Hair Restoration Our hair is one of our most distinguishing features, as well as a sign of youth. Hair also shields us from the heat, cold and the sun’s ultraviolet rays. It is easy to see why the loss of hair and effect on one’s appearance is so concerning to those experiencing hair loss. Hair loss affects over 35 million people in the United States. The most common type is male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia. High levels of androgens or dyhydrotestoserone result in hair loss for these patients. There is also a genetic component that can be inherited from either the mother’s or father’s side. This type of hair loss is usually progressive, but the severity overall is unpredictable. It usually starts in the temporal areas, followed by the vertex of the scalp. Often the rate of loss will slow by age 40, but never stops completely. Hair loss in women usually follows a different pattern than in men with more diffuse thinning over the top of the scalp. This loss may also be hormone related, as it is in men. This does not necessarily mean that these women have higher levels of hormones, but instead have more sensitive receptors for the hormones in their scalp causing the hair loss. However, there are other causes of hair loss that affect women more commonly than men. Alopecia areata results in patchy areas of hair loss and may be due to an autoimmune disorder. Scarring alopecia is due to the formation of scar tissue in the scalp. This can be from surgery, injury or persistent tight braiding or "corn-rowing" of the hair. Telogen effluvium is seen when a large number of hairs go through the telogen phase at one time. The telogen phase is associated with shedding of the hair. Normally, 10% of hairs are in the telogen phase at one time. Telogen effluvium can be triggered by stress, medications, hormone imbalances, or surgery. Loss of eyebrows is another area where hair restoration surgery can be used with dramatic results. Loss in this area may be due to excessive plucking, traumatic injury, surgical scarring, or even congenital absence. Restoring the eyebrow with micrografts can change the look of one’s entire face. There are 3 phases of hair growth: anagen, catagen, and telogen. Normally 90% of hairs fall into the anagen phase at one time. Here the hair grows at the rate of about 1 cm per month. This phase usually lasts 3 years. During the catagen phase, the hair slowly separates from the surrounding tissue and over a 2-3 week period, and then progresses to the telogen phase where loss occurs and the follicle rests. The resting phase typically lasts 3-4 months. This resting phase is also commonly seen after hair restoration. In a patient experiencing hair loss, the rate of loss is greater than the rate of hair growth. There are some useful medical therapies to compliment hair restoration surgery. Finasteride is an oral medication that blocks the formation of dihydrotestosterone, the hormone that causes hair loss. This can be useful in maintaining one’s hair and limiting further thinning. It is only used in men, and is not safe for women, children or adolescents. Minoxidil is a topical medication that is applied to the scalp to stimulate hair growth. This can be used in both men and women. Just like finasteride, it is more effective in the vertex and frontal scalp than the frontal hairline. Minoxidil may be used alone or along with finasteride. Many patients find that the use of these medical therapies enhance their result with hair restoration surgery. Hair restoration surgery is a permanent way to improve one’s hairline and hair density. The operation is done in an outpatient setting with minimal discomfort and minimal recovery involved. Most cases last between 4-6 hours, but this is variable. The donor hair is taken from the back of the scalp and then carefully prepared into follicular units for transplantation. Follicular units contain 1-3 hairs each and are transplanted individually to give you the most natural look. The grafts are then inserted into tiny slits in the scalp in a pattern designed by your plastic surgeon This pattern has both saggital and coronal incisions again making the most natural appearance. We pack the follicular units densley into the scalp with approximately 30-50 FU/cm2 depending on the patient’s donor characteristics. Our closures of the donor site are done with the most advanced trichophytic techniques making them almost imperceptible after healing. The number and placement of hair grafts will be discussed during your consultation. Our doctors will carefully plan an operation that will meet your aesthetic goals and leave you with the most natural appearance. We use the latest micrografting techniques that truly mimic your natural hair growth and distribution. Hair restoration surgery is an effective way to improve your appearance and turn back the hands of time..