Hair Restoration Blog

Here is our recent instructional Scalp Exercise Video which is to be done at home prior to a Hair Restoration

It is very important to do these scalp exercises prior to a hair restoration procedure as it increases the laxity needed for the Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) strip method. When the skin laxity on the back of the head is increased, the size of the donor strip is also increased and more hair grafts can be transplanted in one surgery as well as receive minimal scar results. This pre-operational exercise has helped to move the hair restoration industry forward into having larger one-time procedures which has helped to save time and money for both the patients and physicians. Taking the necessary time to properly do these will help to bring about the best possible results.

Q:

Hello Dr. Mohebi,I had a hair transplant consultation with you about a week ago regarding my hair loss type and the best method that suits my need. I am still doing some more reading and researching and I came across to the Bio-Matrix Strand by Strand (non-surgical) process.  I really would like to get your input on this particular process and if this is something that you recommend for someone like me who has lost almost 90% of his hair and might not get even 80% of it if I go through the surgical process…

I would really appreciate it if you can also advise whether you perform this method or not and if so how much it will cost approximately if I decide to do the non-surgical….

Thank you so much in advance and looking forward to hear from you…

Close up image of a Biomatrix - The mesh that keeps hair attached to the scalp. Click to see enlarged picture.

A:

Q:

I recently had a hair transplant consultation with Dr. Mohebi but just had a few quick questions to clarify the information told to me in my consultation.

Dr. Mohebi recommended 3000++ grafts grafts to me. With an FUT hair transplant procedure involving 3000++ follicular unit grafts, what is the typical range of units that are actually harvested? And what proportion of the units harvested typically transplant successfully?

A:

With Dr. Mohebi’s recommendation of 3000++ grafts, he hopes to achieve somewhere between 3000-4000 successfully transplanted grafts.

While we cannot offer an exact number during your consultation, these are his recommendations based on your hair loss pattern, your personal expectations, density of hair on donor area and for strip surgery, scalp laxity.

If doctor Mohebi had recommended scalp exercises to you, that means you can help to improve the laxity of the scalp and increase the number of grafts that could be safely removed by performing the recommended exercises.  This helps the number of transplanted grafts to go more toward 4000, if you successfully perform scalp exercises.

Q:

Thank you for your reply to my previous e-mail Dr. Mohebi. I’m getting close to being ready for this, but I still have some concerns that I would like to address prior to booking.

I realize I won’t come out of this looking like Brad Pitt, but can I expect some decent density in the area you’re going to operate on? I’ve seen a lot of pictures of “great” results that were little more than thin whiffs of hair lying limp over shiny, conspicuous scalp. I’d like to be able to style it in the youthful way, showing off my hair line. I suppose that depends on the number of grafts?

A:

The number of transplanted grafts and extent of your balding area are two very important factors in the final thickness of your hair. However, because you have fine hair, even with using the maximum density, you may not achieve the original fullness that you once had. Some patients with the same circumstances as yourself may need more than one surgery to develop maximum density close to that of their original coverage prior to losing hair.

Q:

Dr. Mohebi,

I live outside of California and am interested in seeing you for my hair restoration. I have attached my photos to this email along with a few quick questions that I have regarding hair transplantation. Could you please check them out when you have a chance and let me know what your personal recommendations are?

- What is the approximate number of grafts required to achieve sufficient density (if not a lot) and the approximate cost of the whole process?
- How long will it take me to get back to my work and how soon I will see the results?
- Lastly, please do let me know any other important information that is relevant to the his whole procedure.

Thanks for your help!

A:

Thank you for your interest in our hair restoration services. I forwarded your information and pictures to be included in our patient system, but I also wanted to take a quick moment to review your photos and answer your questions personally. Here are the answers to your questions in the orders they are received:

Number of hair transplant grafts recommended

You are a class VI of hair loss and would require the maximum number of grafts we can get in one session to achieve the density you are striving for. The number is generally above 2500 grafts for people who have never had a surgery, but may fluctuate in the range of 2500 to 4000 grafts based on your own scalp laxity and density of hair (to be determined when you are here in our office).

What is the average hair transplant cost

The cost for hair transplants at US Hair Restoration are based on the number of grafts needed and the standard charges are as follows for Follicular Unit Transplants: $4 per graft for the first 2500 grafts and any additional grafts are charged at half price ($2 per graft).

Your travel expenses will be reimbursed towards 10% of the cost of surgery (up to $500).

In addition to reimbursement on travel, we will book a hotel near our office for you for 2 nights with free transportation between the hotel and our office for your visits.

We also have a standby program available for people who can be flexible and go on our waiting list to await the next available surgery date (visit us at www.ushairrestoration.com for more information on that offer).

How soon will I see results after a hair transplant

The procedure for a strip hair transplant takes one whole day (from 7am to 5pm) and you are required to return the day after for your procedure for a hair wash. With these basic requirements, you can fly back home as early as the first day after your surgery. You will be fully functional the first day after surgery, but you may have some swelling for 3-4 days following.

Visible results of your hair transplantation will be seen approximately 6-10 months following the procedure itself.

How can I get more hair restoration information

You can also find great information about hair transplant methods with US Hair Restoration on our website: www.ushairrestoration.com or our blog: www.ushairrestoration.com/blog

Q:

When I do look down placing more tension or pull on the tight donor area, I noticed it is also pulling my neck muscles and there is no laxity at all (compared to the right).  There is no up or down movement possible of any subcutaneous tissue or the galea at the donor site. Is this normal? If the tightness does not subside, what solution options are there?

I also understand there are recommended scalp exercises before and after HT surgeries?

Regards,

A:

It is normal to feel tension on the side that we removed the strip.  Skin needs a few weeks to get relaxed and stretches to compensate for the removed area.  Although we generally recommend scalp exercise before hair restoration surgeries with strip technique, you should avoid scalp exercise after hair transplant for the first 3 or 4 months.

I recommend that you avoid all movements that increase the tension in the area until you feel that the tension on the skin is gone.  If you put too much stretch on the back of your head in the first few months after hair transplant, you running the risk of stretching the donor scar.

Have a good weekend.