Hair Transplant Overview Frisco TX
A hair transplant procedure involves transplanting the hair follicles from the back and sides of the head (where the hair typically does not fall out and is not responsive to the hair loss hormone DHT) to the thinning or balding areas of the scalp. Once transplanted, these hair follicles retain the characteristics of where they were originally located. This means that if the hairs in the “donor area” (the back and sides of the head) are destined to never fall out, they will also never fall out after being moved to the new location on the top of the head or frontal hairline.
While some doctors may only utilize one method of hair transplant procedure, Dr. Richardson is fellowship-trained in multiple techniques and aspects of hair restoration and hair transplant surgery. He will customize the treatment plan for each individual based on the patient’s history of hair loss, expected hair loss progression, areas of concern, desired hairstyle, and other factors. In all patients, we perform Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), where individual hair follicles are transplanted. Gone are the days of large, obvious hair “plugs” that resulted in very unnatural hairlines. By using follicular unit grafts (the individual hair follicles and associated supporting structures), the hairline is artfully crafted in such a way that it appears natural and normal. By utilizing the skills of a fellowship-trained hair restoration expert like Dr. Richardson, bad outcomes can be avoided.
I had a hair transplant procedure with Dr. Richardson and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Setting up my appointment was easy, and his staff was very helpful. During my meeting with him, he was very nice and easy to talk to. We went over all of my options and he explained everything about what he recommended. He spent a lot of time with me to answer all of my questions so I knew exactly what to expect. I really appreciated that he was very honest with me about what kind of results I could expect based on my specific type of hair loss. The morning of my procedure, he met with me again and went over exactly where the grafts would be placed to make sure that we were both on the same page. Everything went smoothly and he even checked in with me personally that evening to make sure I was doing well. I am now several months out from my treatment and seeing great results! I highly recommend Dr. Richardson for anyone dealing with hair loss and looking for a change.
(HEALTHGRADES)
The grafts can be harvested in a variety of ways. Most commonly, we utilize either a strip harvest technique or a Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technique using the Neograft device. In the strip harvest technique, a strip of hair is taken from the back of the scalp, divided into individual hair follicles (or follicular units) and the grafts are then implanted into the recipient thinning areas of the scalp. The donor site area on the back of the scalp is closed in such a way that only a very thin linear remains once the area heals. The advantages of this harvest technique are that it is faster to harvest the grafts, the hair on the back of the head at the donor site can be left long, and a very large number of grafts can be harvested at one time (sometimes more than other techniques but not always). The disadvantage of this technique is that it does leave a linear scar that will be visible if the head is ever shaved or cut very short. This technique tends to work well in men and women who leave their hair longer and have no desire to ever shave their head or cut the back of the hair very short.
The other option for harvesting grafts in our practice is with the Neograft device. This technique involves extracting the very small hair follicles and follicular units individually, rather than in one large strip. The disadvantage of this technique is that it requires the patient to cut the hair very short on the donor areas along the back and/or sides of the head. The advantage of this technique is that it does not leave a linear scar, so the hair can be worn short without seeing any signs of a linear scar such as the one that occurs after a strip harvest. The grafts are implanted at the recipient sites in the same way (by individual follicular units) regardless of the technique used to harvest the grafts. Click here to learn more about Neograft Hair Transplant.
Regardless of the harvest technique, transplanted hair shafts will often fall out or “shed” in the first few weeks or months after transplant, but the follicle remains alive. The grafts will then begin to grow over the next 6-12 months, and will take at least a year to reach maturity. These hairs will become longer, more coarse, and more robust as time passes. The net result is a thicker, fuller head of hair in the transplanted areas. It is also key to stay on a comprehensive treatment regimen to maintain the hair that is present and slow or prevent further hair loss.
Don’t find yourself being “sold” on one particular technique from a doctor who purchases a particular device, only uses hair transplant as a revenue stream, has no background in hair restoration, and is not really involved in the hair transplant process. Trust your hair to Dr. Richardson, a fellowship-trained specialist who is dedicated to the field of hair restoration as a whole and will guide you through the process from start to finish regardless of whether you choose to pursue surgical or non-surgical treatment options.
All hair transplants are performed in our state-of-the-art surgical suite within our center at Texas Facial Aesthetics in Frisco, and an entire session with several thousand grafts can be performed in one day.
EMAIL US today or call us at (469) 362-6975 to let us help you restore the hair you’ve been missing.