does a hair transplant take?

Question:

I want to know how much time a hair transplant will take?

Answer:

The surgical aspect of the hair transplant procedure takes approximately 3 to 8 hours, but you won't see the final result from a single procedure for about a year. The procedure is a process that involves the surgery, healing time including suture/staple removal, shedding of the transplanted hair, a waiting period of about 3 to 5 months, and gradual hair growth for the next 6-10 months. Depending on your hair restoration goals and level of baldness, you may need more than one procedure. Be sure to discuss long term goals and the number of required surgeries with your hair loss doctor before getting in the chair.

Concerns about scab removal and hair shedding 12 days after hair transplant surgery

Question:

I still have a lot of scabs / crusts 12 days after hair transplant surgery. Is it safe now for me to scrub them without the danger of pulling out the hair follicle? Also, my hair loss doctor told me that my transplanted hair will begin to shed and I would see some of them fall out in the tub or on my pillow. I haven't seen any yet, is this normal?

Answer:

Every hair restoration physician has their own set of hair transplant postoperative instructions so it is important to follow then. However, at 12 days, the follicular unit grafts are secured in your scalp and would have to be surgically removed.

I have found that running my finger tips (not the nails) in a circular motion over the scabs / crusts in the shower for an extra 10 minutes two times a day help facilitate their removal. Heavy scrubbing or picking with your finger nails is not a good idea as it can cause bleeding.
Hair shedding of the grafts typically starts to occur between 2 and 4 weeks, so you should start seeing this happen gradually at any time.

When can I brush my hair normally after hair replacement surgery?

Question:

I just had a hair transplant a few weeks ago. When can I brush my hair normally? I'd like to give it a thorough brush if possible.

Answer:

The first two weeks after a hair replacement surgery are critical in terms of healing and securing of the follicular unit grafts in the scalp. Anytime after that, you are safe to brush your hair normally. Because the scalp can remain sensitive for a few months, be careful not to brush too hard as this may further irritate it.

Remember that in a few days to a few weeks, the transplanted hair will start to shed and this is perfectly normal. After that, it's the waiting game for hair regrowth.

Hair transplant surgery can be great, if done right.

Today if you choose a leading hair restoration physician who is performing state of the art surgery you can achieve completely natural results that will last a life time.

This site was created by and for patients, to help others get past the hype and learn how to achieve great results.

Hair transplant surgery can restore your naturally growing hair for life

When done right, the result is so natural that even a stylist cannot detect it. The days of the unnatural looking “corn row” results are long gone.

Today hair restoration surgery is a one day out-patient procedure requiring only local anesthesia. Most patients are surprised by how little discomfort, if any, they experience during and after surgery.

This site will help you learn how hair transplants work, what procedure is the most advanced and natural and which physicians worldwide perform outstanding hair restoration surgery.

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If you have any questions about the Shanghai Center for Hair Transplant, or about hair trans-plants, follicular unit grafts, or anything else, please don't hesitate to contact us.

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