Questions and Answers Concerning Hair Transplants

1. Q. What is hair transplantation?
A. Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure performed in the office whereby hair from the donor areas of the scalp is moved to the bald recipient areas.

2. Q. How long will the transplanted hair grow?
A. Generally speaking, forever. Hair transplantation is based upon the principle of "donor dominance". Hair is transferred from one location to another on the same person. It survives, grows, and attains the same characteristics that it had in the original site. The hair in the back and sides of the scalp is the preferential site for donor hair because it is the least likely to stop growing.

3.Q. For what types of hair loss is this procedure helpful?
A. Male pattern baldness (the M-shaped recession of hair common in men). Female pattern baldness. Baldness resulting from burns accidents, operations, or radiation. Baldness due to various diseases of the scalp such as ringworm, folliculitis, or other conditions. Loss of eyebrows. Most of our experience with hair transplantation has been in the treatment of male pattern baldness.

4. Q. Does age determine eligibility?
A. No. The rate limiting step that is important for a successful hair transplant is the quality & abundance of the hair in the "donor area" and the patient's general state of health.

5. Q. How is the procedure performed?
A. The donor area, generally the back or sides of the scalp, is anesthetized with a local anesthetic. A strip of hair-bearing skin is removed and subdivided into follicular units, which are then transplanted into the bald recipient sites.

6. Q. How much pain is associated with hair transplantation?
A. Any discomfort that may occur is mild and generally relieved with Atasol or Tylenol.

7. Q. How many visits to the doctor will be necessary?
A. The first visit to the doctor is considered an evaluation session. At this time, the patient is assessed as being a good, fair, or poor candidate and the number of required hairs are determined. The amount of hair transplantation sessions depends on the size of the bald recipient area and the desired density.

8. Q. How much time is required between sessions?
A. 8-12 weeks are required between sessions to permit adequate healing of the grafts.

9. Q. How much time is required for each session?
A. 3 - 4 hours including the preparation, the procedure, and the post-operative care.

10. Q. What percentage of the transplanted hair "take" or grow?
A. There is an almost complete take of all the grafts. To assure this, it is important that the patient carefully follow the post-operative instructions.

11. Q. How long does it take for the transplanted hair to grow?
A. The transplanted hair is usually shed within 4 weeks. Approximately 8-12 weeks later, new hair begins to grow at the normal average rate of ½ inch per month.

12. Q. Where is the hairline placed?
A. The physician uses his expertise and experience in planning the frontal hairline. Ultimately, this is a mutual decision between the physician and patient.

13. Q. What is meant by the term "scalp reduction"?
A. Scalp reduction is surgical procedure whereby bald portions of scalp are surgically excised. The adjacent hair-bearing scalp is then pulled together and sutured to cover this area. Scalp reduction is used to reduce the area requiring hair transplantation. This procedure is especially helpful in patients who have rather extensive hair loss because it allows optimal use of the limited donor area. In recent years, there is less demand for scalp reductions.

14. Q. How can the patient prepare himself for the procedure?
A. The patient should not get a haircut for at least 2 weeks before the procedure. The longer the hair, the easier it is to hide the hair transplant. The patient should shampoo his/her hair the evening before or the morning of the procedure and eat a normal breakfast. Alcohol should be avoided 3 days before the procedure and aspirin 7 days pre- surgery.

15. Q. What medical conditions should the physician know about?
A. The physician should be made aware of any history of heart attacks, anemia, bleeding abnormalities, ingestion of aspirin or blood-thinners, epilepsy, drug reactions, allergies, or a tendency to form unusual scars or keloids.

16. Q. What happens to the donor site from which the hair is taken?
A. The donor site is sutured leading to practically an invisible scar.

17. Q. What are the possible complications?
A. Providing you follow the physician’s instructions, complications are unlikely. Temporary numbness resolves over several weeks. Antibiotics are given to prevent infection and Atasol/Tylenol is given to alleviate potential pain.

18. Q. Can a toupee or hairpiece be worn after the procedure?
A. Yes, this is left up to the patient’s own discretion.

19. Q. Will there be visible scars over the front of the scalp?
A. Since the advent of follicular unit grafts, visible scarring is essentially non-existent.

20. Q. How much does it cost?
A. The fee is based on the size of the procedure. It is best to discuss the estimated cost with your physician at the time of your initial evaluation.

21. Q. Will my insurance cover the procedure?
A. Insurance coverage exists only for special cases of male pattern baldness. For example, loss of hair due to an accident, operative procedure, or a disease. The procedure is usually deductible as a medical expense on your income taxes.

22. Q. Do I have to limit my activities after the surgery?
A. You must reduce all activity for the first 48 hours. After which, you must care for the grafts by precisely following our medical instructions.

23. Q. How do I care for my hair after the hair transplant?
A. You will be given a post-operative instruction sheet. It is important for you to avoid any trauma or manipulation of the transplanted area for several days following the procedure.

24. Q. How important is styling? Will the transplanted hair eventually be able to take a permanent?
A. You will be able to style your hair any way you please. You will even be able to get a permanent, and/or dye your hair.

25. Q. What are the advantages of follicular unit grafts?
A. Follicular unit grafts result in a more natural appearance.

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Important Factors For Those Undergoing A Hair Transplant

   Dr. Kohn has a great amount of experience, surgical expertise, and a sense of esthetic talent in hair transplantation. These qualities are a necessity because without them, the end result will not seem natural. Careful attention to the shape of the patient’s face, the results the patient wants to achieve, and even future hairloss are factors Dr.Kohn considers when designing a custom surgical plan for the hair placement.

To insure the best result, each patient should perform some minor post-operative care for the 1st week. In 3-6 months later patients will begin to notice the hair growing. Normal growth is ½ inch per month. There’s no special care needed – cut it and style it any way you want. No more worrying about which way the wind blows, getting wet or perspiring. It’s your hair – it’s just been moved from where you have it to where you don’t.

It keeps growing for a lifetime. Amazingly, the hair follicle keeps its original characteristics. Despite being moved into a formerly bald area, it still behaves like the donor area hair.

Motivation is a fundamental factor in a hair transplant procedure, so that the objective that your doctor has set can be reached. You must be patient and have confidence in your doctor.