Hair Replacement
Hair loss has many causes, including aging, hormones, a family history of baldness, burns, and trauma. Both men and women may experience hair loss, which can lead to self-consciousness. Hair transplants have been performed by plastic surgeons for more than thirty years. For thousands of patients, this treatment option results in a more youthful appearance and increased self-confidence.
Is Hair Replacement Right for Me?
Hair replacement may be right for you if you have permanently lost hair to any cause. If you are considering this procedure, first check into potential medical causes for hair loss, as some of these may be reversible.
Because hair replacement uses your existing hair, candidates for hair replacement in Staten Island must have healthy hair growth at the back and sides of the head. These strands will serve as donor areas. If you have very little hair left, you may not be a good candidate for hair replacement surgery. Other factors, such as hair color, texture, or waviness, may come into consideration when evaluating potential candidates for hair replacement.
It is important to be realistic about the potential results of this procedure; view hair replacement before after photos before deciding if hair replacement is right for you. Regardless of the method used, Staten Island patients must recognize that they will never have the coverage that was there before the start of hair loss, although hair replacement surgery can camouflage hair loss and increase fullness in key areas on the head.
The Costs of Hair Replacement
The cost for Staten Island patients may be varies depending on the number and size of hair grafts being transplanted, among other factors. If the hair loss was due to burns or trauma, the procedure may be considered reconstructive, and may be covered by health insurance.
Procedure Details
There are many transplant techniques employed during hair replacement surgery, such as:
- Punch Grafts
- Mini-grafts
- Micro-grafts
- Slit grafts
|
- Slit grafts
- Flaps
- Tissue-expansion
- Scalp-reduction
|
These options vary in the amount of hair transplanted, and therefore the possibilities for filling in thinning or missing areas of hair. The method used by your plastic surgeon depends on the amount of change desired.
Hair replacement is typically performed with local anesthesia. You will not feel any pain, although you might occasionally feel some pressure or tugging at the scalp. During hair transplantation in Staten Island, your surgeon will remove small pieces of scalp from the donor site, relocating them to a thinning or bald area. Depending on the technique used, each graft may contain anywhere from one to forty hairs, with an average of 500 large grafts or 700 micro-grafts per session.
During the procedure itself, your Staten Island surgeon will trim the hairs of the donor area. Then, the area of the scalp is surgically removed using a scalpel or other surgical tools. Then, this section will be transplanted into a tiny hole or slit created in the scalp of the targeted area. Stitches may be needed to hold larger grafts in place.
Although many patients are satisfied with the results after one session, some patients require several sessions to achieve the desired fullness. Sessions should be spaced several months apart to allow time for the scalp to fully heal and for the results of each session to become apparent.
Recovery After Hair Replacement
After hair replacement surgery, your scalp may be covered in gauze or bandages for one to two days. The side effects felt by Staten Island hair replacement patients are dependent on the extent and methods of the procedure. Common side effects include aching, throbbing, swelling, bruising, or a feeling of tightness. Vigorous activities should be avoided for at least three weeks, as they can increase blood flow to the scalp. Most patients return to work and other daily activities after several days. |