HAIR RESTORATION
WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR HAIR RESTORATION?
Male pattern baldness is an inherited trait affecting to some degree, approximately 90% of all men. For 2 out of 3 men, this type of hair loss is significant enough to cause concern. Up to half of all women may also experience similar hair loss. Stress, infection, disease, or medications may also cause hair loss, which is usually temporary. For the men and women with noticeable natural hair loss, there is only one permanent solution: to grow back your own hair naturally, through hair transplantation.
IS HAIR TRANSPLANT SURGERY PAINFUL?
Hair restoration is a safe, pain-free, minor surgical procedure performed in our office. The donor site area, as well as the recipient area, is numbed with tumescent anaesthesia. This consists of a mixture of medications that numb the area for a number of hours and constrict the vessels reducing the possibility of bleeding and bruising. Most patients are pleasantly surprised at how little discomfort is felt during the procedure. The majority of our patients do not require pain relievers the next day or in the following days although Tylenol 3 is usually prescribed.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE SURGERY?
A strip of hair bearing skin is taken from the lower back of the head. The hair in this area is genetically programmed to be life permanent and therefore is not affected by hormones. The tissue is divided into micro-grafts: follicular units that contain 1-5 hairs. The micro-grafts are implanted one by one into tiny openings in the scalp. Follicular units of 1 or 2 hair follicles are inserted toward the front of the balding area to produce a natural hairline, with units of 3-5 follicles inserted behind to create density. This revolutionary technique allows the hair to be placed more evenly and densely, which is critical in achieving a more natural appearance and a fuller head of hair.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER SURGERY?
For the first 12 hours (overnight), there will be a bandage around the head and it will be removed the next morning. Small scabs will remain for 7-10 days. Some patients may choose to cover the area with a cap at work or when they go out. When the small scabs fall off, often the implanted hair will also fall out. The freshly implanted grafts will be pink and slightly shiny. Pre-existing hair around or adjacent to the transplanted grafts may shed, giving a thinner look, but will begin to grow back within a few months. This temporary thinning of pre-existing hair is called Telagen Effluvia. Unfortunately, there is a time lag between this increased thinning of pre-existing hair and re-growth of transplanted hair, so do not be alarmed if this happens. Hair will grow.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE THE TRANSPLANTED HAIR TO GROW?
Usually it takes 3-6 months for the hair to grow. After that, it will grow about half an inch per month, which is the same rate as the hair in the donor area. Initial hair quality is usually quite thin; softer in texture like baby hair, becoming stronger over time. Sometimes the initial hair is curlier and it may even be darker. Expect to see optimal results in 9-12 months.
HOW MANY SESSIONS OF SURGERY WILL I NEED?
If you have a completely bald area, it may take 2-3 surgeries to fill in the area. The time between each session is usually 1 year in order to see how the hair is growing out and to provide more equal distribution. Correct evaluation and estimation is possible after a personal consultation.
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Hair Removal Treatment Calgary | Hair Restoration Calgary | Hair Transplant Calgary
