Hair Transplant San Francisco Bay Area

Dr. Usha Rajagopal, a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area, brings a very personalized and hands on approach to hair restoration and hair transplant surgery. Utilizing the latest technology and her own techniques, Dr. Rajagopal and her hair transplant staff use single follicular units (SFU) and multi-follicular unit (MFU) grafts to provide as natural and thick of a hairline as possible.

 

The latest hair replacement surgical techniques can produce results so natural looking that even a hair stylist won't be able to tell the difference. Dr. Rajagopal analyzes the patient’s facial structure and hair quality, color, curl, and texture when determining the best technique for recreating an individual’s hairline.

Dr. Rajagopal with Dr. William Parsley, President of the International
Society of Hair Restoration Surgery

The Best Candidates for Hair Transplant Surgery

An ideal candidate for hair transplant surgery has a decent amount of donor hair on the back of the head to serve as a “donor site.” Hair transplant surgery is typically not an appropriate hair loss treatment for individuals who are almost entirely bald. The best candidates have a large donor area. Curly hair is ideal to work with because it covers more space.

Most importantly, hair restoration candidates need to have realistic expectations about the outcome of their surgery. The outcome of hair transplant surgery depends greatly on the density and thickness of the patient’s donor area.

“Types” of Male Pattern Baldness

The Nrowood Classification displays the most common examples of “male pattern baldness.” Identifying your own type of hair loss is a first step in determining a treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hair Restoration Surgery

Does hair continue to grow after hair transplant surgery?

Yes. Since the transplanted hair has all the characteristics of the area it was removed from, it continues to grow. Transplanted hair is permanent.

What is a follicular unit?

A follicular unit is the removed hair, with the root intact and very minimal skin around it.

What are the complications of Hair Transplant Surgery?

Most complications stem from the patient not properly following post-operative instructions from the surgeon. The most common complication from Hair Transplant Surgery is infection. If infection occurs, an antibiotic can be prescribed.

How long does it take to completely heal from hair restoration surgery?

It takes about one month after surgery to be completely healed. The transplanted hair will fall out in about 4-6 months, and then it will start growing again out of the new follicle.

What about scarring?

As with any cosmetic procedure that involves making an incision, scarring is a concern. However, since Dr. Rajagopal is a plastic surgeon, she is highly skilled in using special techniques when closing incision sites to limit scarring. Future hair growth will help camouflage scarring as well.

Watch our hair transplant surgery video:

How to choose the right Plastic Surgeon for Hair Restoration Surgery

Skills and technique of hair transplant surgeons vary greatly. To ensure that you choose the right plastic surgeon for your surgery:

1. Check their hair transplant before and after photos and patient testimonials

2. Make sure that they are board certified.

Dr. Usha Rajagopal has over 12 years experience as a plastic surgeon in the San Francisco Bay Area. She studied at UCSF, one of the top medical institutions in the country.

The Procedure for Hair Transplant Surgery

Hair Restoration Surgery is performed under local anesthesia, and normally lasts about 4-6 hours.

The hair restoration procedure begins with an incision in the back of the head that spans from ear to ear (this is the donor area).

The removed hair is cut into follicular units (individual hairs), or multiple hair pieces called micro-grafts. The single follicular units are aligned around the hairline to create a subtle and natural appearance while the multi-follicular units are used for covering larger areas such as the crown.. Dr. Rajagopal’s aesthetic eye determines the optimal placement of the transplanted hair to produce the best results.

What to Expect After Hair Transplant Surgery

Dr. Rajagopal goes over, in detail, the recovery process with each patient.

It normally takes about one month for the graft to heal, at which time the hair will fall out and begin to grow again. Approximately 4-6 months after hair transplant surgery, the newly restored, permanent hair will be in place.

Other Hair Restoration Treatments

We also sell Propecia at our office. Propecia is a pill that is taken once a day for treating mild to moderate male pattern hair loss on the front of and on the top of the head. Propecia is available by prescription and it is FDA approved for treatment of male patients only.

If you have any questions regarding Hair Restoration Surgery, or wish to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rajagopal, please call the San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center at (415) 392-3333