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What is a hair transplant?
A hair transplant is a surgical procedure in which a patient’s existing hair is relocated to areas on the scalp that are bald or thinning.

What are the benefits of a hair transplant?
There are many benefits of hair transplant surgery. The results are permanent and will last a lifetime because the transplanted donor hair is not susceptible to the balding process. Hair transplant surgery has proven effective in the treatment of hair loss in men and women, and can be used to conceal scars resulting from surgery or injury as well as skin blemishes caused by disease. Hair transplants also have a greater success rate than hair growth drugs currently on the market, though hair growth drugs may be used in combination with hair transplant surgery to help promote hair growth.

Who is a good candidate for hair transplant surgery?
Candidates for hair transplant surgery include men and women who are physically healthy, realistic in their goals, and have healthy hair growth to serve as donor hair. Any pre-existing medical conditions should be mentioned at the time of consultation as these may help to determine candidacy for the procedure.

How is the hair transplant performed?
During the hair transplant procedure, grafts, or small sections of skin-bearing hair, are removed from a donor area and then redistributed to thinning or balding areas. Common donor areas include the back and sides of the scalp and even the chest. The donor area is injected with a numbing agent before the grafts are removed and redistributed. The wounds are then sutured closed, cleaned and bandaged. A single procedure may use several hundred grafts which can contain anywhere from one to seven hairs each. The process typically requires a full day and patients will be able to leave by early evening.

How long is the recovery after a hair transplant?
Recovery after hair transplant surgery is minimal. Patients typically have their bandages removed during a follow-up visit one day after surgery. The sutures are usually fully healed, with the grafts naturally in place, by the first week. In many cases, repeat procedures will be necessary within several months in order to achieve the desired result.

What are the potential risks or complications associated with hair transplant surgery?
There are few risks associated with hair transplant surgery. Though rare and easily avoidable by following post-operative instructions, infection can occur and will require treatment with antibiotics. Scars are inevitable with any surgical procedure, however the scars resulting from hair transplant surgery are virtually invisible and easily concealed by the hair.

How much do hair transplants cost?
Hair transplant costs will vary based on several factors, including the patient’s geographic location. Average costs for a procedure utilizing 500 to 2,000 grafts can run anywhere from $1,500 to as much as $20,000. According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), the average surgeon/physician fee for hair transplantation in 2005 was $5,537. The total cost of hair transplant surgery will include the surgeon fee as well as the cost of the operating facility, supplies, laboratory and X-ray studies, and the anesthesiologist if anesthesia is used.

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