More than half of men and women will experience hair loss before they reach age 50. In fact, many lose nearly half of their hair before they notice. While many people will spend countless dollars to try to combat hair loss with over-the-counter products, hair transplant surgery is often a much more successful option.
For nearly 100 years, physicians have been performing hair transplant surgeries. Unfortunately, hair transplant surgery is surrounded by the stigma of bad techniques and rather obvious results from the past. However, with amazing technological advances, modern hair transplant surgery techniques offer effective, safe, long-lasting results that look and feel natural.
At Florida Plastic Surgery, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kristopher Hamwi offers some of the newest, most effective treatments for hair restoration. To determine if hair transplant surgery will suit your needs, schedule your complimentary consultation today!
Keep reading to learn more about what you can expect from hair transplant surgery!
Understanding Hair Loss
By the time most people notice their hair loss, they have already lost up to 50% of their natural hair. As hair loss treatments are most effective in the early stages of hair loss, it’s important to contact your dermatologist or hair restoration specialist as soon as you begin noticing changes.
Hair loss can happen for many reasons; however, the most common form of hair loss is hereditary hair loss. It’s also known as androgenetic alopecia or male- or female-pattern baldness. This type of hair loss affects millions of men and women across the world, and its root causes are genetics and aging. Without treatment, hereditary hair loss is permanent.
Hereditary hair loss, is characterized by a receding hairline then significantly thinning hair on the crown and sides of the head. Most people experience this type of hair loss by the time they are in their 50s.
While receding hairlines are typically caused by aging or hereditary factors, some preventable factors can impact hair loss, including:
- Over-styling hair, especially using heat tools
- Harsh chemicals, like bleaches and dyes
- Tight hairstyles, like cornrows and braiding
- Inflammatory scalp diseases
- An unhealthy diet
- Smoking
Other types of hair loss can be caused by medications, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, that can affect hair follicles in the growth stage. This sudden hair loss can impact hair anywhere on the body, but hair growth typically resumes after the treatments are completed.
Extreme physical or emotional stress can also cause hair loss. This type of hair loss caused by stress increases the number of hair follicles that reach the stage where hair falls out at the same time. Often, this type of hair loss is temporary with hair growth resuming after the stressor has been resolved. Causes can include:
- Weight loss
- Anemia or other nutrient deficiencies
- Abnormal thyroid
- Illness or surgery
- Mental illness
- Extreme stress or grief, such as losing a loved one or divorce
- Hormonal changes, especially those due to pregnancy, menopause, or birth control
By understanding the type of hair loss you are experiencing, you can choose the correct treatment plan for your situation, make changes to prevent further hair loss, and sometimes achieve hair regrowth. However, for those patients who are unable to regrow their hair naturally, there is hair transplant surgery to help address their thinning hair or balding scalps.
What Is Hair Transplant Surgery?
With significant advancements in all technological fields, especially medicine, hair restoration techniques have progressed exponentially. Hair transplant surgeons can now create natural-looking results that are virtually undetectable. With the newest innovations, hair transplant surgery is minimally invasive and leaves minimal scarring with very little downtime.
Previously, hair transplant surgeries created large scars on the back of the scalp. With our advanced technologies, punch devices are used to create incisions so small that they do not require sutures. Without visible scarring on the back of the head, patients can feel confident wearing very short hairstyles.
Depending on your unique hair restoration needs, Dr. Hamwi will utilize one of two hair transplant types: Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). The difference between the techniques is how the hair grafts are harvested. Following either hair transplant type, the harvested grafts are precisely placed at specific angles and depths to create natural-looking results.
Follicular Unit Transplant
Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) is a hair transplant procedure that requires discreetly removing a strip of hair-bearing skin from the lower back portion of the scalp. Typically, these strips are around 1.5 centimeters wide but can stretch across the back of the head, leaving a lengthy horizontal scar. While this scar is typically covered by the surrounding hair, it can hinder shorter hairstyle choices.
Follicular Unit Extraction
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a much less invasive hair graft harvesting technique. During an FUE procedure, the donor area of the scalp—typically the back and sides of the head—is shaved very short and follicles are harvested individually. With advanced technologies, grafts can be collected at 400 to 700 grafts per hour.
With no incisions, FUE promotes faster healing with no noticeable scars, allowing patients to wear short styles after healing. The FUE method is typically an easier option for women due to the hidden donor technique, which doesn’t require shaving the entire head.
The hidden donor technique requires growing the hair longer prior to surgery. Then, small sections of the head are shaved for hair follicle harvest. These sections can then be concealed by the surrounding sections of longer hair.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Hair Transplant Surgery?
Ideal candidates for hair transplants are physically healthy men and women who don’t smoke and have experienced thinning hair or baldness due to natural causes or have experienced balding due to scalp injuries. Typically, candidates should be over the age of 25.
Hair transplant surgery is not a suitable option for everyone. Non-ideal candidates have experienced hair loss due to:
- Widespread thinning and baldness
- Medications or chemotherapy
- Thick scalp scars
During your consultation, Dr. Hamwi will let you know whether your ideal hair restoration options include hair transplant surgery.
Choosing a Hair Transplant Surgeon
Selecting the right physician and guide is one of the most important choices you can make to ensure a successful hair restoration journey. Double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kristopher Hamwi is one of the top-rated plastic surgeons in the country. As an expert in the field of aesthetic plastic surgery, Dr. Hamwi has performed thousands of life-changing procedures, including hair transplant surgery.
More importantly, Dr. Hamwi understands the importance of looking as young on the outside as you feel on the inside. With vast training and experience to help you navigate the advancing technological aspects of hair restoration, Dr. Hamwi’s dedication to his patients’ safety and outstanding results makes him your choice as one of the best hair transplant surgeons in Sarasota, FL.
Your Hair Transplant Consultation and Evaluation
During your hair transplant consultation, Dr. Hamwi should be able to give you an estimate of the amount of hair density you can expect following a hair transplant procedure based on your degree of hair loss and the density of your donor areas. Measuring hair density involves counting the number of hairs in a square centimeter to determine the amount of hair you have available. Results vary depending on many factors, including thickness of donor hairs, number of hairs per follicular unit, and contrast between scalp skin and hair.
Before determining your hair transplant procedural plan, Dr. Hamwi will consider many aspects of your balding or thinning hair during your complimentary consultation, including:
- Quality and thickness of hair
- Type of hair
- Hair color
- Size of transplant area
Preparing for Hair Transplant Surgery
In the weeks prior to your surgery, Dr. Hamwi will recommend that you maintain a healthy, high-protein, low-sodium diet. He will also discuss how you should proceed with your current medications, herbal supplements, or over the counter medications that contain aspirin as these can cause bleeding and impact your procedure.
Dr. Hamwi will also advise you that smoking, vaping, or using any type of nicotine products is strictly prohibited for at least 4 weeks prior to and following your procedure. Nicotine constricts blood vessels and impacts the body’s ability to heal, affecting your results.
What Happens During the Procedure
First, our team will shave your hair in the harvest areas, making the hair follicles easier to see and access. Then, your scalp will be washed with an antibiotic rinse to decrease infection risks. As the graft areas are small, the infection risk of infection is less than 1%.
Your scalp will then be treated with topical anesthetic to ensure you are not in pain during the procedure. You will also be given medication to relax.
Our team will harvest follicles from the donor area of your scalp, typically located at the back or sides of the scalp. Using a special punch device, Dr. Hamwi will score the area around the hair and suction will extract the graft. Most patients can expect 2 to 4 hours of harvesting.
With artistry and skill, Dr. Hamwi will create your new hairline with a series of carefully placed small incisions in the recipient areas. Using specific placement and graft angling, Dr. Hamwi will maximize your hair restoration results to accomplish your aesthetic goals.
Throughout the graft harvest and placement procedure, you will be able to listen to music, watch movies, or even take a nap as some of the medications can cause sleepiness.
Types of Hair Transplant Surgery
Depending on your hair restoration needs, Dr. Hamwi uses two hair transplant techniques: Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). The difference between procedures lies in how the hair grafts are harvested and the resulting scars.
Following either harvesting technique, Dr. Hamwi will make tiny incisions in the scalp where the hair grafts will be placed.
Anesthesia and Pain Management
During the procedure, Dr. Hamwi uses a topical anesthetic that will ensure you experience very little pain or discomfort. It is administered through a very small needle to make the injections more tolerable. Prior to beginning the procedure, Dr. Hamwi will test all areas of the scalp to make sure your scalp is fully numb.
What to Expect During Recovery
A key factor of hair restoration treatments is monitoring progress via follow-up care. At your follow-up appointments, Dr. Hamwi will be able to examine your scalp health and assess the treated areas to show you the progress of your hair growth.
Most patients typically take 4 to 5 days off work to rest, with most patients recovering in approximately 7 days. During this time, you should avoid swimming, exercises, and other strenuous activities to avoid damaging the grafts.
Post-Operative Care
Following FUE hair transplant, it’s important to sleep on your back, with your head and neck significantly propped up with pillows. Sleeping in this position will help reduce swelling and prevent the recipient areas from touching your pillow and becoming damaged as you sleep. In 10 days, you are free to sleep in any position you feel comfortable.
During this time, avoid wearing hats or anything else on the scalp to avoid damaging the grafts. It’s also important to avoid drinking alcohol or using any nicotine products during recovery.
Recovery is an important time to focus on scalp care and hair care. Thoroughly following Dr. Hamwi’s instructions will help you achieve optimal hair restoration results.
Timeline for Results
Transforming thinning hair into a beautiful, thicker head of hair with hair transplant surgery takes time. Regrowing hair is a slow process, so it’s important not to become impatient or get discouraged.
Your new hair grafts will shed a couple of weeks after your surgery. You will notice new growth beginning in 3 to 4 months; however, it may take 9 to 12 months for your full results to appear.
Is Hair Transplant Surgery Right for You?
To learn whether hair transplant surgery is right for you, schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Kristopher Hamwi today. Restore your hairline by partnering with Tampa’s best hair restoration expert! Contact us today or call (941) 800-2000 to learn more!