Follicular Unit Hair Transplant Surgery

Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure used to treat baldness or hair loss. Typically, a narrow strip of scalp is removed from the back of the head containing healthy hair follicles, within the strip natural occurring groups of hair follicles called Follicular Units are meticulously dissected under microscopes into 1-4 hair follicular units and then precisely implanted in the bald areas in the front and top of the head. In select cases Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE Hair Transplantation) may be used if the patient wishes the option to shave the sides and back of the scalp after hair transplantation.

Purpose

Hair transplantation is a cosmetic procedure performed on men and women who have significant hair loss, thinning hair, or bald spots where hair no longer grows. In men, hair loss and baldness are most commonly due to genetic factors (a tendency passed on in families) and age. Male pattern baldness, in which the hairline gradually recedes to expose more and more of the forehead, is the most common form. Men may also experience a gradual thinning of hair at the crown or very top of the skull. For women, hair loss is more commonly due to hormonal changes and is more likely to be a thinning of hair from the entire head. An estimated 50,000 men get transplants each year. Transplants can also be done to replace hair lost due to burns, injury, or diseases of the scalp.

Dr. Gary Hitzig, a hair transplant pioneer, leads the team of super specialists performing hair transplant surgery and ongoing research in hair duplication and hair loss reversal for the Hair Restoration Division of PRASAD Cosmetic Surgery.

Precautions

Although hair transplantation is a fairly simple procedure, some risks are associated with any surgery. It is important to inform the physician about any medications currently being used and about previous allergic reactions to drugs or anesthetic agents. Patients with blood clotting disorders also need to inform their physician before the procedure is performed.