Hair Restoration

Learn How to Choose an Expert Surgeon for Your Hair Restoration

Hair loss is a widespread concern that affects countless individuals due to genetics, hormonal changes, disease, or aging. Hair loss is a natural part of life, but when it becomes excessive or happens prematurely, it can impact your confidence and quality of life.

Thankfully, advancements in medical technology have made hair restoration more effective and convenient than ever before in the hands of experienced, board-certified facial cosmetic surgeons. Learn the facts below, from understanding hair loss to the various treatment options available.

What are buccal fat pads?

Hair loss can be triggered by a variety of factors. Genetic predisposition, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women. Hormonal imbalances, particularly in women during pregnancy or menopause, can also lead to hair thinning. Certain illnesses and diseases, like thyroid disorders or alopecia areata, can cause hair loss, as can specific medications or treatments, such as chemotherapy. Lifestyle factors such as stress, poor nutrition, and hairstyles that pull tightly on the hair can also contribute to hair loss.

Signs of hair thinning or a receding hairline

The early signs of hair thinning may include:

• Hair density decreases
• The scalp is more visible
• Widening part
• Receding hairline
• Bald patches
• More hair falls out when brushing or washing hair

What is hair restoration?

Hair restoration refers to a range of treatments and procedures designed to combat hair loss and promote hair growth. This can range from surgery to complementary methods that include topical treatments, injectables, and/or supplements. 

It is important to work with your medical team to diagnose the cause of your hair loss before moving forward with a treatment regimen. Alopecia areata, for example, may have a high recurrence rate if treatment is not tailored to the condition. The type of hair restoration procedure recommended for you will also depend on the extent of your hair loss, your personal preferences, and your overall health.

Hair restoration options, candidates, and recovery times

Hair transplant surgery

Hair transplant surgery is a procedure that involves removing hair follicles from a part of your scalp where hair growth is still abundant (the donor site) and transplanting them to the areas where hair loss has occurred. While older strip grafting methods are an option, most hair transplant surgeries today employ the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technique.

While the specific steps of hair restoration surgery vary depending on the technique used, most procedures involve removing hair from a donor site and transplanting it to the area of hair loss. Local anesthesia is typically used to minimize discomfort.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

One of the most advanced techniques in hair transplant surgery is follicular unit extraction (FUE). This method involves removing individual hair follicles from the donor area and placing them into the balding or thinning areas of the scalp. The results are typically more natural-looking, and there’s less scarring compared to the strip grafting method.

To be an ideal candidate for this hair restoration method, you should be in good overall health with a sufficient amount of healthy hair growth at the back and sides of the head to serve as donor areas. Any underlying medical conditions should be treated or resolved before proceeding with hair restoration.

It’s also important to have realistic expectations of what the surgeon can accomplish for you, so talk with them ahead of time to get a sense of how much density they are able to restore.

Recovery after FUE is relatively brief compared to other surgeries, and most patients do not require prescription pain medication, but you will have small visible wounds where the hair was harvested. Follow your surgeon’s instructions for limiting physical activity and protecting your healing scalp.

During your consultation, be sure to ask if the surgeon themselves will be performing the surgery, rather than a technician. FUE requires a trained aesthetic eye with an understanding of the aesthetics and science of hair growth to achieve lasting, natural-looking results you will enjoy for many years. Additionally, your choice of doctor will have a strong influence on your safety. While FUE is considered minimally-invasive and is safe in the hands of a skilled cosmetic surgeon, it is a surgical procedure that comes with certain risks.

Non-surgical hair loss treatments

To complement your surgical results (or if surgery isn’t the right option for you), there are various non-surgical treatments available that can help encourage new growth. Note that most of these treatments require several repeat treatments, as well as patience, to achieve results.

Topical medications

Topical applications like minoxidil (Rogaine) or, more recently, topical finasteride are widely used and considered effective in helping to improve hair density.

Oral medications

Oral medications like finasteride, or Propecia, may be prescribed to help promote hair regrowth.

Injectable platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy

PRP therapy uses your own blood platelets, purified from a blood draw, to supply the treatment area with growth factors and encourage healthy hair regrowth. PRP may be injected into the scalp or applied topically; it may also be applied in combination with a microneedling treatment.

Laser therapy treatments

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a treatment option that may be used as part of a hair loss treatment plan for genetic hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia. However, more research is needed into the efficacy of this treatment, so consider a combination therapy if laser for hair loss is part of your treatment plan.

Microneedling

Microneedling is an emerging solution for hair loss that involves passing very thin, sterile needles over the skin to promote a healing response and thus promote hair growth. This treatment has been used successfully for many years to treat cosmetic issues of the skin, such as acne scars, pigmentation issues, or wrinkles.

Combining hair restoration procedures

A hair restoration plan often combines several procedures for more comprehensive results. Talk with your surgeon about the plan they recommend for you, and be sure to compare options, understanding that the cost of repeat treatments with non-surgical modalities used alone may rival that of a stand-alone surgery.

The cost of hair restoration

The cost of hair restoration varies widely depending on the extent of hair loss, the type of procedure(s) performed and medications used, and the geographic location of your provider. During your consultation, your surgeon should provide a detailed cost estimate based on your individual treatment plan and should help you compare your options. Many facial cosmetic surgeons offer financing plans that allow you to break down costs into monthly payments.

Will my insurance cover hair restoration surgery?

Hair restoration procedures are typically considered to be cosmetic and, as a result, are not covered by insurance. However, it’s always best to check with your specific insurance provider to understand your coverage before scheduling a procedure.

Why choose a board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon for a Buccal Fat Pad Removal?

Board-certified facial cosmetic surgeons certified by The American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery have rigorous training and are vetted to maintain the highest standards in patient care, including operating only in accredited surgical facilities. They also dedicate all or a significant portion of their practice to aesthetic procedures of the head, fact, and neck—so you know you are in the hands of a specialist.