Q. How long will the grafted follicles grow hair?
A. If the grafts are taken from an area that will not lose hair over the life time of the patient, the grafted follicles will continue growing hair as they would have at the donor site. The best areas would be in the back and sides of the scalp. These follicles are genetically coded to resist baldness. It is much easier to predict such areas in someone who is in their forties or later than in their twenties. Skill in evaluating these areas is extremely important. It is possible for hair follicles to grow hair for the patient’s life time.
Q. How many of the grafts successfully grow hair?
A. According to the skill of the doctor/technician, the technique used, and proper evaluation o f the patient, 98% is not uncommon. Regarding technique, we feel that FUE (follicular unit extraction) yields the best opportunity for a successful “take.” We use the NeoGraft technology, which is an automated FUE system.
Q. Is there much pain during or after the procedure?
A. Regardless of the procedure, local anesthesia should control the pain completely during the procedure. Post-operatively the strip procedure can be painful. The NeoGraft FUE procedure, according to our patients and my own experience as a patient, is mildly uncomfortable at the most. I felt no need to take any pain medication after surgery.
Q. Does the hairline look natural?
A. According to the skill of the person performing the procedure, absolutely. Single hair grafts must be used for the hairline to look completely natural. The direction of growth is also equally important, and grafts must be placed in a natural direction. Otherwise, the hair may grow, but the appearance will not look natural and/or your hair will not be manageable.
Q. When can you go back to work?
A. My NeoGraft hair transplant was done on a Friday and I returned to see my patients Monday. Many patients go back to work the next day. Two days is a better idea, however, because too much activity can cause an increase in swelling of the forehead, which may also increase discomfort.
Q. What if the hairline is not a straight line?
A. The hair line is not supposed to be a straight line. Natural hair lines are irregular in shape, and this must be planned ahead of time and drawn on the scalp just before the procedure. The patient should approve this before hand also.
Q. How long does it take for the hair to start growing?
A. Much of the follicles will shed their hairs after the procedure. The first hair growth in these follicles is between 3 and 4 months. At about 6 months, 50% of them will start growing and at 1 year about 95% will have started growing. Full density will not be seen until at least 1 ½ years. However, even at 8-9 months you will have impressive density.