Common Questions About Hair Transplants
and Hair Restoration

Here are some common questions and their answers concerning hair loss and hair transplants.

What causes hair loss?
The most common cause of hair loss is inheritance. Men and women inherit the gene for hair loss from either or both parents. Men are most commonly affected by the inherited gene in which the hair follicles become susceptible to dihydrotesterone DHT causing the loss of hair follicles. Currently there is no known method of stopping this type of hair loss. The age of onset, extent, and rate of hair loss vary from person to person. Some illnesses, stress, malnutrition, or vitamin deficiency can accelerate this process. Also, harsh chemicals contained in hair coloring or chemical relaxers when applied incorrectly can cause damage to hair and hair follicles that can be permanent.

Do hair transplants really work?
Yes. The transplanted hair is taken from one area of the body (donor site) and transferred to another (recipient site). The transferred tissue is not “rejected” as it is not a foreign tissue. The transplanted hair maintains its own characteristics such as color, texture, curls and growth rate after transplantation. Also, because of its eternal nature, transplanted hair stays and does not fall out overtime. The vitality of the grafted follicle is maintained by the rich blood supply of the scalp.

Where do you get the hair?
The most common donor site is the back of the scalp. We take a strip of tissue from that area, then isolate every individual hair follicular units under microscopy which are then individually transplanted to a desired recepient sites. Other hairy areas of the body such as the chest and the beard area can also be used as donors. This is done by a special procedure called Follicular Unit Extraction FUE. It is done by direct extraction of hair follicular units without having to take out a strip of tissues. We are one of the few centers doing FUE in the country.

What are the different treatment options that New England Center for Hair Restoration offer?
Other than the conventional strip surgery that we offer, we also do Follicular Unit Extraction FUE and the Platelet Rich Plasma PRP. The FUE is done by direct extraction of hair follicular units from practically any hairy parts of the body without having to take out a strip of tissues. We are one of the few centers doing FUE in the country. While PRP is done by extracting your own blood, process it and then directly injected onto the scalp.

What can be expected after hair restoration surgery?
The post-operative course will depend on adherence to the instructions given after surgery. Small scabs will form on the scalp at the graft sites. Generally speaking, these scabs fall off  in 4-7 days. Shampooing can be resumed 24 hours after surgery. The suture (stitch) used in the donor area is undetectable as it is completely covered by your existing hair. Stitches are removed one week after surgery. It is advisable to take at least two days off work after surgery. A baseball type cap can be worn at anytime after surgery. Patients should avoid any strenuous physical activity for at least five days after surgery. New hair growth will be noticeable in a month and full grown hair in 6 months.

Are hair transplants painful?
No, not a all. Most people are surprised at how little pain there is during the procedure. Some discomfort is to be expected as the anesthetic is injected into the scalp. In fact, dental procedure is more painful than hair transplant itself.

What will it look like after the procedure?
Immediately after the surgery, there will be some scalp swellings and redness which disappears in 2-3 days. The grafts form small scabs in the next few days after the procedure.  These scabs can be easily camouflaged with your existing surrounding hairs. The scabs falls off naturally in a matter of days.

When can I go back to work?
Depending on the type of procedure you have done and the type of work you do, it is often possible to go back to work on the second or third day after surgery.

Are hair transplants expensive?
Hair transplantation is more expensive than a hair piece or some alternative treatments. However, over time it is more economical because it is permanent and natural.

How many sessions will be required?
The number of the sessions will depend on the how much hair loss you have. Other factors considered are the condition of the donor site such as its density and laxity.