Thinning hair can result from stress, illness, or simply getting older. If a fuller, more luxurious head of hair is something that would enhance your appearance and, more importantly, how you feel better about yourself, maybe it’s time to consider if a hair transplant can help with your thinning hair.
What is a Hair Transplant?
A hair transplant is a surgical procedure that involves removing patches of scalp from a part of your scalp that has ample hair and then transplanting that patch or follicle in a bald or thinning area where more hair is desired. In time, the hair follicle will take root and grow to populate that area of the scalp that once had little to no hair.
Hair transplant surgery and thinning hair
There are many procedures to restore thinning hair, ranging from non-surgical procedures such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and laser therapies; to surgical procedures such as traditional hair plugs and hair implants. There is even a procedure called micropigmentation, in which cosmetic tattooing provides the very real appearance of day-old growth for closely shaved heads.
For those with thinning hair, hair transplant surgery is a great choice. In fact, approximately 85 percent of men (and 20 percent of women) opt for hair transplant surgery over other methods of hair restoration. That is probably because it is safe, affordable, and it really works.
The process is quite straightforward. Hair transplant surgery most often is performed in a doctor’s office and can last up to four hours, depending on the number of grafts that are to be transplanted. Larger areas may warrant more than one session. The procedure is performed under local anesthetic, although some patients prefer to be anesthetized.
FUSS and FUE
The two most common types of hair transplant surgeries are follicular unit strip surgery, otherwise known as FUSS; and follicular unit extraction, or FUE.
- The FUSS procedure requires your doctor to remove up to 10 inches of skin from the back of your head or wherever is the most inconspicuous, yet populated area, of your scalp, keeping the hair follicles still intact. The area that is removed from your scalp is divided into smaller grafts, then transplanted to the thinning area to seamlessly blend with the hair that is there.
- The FUE procedure, on the other hand, is when hair follicles are taken from the back of your head and then placed via small incisions to the thinning area. Your scalp will be numbed so you won’t feel pain during the procedure. Within a few weeks, the implanted follicles will fall out, with regrowth of hair beginning shortly thereafter.
During your hair transplant, the MAXiM Hair Transplant Physician or Surgeon is generally assisted by two to four medical and surgical assistants. This is your dedicated team who will keep you abreast of what’s going on during your procedure and even get you something to eat or drink if you desire. Post-op, you may feel some pain, which can be addressed with medication, ice and rest.
If you want to learn more information about hair transplant procedures and whether or not it is a good option for you, talk to the experts at MAXiM Facial Aesthetics. We offer a wide variety of surgical and nonsurgical options that could help you restore your hair! Call us today at (646) 475-2099 or use our online appointment request form here.
