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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 (or every other day). 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.
What is hair transplantation
Hair transplantation involves transferring hairs from the back and side of the head (the "donor area") to those areas undergoing hair loss or thinning. The hairs from the donor area are genetically programmed to be permanent. Once transplanted, these hairs will continue to grow for a lifetime for a permanent hair transplant. Today the state of the art procedure is follicular unit micrografting. A follicular unit is the naturally occurring grouping of hairs containing from one to three, occasionally four, hairs. Each graft is cut individually under the microscope. As many as 4,000 grafts or more are able to be transplanted in a single procedure lasting three to six hours. In addition to follicular unit micrografting, Foundation for Hair Restoration™ doctors can also perform a procedure using FUE, or follicular unit extraction- where an incision is avoided altogether and individual follicles from the back and sides of the head are extracted using a tiny circular-shaped punch, leaving essentially no donor site scar.
A Foundation for Hair Restoration™ doctor will discuss which method is more appropriate in light of the patient's circumstances.
Click here for an in-depth look at follicular unit micrografting, The Foundation for Hair Restoration™ doctors' procedure for 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 of the Foundation for Hair Restoration™ doctors have ranged from the late teens to the late 70's, 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.
To view the various categories of hairloss, click here.
Does the procedure hurt
Virtually all our patients report that there is very little, if any, discomfort in the hair restoration process. Anesthesia can now be delivered painlessly with a computerized device called The Wand®. In addition, patients are offered 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 about detectability and scarring
If you can tell an individual has had a hair transplant, then it wasn't performed properly. Using artistic state-of-the-art techniques, an individual should have a completely natural looking head of hair, including a hairline so natural that the hair can be brushed back or cut very short. This naturalness is achieved by designing a hairline in harmony with the individual's facial proportions, as well as using the right combination of different sized follicular unit micro grafts transplanted at the proper angle. While technically demanding, follicular unit transplantation creates the most natural appearing results for most individuals.
What treatment works best for women
In general, women do not respond well to minoxidil and are not to take Propecia®. Therefore, hair restoration remains an important option in permanent hair transplant methods. The procedure is similar to that performed on men, with some important variations in technique that can be discussed with the patient at the time of consultation. Hair restoration is also a frequent choice of women who have scarring from previous surgery, notably facelifting. Any areas of absent hair can be replenished with follicular unit grafts.
Click here to learn more about The Foundation for Hair Restoration™ doctors' procedures for women
What can be done if I have had a less than satisfactory previous hair transplant
Over 30 percent of the procedures the Foundation for Hair Restoration™ doctors perform are on individuals who have had transplants previously and are disappointed with the results. A variety of techniques are available to dramatically improve appearances. Due to Dr. Epstein's years of experience, he has lectured and written on the subspecialty of revision surgical hair restoration.
Click here to learn more about The Foundation for Hair Restoration™ doctors' reparative procedures.
What about transplants to other parts of the body
Through follicular unit micrografting, hair can be transplanted to virtually any part of the body. Foundation doctors have successfully transplanted hair to the eyebrows, beard, mustache, chest, underarm, and pubic area.
To view before and after patient photos showing The Foundation for Hair Restoration™ doctors' body and facial transplant procedures, click here.
I will be traveling to a Foundation For Hair Restoration office for my procedure. Are there special arrangements or requirements
About 70% of our patients travel to our nationwide offices for their procedures from outside of the area and often times, outside the United States. The hair transplant procedure is ideally suited to be performed on a fly-in/fly-out basis. An overnight stay in a local hotel is recommended after the procedure; however the patient may fly the same day. The patient's hair is washed in the office the day after the procedure. Gentle hair care is resumed by the patient for five days. Absorbable sutures are used by the Foundation doctors so there is no need to return to the office for suture removal. Our staff can assist you with all your travel arrangements.
If you have any other hair transplant questions, about follicular unit grafts, or other hair transplant issues, please don't hesitate to contact our office.
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