Hair Restoration

The most common reason patients begin to show signs of hair loss is heredity. Men and women can inherit the genes responsible for hair loss from one or both parents. In men, the gene causes the hair to become sensitive to male hormones. Women may also experience hair loss, but is usually limited to thinning of the hair and is not as definitive as male pattern baldness.

The extent, rate, and age of onset of hair loss varies individually. Malnutrition, severe illness, and vitamin deficiencies often accelerate the process, though they are not the root cause of hair loss. Hair loss is also not a result of clogged pores, wearing hats, excessive shampooing or lack of circulation.

Yes, hair transplants work. Years ago, large circular grafts were used in the transplantation process; however using these grafts made it challenging to obtain undetectable, natural-looking results. Today, hair transplants using follicular units can not be distinguished from natural non-transplanted hair. Using this new technique, the donor section of hair is removed, usually in a linear section about as wide as a finger, and cut naturally into groups under a microscope. These groups contain two or three hairs, but may have four or five. These follicular grafts are then inserted into tiny needle holes, where they take root and can begin to grow.

The grafts retain characteristics of the region from where they were extracted, meaning that the follicular grafts grow in their new location just as they would if they had remained in their original location. This growth rule is called “donor dominance.”

We take great pride in the fact that our patients are comfortable during this treatment. The procedure is done using local anesthesia injected into the scalp. We use a fine needle and inject a drop of lidocaine under the skin, only numbing the treatment areas. Injecting pinpoint sections of the scalp allows us to advance around the head with minimal discomfort.

Dr. Rasi will send you home with pain pills if needed, but most patients will not need them. To further lessen any post-procedure pain, Dr. Rasi has added Marcaine to the stitches, which has reduced complaints of pain sensations.

Hair used in the transplantation procedure is taken from the sides and back of the head, since the hair there is not sensitive to male hormones. Once removed, these grafts form small scabs, about the size of a pin. Whether or not you have enough hair to cover the scabs isn’t much of an issue – they are barely noticeable. However, if the appearance bothers you, you can cover them with makeup. The scabs are sloughed away naturally within a week or two following the procedure.

Yes, hair will begin to grow 90 days after the procedure. The average person grows a half an inch per month. Thus after six months, most patients have grown one and one-half inches of hair. Hair will continue to grow in length and thickness.

We transplant hair for men and women to these areas:

• Head (scalp)
• Eyebrows
• Eyelashes
• Moustache
• Beard
• Scarred areas

Hair transplantation is limited to these areas.

Depending on the extent of the procedure and the type of work that you do, you may be able to return to work the next day. Dr. Rasi will go over your expected recovery time with you during your hair transplant consultation.

Most patients can begin light exercise in four to five days. You can go for a walk the day after your procedure. A slow jog and light weights are approved at four or five days. Swimming is not recommended for two weeks following treatment, because the grafts may soak out.

There may be a small amount of swelling in the face, including bags under the eyes or light swelling in the forehead, but you should experience no pain. If any swelling does occur, it usually shows on the third day and can last for three to four days. You may have some minor, temporary numbness surrounding the donor region as well. Three months is the optimal time for expected hair growth to begin, and every day after the onset of new growth, you will appear younger and more confident.

Each patient decides in what areas they would like to undergo treatment, and this will determine cost. We can scale up or down, and work on a treatment plan that aligns with your budget by addressing areas that cause you distress. Dr. Rasi will give you a set of three options during your consultation as he shows you before and after photos from some of our previous clients that have chosen treatment for the same areas.

The difference in each procedure is in the density of the transplanted hair and the area covered. It is possible to start by putting in a small amount of hair to control the cost, which we can later assess and add to if necessary. Almost every patient says that it was the best investment they have ever made in themselves.

If you would like to learn more about our revolutionary hair transplantation procedure, please call Senza Aesthetic Medical today at 909-793-3563