Hair isn’t something that we just wash, brush and comb. It’s an important part of our attire. But sometimes we are not fully satisfied with our hair. Luckily, today we have a number of hair transplant options to make comprehensive improvements to the appearance.

Hair transplantation produces permanent results. Although it is your own hair, it is still a surgical procedure. It’s important to know that not everybody qualifies for a hair transplant. You need to be well informed and ask many questions before undergoing a hair transplant.

Time is absolutely necessary, so don’t expect immediate results. You must be patient. Your age at the time of hair transplant will need careful consideration. The younger you are, the most conservative the initial approach needs to be. Whatever is being done today must also look good in the future. It’s extremely important to focus on results.

It’s also important to understand the theory behind hair transplants. Roots moved from a hair-bearing area of the body to a bald site will take hold and grow. In common male-pattern baldness a rim of hair persists, even in the most advanced cases, around the sides of the head. If these follicles are transplanted from this hairy fringe to a bald area, they will root and grow.

The hair to be transplanted during hair replacement must come from the patient’s OWN scalp. Therefore, not all individuals are good candidates for this procedure. You must be realistic, as you cannot expect more than what your donor hair can contribute. By nature, hair growth is very slow.

Because of significant surgical advances with improved results, interest in hair replacement surgery has increased significantly during the past decade. Hair loss affects two out of every three men, and one in five women. For men, heredity is the major factor in hair loss. For women, hormonal changes, including those that occur in menopause, are mainly responsible for female "pattern changes," which include thinning and loss. Accidents, burns and disease can also trigger hair loss. The key factor in hair replacement is the presence of donor hair on the side or the back scalp, which is then used to replace hair where loss has occurred.

Total baldness makes replacement surgery impossible. Hair quality is another factor. Light-colored hair, as well as coarse-textured hair, produce a look of greater density than fine or dark hair.

The most commonly known hair replacement surgery requires taking a strip of hair-bearing scalp from the back of the head. The strip is then divided into several hundred smaller grafts. These grafts are then inserted into tiny slits in the scalp, and must be placed in such a way that hair all grows in the same, natural direction. This is known as mini and micro-grafting.

Skin flap surgery is another efficient technique used to cover balding areas. After a piece of bald scalp is removed, a section of hair-covered scalp is moved and sutured into place. Scars are generally covered by new hair growth. Bald spots at the crown of the head can be covered by removing the hairless area of skin and then stretching the hair-covered scalp adjacent to the bald spot over the opening. This is known as scalp reduction surgery.

Hair Restoration FAQ

How successful are hair transplants?

Our state of the art hair transplant technique is extremely successful. Between 90-95% take rate for successful hair transplants.

Are all hair transplants alike?

Definitely not. Hair replacement techniques and skills vary greatly just as each patient's needs vary.

How much hair can one expect from a hair transplant?

That varies with the quality and density of the donor site in each individual patient.

Will the grafts you take from the donor site leave the donor site bald?

No. After the graft is removed, Dr. Nassif will close the donor site leaving only a tiny scar that will be hard to find. Remarkably, often more than 1000 grafts can be taken from the back of the head without ruining the cosmetic appearance of the hair.

How soon after a transplant can one expect hair?

New growth is seen 16 weeks after a hair transplant.

Will the hair look very natural?

If done properly by a skilled surgeon such as Dr. Nassif the results are quite acceptable.

Are there different types of grafts?

Yes, with our hair replacement technique, mini-grafts, micro-grafts and individual hair grafts are used for transplantation.

Is the procedure painful?

In the hands of Dr. Nassif, who is a very experienced and caring surgeon, a transplant will cause very little discomfort.

Is it done under anesthesia?

The procedure can be done under a local anesthesia, or a mild sedation can be given for the transplant.

Do you have to go to the hospital for a hair transplant?

No. We perform hair transplants in our outpatient surgical facility.

Can a hair piece be worn after an operation?

Yes. A hair piece can provide an excellent cosmetic screen when a patient’s hair loss is extensive and the donor site cannot yield enough graphs for complete coverage. Transplanted hair may be used as a frontal hair line to enhance the natural appearance of the hair piece.

Can other people be donors?

No. Presently, this method is considered experimental.

Can women have a hair transplant?

Yes, however, evaluation would be indicated prior to hair transplantation.

What about the prescription medication Rogaine?

Rogaine is approved for male and female pattern hair loss. It can be beneficial, however, it is not the perfect solution for everyone with hair loss. It can be beneficial in promoting and maintaining new hair growth. This can be used independent or in conjunction with hair transplantation.

Is everybody a candidate for hair transplant?

Unfortunately, there are some patients who have expectations that are unrealistic based on the size of the bald area and the amount of donor hair available to transplant. Dr. Nassif will provide you with an evaluation and will help you explore your options. However, after your evaluation it can be determined if Propecia, hair transplantation, or both, can improve your hair loss problem.

How much time does a hair transplant session take?

With proper care, about 2 ½ to 4 hours.

How long will I be at the surgery center the day of the surgery?

In most cases, you will remain at our surgery center for at least 30 to 60 minutes after completion of the surgery.

How long will it take before my hair grows?

It may begin to grow between 12 to 16 weeks after the hair transplant. Hair grows at an average of ½ inch per month.

Can women have a hair transplant?

Yes, however, evaluation would be indicated prior to hair transplantation.

What is NeoGraft?

NeoGraft is a groundbreaking system for hair restoration, providing excellent results using the no-scalpel and no-stitch Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technique. The NeoGraft system is the first and only follicular unit harvesting and implantation system to be FDA (Food and Drug Administration) cleared for hair restoration.

NeoGraft’s transplant system is unique in that it facilitates the automated collection of hair follicles during FUE. This technique significantly increases the accuracy and speed of the procedure, as compared to each step being performed by hand. With NeoGraft, more men and women are now able to take advantage of the hair restoration process as the system is less time consuming than traditional FUE procedures.

NeoGraft technology means that individual follicles can be easily removed from areas of dense hair. There is no longer the need for large strips of hair follicles to be removed from the back of the scalp, as with older procedures, a process that often resulted in unsightly linear scarring. The NeoGraft FUE system can restore a full head of hair without the linear scars or other telltale signs of the transplant procedure.

How does it work?

The Follicular Unit Extraction method has proven to be extremely successful at providing the precise, artistic placement of new hair follicles. The results are an attractive, natural looking hairline and improved density. Compared to traditional hair transplant procedures, FUE has also shown to have an easier, shorter recovery time.

By adding the NeoGraft system to a FUE procedure, the one-by-one surgical removal, collection, and placement of hair follicles is automated. The donor follicles are always removed from areas of the head with successful hair growth, which can then be expected to continue in the desired location. Utilizing clinically grown, living tissues also allows the transplanted hair to experience a healthy growth cycle.

After the hair follicle has been placed in the target location, it will stay in place for two to three weeks; then the hair will fall out. This process allows for new hair growth to take place, which can be seen over the next three to four months. From this point on, the hair will continue to grow naturally, providing lifelong, aesthetically pleasing results.

Am I a good candidate?

Ideal candidates for NeoGraft will be in overall good health, experiencing mild to moderate hair loss, and with a sufficient amount donor hair on the back of the scalp. Patients should also fully understand the FUE procedure and hold reasonable expectations for their results. Those patients with more donor hair or thicker hair density will see an even greater final outcome.

Individuals seeking natural looking hair transplant results, with the choice to wear their hair short on the back and sides, may make an excellent candidate for the NeoGraft system. Patients such as athletes, those with vigorous exercise routines, or physically strenuous jobs can benefit from the low activity restrictions that FUE allows.

Additionally, patients who have had previous linear harvests are ideal for correction with NeoGraft. The FUE technique can cover up scars that resulted from earlier hair restoration procedures, as well as improve poor transplant results. NeoGraft can also be used to restore hair elsewhere on the body, on areas such as the chest, arms, and legs.

What kind of results can be expected?

An FUE transplant, using the NeoGraft system, will provide long term, aesthetically pleasing results. The natural looking hairline will be full, and the transplanted areas will look complete. While the density of the hair will vary from person to person, the results from NeoGraft can last a lifetime.

The NeoGraft FUE system for hair restoration is an ongoing process. Hair loss often continues after a transplant, depending on its cause. Desired results may require continued maintenance, prescription hair loss medications, or the addition of future transplant sessions. During the initial consultation appointment, the surgeon will determine the specific balding pattern, the potential cause, and estimate the number of NeoGraft procedures that will be necessary to achieve desired results.