The History
The original method for hair transplants was started in Japan in 1939 by dermatologist Dr. Okuda. He detailed a procedure of using a punch method to remove round sections of hair that were attached to the skin so they could be transplanted to burn victims. In 1952, dermatologist Dr. Norman Orentrieich performed the first known hair transplant surgery on a patient suffering from male pattern baldness in the United States using this punch method. Those procedures, unfortunately, didn’t produce the natural-looking results that modern hair transplants provide. It wasn’t until the 1990s that surgeons began using the follicular unit extraction method that reaps the benefit of minimal scarring post procedure.
The Hair Restoration Surgery Procedure
When it comes to hair restoration surgery, two methods are prominent for the procedure. These methods are follicular unit strip surgery (FUSS) and follicular unit extraction (FUE). Both methods use similar implanting techniques where grafts are inserted into the scalp; the key difference comes from how the grafts are obtained.
The FUSS method involves the surgeon removing a 6 to 10-inch strip of skin from the back of a patient’s head. The strip is then divided into hundreds to thousands of smaller grafts. The other procedure, FUE, removes the hair follicles individually, meaning minimal scarring after the surgery has been completed. The FUE method has become known as the gold standard of hair transplant methods for the more natural-looking results it provides.
Recovery & Results
After the surgery, recovery is relatively quick and easy. Patients may experience some tenderness on the scalp for a few days. Your doctor will also provide you with directions for caring for the transplant area, including wearing bandages or taking prescription antibiotics. Depending on the method used, and the surgeon’s directions, patients are often able to return to their regular routine within 2 to 5 days after the operation.
You won’t see your results immediately; in fact, the donor hair will fall out in about 2 – 3 weeks, which is normal. Once the donor hair falls out, new hair will begin to grow in its place. Though results vary by person, most start to see new hair growth by 3 months. Between 6 to 9 months, patients will see noticeable results, and full results will be visible a year from the procedure.
One of the most significant benefits of hair restoration surgery is that the results will last forever. The donor hair is no longer affected by the conditions of male pattern baldness compared to the naturally growing hair. Though the cost may vary, ranging from $4000 to $15,000 depending on the amount of hair being transplanted, results that last a lifetime are worth the price.
At Robotic Hair RX, we use the most advanced hair technology to conduct hair restoration surgery. Our ARTAS iX robot can safely and effectively harvest and implant follicles from the donor to the transplant site. The speed and precision of ARTAS provides a minimally invasive experience and the best results. Start your hair restoration journey with us today and request your consultation.