Hair replacement surgery is a procedure that removes small hair-bearing scalp grafts from the back of one’s head and relocates them to a bald and/or thinning area typically the temples and crown.
What causes hair loss?
There are many myths where hair loss is concerned. It is often blamed on poor circulation to the scalp, vitamin deficiencies, dandruff, and even excessive hat-wearing. These theories, over time, have proven to be untrue. It’s also been disproven that hair loss can be determined by looking at your maternal grandfather, or that 40 to 50-year-old men who haven’t lost their hair at that point never will.
Hair loss has been medically proven to be primarily caused by a combination of:
- aging
- changing hormones
- family history
Typically, the earlier hair loss begins, the more severe the loss will become.
Baldness can also be caused by burns or trauma, in which case hair replacement surgery is considered a reconstructive treatment, and may be covered by health insurance.
Who are the best hair transplantation candidates?
- Hair replacement candidates require hair growth at the back and sides of the head as those will serve as donor areas.
- Donor areas are the places on the head from which the grafts are utilized.
- Hair color, texture and waviness or curliness can affect the cosmetic outcome.
- Two or more techniques can be used to achieve the best results.
It’s important to understand that all hair replacement techniques use the hair you currently have, and the goal of surgery is to determine the most efficient uses for existing hair.
How long is the recovery?
Dr Lee and his hair transplantation team utilizes the state of the art Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technique where no incisions or sutures are required. The extent and complexity of the surgery will determine your recovery period. Any aching, excessive tightness, or throbbing can be controlled with pain medication prescribed by Dr. Lee. Bandages, if utilized, will generally be removed the day after surgery. You may gently wash your hair after two days following surgery, and any stitches if used will be removed in 7 to 10 days. Be sure to discuss the possibility of swelling, bruising, and drainage with Dr. Lee prior to surgery.
Because strenuous activity increases blood flow to the scalp and may cause your transplants or incisions to bleed, you may be instructed to avoid vigorous exercise and contact sports for at least three weeks.
Are follow up or maintenance treatments required?
Some patients do require a surgical touch-up procedure to create a more natural result after the incisions have healed. This can involve blending, which is a filling-in of the hairline. In general, it’s best to anticipate that you will need a touch-up procedure, and Dr. Lee can typically predict how extensive your follow-up surgery is likely to be.
Dr. Raymond Lee is an award winning, double board certified facial plastic surgeon with expertise in facial rejuvenation under local anesthesia. He has been practicing in Orange County for over 10 years and has performed 4000 facial rejuvenation procedures under light anesthesia.
Dr. Lee has been voted The #1 Cosmetic Surgeon in Orange County by the OC Register. Dr. Lee wants you to “Experience Beauty, the most natural way”. Dr. Lee’s does not believe in the old traditional facelift. Over the course of his career he has mastered the art and science of facial rejuvenation with natural results, minimal sedation, and easy recovery. His signature “FACEology LIFT” (face and neck lift alternative) is the embodiment of all these elements and is what he is widely sought out for.
