Hair Loss - Transplant Overview
Things to know before you get a hair transplant.
In hair transplants, hair is taken from donor sites and placed in the affected area. Hair is usually taken from the side and the back of the head, which is usually not affected by male-pattern baldness. The extracted hair is usually called a graft. Grafts include not only the hair follicles, but the surrounding tissue and skin. The hair is then placed into small slits created by the doctor in the balding areas of the scalp.
Each graft can contain one or more hair follicles. The fewer the hair follicles the better the transplant can look, but the more expensive the treatment. Hair transplants can range from $3000 to $12000. It mostly depends on the number of grafts you require to cover the bald spot and the number of hair follicles per graft.
Hair transplants are done in the hair surgeon's office and take several sessions to complete. The doctor will usually apply a local anesthetic, though at times a general anesthetic is required. Each session can last from 4 to 10 hours. The number of sessions depends primarily on the extent of the hair loss. The doctor may also increase the number of session for medical or cosmetic reasons. The patient usually does not require bandaging after the procedure and can go straight home.
For about one to two weeks after the hair transplant, one needs to be extra careful with ones hair. This includes avoiding strong rubbing or scratching of the scalp, since it may dislodge the grafts. It might be necessary to take pain relievers after each hair transplant session, though in general there is not much discomfort.
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