GUIDE TO HAIR TRANSPLANTSWhat You Need to Know

Introduction

Reasons for Hair Loss

Options for Regrowing Hair

Who Can Get a Hair Transplant?

Hair Transplant Myths & Facts

Transplant Procedures

What to Expect After a Transplant

Long Term After Surgery Care

Risks and Costs

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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INTRODUCTIONThe average person has roughly 110,000 hairs on their head alone. This number may differ by a person’s nationality or physical characteristics. Starting at birth we go through a constant process of regenerating hair. As our follicle develop so does hair. Daily we lose about 50-100 strands just through normal growth process.

Old strands fall out new ones growin. But what happens when that number increas-es? Having a full head of hair is part of our every day vanity. Hair loss is not to be taken lightly. This is a condition that can happen to anyone. No one is immune. Both men and women suffer from this condition.

The effects from hair loss can be devastating to some people. Hair is often a big part of a person’s identity. Coping with hair loss can be very hard on some people. Often at times hair loss can lead to depression or stress. Sometimes this contributes further to the condition.

Women see hair loss as a major factor in confidence levels, self esteem and overall beauty. Most men usually don’t worry too much about hair loss as do women. Some consider it part of growing old and accept it as it comes. The next step is to try and repair the damage and stop the hair loss. Fixing a hair problem such as hair loss isn’t as easy as covering a blemish with makeup. You need to do research and find out what is contributing to the hair loss.

REASONS FOR HAIR LOSSThere are many probable causes for hair loss. Some cases are more severe than others. Each case stems from one or more of these four areas: Heredity, Medical Conditions, Hor-mone Changes and Medications.Heredity or family related baldness is the most common form of hair loss. This is the number one type of hair loss amongst men. However female hair loss can stem from this as well. It usually starts with thinning hair loss or the receding of a hair line. Genetic hair loss can almost be predicted based on older family members. If your grandfather was bald and his son was bald, chances are it will happen to you as well. Heredity hair loss is usually predictable from an early age and is a slow gradual process.

Hair loss from hormone changes is primarily a condition of women. The onset of menstrua-tion, pregnancy, child birth, menopause or even daily stress can affect hair loss. While it may only be temporary any hair loss is major to women. A woman’s hormones can fluctuate greatly. This sometimes affects the thyroid gland which can cause a myriad of problems including hair loss.

There are a few medical conditions that cause hair loss. The number one is Alopecia. There are many forms and states of Alopecia. This condition causes patchy hair loss on the scalp. It is caused when the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles. This leaves the skin with smooth bald spots. Other medical conditions such as Lupus and some cancerswill cause permanent hair loss.

Ringworm, which invades skin, can cause temporary hair loss as well. It is treatable though with medication. Hair growth can then resume to a normal status. Another lesser known condition is called Hair Pulling Disorder. This is usually a condition of women. Sufferers tend to constantly pull out hair on any part of the body. If left untreated, this condition can lead to permanent hair loss.

Medications are a common source of hair loss in both men and women. People who take medication for cancer, arthritis, blood pressure, birth control and depression may suffer hair loss. In most cases the hair loss may be temporary. Another medication may be prescribed to counter act the effect of hair loss all together.

A major hair loss contributor is radiation chemo therapy. Patients will lose some if not all of their hair through these treatments. Hair may grow back but it may change f significantly.

Excessive hairstyling such as constant dying, hair pulling styles such as braiding and the use of hot treatments can make people lose hair as well. Hot irons tend to damage hair over time. Major life events such as surgery, family death or even weight loss can also create hair loss.

OPTIONS FOR RE-GROWING HAIR

Depending on what type of hair loss you are having and what the causes are, treat-ment will vary. People have tried all kinds of options for hair re-growth. In the old days hair loss was treated by home made hair masks, certain diets and vitamins. Through modern medicine came the use of internal medications and specialty shampoos. Severe cases of hair loss may need a combination of treatments. One form of treatment gaining in popu-larity is a hair transplant.

WHO CAN GET A HAIR TRANSPLANT

Nearly 90% of men who suffer from major hair loss are good candidates for a transplant. Given that figure it would seem fitting that the same applies to women. However that is not always the case. Hair transplants involve using hair from the sides or back of the head. Those are known as donor sites. On men hair usually thins out or recedes in the crown area of the head or frontal lobe area. The donor sites usually do not thin or fall out. That is actually where hair is the thickest. This makes it easy to use that hair for transplants on men. When a woman’s hair thins out, it does so equally all the way around the head. Men don’t have this problem. Depending on the condition of the hair using donor site hair can be problematic for women. The trans-plant may not hold. This is not to say that women can’t have hair transplants.

As long as the hair isn’t in a state of severe thinning or balding, then a hair transplant can be an option. However the numbers of women allowed to undergo a procedure are small in percentage. You should also be in good health if planning to undergo a procedure. It is not recommended to have a hair transplant if you are ill in any way. If you are taking any medications, your doctor should be told prior to surgery. Please check with your doctor to verify you are in good medical condition prior to any procedures.

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Hair Transplant Myths & FactsBefore you decide to undergo a hair transplant procedure there may be a lot of questions or concerns you may have. Of course there will always be some untruths floating around regarding hair transplants. It is always best to review all the information available to you first. Here are some myths and facts about hair transplants.

Hair transplants are for men only

While women do suffer hair loss almost as much as men do, a hair trans-plant may not be the best option for women. A woman’s hair thins differ-ently than men’s hair. So they may not have viable hair to use.

Transplanted hair looks like plugs or doll hairWhen transplants first began, they used procedures that involved using plugs of hair. Those plugs did have an unnatural or wig like look. However modern technology has changed all that. Hair that has been transplanted looks and feels natural as it is your own hair.

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New hair requires extra maintenanceOnce you’ve undergone a transplant you don’t have to do anything more to your hair than you did before. You can maintain your hair in the same old ways. That goes true for washing and styling.

You can test out hair transplants first before you commitA hair transplant is basically a form of surgery. So it is a permanent proce-dure. Testing it out is always an available option. However once it is done it cannot be reversed without another surgery.

It is better to transplant a large number of grafts all at onceWhile this is possible during a procedure, it is not the best way to go. Moving a large portion of hair grafts is possible. However it may mean that you may end up with hair in an area where no transplant is neces-sary.

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A doctor can tell my hair density by just looking at meThis is not true. A doctor must perform a density test using a special meter. He must also check for laxity on the head. This is done by actually touching the hair and scalp.

Doctors now use a technology with grafting that virtually requires no bandag-ing after surgery. So no one will ever notice you have had a procedure done. The hair grows back slowly over a few months. By then it would be blended in with the rest of your hair. No one will ever suspect you had a hair trans-plant.

Hair transplants are better done on younger people

People will be able to tell if I’ve had a hair transplant

Just the opposite is true. Hair transplants are better on older people. Younger people with hair loss are usually not good candidates for a transplant. The hair loss they experience may be irregular for a while. On older people it is more stable and you can get a better sense of where the donor areas are. On younger people this may change over time.

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9Hair transplants fall out over timeThis is not true. A hair transplant is meant to be a permanent process. Hair follicles are living when they are grafted onto the scalp. They will continue to grow hair over time naturally. Your hair will remain in place and become fuller.

If you’re not happy I can have my hair transplant easily removedA hair transplant can be removed. However it is not an easy procedure. Another surgery would have to be performed to remove the grafting. Some areas of hair may grow back patchy. Another surgical procedure would be recommended to fix it as opposed to removing it.

Transplants are painfulYes there may be some discomfort during the procedure and after. But it is not severe enough to cause serious pain. Through the use of modern technology and anesthesia discomfort and pain are minimal. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help with your recovery if necessary.

12Hair Transplants are expensive

Depending on the doctor or clinic you choose this can be an expensive process. This is not always the case. There are several deciding factors that must be weighed before you are given a cost quote. Some doctors have plans that anyone can afford to have surgical procedures like this done. Some insurance companies may also cover the costs as well. Some may not. This is dependant on the need for surgery. There are also some com-panies that offer special financing. Do your research first.

The Transplant Procedure

Once you’ve made the decision to have a hair transplant procedure done, the next step is finding a doctor. The best doctors usually have hair transplants as a specialty. The clinics they use are dedicated to hair care procedures with a full staff of specialists. These doctors and clinics are far and few so do your research prior to choosing a facility.

• In the weeks prior to surgery it is highly recommended to stop smoking if possible. Smoking should also be stopped days prior to surgery. Smoking can inhibit blood flow to the skin and interfere with healing time.• Do not cut your hair in the weeks before your surgery. This ensures that you have enough hair in the donor areas and coverage. Dying is also not recommended.• 24 hours prior to surgery do not consume any alcohol, aspirin or blood thinners as they can cause unnecessary bleeding during the procedure. • The day of your hair transplant be sure to shower and wash your hair thoroughly. Do not use any extra hair products such as styling sprays or gels. The hair and scalp must be clean. • Photos may be taken prior to your surgery to help document the extent of hair loss prior to surgery. • The initial procedure itself starts with the doctor injecting you with a local anesthesia. Once the numbness on your head has set in the grafting can begin.

• The doctor will cut into a donor area first. A 3-4 inch strip of your scalp with hair on it will be removed. Once the strip is removed, the incision is closed up with stitches. Existing hair will quickly cover up that area leaving it virtually unnoticeable that hair was removed.• Next the doctor will take the piece of removed scalp and divide it into tiny sections for grafting. Each piece will contain several to a few hair strands. The amount of hair needed on the grafts depends on how much hair needs to be replaced in certain areas. • The next step is the actual grafting. The area to be grafted is cleaned and numbed first.• Tiny holes or slits are made with a scalpel or needle where the grafts will be set into. The hair grafts are gently placed into the holes or slits made.• The whole procedure takes about 4 to 8 hours depending on how much grafting is needed. You will have some down time while the graft sections are created.

What to Expect After a TransplantDepending on the type of anesthesia you were given you may feel numbness or tired-ness after your procedure. This may last a few hours. So it is suggested you bring someone with you to assist with walking or driving home. There may also be some discomfort or tenderness on the scalp. The doctor may prescribe mild pain killers to ease the discomfort. Antibiotics or anti inflammatory medications may also be pre-scribed as a preventative precaution.

Ice packs or compresses may also be used to help reduce discomfort or potential swelling to the donor area and forehead. You will be required to wear a surgical dressing for a day or two afterwards at the least. You might have some redness or swelling. The discomfort level is equivalent to a mild sun-burn on your head and is no need for worry. You will be able to return to a normal work or school routines within 2 to 5 days after the procedure.

Long Term After Surgery CareThe days and weeks after your surgery are just as critical as the hours after surgery regard-ing long term care. Your doctor may recommend that you sleep with your head elevated for a few days. You may have some scabbing where the cuts were made. This is normal and will go away in a few days. Do not wash your hair until you have been instructed by your doctor as to how and when you can do so. More importantly do not use a hair dryer if possible. If you must use one, use the cool setting only. Warm or hot air on the grafts may cause minor bleeding. If this happens use a gauge and apply light pressure to stop any bleeding. A follow up doctor visit will be required so they can check your healing progress. More photos may be taken to document progress. In the days and weeks after surgery do not engage in major physical activity. Activities such as running, weight lifting or group sports could cause injury to the head. Bleeding is possible from the added blood pressure build up. This could cause loss of the grafts and swelling around the eyes and forehead areas. Bending over and excessive heavy lifting is also discouraged for a few days.

Do not bathe or swim in chlorinated water for at least 14 days after surgery. The chlorine may cause irritation to the graft areas as they may still be healing. Swimming or bathing in salt water is ok though. Sun exposure is not recommended for long periods of time. If you must go out in the sunlight be sure to wear a hat or scarf for coverage.

A few weeks after the surgery you may notice some hair falling out from the grafts. That is completely normal. That hair will be replaced with new permanent growth over the coming weeks and months. Within 6 months roughly 60% of hair will be re-grown.

Risks and Costs As with other surgical procedures there are always risks involved or possible. After the procedure you may experience bleeding or skin irritations. Infections or inflammations on the scalp are possible with new hair growth. This is normal and treatable with antibiotics or compresses. There may be some scarring or unnatural looking new hair growth. Trans-planted hair may also fall out due to shock loss. This too is normal and not permanent. Hair will re-grow back in the area over time. If your hair continues to fall out you may need additional procedures to cover it. Be sure to consult your doctor immediately.

The overall costs of a hair transplant can range from $3000-$15000 depending on how much work needs to be done. The doctor will look at various factors prior to giving you a quote. They need to assess how much hair loss you’ve had, characteristics of your hair, how much grafting is needed and what your desired end results are. Doctors will vary in cost so you may want to get a second or third quote. Some insurance companies will not cover hair transplants as they are considered to be cosmetic procedures. Discuss this with your insurance company first for details. Private financing is always an option as well through your bank other creditor. While the initial cost investment is high, you will benefit from the results long term.