While it is normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs each day as your hair cycles through different stages of growth, it can be concerning when you notice your hair beginning to thin. Even though hair thinning is often a normal sign of aging, many people are eager to find ways to keep their hair full and healthy.
Hair transplant surgery is one method that we can use to improve your hairline at Global Center for Hair Restoration. If you are experiencing hair loss and you are looking for treatments and procedures, our services in Nashville, TN may be able to help.
Are You a Candidate for a Hair Transplant?
Hair transplant surgery is a type of procedure that involves taking hair follicles from one area and placing them in another. Depending on the type of procedure, hair may be taken from one part of your head where you still have an abundance so that we can fill in areas where there is thinning. With other procedures, hair may be taken from another area of the body.
At our practice, we offer hair transplants for men and hair transplants for women. The type of treatment that we will recommend will depend on where your hair has started to thin and whether you have enough donor hair to consider a transplant. You may be a good candidate for a hair transplant if you are in good health, you are concerned about hair loss, and you have areas that can be used for donor follicles.
What Types of Hair Transplant Surgery Are There?
Traditionally, hair transplants have been done by harvesting a strip from the back of the head and then using it to fill in areas that have started losing hair. Using this method, the strip is removed and then the areas are sutured together. However, this method can leave a visible scar where the donor site was, which isn’t ideal for patients who keep their hair short and can make recovery longer.
At our practice, we utilize a method called FUE, or follicular unit extraction. Using this technique, we are able to remove between one to three hair follicles (called follicular units) from one area and implant them in another without having to remove a large strip. FUE methods can also provide a more natural-looking result than FUT (hair follicle transplantation) procedures. We offer two different FUE methods for transplantation, ARTAS®, and NeoGraft®.
ARTAS vs NeoGraft: Which Is Right for You?
ARTAS
ARTAS offers some of the most advanced technology in hair restoration. This is a fully automated robotic machine that is able to harvest hair follicles at precise angles and areas to ensure the most natural-looking results possible.
During an ARTAS procedure, the hair is shaved to allow the machine to find and remove the follicles. Local anesthetic is applied to the area and then an attending physician operates the automated device. Once the right number of follicles is harvested, they are transplanted into the treatment area. This type of procedure minimizes any damage to the hair follicles to increase the chance of a successful transplantation.
ARTAS can be a good hair transplant for men who have straight dark hair since the machine relies on specific detection technology. It may not be suitable for women or patients with thicker, curlier hair.
NeoGraft
NeoGraft may be the right hair transplant for women or for patients who have curly or lighter-colored hair. This type of hair transplant procedure is also an FUE procedure, but the entire procedure is performed by hand using a handheld device.
Your doctor will use the NeoGraft hair transplant device to select hair follicles and gently extract them using the sharp tip of the device. The device also utilizes gentle suction technology to remove the follicle from the scalp and store it in a safe and sterile location to increase its viability for transplantation.
Once the follicles are removed, the NeoGraft device allows your physician to transplant the follicles at a specific depth that allows the transplant area to have smooth and natural-looking hair growth without bumps or the “hair plug” look that can come from other types of procedures. This type of surgery is best done by physicians who specialize in hair loss treatments, have years of experience, and have an eye for artful and natural-looking transplant procedures.
What to Expect From Your Recovery With FUE Transplants
Hair transplant recovery is much faster and easier with FUE transplants than it is with other methods. Following your procedure, you may have some soreness, particularly at the donor site. However, within a few days to a week, most patients begin to feel normal again. During the first few weeks, the follicles will naturally shed the existing hair shafts, which is an expected part of the procedure. Most patients begin to see new hair growth from the transplant after 8-12 months.
Other Types of Hair Loss Treatments
At our practice, we specialize in hair loss which allows us to provide patients with more comprehensive services that are more individualized. We realize that each patient requires something different from their hair restoration treatments. In addition to hair transplant procedures, we also offer other treatments which can supplement your hair transplant or provide you with other options.
These treatments can include supplements, medication, and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections to help stimulate existing follicles and make your hair thicker and healthier.
Consultations for Hair Transplants
Choosing between ARTAS vs NeoGraft or other hair restoration treatments can be a challenge. At Global Center for Hair Restoration in Nashville, TN, we work with many different patients who have different stories and different hair loss causes. We will work with you to find the right treatments for your situation. Contact us today by phone or online to set up your ARTAS or NeoGraft hair transplant consultation.