Hair transplantation - Hair restoration

HAIR LOSS IS A NORMAL DAILY PROCESS

Each hair on our head passes through 3 phases:

Only 15% of our hair is in resting phase, while 85% of it grows by a few millimeters every month. We lose 50-150 hairs very day, but most of them grow back again because the hair follicles remain intact. A male head has approximately 100,000 hairs. Hair loss may be attributed to:

Causes::

Scientists believe that 95% of hair loss in men and women is due to Androgenic Alopecia (aka Male Pattern Baldness). In men, it manifests as ‘horseshoe-shaped’, whereas female hair loss is characterized by a general thinning throughout the entire scalp.

Hair loss may be attributed to:

  1. 1. Inheritance
  2. 2. Hormone disorders
  3. 3. Aging

The above factors result either in hair thinning or hair follicles reduction (dihydrotestosterone).

Hair transplantation is a surgical technique transferring isolated hair follicles from one part of the body (donor area) to a bald region (recipient area). It is used to treat androgenic alopecia. In this case, we transfer healthy hair follicle grafts which are resistant to hair loss to bald regions. The technique is also used in the restoration of eyelashes, eyebrows, chest hair, and generally to hide body or lifting scars, etc. Hair follicles transfer is different than skin transfer which involves only the epidermis and the upper layer of the corium (dermis).

In-office consultation

During the initial consultation, and having assessed the patient’s scalp status, we discuss upon his/her wishes and elaborate on the applicable solution. Then, we advise the patient on whether it would be wise to proceed with routine hair transplantation or with Mega session (it involves large numbers of hair follicles), as well as on the results anticipated from each procedure.

Meet our team

 

Nodas KapositasNodas Kapositas, M. D, PhD

Plastic surgeon
Member of American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (A. S. A. P. S)

 

 

Pantelis ValvisPantelis Valvis M. D
Plastic surgeon
Hair Restoration expert
Member of IPRAS (International Plastic and Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery), ISHRS (International Society of hair restoration surgery), and the Hellenic Society of Hair Transplantation.

 

 

Vicky KalliaVicky Kallia, NS
Nurse
Hair transplantation assistant

 

 

 

Ilias PerdikisIlias Perdikis NS
Nurse
Plastic Surgery Assistant

 

 

 

Am I a good candidate for hair transplantation?

The question can only be answered by a plastic surgeon. In any case, each patient receives personalized treatment, depending on:

All the above parameters vary for each patient, but they are combined in order to achieve the best result possible, taking into account the density and the elasticity of the donor area, the extent of the area to be covered and of course the realistic expectations.

Anesthesia: We use the painless local anesthesia system U225

Techniques

The FIT method or Micro Dense Packing

The FIT method, or Micro Dense Packing, is applied by our team and is a complete solution which, in terms of aesthetics and high-precision, is almost perfect and delivers a natural-looking result.

It takes one session to achieve total micro-transplantation. This means that, if the donor area is sufficient, up to 3,500 grafts (10,000 hairs) can be transplanted. This method ensures the maximum density possible achieved in a single stage procedure.

 Graft separating microscope

It is a painless cosmetic high-precision procedure which is performed under local anesthesia.

Our specializing in hair transplantation team, an anesthesiologist and our specially trained nursing personnel work together to carry out the procedure, which lasts from 3 to 4 hours, depending on the extent of the area we want to treat.

 In cases of severe receding hairline two transplantation phases are required, at 12 months apart.

The prognosis of hair loss is a very significant parameter for a successful result, especially in young individuals whose hair loss is not stabilized yet.

Hair follicles are received from the graft. The graft is obtained by the plastic surgeon from the back of the patient’s head, i.e. a zone of steady hair growth, and measures 1-2.5 cm in width, while its length depends on the patient’s needs and the density and elasticity of the area.

A small longitudinal incision measuring only 1 mm remains in the donor area and is barely visible to the naked eye.

Using special surgical instrumentation, the graft is separated into one-, two-, three- or multiple-hair follicles. It should be reminded that each hair follicle contains 1 to 5 hairs. Next, we place the grafts, always considering the needs of the recipient area. One-hair follicles are transferred in the front hairline, and the rest follicles are placed gradually in order to achieve the most natural-looking result possible. The number of hairs placed is always larger than the number of grafts.

Using a microtome, we open 1 mm microducts in the area. The ready follicles are placed one by one in each microduct and at a certain depth, which allows them to harmonically integrate with the skin and start normal feeding, without the risk of being damaged. Hair follicles are placed according to the growth angle of the rest hair. Great attention is paid to the restoration of the hairline.

Hair follicles are placed as close as nature allows. The special instruments used in this phase allow the follicles to be placed very close to one another. Thus, we achieve the maximum density possible and a natural-looking result.

FUE (Follicular Unit Exaction) Technique and Micro-Dense-Pack T-T

The FUE technique is also called "scalpel-free transplantation","scar-free" or "surgery-free"

. It is a painless technique during which each graft is individually extracted and placed with great mastery in the affected head area(s). It guarantees complete hair transplantation and requires 5 to 6 phases in severe hair loss cases.

During the entire procedure, the plastic surgeon wears special microscopic eyeglasses, which help him place the hair follicles with maximum precision in order to deliver a perfect and natural result.

The FUE technique is time-consuming and takes longer sessions which last up to 8 hours. Up to 500 hair follicles (approx. 1,500 hairs) can be placed during each session.

To apply the FUE technique, the patient’s head must be shaved. This will help the surgeon remove the follicles one by one and then place them one by one. We select and isolate the hair follicles we want to transfer. Each follicle is extracted one by one from the donor area with the use of a very fine circular scalpel measuring 0.7 to 0.8 mm in diameter.

The procedure is repeated follicle by follicle until the session is over. It should be stressed that we only process a certain number of follicles at each session to avoid damaging the follicles while these remain outside the patient’s body.

The extracted grafts as separated to smaller grafts with the use of microscopes and special surgical instruments. Each graft extracted with the FUE technique contains 1-4 hairs. The number of transplanted hairs is always greater than the number of the placed follicles. Please be aware that with the FUE technique there is up to 40% loss of transplanted follicles. This is due to the stress exercised on the hair follicles during their extraction.

GUIDELINES BEFORE HAIR TRANSPLANTATION

The appropriate preoperative preparation is crucial to the unhindered hair transplantation and requires patient cooperation.

GUIDELINES AFTER HAIR TRANSPLANTATION

The first hours after the transplantation

After the procedure, your head is dressed with a bandage. You must be really careful not to pull or remove the bandage, as it holds the bandages which keep the grafts in place. On the first night after the procedure, you feel no pain but a slight strain on the back of your head. i.e. where the grafts were taken from. The strain usually lasts 24 hours and is manageable with mild painkillers. Antibiotics are administered only for prevention purposes.

The next day:


As of the same night of the procedure, you may wash your hair daily (it would be better if you washed your hair twice a day, morning and night) for 14 days with Betadine Scrub or Betadine Shampoo. While washing your hair, carefully follow the instructions you were given by the plastic surgeon. Exercise a light massage on the top of your head and hard massage on the back, i.e. on the sutures. Leave the foam for 10 minutes to work and rinse with plenty warm water.

2 days later:

The pain remits and analgesics are no longer needed.

Some swelling appears on the forehead. It is a normal and anticipated reaction of your system, which is attributed to the local anesthesia administered on the top of your head. Over the next few hours the swelling spreads and extents to your eyelids. Your eyes may stay shut for a few hours. The next day, the swelling spreads towards the cheeks, and spontaneously resolves within 2-4 days.

The next postoperative days

2 weeks later, the sutures are removed in our Office.

 

Hair restoration. Photos Before - after