Male pattern baldness is a condition that affects the majority of adult males to one degree or another. This problem is due to hormone sensitive hair follicles that fall out due to a genetic predisposition. The pattern of hair loss varies from one individual to another. In the majority of cases, the frontal hairline is involved. The top of the head may be affected to varying degrees. The rim of hair in the temporal scalp and the back of the head is usually spared. The hair follicles in these locations are generally not affected by male pattern baldness and can serve as permanent donor grafts for hair restoration. To date, there has been limited success in preventing or reversing hair loss with medications or lotions. Hair surgery for men has been the only method that has successfully restored hair to the areas of sparse hair growth. By transplanting hair follicles or moving the scalp tissue, one can restore hair to those areas that have sparse growth.
Hair transplant for men is done by removing individual hair follicles or small groups of hair follicles (3-4 hair follicles) from the sides or back of the head and placing them through minute incisions in the front and the top of the scalp where hair is missing. First, a narrow strip of hair is removed from the back of the head. By meticulous and patient dissection, individual hair follicles are separated. Each graft is then individually planted in the front or top of the head as needed. Care is taken to make the placement of grafts in a natural fashion. The hair that is transplanted will not start growing immediately. It will go into a phase of dormancy for several months prior to growth. Gradually, over a period of 6-12 months, the hair that was transplanted will grow and fill the bald areas of the scalp.
Hair replacement for men in Virginia is often combined with other procedures, such as scalp reduction or rotation, in order to reduce the amount of grafting necessary or to produce a more natural head of hair. There are many techniques and procedures for scalp reduction and rotation. The choice of such procedures will depend on the extent of baldness. Individualized treatment plans are made in order to achieve the most natural result.
After hair transplant surgery in Virginia, men will have moderate swelling in the scalp. Sometimes, there may be temporary bruising in the upper part of the face due to a small amount of blood that may find its way down the face by gravity. This swelling and bruising generally lasts for less than a week, and you can resume normal activity shortly thereafter. The transplanted follicles of hair will undergo a dormant period that lasts 3-4 months. Gradually, they start to recover from the trauma of being transplanted, and you will notice the growth of new hair in approximately 6-12 months.
Hair transplant surgery refers to a group of procedures designed to restore hair in those men who suffer from male pattern baldness.
Male pattern baldness is a condition that affects the majority of adult men to one degree or another. This problem is due to hormone sensitive hair follicles that fall out due to a genetic predisposition. The pattern of hair loss varies from one individual to another. But in the majority of cases, the frontal hairline is involved. The top of the head may be affected to varying degrees. The rim of hair in the temporal scalp and the back of the head is usually spared. These hair follicles are generally not affected by male pattern baldness and can serve as permanent donor grafts for hair restoration. To date, there has been limited success in preventing or reversing hair loss with medications or lotions. Hair transplant surgery for men has been the only method that has successfully restored hair to the areas of sparse hair growth. By transplanting hair follicles or moving the scalp tissue, one can restore hair to those areas that have sparse growth.
In the first consultation, you will have a chance to discuss your concerns with our patient care coordinators and Dr. Marefat. We will explain what you need to know about your hair transplant procedure and help to determine what is best for you. You will receive information booklets, review before and after photographs, and receive pricing on the procedures.
Hair transplant surgery for men is done by removing individual hair follicles or small groups of hair follicles (3-4 hair follicles) from the sides or back of the head and placing them through minute incisions in the front and the top of the scalp where hair is missing. First, a narrow strip of hair is removed from the back of the head. By meticulous and patient dissection, individual hair follicles are separated. Each graft is then individually planted in the front or top of the head as needed. Care is taken to make the placement of grafts in a natural fashion. The hair that is transplanted will not start growing immediately. It will go into a phase of dormancy for several months prior to growth. Gradually, over a period of 6-12 months, the hair that was transplanted will grow and fill the bald areas of the scalp.
Hair transplant surgery for men is often combined with other procedures, such as scalp reduction or rotation, in order to reduce the amount of grafting necessary or to produce a more natural head of hair. There are many techniques and procedures for scalp reduction and rotation. The choice of such procedures will depend on the extent of baldness. Individualized treatment plans are made in order to achieve the most natural result.
After hair transplant surgery, men will have moderate swelling in the scalp. Sometimes, there may be temporary bruising in the upper part of the face due to a small amount of blood that may find its way down the face by gravity. This swelling and bruising generally last for less than a week, and you can resume normal activity shortly thereafter. The transplanted follicles of hair will undergo a dormant period that lasts 3-4 months. Gradually, they start to recover from the trauma of being transplanted, and you will notice the growth of new hair in approximately 6-12 months.
Sutures from the donor sites (back or sides of the head) come out in 10 days. Sometimes, it is possible to use absorbable sutures that do not need to be removed. The areas of grafting do not have any sutures.
We like to see our patients frequently after hair transplant surgery. Men are seen by the doctor or nurse in our Virginia offices within 2-3 days of surgery. Then, the normal postoperative routine is 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. Of course, if there is a need, you are seen as many times as necessary. We encourage our patients to come in for routine follow-up visits every 3-5 years.
If you use makeup or decide to use it to camouflage any bruising, you can after a week. The hair itself can be covered with a hat or cap to hide the grafts until healing is complete. This healing takes about 10-14 days.
The ideal candidate for hair transplant surgery is a man who has moderate hair loss and ample hair to serve as donor grafts. There is no definite age category when the surgery should be done. The ideal candidate for hair transplant surgery for men is a self-motivated patient who has realistic expectations about the results. Generally, the younger you are, the better a candidate you are for surgery. A person’s physiological age is more important than his chronological age. That is to say, you may be 60 years old, but your skin and general health may be better than that of most 50 year olds.
You can pay for hair transplant surgery by certified check, credit card, or cash. Payment for cosmetic surgery is expected prior to any procedure. If you are scheduled for surgery several weeks in advance, you may pay by personal check.
Yes. However, the scars of the donor site are well-hidden by your own hair. The scars from individual grafts are very minute and not usually seen. When the hair growth begins, the new hair will camouflage these small scars.
Yes. However, the pain involved in hair transplant procedures is very tolerable. We have heard our patients describe it as headaches or soreness. Many patients do not finish the pain medications prescribed to them for pain relief. Having said that, remember that pain is very subjective, and it is not easy to predict what degree of pain you will have.
If you are having hair restoration, you will be awake. This is a lengthy procedure, and it may be necessary for you to shift positions from the back to front as the grafting is performed. Usually, we give sedatives to make the process less uncomfortable. In the case of scalp reductions or rotations, you will most likely be asleep, depending on the extent of surgery. In larger operations on the scalp, the surgeon must concentrate on his work and accomplish what he wishes to do with ease.
The hair restoration operation for men is performed in our Virginia office. In the case of major scalp reduction or rotation, we like to use an outpatient surgical facility. Only in rare situations in which the patient may have medical risk factors does Dr. Marefat suggest surgery in a hospital environment.
Yes. Photographs are mandatory for all cosmetic and reconstructive cases. Photographs are the only way for us to compare your before and after results. Photographs in plastic surgery serve the same role that x-rays do in orthopedic surgery.
Dr. Marefat and the staff at Metropolitan Plastic Surgery would be happy to help you set up a private consultation to discuss hair restoration surgery in Virginia. Schedule an appointment online or call one of our locations at 703-516-7600 (Arlington area) or at 703-560-9583 (Woodbridge).
Dr. Marefat offers a number of financial assistance programs and payment programs to cover the cost of hair restoration surgery in Virginia. Please visit the patient financing section of our website for more details or ask the staff at Metropolitan Plastic Surgery about these options so that you can get started with hair surgery in Virginia today.
