Just like we tend to take our youth and health for granted, most of us assume that our shapely eyebrows and full heads of hair will stay with us for the rest of our lives. The truth is, however, some of us are less fortunate than others, as hair thins and some start balding at an early age. Many people will experience hair loss during their lifetime due to a variety of causes, such as aging, simple genetics, or other lifestyle factors.
Fortunately, there are advances in medical science and constantly evolving technology that present people with options to deal with hair loss. These advances have made it possible for eligible patients of hair loss, especially hereditary hair loss and male and female pattern baldness, to even undergo hair transplant surgery to restore lost hair and regain their confidence and youthful appearance.
What is hair transplant surgery?
Traditional hair transplantation (also known as Follicular Unit Transplant) involves the taking a narrow strip of hair from one area – usually the back of the head – and then transplanting these hair follicles onto the thinning and bald areas of the head. The hair follicles harvested from the back of the head are resistant to the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the hormone most responsible for progressive hair loss. When transplanted, these follicles will then continue to grow naturally.
The hair transplant procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia, making it a pretty simple outpatient procedure. Depending on the extent of the hair loss and amount of grafts to be transplanted, the procedure can take anywhere from four to eight hours.
Follow these steps to assess if you are a good candidate for a hair transplant:
1. Conduct preliminary research to understand what hair transplant surgery entails and make a personal assessment of your hair loss situation.
2. Rule out any underlying medical conditions or medications that may be contributing to your hair loss. Make sure your immune system is not compromised and you are cleared to undergo an outpatient cosmetic procedure.
3. Request an appointment with a physician who specializes in hair transplantation to review your overall health, the nature of your hair loss, the speed at which you are losing your hair, and the results you can expect after your procedure.
It’s important that you work with your hair transplant physician to set realistic expectations about what results you expect from your procedure. A typical hair transplant takes a few hours to perform and several months to show positive results. Depending on the extent of your hair loss and your desired results, you may need more than one procedure.
To find out if you are a candidate for hair transplant surgery, request an appointment at Atlantic Center of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery by calling (954) 983-1899.
