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Surgical procedures for restoration of missing hair can be highly gratifying and successful. The patient who is losing his or her hair may have tried oral and topical medications (non-surgical) methods of hair restoration without satisfaction. Hair transplants to restore the hair can be the answer. Progressive loss of hair, as seen in male pattern baldness, can be successfully improved by means of hair transplants. Males are more affected than females; however females with hair loss can also benefit from hair (transplant) restoration surgery. By the very nature of the procedure, hair restoration surgery must be done in stages in order to transplant enough hairs between existing hairs to increase the volume sufficiently. Hair restoration takes advantage of the fact that hair follicles taken from areas of full hair growth will generally survive well in areas of pattern baldness. In the past large plugs were used; these would give a picket fence or “doll’s hair” appearance. Current techniques utilize micro transplants of 1-3 follicles per graft. A high number of grafts are generally transplanted in each procedure stage. Donor hair is taken from the back of the head where hair is thicker. Donor sites include the posterior scalp and hair bearing areas behind the ears. Every attention is paid to hairline contour, direction of hair follicles, and density of hairs. Using one, two, and three hair follicle grafts (micro-grafts) the most natural results are obtained. The donor site scars are fine and difficult to see; they are covered by surrounding hair. The operation is performed under local anesthesia with sedation in an outpatient setting. Hair regrowth from transplants takes time and patience is required. | ||||