Hair loss is usually caused by a combination of aging, a change in hormones, and a family history of baldness. As a rule, the earlier hair loss begins, the more severe the baldness will become. Hair loss can also be caused by burns or trauma, in which case hair replacement surgery is considered a reconstructive treatment, and may be covered by health insurance. Transplant techniques, such as punch grafts, mini-grafts, micro-grafts, slit grafts and strip grafts are generally performed on patients who desire a more modest change in hair fullness. Flaps, tissue expansion and scalp reduction are procedures that are usually more appropriate for patients who desire a more dramatic change.

The Best Candidates For A Hair Transplant

Candidates must have healthy hair growth at the back and sides of the head to serve as donor areas. Donor areas are the places on the head from which grafts and flaps are taken. Other factors such as hair color, texture and waviness or curliness may also affect the cosmetic result.

The Procedure To Improve Hair Loss

Hair transplantation involves removing small pieces of harboring scalp grafts from a donor site and relocating them to a bald or thinning area. Grafts differ by size and shape. The much smaller mini-graft, 2 - 4 hairs and the micro-graft, 1 - 2 hairs. Slit grafts which are inserted into slits created in the scalp contain about 4 - 10 hair each; strip grafts are long and thin and contain 30 - 40 hairs.

Several surgical sessions may be needed to achieve satisfactory fullness; and a healing interval of several months is usually recommended between each session. It may take up to two years before you see the final result with a full transplant series.

Dr. Rajagopal will use a scalpel to remove hair from the donor site which is then closed with small stitches. The stitches are usually concealed by the surrounding hair.

Dr. Rajagopal will take great care in removing and placement of grafts to ensure that the transplanted hair will grow in a natural direction and that hair growth at the donor site is not adversely affected.

Tissue Expansion For Hair Replacement

Its application in hair replacement surgery has yielded dramatic results - significant coverage in a relatively short amount of time. A balloon-like device called a tissue expander is inserted beneath hair bearing scalp that lies next to a bald area. The device is gradually inflated with a saline solution over a period of weeks, causing the skin to expand and grow new skin cells. This produces a bulge beneath the harboring scalp.

When the skin beneath the hair has stretched enough - usually about two months after the first operation - another procedure is performed to bring the expanded skin over to cover the adjacent bald area.

Flap Surgery For Hair Replacement

This procedure is capable of quickly covering large areas of baldness and is customized for each individual patient. The size of the flap and its placement are largely dependent upon the patient's goals and needs. One flap can do the work of 350 or more punch grafts.

A section of bald scalp is cut out and a flap of hair-bearing skin is lifted off the surface while still attached at one end. The hair-bearing flap is brought into its new position and sewn into place, while remaining "tethered" to it's original blood supply.

Scalp Reduction For Hair Replacement

Scalp reduction is for coverage of bald areas at the top and back of the head. It is not beneficial for coverage of the frontal hairline. After the scalp is injected with a local anesthetic, a segment of bald scalp is removed. The pattern of the section of removed scalp varies widely.

The skin surrounding the cut-out area is loosened and pulled, so that the sections of hair-bearing scalp can be brought together and closed with stitches.

After Your Hair Transplant Treatment

If bandages are used, they will usually be removed one day later. You may gently wash your hair within two days following surgery. Any stitches will be removed in a week to 10 days. Since strenuous activity increases blood flow to the scalp and may cause your transplants or incisions to bleed, you may be instructed to avoid vigorous exercise and contact sports for at least three weeks.

Getting Back To Normal After Your Hair Transplant

Many patients who have had transplants (plugs or other grafts) are dismayed to find that their "new" hair falls out within six weeks after surgery. Remember, this condition is normal and almost always temporary. After hair falls out, it will take another three months before hair growth resumes. You can expect about a half inch of growth per month.

If you have any questions regarding Hair Transplants, or wish to schedule a consultation for this procedure with Dr. Rajagopal, please call our office at: 415-392-3333