A Procedure Step by Step

In most cases the transplanted hair will remain the same color as it was before being removed from the donor area. The transplanted hair may change colors with normal aging according to the genetic game plan for that particular patient. Just for Men hair color is relatively safe. I recommend waiting at least 1 month after the procedure before using any hair coloring products.

Posted by Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD, FACS

Post operative shock may occur less frequently when the patient allows the doctor to shave the recipient area before the procedure, at least when performed by less experienced surgeons. At the very least it is much harder to notice the hair loss due to shock once the shaved hair has grown back. If you currently have 40-50 FU's per sq cm in the recipient area I would expect some shock loss in the first month after the surgery. Healthy hair follicles that fall out due to shock should start growing just before or at the same time as the transplanted hairs. The shaved original hairs in the recipient area that are not shocked should start growing at a normal rate (1/4-1/2 inch per month) starting from the day of the procedure.

Posted by Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD, FACS

Paula,

Hair loss that occurs with cancer treatment is usually caused by certain forms of chemotherapy, or radiation given to the skull region (usually because of brain involvement).  Any hair loss would expose the donor site scar and cause the transplanted hairs to fall out.

With regrowth of the scalp hairs, the transplanted hairs would regrow as well.

Hope that helps.

Posted by Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD, FACS

Yes this is possible. You should be able to grow your new transplanted hair as long as you like. Transplanted hairs start to grow between 90-150 days after the procedure. The new hairs should grow 1/4 to 1/2 inch per month. This rate most likely depends on what is the normal growth rate for each patient. I feel that real before and after photos should have hair that is at least close to the same length. If at all possible the same camera should be used with the same background and lighting. I do not think that before and after photos showing the patient with the hair cut very short/trimmed in the before photos should have after photos showing the patient with longer hair. This unfortunately is a not uncommon technique used by some hair transplant doctors to make their transplant results appear more impressive.

Posted by Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD, FACS

I understand the concern about possible side effects with taking Propecia. You should know that the side effects occur in less than 1% of patients. If you are in that unlucky category, when you discontinued the medication the side effects would go away. They are temporary, not permanent. Over the past 10 years I have prescribed Propecia to hundreds and hundreds of patients.

I have only had a few patients complain of a side effect. In some of those cases just changing the dosage was enough to make side effects go away. There were no patients whose side effects did not abate after stopping medication. Therefore, I recommend patients with obvious signs and strong family history of Male Pattern Baldness to at least try Propecia. It does slow down hair loss in a high percentage of patients, and can always be discontinued without permanent side effects.

Posted by Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD, FACS

1. YES, IT FALLS OUT AFTER 3 WEEKS OR SO, THEN STARTS TO REGROW IN 3 TO 4 MONTHS, WHERE IT WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO FOR A LIFETIME

2.  PERMANENT.  BALDNESS IS NOT DUE TO ALTERED BLOOD FLOW-  IT IS A GENETIC PROCESS WHERE HAIRS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE SCALP (THE AREAS OF MALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS) ARE GENETICALLY PRONE TO THE EFFECTS OF A BREAKDOWN PRODUCT OF TESTOSTERONE CALLED DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE (DHT).  THE HAIRS FROM THE DONOR AREA (TYPICALLY THE BACK AND SIDES OF THE SCALP) ARE DIFFERENT GENETICALLY, AND THUS DO NOT FALL OUT.  TRANSPLANTED TO THE AREAS OF THE BALDNESS, THESE DONOR HAIRS WILL CONTINUE TO GROW.

3.  BY THE TIME THE PATIENTS LEAVE THE OFFICE AFTER A 4 TO 6 HOUR TYPICAL PROCEDURE, THERE IS LITTLE IF ANY BLEEDING EXCEPT FOR SOMETIMES FROM THE DONOR AREA.

5. THE INCIDENCE OF INFECTION WITH TRANSPLANT PROCEDURES IS VIRTUALLY NIL.

UNLIKE MANY OTHER TRANSPLANT DOCTORS, WE ACTUALLY PERFORM THESE PROCEDURES USING STERILE TECHNIQUE.  HOWEVER, I DO NOT REQUIRE MASKS, FOR THEY DO NOTHING TO REDUCE THE ALREADY MINIMAL RISK OF INFECTION.

6.  REALITY TV.  THE PROCEDURE WAS ALREADY OVER AND THE CAMERAS CONTINUED

FILMING.

7.  NOTHING WAS SCRIPTED FOR THE MOST PART.  I DID KNOW THAT MICHAEL WAS GOING TO HAVE HIS PROCEDURE (HE'S BEEN A FRIEND OF MINE FOR SEVERAL YEARS) BUT WE DID HAVE A REAL CONSULTATION. 

Dan-  I have, along with Dr. Charles, been using PRP as a routine part of my transplant procedures for the past 2 months.  While results are still too early to determine the efficacy, the use of PRP has several likely advantages:  as a graft storage solution it likely enhances the percentage of take of the grafts;  injected into, as well as applied a post-procedure healing gel onto the areas of transplants it likely also further enhances the rate of hair growth as well as accelerates healing; applied to the donor site it likely improves healing and leaves a finer line scar;  and lastly, as a stand alone treatment it seems to reverse the hair loss process, making finer vellus hairs thicker and lighter hairs that have lost their pigment darker.

Our fee is quite reasonable for the PRP, essentially covering the cost of the procedure.

It would be a pleasure to discuss this further with you.

Posted by Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD, FACS

It is not a problem, given the state of the art technique I utilize, to place 70 follicles per square cm- which translates into around 35 follicular units (or grafts) per square cm. The length of time to perform the procedure and its cost is dependent upon the total number of grafts transplanted- which likely will range from 1800 to as many as 4000+, depending upon your degree of hair loss. With a Class 3v, typically 2400 to 2800 or so grafts would be indicated, the cost which I will have a Patient Advisor from my office provide you with. Once performed, you can return back home to France as soon as the very next day, and 3 to 4 months later the hairs will start growing in.

Posted by Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD, FACS

For over 14 years, I have personally performed over 6000 hair transplant procedures that have come through my office.  This hand-on approach is what sets me apart from many of the large transplant clinics.  My reputation and concern rides on every single case I perform, and I personally take a tremendous amount of pride in how well our results turn out.  My patients primarily come to me from other patient referrals/word of mouth- whether in person, or through communicating on the internet.  I do not rely on advertising, rather prefer to educate my patients on my work so that they can make the most informed educated decision.

I have hand selected only a few surgeons throughout the country to work with the Foundation for Hair Restoration.  It is not until I am 100% confident these doctors are as committed to perfection and natural looking results as I am that they are then invited to join the Foundation. 

Posted by Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD, FACS