Thinning hair can be depressing. Every morning you look at your comb or brush and it seems as if there is more hair than yesterday. While men usually have areas that become fully bald, women tend to suffer from universal thinning hair that starts along the part line.
Dr. Perron has extensive experience with hair grafts, using both micro-grafting and mini-grafting methods. The latest advances in this area allow him to transplant follicular units with from one to four hairs (micro) or five to 12 hairs (mini) in each into the thinning areas. This is called follicular unit extraction, and it gives our patients great results. This new method transplants healthy, functioning hair follicles into the thinning or balding areas. It returns normal hair growth and our patients are thrilled with their results.
How has hair transplantation improved?
Various methods for hair transplantation are nothing new; it’s been attempted since the 1950s with varying degrees of effectiveness. Formerly, an entire patch of “bald resistant” hair from the back of the head was removed and transplanted in its entirety on the balding area. This created two problems. First, when the skin on the back of the scalp was stretched back together and stitched, it created an unsightly scar where hair would not regrow. This scar could be seen when the person was swimming and in other situations. Second, the transplanted hair patches looked unnatural.
Follicular unit extraction (FUE) delivers much better results for hair transplantation. Individual follicles from the back of the scalp are transplanted into the balding areas. The result is natural looking and effective.
Two methods
Dr. Perron uses both micro-grafting and mini-grafting for hair transplantation. Here’s the difference between the two options.
In micro-grafting, Dr. Perron harvests individual follicles from the back of the scalp, an area usually resistant to pattern baldness. Each follicle holds between one and four hairs. These are taken using a pneumatic handpiece that applies light suction to the follicle, pulling it from the scalp. The follicles are then stored, sprayed with light saline solution, until ready for transplantation in a couple hours.
Mini-grafting provides larger grafts, consisting of from five to 12 hairs. These are a little more difficult to harvest, but they provide more fullness to the areas where they are transplanted. Dr. Perron uses mini-grafting for volume, and micro-grafting for precision on the hairline.
When will the hair start to grow?
After about two to three weeks, your transplanted hair will fall out, but it’s not a reason for concern. This is simply the follicles’ reaction to the trauma. Of your transplanted follicles, around 60 percent will successfully take hold and start growing new hair within six to nine months.
Do you have thinning hair? You don’t have to live with it. Call Dr. Perron at (403) 228-7076 and let’s talk about follicular unit hair transplantation.
