What causes hair loss?
Frequent shampooing, the wearing of hats and poor
circulation are not the cause of hair loss.
Androgenetic alopecia, or pattern baldness, is the leading cause of hair
loss in men and women. In this condition, hormones combined with a
hereditary predisposition produce thinning hair and pattern baldness.
Less common causes of hair loss include high fever, severe infection,
diet, certain medications, birth control pills, thyroid disease,
childbirth, and cancer treatments. During the consultation, the cause of
your hair loss will be evaluated, followed by a discussion of available
treatment options.
Male pattern baldness usually begins with a receding hairline and
thinning at the crown and continues to progress over a lifetime. Female
pattern baldness usually consists of thinning across the top of the
scalp with preservation of the frontal hairline. Although the ultimate
degree of baldness cannot be accurately predicted, the age of onset and
the family history are important factors.
Restoring lost hair
Advanced surgical techniques provide
the most natural-looking, permanent solution for those who are bald or
have thinning hair. “Follicular-Unit Micrografting” is a method by which
hair follicles are redistributed in a manner which duplicates how hairs
naturally grow from the scalp.
Topical and oral medications may benefit some people with early to
moderate hair loss and may also be combined with follicular-unit
micrografting. The use of medications to stop or slow down the hair loss
process can be discussed during your consultation. Hair pieces, wigs or
weaves are difficult to maintain and may present an unnatural
appearance. While these solutions are acceptable for some people, hair
transplantation using follicular-unit micrografts can provide a more
natural look, permanently.
What about after the Follicular-Unit Micrografting procedure?
Most people do not have any significant
discomfort after the surgery. Some itching and swelling can occur but is
generally mild. Normal physical activities can be resumed immediately.
Crusting and scabbing of the transplanted areas last about a week.
The transplanted hair falls out in about two weeks and generally begins
to grow again in about three months. Once it has grown in, the next
session can be performed. The number of sessions required to fill in a
given area depends on the extent of the hair loss and the density which
is desired. For most people, this means between one and three sessions.
Transplanted hair lives and grows indefinitely. Once the transplant
procedures are complete, no further treatments are necessary. The hair
can be styled any way the person desires. Although hair transplantation
is a substantial investment, the results are considered permanent and
may be less expensive than other hair loss treatments when factored over
a lifetime. The improvement in self-image and confidence is well worth
the cost for most people.
You can find answers to most frequently asked questions about hair transplantation process here.
To find out if you could be a candidate for Follicular-Unit Micrografting or to learn more information about these procedures, we invite you to contact one of our doctors for a private consultation.