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John,
I am 22 and I just started
noticing a thinning on the crown of my head. My
father and his father are both nearly completely
bald save the "toilet bowl" hair style. While I
respect them tremendously, I don't really want to
end up with that! I have been looking at several
options. I appreciate your advice."
Rob S.
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| What is Hair
Transplantation? |
| The procedure is typically an
outpatient procedure done in the transplant
surgeon's office. Usually, a strip of permanent
hair-bearing tissue (that which is not affected by
the balding process) is removed and divided into
small bits of hair-bearing tissue - called grafts.
The grafts - of various sizes and containing one
or more hairs - are implanted into the balding
areas, where they are expected to grow just as
they did in their original location. The area
where the strip is taken is sutured closed and
will become difficult to detect, often depending
on the skills of the surgeon and the post
operative behavior of the patient. Scalp Reduction
is a related technique in which bald tissue
between permanent hair-bearing areas is removed
followed by suturing the perimeter together.
Hair transplants have been performed in the
U.S. for some 50 years and, handled correctly, are
proven to be permanent. The fact that the results
are permanent, makes the selection of the surgeon
significant, to say the least. For those of us who
had the procedure done correctly, the results are
to be enjoyed for life. For those with an obvious
or unnatural result ? well, it can be
traumatic! |
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| Aren't all
Hair Transplants the
Same? |
| The major difference between
good and bad results from hair surgery is the
result of
A.) the expectations and resources of the
patient and,
B.) the ability, experience and artistry of the
surgeons doing the work.
First of all, unless you have a realistic idea
of what to expect from the procedure and what you
have to work with - that being donor hair and
money - your chance of disappointment is great.
Secondly, choosing the right hair transplant
surgeon - one who well thought of by both his
patients and his peers - is crucial. I'm amazed
that patients often don't scrutinize the
credentials and training of a surgeon they might
be considering for this life-changing
experience. Any doctor with a medical license can
legally offer the service and many practice it on
a very limited basis. Typically, the best and most
experienced hair transplant surgeons have
participated (lectured, demonstrated, etc.) in
the major hair surgery meetings and keep up with
the radical changes and improvements of the
technique in this evolving field. It is not
uncommon for a successful hair transplant surgeon
to perform more than 500 procedures per year.
After all, you don't want to be his or her first!
While the technical side of the procedure can
be mastered by most doctors in a short time, the
artistic result of the procedure comes from
instinct and "trial and error" (hopefully his/her
teacher's errors!). I suggest you look for lots of
examples of the doctor's work on other patients.
Don't buy the "my patients don't want anyone to
know" excuse. There should be a number of happy
patients available to talk to.
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| What does
this
cost? |
| The extent of your hair loss,
your resources and your expectations will all play
a part in determining the cost of the procedure.
Everyone has a unique biological pattern of hair
loss as well as a particular make-up of hair type,
color and growth pattern. Each surgical plan
should be individually planned, as well. In other
words, 600 grafts on one patient could produce a
radically different result as 600 on another.
Prices usually range from $2,000- 3000. for a
small amount of hair transplanted, to upwards of
$10,000 for a very large session. Completely bald
areas almost always require more than one
procedure to provide cosmetically pleasing
density. Also, it is important to remember that
hair loss is progressive, and future sessions to
replace further loss is common. (However, the use
of prescription hair loss blocking drugs, such as
Merck's Propecia in conjunction with hair
transplantation can help make Mother Nature's game
plan more manageable.) |
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| Is this
Painful? |
| As I've always said, "any
discomfort I experienced in the procedure was
minor compared to the pain of going bald!"
Seriously, most doctors use a local anesthetic
and often dispense tranquilizers to reduce
anxiety. Essentially, the procedure should be
painless. Unlike the 'old days' the techniques
used to remove the donor hair and prepare the
transplant site have been improved to the point
the patient feels little of what goes on.
Afterwards, although most surgeons provide pain
medicine, it is often not needed.
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| How do I
explain the change of appearance of new hair to my
friends and co-workers?
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| As the hair is transplanted
in a shaven form, there really isn't any change to
see. The skin takes a week or so to heal and once
that's happened, there isn't much to see until the
new hair begins to grow at different intervals.
Your hair will come back faster than how you lost
it, but not so that anyone will notice. How many
people realize the actor who plays "Fraser" has
more hair now than when the show
started? |
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