If you are suffering from hair loss, you are not alone. As many as 70% of men and 50% of women experience hair loss over their lifetime. Both men and women can benefit from medical hair restoration techniques.
Dr. Saltzburg and her staff bring a unique, multi-faceted approach to hair restoration; every patient is offered a custom program designed to give you the best results according to your specific hair loss needs, your budget, and timeline.
Hair Restoration Services
Hair loss can significantly affect the self-esteem of both women and men, especially when they used to have thick and voluminous hair. Conditions like androgenic alopecia and postpartum hair loss can cause significant hair loss as the hair follicles become damaged. In this case, a hair transplant can be highly effective, as it grafts healthy hair follicles into areas where you have baldness. Professionals at Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center can perform effective hair restoration services for both men and women.
Hair Loss Men/Women Procedures: FUE and FUT
Hair loss can be difficult to stop, especially once the hair follicles are gradually starting to die. Whether you experienced hair loss after COVID, fell victim to pattern hair loss, or became interested in transgender hair transplants, our providers at Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center can help you with the following procedures.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
Follicular unit extraction or FUE is a procedure that involves harvesting healthy hair follicles from the back and side of your head and transplanting them into the problem areas. During this procedure, each hair follicle is harvested separately, using a special punch tool.
As this procedure is only concerned with the hair follicle itself, the area is shaved before the procedure. The follicle is then extracted from the donor site and placed into a very small incision in the target area. Once the follicle takes hold, the hair will start growing naturally.
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Candidates
The best candidates for FUE are men and women who are dealing with localized hair loss, hair thinning, or male pattern baldness. Those with darker skin are better candidates, as the minimally invasive procedure leaves fewer chances of noticeable scarring.
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Benefits
FUE offers several benefits, including a shorter recovery time, with most patients returning to their routine within 24 hours. Scarring is minimal as this is a less invasive procedure, with only a few tiny dots being temporarily visible. The results mimic natural hair growth.
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What to Expect
The FUE procedure takes about six to nine hours, depending on the amount of hair that needs to be transplanted. You may notice some mild swelling and bruising, which is natural and should go away within a few days. Most patients can see the final results after a year.
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
With follicular unit transplantation, the hair will be grafted from fuller areas of your scalp and added in areas where you experience balding. This procedure involves removing a thin skin strip from the scalp, which is then dissected to remove the follicular units. These are then carefully implanted where you desire more fullness.
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Candidates
The best candidates for this procedure are usually men or women with pattern baldness looking to restore hair over a wider surface. People with curly hair prefer this option, as their curl pattern can effectively hide the scar. Patients should also have an adequate amount of hair in the donor area to be considered candidates.
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Benefits
FUT is a beneficial procedure for those requiring a major hair restoration process. It allows for the transplantation of large grafts, making it efficient for male pattern baldness. Since it is less complex than FUE, it is also the more affordable option.
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What to Expect
Like FUE, FUT takes place under local anesthesia, with the addition of IV sedation to improve comfort. You might notice some bruising, swelling, and pain after the transplant, which should go away within two to four days. Since larger grafts are taken with this procedure, patients should lay low and rest for about a week. You can see the first results within four months and the final ones after one year.
FAQ
1. Is Hair Restoration Permanent?
For the most part, hair restoration is considered permanent as the new follicles are usually resistant to the DHT hormone. Once the transplants take root, you can expect the results to be life-long. That being said, hair sheds naturally no matter what you do, so you may see some thinning over time. You should consider laser therapy hair loss procedures every few years to maintain the health of the follicles.
2. Should I Expect any Downtime?
Since hair transplant procedures are minimally invasive, they require little to no downtime. That being said, you can expect to see some side effects during recovery. Bruising and swelling around the site are common, which is why you need to take care of the target area.
3. How Common Is Shock Loss?
Shock loss can happen within a few weeks after the surgery, mostly caused by the trauma your scalp went through. This might cause the original hair to fall out, and it can happen with both FUE and FUT (most common) procedures. However, the follicles are not affected, and the hairs are expected to grow back fully.
4. How Much Does Hair Restoration Cost?
The price per graft hair transplant will depend on various factors like the procedure used and the amount of hair being transplanted. You can expect to pay anything from a couple hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. If you opt for side hair regeneration treatments like regenerative medicine for hair loss or platelet rich fibrin (PRF), then the price can go even higher. Contact us at Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center for a personalized consultation.
5. When Will I See the Final Results?
It can take some time until the transplants take root. You may notice the first results after three months, and if you go in for a male hair transplant, the final look should become fully visible after 12 months. You need patience, especially if you are a woman looking to obtain long hair.
6. Which Option Comes With Better Results?
Both FUE and FUT offer great results, but their efficiency depends on your purpose. FUT is better for hair thinning and localized hair loss, whereas FUE is the preferred choice for advanced balding cases.
7. How Should I Take Care of My Hair After Transplant?
Hair follicles are particularly delicate after the transplant, which is why you should maintain a steady blood flow. Depending on the case, platelet rich plasma (PRP) or exosomes for hair loss may be recommended as a recovery aid. Don’t pick or scrub at the graft for the next few days and be gentle when you shampoo your hair (which you can do after two to four days).