Hair Restoration Transplant

Unlike other methods of hair loss treatment, hair restoration transplants are guaranteed to restore growing hair to an area where hair loss has occurred. The final resulting look, however, is dependent on the skill of the transplant surgeon in providing a natural looking hair line. The surgeon will require a certain artistic skill to make the recovered hair blend naturally with the existing hair.

The most common type of hair restoration transplant procedure involves taking a strip of skin from an area of the head, usually the back lower portion of the head, where the hair is still thick and growing normally. The wound is then closed and stitched. This will leave a small scar, but will not be noticeable as it will be hidden by the patients normal hair. Once a strip of skin is obtained, the hair follicles are extracted and then implanted into the recipient area. This is usually achieved by making microscopic slits into which the hair follicles are "planted". This method is known as the strip method.

A more advanced technique known as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is sometimes carried out. This also transfers follicles from a donor site to the area to be restored, but doesn't involve removing a strip of skin. Instead, a special Follicular Extraction tool is used to extract hair follicles from the donor site for transplant.

Transplant procedures are carried out using a local anaesthetic, with both donor and recipient areas being de-sensitised. Many patients are even able to watch TV while the procedure is carried out!

A typical transplant procedure can take between 2 to 6 hours depending on the size of the area to be restored. Hair from the restored site will grow slowly, but reasonable results should be expected in about 12 months time.

Depending on the size of the area to be restored, the patient may need more than one transplant session.

In the first month or so after a hair restoration transplant, the restored area will not look very good and there is commonly some hair loss from the site as the restored area recovers from the procedure. There is no need to panic, however, as soon after this, normal growth should resume and gradually the restored area will start to look more natural.

Of all hair restoration treatments available, hair transplanting is the most expensive, but you will be sure of a result. Typically a hair transplant can cost from about $5000 up to $15000 or more.