Balding or thinning of hair on the head is a condition that affects millions of people. If you’re one of them and are considering hair restoration methods, then you’ve likely come across hair transplantation. Here’s what to know about hair transplantation and how our board-certified plastic surgeons, Drs. Papel, Kontis, and Brown, can help you achieve your aesthetic goals.
What Is Hair Transplantation?
Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure that moves hair follicles from one area of the head (called the “donor site”) to balding areas. Hair follicles are natural components of the skin that produce hair. The donor site can be in the back, sides, or top of your head, depending on your specific pattern of hair loss. Once in place, new hairs eventually grow from the transplanted hair follicles.
Hair transplantation is performed on men and women with some forms of baldness. It only works on patients who still have healthy follicles that can be transplanted, not on patients who are completely bald.
What Are the Different Types of Hair Transplants?
There are two main types of hair transplants. One is the Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT), where the plastic surgeon dissects a strip of skin containing hairs from the back of the head and transplants it into the balding areas. The other method is called Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). During this sutureless procedure, the plastic surgeon uses tiny tools to extract a single hair follicle at a time from the donor area and place each into the balding region.
Benefits of Hair Transplants
Hair transplantation can improve the appearance of patients who have a receding hairline or a balding crown. It is also an effective treatment for men and women with hair loss from scarring due to certain injuries or infections. Hair loss can be emotionally devastating, affecting patients’ self-esteem and confidence. Hair transplantation can boost self-confidence as they enjoy their full head of hair again.
What to Expect From a Hair Transplant Procedure
There is minimal downtime following your hair transplant treatment. You’ll have slight restrictions the following day, and scabs should disappear in one to two weeks. Your new, long-lasting hair typically takes three to four months to grow. You’ll see a noticeable difference within six to eight months, and hair growth can continue up to a year. Hair transplantation is best paired with other hair restoration medications and treatments, and your plastic surgeon can help you create a personalized treatment plan.
Schedule a Consultation
At the Aesthetic Center at Woodholme, our board-certified plastic surgeons perform hair transplants and can help you understand your best options for hair transplant surgery. To schedule a consultation and discuss your options with hair transplantation surgery, contact our Baltimore, MD office by calling or filling out our ONLINE FORM.
Dr. Ira D. Papel is certified in Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Papel earned his B.A. from Johns Hopkins University and his M.D. from Boston University of Medicine. He completed a residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and a fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Papel is considered an international expert in rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, and facial aesthetic surgery.
