Suffering from thinning hair or male pattern baldness no longer has to be something you have to accept. The most reliable cosmetic surgery practice in Atlanta, Premier Image Cosmetic and Laser Surgery, provides high-quality, aesthetically pleasing hair transplants for its clients. With over 50 years in the field, clients come to our location in Sandy Springs from throughout Georgia to meet with our top-level surgeons.
Hair Transplant – Dr. Paul Daraei, Atlanta Georgia
What Causes Hair Loss?
Hair loss is a complex condition. The factors that affect hair follicles range from hormonal to genetics. Furthermore, medical conditions and aging can accelerate the loss of hair.
The most common type of hair loss is hereditary. Male pattern baldness, the recession of the hairline accompanied by thinning of the crown, can often be predicted by looking at family history.
In people with male pattern baldness, hair follicles are susceptible to dihydrotestosterone. Also known as DHT, this is a derivative of the male hormone testosterone. DHT interacts with the follicle, resulting in gradual thinning of the hair shaft and the eventual death of the follicle. Once the follicle dies, it cannot be revived.
Preparing for the Procedure
New technology and knowhow allow for pain-free hair transplants that are virtually effortless on your part. A good surgeon will give you optimal results while maintaining the integrity of your scalp. However, there are a few things that you should do in preparation for the procedure.
Your surgeon may recommend some or all of the following actions leading up to your transplant:
Stop Aspirin and Anti-Inflammatories
Your doctor will likely recommend that you stop taking anti-inflammatory medication or aspirin two weeks before the operation. Be sure to discuss with your surgeon any underlying health conditions for which you are taking these drugs.
Avoid Other Drugs and Supplements
Fully disclose your medication or supplementation regimen with your doctor. They will tell you what you can continue taking and what you should refrain from leading up to the procedure.
Refrain from Smoking
It is advised that you do not smoke for at least 2 weeks before your procedure. Smoking is known to affect how wounds heal and can prolong the recovery process. It’s in your best interest to keep all healing resources available to your body in order to achieve the best results.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol can also interfere with the healing process and your surgeon will suggest that you abstain for at least a few days before your transplant.
Perform Scalp Massages
A tight scalp is not optimal for hair transplant surgery. Massaging your scalp for several minutes a day for up to a month before surgery will help the surgeon achieve the best result possible. Scalp massages promote blood flow in the scalp. More implanted follicles will survive if they get immediate access to a blood supply. This is where the scalp massage comes in.
Recovery and Aftercare
After the procedure, you’ll need to exercise some caution to help the healing process. Even though recovery with hair transplants is much more hassle-free today than ever before, a few simple tips will guarantee optimal results.
Most of these suggestions are the same as the measures you took to prepare for the surgery:
- Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol during recovery
- Your doctor will advise you on when to resume any medications you regularly take
- Abstain from touching your scalp or picking at any scabs
For the maximum number of transplanted follicles to survive the recovery process, your body needs to accept them in their new location. Washing or otherwise playing with your hair during those first few days post-surgery can result in follicle damage.
Finally, avoid any strenuous activity. You will probably be able to return to work as if you didn’t have surgery, provided your job doesn’t include heavy lifting. Take a few days off from the gym and avoid cardio that can cause sweat and grime to accumulate on the scalp.
Hair Transplant Side Effects or Risks
A hair transplant procedure is a low-risk affair. Your surgeon performs it using a local anesthetic after conducting all necessary exams and evaluations. However, it is still a medical procedure and there are a few side effects associated with it.
As with any surgery, there is a small risk of infection. There may be pus drainage or bleeding in the area of the surgery. Folliculitis, the inflammation of the hair follicles, may result and some patients may lose sensation around the surgical sites.
A transplant that is prepared and performed under the best circumstances reduces the chance of any side effects appearing. In any case, your surgeon is capable of helping you deal with them.
The risks of a hair transplant procedure include the possibility that you will continue to lose hair from the rest of your scalp. Additionally, if your doctor is not experienced, the hair density of your new hair may be noticeably different than that of your donor area. This will result in different areas of the scalp being noticeably thinner. Consulting with a board-certified surgeon, however, effectively reduces the chance of this happening in the first place.
Patient Reviews
Cost of Hair Transplant Surgery
The cost of hair transplant surgery varies according to the procedure type and follicle number. Price should never be at the top of your list of criteria when selecting a surgeon. Hair transplants should be performed by a competent doctor to avoid irreversible damage to your scalp and donor hair.
Most patients that have poor experiences to report accepted a package offer. You need to do your due diligence with practices that advertise one-size-fits-all deals or cheap procedures.
FUT Hair Transplant FAQS
The topic of hair transplants has been taboo for many years. This is due to the sensitivity that accompanies the subject as well as the poor results people have gotten from inadequate procedures and shady practices. It’s never easy to discuss your hair loss with another person, even if it’s a friend or family member.
To get results that are indistinguishable from your naturally growing hair, it’s important to understand how hair loss occurs and what criteria you need to consider when choosing a clinic for your hair transplant surgery.
Hair grafts can come from anywhere on the body. The most common source for grafts is the back of the head, an area called the occipital scalp. This occurs because as noted above, the hair from this region is resistant to the effects of DHT.
It can be unnerving to experience hair loss a week after surgery. This shedding is known as shock loss and is due to the trauma of the transplant causing healthy hairs to fall out. You can notice this for up to five weeks post-surgery and as long as the dermal papilla stays intact, the hairs will grow back healthy and strong.
As with any surgical procedure, you may experience some discomfort. The local anesthetic will ensure that the surgery is pain-free. A gentle pricking feeling is the worst you will feel at any point and many patients don’t even experience that.
Contact Premier Image Today
For more information on getting a hair transplant in the Atlanta area, call Premier Image Cosmetic and Laser Surgery at (770) 457-6303 today or fill out our contact form. Our staff will help you arrange an appointment and answer your questions.
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