HAIR TRANSPLANTATION
- Frequently Asked
Questions
- What is Hair Transplantation?
- How Does it Work?
- What does the procedure involve?
- How long does it take?
- Will it look natural?
- Will I scar?
- When does the hair grow?
- If I am a woman, can I benefit?
- What is the cost?
- When should I consider the procedure?
- What qualifications should I expect?
- Our
approach to hair transplantatio
UW
Dermatologic Surgery
Hair
Transplantation
Consults for Hair
Transplantation: 206-598-6647
Consults for Hair Transplantation: 206-598-6647
Hair transplantation has come a long way from the days of "hair plugs" and a pleasing, natural result is now routine. It is an excellent option for treatment of hereditary hair loss in many men and women. A consultation with Dr Berg is recommended to discuss the specifics of your case and decide whether it's a good treatment for you. Resources on this web page include:
1. A link to UWTVs Cosmetic Surgery Rounds including streaming video of Dr Berg reviewing hair transplantation. The complete program covering several topics is one hour long. Dr Berg's portion takes place from at 30 minutes, 34 seconds until 46 minutes 10 seconds. The program can be viewed by clicking here or by going to www.uwtv.org and searching the site for "Cosmetic Surgery: A Multidisciplinary Approach"
2. Frequently asked Questions (see below)
- What is Hair Transplantation?
- How Does it Work?
- What does the procedure involve?
- How long does it take?
- Will it look natural?
- Will I scar?
- When does the hair grow?
- If I am a woman, can I benefit?
- What is the cost?
- When should I consider the procedure?
- What qualifications should I expect?
- Our approach to hair transplantation
- Illustrative Photographs
Hair transplantation refers to the surgical movement of permanent hair with its roots to an area of bald or balding skin. Hair transplantation is an effective and permanent solution for hair loss.
In almost all cases of so-called "male-pattern baldness", there is a permanent fringe of hair along the side and back of the scalp. This hair demonstrates "donor dominance". This means it will grow permanently even if it is moved to an area which is bald or balding.
WHAT DOES THE PROCEDURE INVOLVE?
Hair transplantation is done under local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. Hair and follicles are removed from the "donor area" of permanent hair along the back and sides of the head. This area is immediately camouflaged by the surrounding hair.
The removed hair follicles are then divided into individual grafts of varying sizes. The smallest grafts contain 1-2 hairs and are often referred to as "follicular units" or "micrografts". Larger minigrafts may contain up to 6 hairs and can provide more density per graft. Choice of number and type of graft is made taking into account the patient's hair type, quality, color and the area to be transplanted. Once prepared the grafts (hair and its roots) are then inserted into the thin area.
Hair transplantation is an office procedure that takes approximately four to eight hours depending on the extent of the planned procedure. Most people return to work two to five days after the surgery. Most people require more than one session, each spaced at least six months apart each to complete the hair restoration in an area. The timing and number of transplants depends on the amount of hair you have when you start, how much is anticipated that you will continue to lose without transplanting and how much hair density you desire.
Yes. In the hands of well-trained and experienced physicians, and using newer techniques with smaller grafts, the hair grows in the proper direction with a feathered hairline, and a highly aesthetic result.
The hair is your own, and just like all of your hair it grows, can be washed, curled, cleaned, permed and styled as desired. Once the transplants are completed, no special maintenance is required.
The site from where the hair is taken is usually a fine scar line which is hidden by the permanent hair in that area. After the procedure there are tiny marks where the grafts have been placed. Initially there is some crusting over these areas (5-14 days) but after this, these areas are usually not detectable.
In most cases, immediately after the hair transplant the hairs fall out of the grafts, and do not regrow for 1-3 months. After this they begin to grow as normal hair. With each session there is more hair, and the resulting appearance is thicker hair.
IF I AM A WOMAN, CAN I BENEFIT FROM A HAIR TRANSPLANT?
Women with localized thinning on the top of their heads or thinning around the temples often make good candidates for hair transplantation. Prior to evaluation for hair transplantation, it is important for women to discuss your thinning hair with a dermatologist and/or endocrinologist to make sure there is no other treatable reason for the hair loss.
Hair transplantation is a cost-competitive solution for hair loss. Other hair replacement alternatives require additional maintenance over the years. The cost depends on the amount of bald area that will need to be transplanted, and the desired thickness. More grafts are necessary to cover more bald or thin area and to maximize hair density. Because the procedure is individual, costs are usually determined individually.
WHEN SHOULD I CONSIDER THE PROCEDURE?
Hair transplantation can be done both on patients with advanced baldness and earlier thinning. Newer treatments for men like Propecia or for both men and women, like Rogaine should be considered as well especially in patients with earlier thinning as these medications often slow significantly the progression of hair loss. In general, hair transplantation is not considered for patients younger than their mid 20s because of difficulty in predicting ultimate extent of hair loss.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS SHOULD I EXPECT FROM MY DOCTOR?
Hair surgery requires both medical and technical expertise as well as an aesthetic appreciation of natural hair growth. At the University of Washington your transplant will be performed by a team led by Dr Berg, a recognized board-certified specialist in dermatology with training and experience in dermatologic surgery. Dr. Berg is a dermatologic surgeon, experienced in hair transplantation, as well as other cosmetic and reconstructive skin surgeries. He received his qualifications in Dermatology in 1991, and completed two further years of training in dermatologic surgery. He was trained in hair transplantation in both dermatology residency and dermatologic surgery fellowships where he worked with internationally recognized leaders in the field. He has continued with this work since his arrival in 1997 at the University of Washington where he is the Director of Dermatologic Surgery.
OUR APPROACH TO HAIR TRANSPLANTATION
Hair transplantation at the University of Washington is approached as an important surgical procedure, in which the transplant recipient is viewed as a patient rather than a client. For these reasons, medical consultation and follow-up is always provided by the physician who will oversee the surgery, rather than a sales associate. The procedure itself is carried out by this physician with the assistance of experienced hair transplant technicians.
In keeping with proper medical standards, the possible negatives of transplanting as well as realistic expectations, will be discussed prior to you proceeding with the surgery. For example, it is very important to consider the role of future hair loss in planning, and the possible need for more sessions to achieve desired density. It is our philosophy to provide you with medically sound and realistic information.
Dr Berg Photographs (others available at consultation)
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Dan Berg M.D. |
Dan Berg M.D. |
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Hair Transplant - Before |
Hair Transplant - After |
