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Not All Hair Transplants Are Created Equal

In the field of plastic surgery, we love hearing back from our patients to see how they are doing months after their procedure. This is especially true for hair restoration, where results can take even longer to fully form. After a hair transplant, it is perfectly normal that your best results will only show after a year or even longer.

Not all our patients at Nashville Hair Doctor are first-timers. It is not unusual for a patient to come to us with this plea: “Please help. My previous hair transplant was a disaster.”

“NeoGraft was Light-Years Beyond What I Had in the Past”

Take David R., a radio commentator in Nashville. He came to Nashville Hair Doctor after having attempted a previous hair transplant at another provider. It was an experience he’d rather not talk about.

“I was very reluctant to tell anyone because I wasn’t happy with the results,” says David. Not so after he had his second procedure, this time at Nashville Hair Doctor. “The NeoGraft system was light-years beyond what I’d had in the past. It was simple, it was quicker, it was easier. It’s almost hard to describe how different those experiences were,” he says. (Read David’s full testimonial to learn more.)

“I Have Good Hair Thanks to Jay”

Nashville Hair Doctor patient after his NeoGraft hair transplantAnother patient, Mitch G., had a similar experience with his first hair transplant over four years ago.

“I had my first transplant with a plastic surgeon and got an ugly scar on the back of my head,” he says.

He is talking about the so-called Strip Method or Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). If your hair is transplanted using the Strip Method, the surgeon removes an entire strip of hair from the back of your head, dissects it into small units, and implants those into the balding area. This is very different from the NeoGraft or Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) method we use at Nashville Hair Doctor. Read our detailed comparison between FUT and FET for more information.

At first, Mitch was reluctant to try it again. But after much research, he decided that NeoGraft was the way to go. He liked the idea of extraction without any linear incisions or scars, and he had heard about the great results Jay at Nashville Hair Doctor achieved with his patients. Requesting a free online quote by uploading a few photos was super easy. After a flurry of personal communication with Shauna, his consultant, Mitch decided to book a procedure for 1,500 grafts to reinforce and further restore his hairline and front crown.

Today, four years later, Mitch has no regrets about taking that chance.  “I now have the good hair I wanted thanks to Jay,” he says. “The whole process was a joy.” (Read Mitch’s full testimonial to learn more.)

“I Could Tell He was Very Experienced”

Craig H. is a professional football player who spent 17 years in the NFL. He came straight to Nashville Hair Doctor after some research into various methods. He didn’t need to experience the Strip Method to be turned off.  “I did look into the Strip Method and I didn’t like the pictures of the post-op,” he says.

He had no regrets. As a professional athlete, it was important for him to be able to return to his job quickly. The fast recovery after NeoGraft made this possible. He also liked how easy and pain-free the procedure itself was. (Read Craig’s full testimonial to learn more.)

If you battle with hair loss and are considering a hair transplant, make sure that you research all the options. Not all hair transplants are created equal. If you want a relatively fast and inexpensive procedure, the Strip Method might appeal to you. However, if it only means that you’ll end up getting a second hair transplant later because you aren’t happy with your scar or the results, then that’s not money well spent.

The bottom line is this: The technology for hair restoration has vastly improved over the last 20 years. FUE hair restoration has little in common with your father’s hair transplant – just like going to the dentist today is a much better experience than it was in the past.

If you’d like to learn more, talk to one of our consultants in a free, no-obligation consultation. Easier yet, simply upload a picture of your hair to get started, and we will send you a free quote.

Nashville Hair Doctor by NuBody Concepts serving patients in Tennessee and beyond

About Hair Doctor

With over 20 years of experience in FUE hair restoration and led by a double-board certified plastic surgeon, we are a leading provider of affordable hair transplants in the Southeast. Visit us at our Nashville Hair Doctor or Memphis Hair Doctor offices, or take advantage of our complimentary travel package for out-of-town patients. Read more>>

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The Secret to Great Hair Transplant Results

If you are dealing with hair loss and have tried various remedies to no avail, it may be time to consider a hair transplant. Medical hair restoration with a transplant is the only proven solution to hair loss. But before you are willing to spend the money on a hair transplant, you rightly want to know if it’s worth it. Do hair transplants really work? What kinds of results can you expect from a hair transplant? What can you do to make sure you get great hair transplant results?

The best way to get such questions answered is to talk with a patient who has just undergone the procedure. David, a 34-year old Nashville Hair Doctor patient, had his NeoGraft hair transplant in July 2018. Just six months later, in January of 2019, he is very happy with his results so far. We wanted to know what his secret was to get such great results relatively early, and whether he had any other tips and tricks for the recovery. You can see his answer to this and other questions in the interview below.

Before and After picture of male NeoGraft hair transplant patient - top view | Nashville Hair Doctor

David 6 months after his NeoGraft hair transplant

Interview with Hair Transplant Patient

Q: What made you want to get a hair transplant?

A: Basically, I started noticing that the crown of my head was showing. It’s not a spot you typically see, so I had no idea that I had this bald spot. I actually always thought I had good hair because of genetics, so it was quite a shock to learn otherwise.

Q: When you decided to have a hair transplant, what were you most concerned about going in?

A: I wasn’t really concerned about the procedure. Maybe the fact that I had to sit there for 8 hours, I was a little wary of that.

Q: Did the procedure last longer or shorter than you expected? How did you pass the time?

A: It was just about as long as I thought. I got to watch TV most of the time, so looking back it doesn’t seem that long at all. I had a remote control and could turn on whatever I wanted. I had to sit in different positions depending on where they worked.

Q: Was it painful, or how would you describe the feeling?

A: They numbed the areas they worked on with lidocaine, so I didn’t feel much of anything. I could sometimes feel a little pinch from where they extracted hair, or a little pinprick where it was inserted. But it was easy to manage because I was in control of the pain level.

Q: What was your recovery like, i.e. did you have any discomfort afterwards, how did you sleep, was there any swelling, etc.?

A: My recovery lasted about a week. I wasn’t in any pain, but I waited about that long before showing myself in public again. I had some swelling that started at the top of the head and came down to the jaw on the 2nd day. I slept with my head elevated, and this is a big deal. When you lay flat is when you swell. One night I slipped off the pillow and slept normal and that is when my face was swollen. It took 1-2 days to disappear again. They recommend sleeping in a recliner for the first 7 days, and if I did it again, that’s what I would do.

Q: Was your head itchy afterwards? How long did you wait before washing your hair?

A: The back of my head was itchy where they extracted the hair. I kept a squirt bottle to spray water on it whenever it felt itchy. I waited 3 days before washing my hair. After that I used a cup to pour soapy water on my head, just like Shauna at the Hair Doctor had instructed me. I got a set of instructions on when I could wear a hat again, how to wash my hair, etc. My tip is to follow those instructions. If anything, I was even more careful. I would say the secret to good hair transplant results is to “baby” your hair that first week and not do anything that might harm those grafts. Whatever they tell you not to do, don’t do it!

Q: Did people notice anything afterwards?

A: For the first week of course it’s very noticeable, your head is covered in red dots. After a week you still have the scabs so people can see, then they turn into itty bitty hairs at the front hairline. I was confident talking about it so this didn’t bother me. It stops when the new hair falls out at around the 1-month mark*. After that nobody notices that you’ve had anything done, you just get compliments!

Q: When did you see the first results, and were they as expected?

A: I would say at about 2-3 months. At 6 months I’m definitely further along than I anticipated. I think it’s because I did everything like instructed. I didn’t wear tight fitting hats at all for the first few months.

Q: How soon after your procedure did you return to work?

A: I went back after 1 week. Physically I could have go sooner but I wanted to give time for swelling and scabs to go away.

David had a hair transplant using the NeoGraft technology, which uses a concept called Follicular Unit Extraction. He had 2,800 grafts transplanted in a one-day procedure that lasted approximately eight hours. Below you can see the timeline, in pictures, of his hair transplant results up until the 6-month mark, with more growth still expected up until around 14 months.

timeline of a hair transplant recovery at the Nashville hair doctor - side viewtimeline of a hair transplant recovery at the Nashville hair doctor - back view

 

We hope that you were able to learn more about hair transplants and the Dos and Dont’s during hair transplant recovery. If you are interested in learning more, we invite you to upload your picture to receive a free quote.

 

*Yes, your transplanted hair actually falls out around 3-4 weeks post-op; this is completely normal. The roots (follicles) are still there and will start reproducing your hair.

Nashville Hair Doctor by NuBody Concepts serving patients in Tennessee and beyond

About Hair Doctor

With over 20 years of experience in FUE hair restoration and led by a double-board certified plastic surgeon, we are a leading provider of affordable hair transplants in the Southeast. Visit us at our Nashville Hair Doctor or Memphis Hair Doctor offices, or take advantage of our complimentary travel package for out-of-town patients. Read more>>

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Is a Hair Transplant Plastic Surgery?

If you look around, you’ll see that some plastic surgeons who haven’t previously performed hair transplants are now offering them. However, there are also many hair restoration providers and hair clinics that focus exclusively on hair transplants without any plastic surgery services. This leads to the question: Is a hair transplant plastic surgery, or is it a procedure anyone can perform?

What a Hair Transplant Does

A hair transplant is performed on men or women who experience hair loss or thinning hair, or who have bald spots on their scalp. It uses your existing hair by extracting it from a “donor site” and implanting it in the bald areas of your scalp, or areas where hair is beginning to recede or has thinned out. Hair transplants are effective ways to reverse hair loss, giving men and women a younger, healthier appearance as well as boosting their confidence.

Technically, a hair transplant is indeed a plastic surgery procedure. It’s considered minimally-invasive, meaning it is generally performed as an outpatient procedure without general anesthesia, but it counts as surgery nonetheless.

However, we often think of surgery as “going under the knife.” We think of hospitals, of scalpels, and of scars. Modern hair transplantation methods are a far cry from that image. Rather, if you imagine spending extra long time at a really nice hair salon with recliners and a TV in front of you, you are closer on the mark.

How Hair Transplants Work

There are several methods of hair transplantation. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) in particular makes any kind of cutting or moving of skin unnecessary. It is therefore becoming more and more popular among patients who do not have time for a lengthy recovery, and who want to be able to sport any hairstyle after their procedure without the need to cover up a linear scar.

FUE – at the Hair Doctor we use the NeoGraft technology – works this way: A hair restoration specialist uses a special wand that is powered by pneumatic pressure to pull out individual hair grafts from your scalp. Each such graft is composed of 1-4 actual hair follicles. These grafts are extracted from designated donor areas of your scalp. For men, this is typically the back of your head where there is an abundance of hair, even for people experiencing hair loss. This area is not affected by male pattern baldness.

After enough follicles or rather grafts have been extracted, the fun part begins: your technician now inserts these grafts into the recipient areas that you and your technician have both previously planned out during your consultation. This is done using the same wand, now under reverse pressure. It punctures tiny holes in your scalp, in which the grafts are carefully inserted.

Hair Transplants Rely on Artistry More than Surgery

When you choose to have a hair transplant, your number one concern is most likely results.What will your results look like? Will they be worth the expense? Will your new hair look natural, meaning you have a hairline that reflects your original one? Will you look better and younger but without it being obvious that you’ve had anything done? These are the questions typically asked by our Nashville Hair Doctor patients.

It is important that you research hair transplant providers to make sure you select a reputable one. But that doesn’t mean an actual plastic surgeon has to perform the procedure him- or herself. On the contrary. While it’s easy for a cosmetic surgeon to include hair transplantation surgery in his catalog, that doesn’t mean that he has much experience in performing it.

When it comes to selecting a hair restoration technician, it is vastly more important to look for one with extensive experience. Creating a new hairline is a form of art as much as it is a medical procedure. The technical aspects of extracting and implanting hair can be mastered with some practice. But where and at which angle to place each graft for an overall pleasing result is not easy at all. It is something that takes years of experience to master.

Experienced Hair Restoration Technicians Are Worth It

Much like you may prefer a hairdresser who has cut a lot of people’s hair already, you should select a hair transplant provider who has performed a lot of hair transplants before yours. And whereas it’s not the end of the world if you get a bad haircut, you don’t want the same to happen with your hair transplant. While it’s possible to have a second hair transplant if you don’t like your first, you may not be able – or willing – to pay for it in the near term.

At the Nashville Hair Doctor, we do occasionally get patients who want to “fix” a previous hair restoration they’re not happy with. Invariably they tell us they wish they’d come to “the right place” first. Our NeoGraft Master Tech has over 20 years of experience in his field, serving patients throughout and beyond Tennessee. We pride ourselves in excellent work and with making your experience as comfortable as possible. We do have a double board-certified plastic surgeon on staff who is present for any surgical procedure we perform. But he is the first one to tell you that when it comes to hair replacement, you should ask for Jay, our expert in the field.

The best way to find out if hair restoration is for you and whether you feel comfortable with a certain provider is to schedule a free consultation. At the Nashville Hair Doctor, we make it easy for you to get your initial quote by uploading a picture online.

Nashville Hair Doctor by NuBody Concepts serving patients in Tennessee and beyond

About Hair Doctor

With over 20 years of experience in FUE hair restoration and led by a double-board certified plastic surgeon, we are a leading provider of affordable hair transplants in the Southeast. Visit us at our Nashville Hair Doctor or Memphis Hair Doctor offices, or take advantage of our complimentary travel package for out-of-town patients. Read more>>

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7 Common Questions About Hair Transplants

Having a hair transplant to reverse hair loss is a wonderful thing, but it is also a fairly big decision. Most likely you’ve been considering hair restoration for a while but are still undecided. At the Nashville Hair Doctor, we want to help you make the most informed decision possible. Below we have compiled a list of commonly asked questions about hair transplants that will help further educate you.

1. How much does a hair transplant cost?

When it comes to hair transplants, there is a wide range of prices. What you pay depends on the provider, the type of procedure, the number of hair grafts you’re getting, and the area of the country you live in. The coasts and big cities, such as the New York/Los Angeles/Chicago areas, tend to be much more expensive than Middle America. At the Nashville Hair Doctor, we are happy to offer some of the best prices in the country based on our location in Middle Tennessee. Our pricing for NeoGraft hair restoration is well below the national average. For instance, we offer savings of over $6,000 on a 2,000 graft NeoGraft hair transplant. See our pricing chart for more information. In addition, we offer travel packages for out of town patients.

2. Do hair transplants leave scars?

This is where the type of hair transplant you’re getting makes a difference. So-called FUT hair transplants leave a linear scar at the back of the head from where the transplanted hair is extracted in a strip of hair. FUE hair transplants, like the ones using the NeoGraft technology, use hair follicles that are extracted individually. This method does not result in scarring and is therefore preferred by patients who want to have the option to wear their hair short afterwards without the need to cover up. There are other differences between FUT and FUE hair transplants, but scarring is the most important one to know about.

3. Does getting a hair transplant hurt?

As with any surgical procedure, there is an element of discomfort while you undergo hair restoration, but this is kept to a minimum with a procedure like NeoGraft. Your surgeon or technician is likely to use a mild anesthetic to eliminate any such discomfort. The only real discomfort might be that hair transplants take time. Depending on the number of grafts, you may need an entire morning or afternoon, or even up to a day, to have all your grafts extracted and implanted. If you think of it as a work of art to complete, this will make sense to you. Most patients find it easy to pass the time by watching TV or a movie, or even take a nap! In the days afterwards, you might experience a sense of tightness and some swelling, but this shouldn’t be painful. Read our tips to prevent swelling after a hair transplant for more information.

4. Does a hair transplant use existing hair or grow new hair?

A hair transplant uses your own existing hair follicles to promote growth in a new area. Your surgeon will use hair from the back of your head and transplant it to the balding areas, typically on the crown of your head. For men, the hair at the back of the head is not prone to balding, and this is why hair transplants work so well. Your “new” hair will resist hair loss after transplantation because it uses the follicles, i.e. roots, from the non-balding areas. You won’t technically grow any “new” hair since the donor area will be somewhat thinned out, but a masterful technician does this in a way that will be unnoticeable. For all intents and purposes it will look like you’ve grown new hair.

5. When will the new hair begin to grow?

It is important to know that all hair transplants take time. This makes sense – hair takes time to grow, and no one can speed that up. You should also know that right after a hair transplant, it is normal to actually lose hair initially. This is nothing to worry about, it’s part of the natural hair growth cycle. The new roots will still be there, and that’s what’s important. Over time, new hair will grow from these roots. Most patients will see a noticeable difference around 3 months after the transplant. It may take 9 months to a year before you can see the full effects.

6. What is the downtime afterwards and when can I return to work?

Most of our patients need about a week after a hair transplant. This doesn’t mean you’ll be laid up in bed, on the contrary. The beauty of FUE hair transplants such as NeoGraft is that they are so minimally-invasive that you’ll be up and about the very next day. Just make sure you use some precautions in the days following the transplant, like sleeping in a recliner instead of a bed, making sure you wash your hair the right way, drinking plenty of fluids, etc. For a full list, read our DOs and DONTs after a hair transplant. A week at home will allow for the tiny punctures from the transplanted follicles to scab over and fall off. Most patients prefer to wait this long before going back to work. But in terms of moderate activity, you don’t have to wait. We just ask that you refrain from very strenuous exercise for a week.

7. Is a hair transplant permanent?

Since we will use hair hair from an area of your scalp resistant to hair loss, the new hair growth will be as close to permanent as you can get. However, your hairline might recede farther back as you continue to lose hair in your balding areas. Your original hair transplant may not cover this area, so that you may need to follow up with another hair transplant. But this is something you can discuss during your consultation. Our hair specialist will be able to assess your hair loss pattern and determine how best to proceed to get the most out of hair restoration.

The bottom line is that a hair transplant is a wonderful and permanent solution for hair loss. Yes, it’s a big investment, but it is exactly that: A one-time investment with no need for repeat treatments. And much like a new car, it will give you joy for years to come. Also like a car, you’ll be able to use interest-free financing to pay it off over time.

Call the Nashville Hair Doctor for more information or to schedule a consultation, or use our free online quote tool.

Nashville Hair Doctor by NuBody Concepts serving patients in Tennessee and beyond

About Hair Doctor

With over 20 years of experience in FUE hair restoration and led by a double-board certified plastic surgeon, we are a leading provider of affordable hair transplants in the Southeast. Visit us at our Nashville Hair Doctor or Memphis Hair Doctor offices, or take advantage of our complimentary travel package for out-of-town patients. Read more>>

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