Because of significant surgical advances with improved results, interest in hair replacement surgery has increased significantly during the past decade. Hair loss affects two out of every three men and one in five women. Located in Carmel and Greenwood, Hamilton Facial Plastic Surgery, led by double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Mark M. Hamilton, M.D., F.A.C.S., offers hair restoration for men and women who live in and around Indianapolis, Indiana.
What Is Causing My Hair To Fall Out?
Some people begin to lose hair in their 20s. Frequent shampooing, poor circulation, wearing hats or any other personal habits are not factors that cause hair loss. For men, heredity is the major factor in hair loss. For women, hormonal changes, including those that occur during menopause, are mainly responsible for female pattern changes, which include thinning and loss. Accidents, burns and disease can also trigger hair loss.
Hair Replacement Consultation and Costs
While the vast majority of people are likely candidates for hair replacement, there are a small number who are not. To determine if you are a viable candidate for a hair transplant we offer consultation appointments at either our north or south side office, whichever is more convenient for you. Office consultations are conducted at either our north or south side Indianapolis locations, whichever is more convenient for you. If it is determined that a transplant would be beneficial in addressing your hair loss, then at the time of your office visit the doctor will determine the number of grafts, surgical procedure and address any other issues. Costs are also discussed at this time. Typically, the higher number of grafts needed, the higher the cost. Common price ranges are between $3,000 and $8,000. Major credit cards are also accepted.
What Are The Most Important Factors In Hair Restoration?
The key factor in hair replacement is the presence of donor hair on the side or the back scalp, which is then used to replace hair where loss has occurred. Total baldness makes replacement surgery impossible. Hair quality is another factor. Light-colored hair, as well as coarse-textured hair, produce a look of greater density than fine or dark hair.
If you’ve wondered how hair replacement surgery could improve your appearance and your self-confidence, you need to know how this surgery is performed and what you, as an individual, can expect from this procedure. Have you ever wondered how your appearance and your self-confidence could improve with hair replacement surgery? Find out how this procedure is performed and what you as a patient can expect from the surgery.
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What to Expect from Hair Transplantation?
It is not essential to be bald or nearly bald before undertaking hair transplantation. Age also is no contraindication for hair transplantation. However, the younger the person, the more conservative the approach must be for transplantation, because the permanent donor site may not yet be established. Ideally, the patient should have dense growing hair in the donor sites to sufficiently fill any present or future areas of baldness.
The color of the hair in contrast to the skin color will be discussed with you by Dr. Hamilton. The texture of your hair, coarse or fine, will also determine the final result in hair transplantation.
However, the patients most satisfied with hair transplantation are those who will accept the estimate of improvement as given by Dr. Hamilton.
If you opt for surgery, Dr. Hamilton will describe the technique indicated, the type of anesthesia to be used, the surgical facility, any additional surgery and risks and costs.
Hair Replacement Process
Typically, our hair replacement surgery involves removing a very thin strip of hair from the back of the patient’s head. This strip is dissected into hundreds or thousands of smaller grafts by technicians utilizing various magnification methods. Then our surgeon, Mark M. Hamilton, M.D., F.A.C.S., makes tiny incisions in the scalp and individually transplants these follicle grafts. Most grafts contain one or two hairs with occasionally the use of larger four or five hair grafts. The artistic arrangement of these grafts and incisions are placed in such a manner to create a natural hairline. The procedure can last anywhere from three to eight hours depending on the number of hair grafts. It can be performed comfortably under local anesthesia. Some patients also elect to have oral anesthesia to help them relax during the procedure. You choose what you feel would work best for you.
It is important to note that the hair transplanted is not “plugs” as was the case 20 to 30 years ago, but individual hair units. It is this major difference that allows us to achieve the completely natural looking and permanent restoration of your hair.
After Your Hair Transplant Surgery
After surgery, the area will be slightly bruised, tender and have a bandage applied. However, down-time is usually only two or three days depending on your level of comfort. You will be given a mild painkiller to alleviate any discomfort along with post-operative care instructions to hasten the healing process and reduce any chance of scarring. While you may resume most normal activities, any strenuous exercising or lifting should not be attempted for the first two weeks after the procedure. Finally, a follow-up hair loss prevention treatment program is prescribed to promote quicker and healthier hair growth.
Do I Need Multiple Hair Restoration Procedures?
Depending on the extent of your hair loss and your goals, more than one transplant session may be recommended, especially if a greater hair density is desired. This reduces the duration of the procedure and your initial costs. It also gives you time to decide if you’d like to have more hair transplanted after seeing the results of your initial session. As a result of this multi-session approach, the return of your hair is seen by others as more gradual and therefore more natural.
The procedure itself usually takes only hours and is performed under a local anesthetic and produces little discomfort.
During the first couple of months after surgery, it is normal for most of the hair that is transplanted to gradually fall out while being replaced simultaneously with new hair growth from the transplanted hair-producing follicle. Within three to four months after the procedure, new growth will be firmly established. The number of new hairs will continue to increase for the next six to nine months with a proper hair hygiene program.
If you live in Indianapolis and believe you are a candidate for hair restoration, please contact the Carmel or Greenwood office of Hamilton Facial Plastic Surgery.
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