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 page 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 Nashville Hair Doctor for more information or to schedule a consultation, or use our free online quote form.
