Hair transplantation is the most common and reliable method for surgical treatment of hair loss permanently. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and involves the removal of strips of hair from a donor’s area which are then inserted into the bald regions.

The donor area is found on the patient’s back and sides of the head, which has healthy hair follicles. The follicles in these areas are genetically different from the follicles in the balding area, and are not predisposed to balding.

The hair in the donor area is trimmed short and a very thin strip of tissue is then removed using a local anesthetic to numb the area. The donor site is subsequently stitched and hair can be simply combed over the stitches so that the donor site becomes undetectable.

The removed thin strip of hair is cut into carefully separated follicular units, known as micrografts, which are prepared under a microscope. The smallest possible amount of scalp tissue is left on each graft so that only very tiny incisions are needed in order to insert the micrograft. This part of the process must be very precise so that the transplanted hair grows properly. Each follicular unit contains blood vessels, glands, and nerves in a very tiny sac which must be kept intact when the excess scalp tissue is removed.

The area receiving the transplants or the bald region is numbed using local anesthesia while existing hair within the area can be left untouched. Tiny incisions are then made in irregular patterns to mimic natural hair growth patterns and the micrografts are inserted into these incisions. Follicular units are placed closer together behind the hairline to create greater density.

Immediately after surgery the balding area will be covered with stubble from the new hair grafts. The incisions usually heal in about one week while it takes up to three months approximately for the new hair to start growing. Once it begins, your new hair will grow normally and should be cared for in the same manner as the rest of your natural hair.

One session should produce natural looking results, but many patients will require at least two sessions to achieve their desired thickness and density. Moreover, since hair grows slowly, it can take one year to eighteen months to see the full results.

Lastly, today’s methods of transplantation can create a look that is so natural that even a hair stylist cannot tell if there has been a transplant. However, in order to get these natural looking results you must use a highly skilled and experienced surgeon.

If you have bald spots or thinning hair, and would like to discuss your options with an experienced cosmetic surgeon in your area, please choose from the menu above or select one of the cities below.