Hair Transplantation in San Francisco

Micrograft hair transplants (sometimes called Neograft hair transplants or micrograft hair restoration) are a cost-effective way for men and women to combat the effects of hair loss. The procedure provides a permanent, fuller head of hair with a natural-looking hairline. It is superior to the plug procedures that were used in the past – both in terms of appearance and healing time.

Micrografts are so called because the transplants are very small and require skill on the part of the surgeon. Hair transplants can be successful for both male and female patients who are concerned with the way thinning hair affects their self-esteem. However, you must have enough hair in other areas to harvest for the transplantation.

The Micrograft Procedure

You will be given a local anesthetic and a sedative during your procedure. In hair transplantation, small grafts of hair called follicular unit micrografts are removed from “donor” areas on the body or parts of the head where hair is full and not prone to hair loss. Each of these grafts contains only 1-4 hairs.

A very small incision is used to remove the hair follicles from the tissue that surrounds them, and these incisions are closed with stitches. The extraction may take an hour or two depending upon the amount of hair to be grafted. Using a very fine needle, the follicles are then transplanted onto the parts of the head where there has been hair loss.

Unlike older techniques, micrografting does not involve painful staples or visible linear scarring. However, your recovery will involve taking excellent care of tiny hair graft sites, and preventing damage or infection to these sites is crucial in the immediate post-procedure healing phase.

 

What to Expect After Your Hair Transplants

You will be given an antibiotic prescription, as well as perhaps medication to prevent inflammation. You may take over-the-counter pain medication, or Dr. Matarasso can prescribe stronger pain medication, if necessary.

Minor swelling of the scalp and heightened skin sensitivity are normal within the first few days after a hair transplant surgery. If you happen to have overly sensitive skin or a history of skin allergies, keep a close eye out for rashes, increased skin sensitivity or redness, and report any concerns to Dr. Matarasso immediately.

The incisions made to remove the hair follicle grafts usually heal in about a week. You can expect some scabbing in these areas, as well as mild inflammation, numbness, and bruising. You will need to come back into our office the day after your procedure for a follow-up, but you can return to work immediately if you so choose.

However, it’s up to you to decide how long to wait before going back to work and resuming other social activities. For most patients, the biggest factor is how private they wish to keep their recovery process. Four major side effects are present in the first week or so after hair restoration surgery, and you might choose to wait until these resolve themselves before returning to the workplace and doing activities with friends.

Four Things to Look for Immediately After a Hair Transplant

In the first week to ten days following your hair transplant, here’s what to expect as you begin your recovery process at home. Dr. Matarasso will provide you with detailed post-surgical instructions, which you will need to follow carefully for maximum results

1. Discomfort at the Recipient and Donor Sites

As with any surgical procedure, it’s common for patients to experience overall pain for the first few days following a transplant, primarily due to a feeling of tightness in your scalp. However, this should be mild enough to manage with over-the-counter pain medication. Most patients do not need to take medication for more than a day or two following hair transplantation.

2. Bleeding

Sporadic, minor bleeding at the donor and recipient sites may continue for the first week after your surgery, though it should not be a constant flow. If you experience bleeding, apply three to five minutes of light pressure with a damp washcloth. If you are concerned about an unusual amount of bleeding or discharge, please call us immediately.

3. Swelling

Slight swelling is another very common side effect of a hair transplant. To reduce swelling, apply cold compresses, sleep with your head elevated, and avoid strenuous exercise and activities that involve putting stress or strain on your body. Plan on taking it easy for the first two to three weeks or so after your hair transplant procedure.

4. Scabbing

Once the bleeding and swelling wane, the next phase of the healing process involves the formation of small scabs around the individual implant grafts. Do not pull, pick, or scratch at your scabs, as doing so can prevent your grafts from taking root. It is best to wait for them to fall off on their own.

The Hair Transplant and Regrowth Timeline

By the end of the first week or so, discomfort, swelling, bleeding, and scabbing should all resolve themselves. Then, you can look forward to the full timeline of recovery and hair growth as follows.

 Six to Twelve Weeks After Hair Transplant

Within six to twelve weeks of undergoing a micrograft hair transplant, you can expect the newly transplanted hair to shed. This is normal and nothing to be alarmed about; it’s part of the natural phase of hair growth. Though the hair falls out, the follicle itself is still viable and will cycle back into a growth phase within several weeks.

Growth and Recovery by Month Four

By the end of four months after your hair restoration procedure, you should start noticing new hairs growing from the transplanted follicles. However, the new hair growth may emerge somewhat sooner for some patients, since healing times and experiences can vary.

Months Eight to Nine

By the time you reach the nine-month mark, you should have noticeably longer, thicker hair growing in that you’ll be able to style however you choose. As always, attend follow-up visits with Dr. Matarasso on schedule.

Micrograft Results by the End of One Year

By the one-year anniversary after your surgery, your transplant process will largely be complete in terms of growth, thickness, and density. Most of your follicles should be growing healthy hair at this point. Around the one-year mark is the time when many hair transplant patients who want to achieve even greater coverage can begin to evaluate whether they are good candidates for additional micrograft surgeries, depending on the results you hope to achieve.

Some people spend up to two years completing their hair transplants, while others can complete the procedure satisfactorily in a relatively short period of time.

Hair Transplant FAQs

Will I be able to cut and style my hair as usual after my San Francisco hair transplant?

Since the “donor” hair Dr. Matarasso uses to complete the hair transplant surgery comes from areas where you already have abundant hair to spare, it’s your naturally growing hair that you’ll be able to wear as long or short as you’d like and in any style you desire.

However, before committing to the procedure, you must understand that hair restoration does not provide you with a full, thick head of hair overnight. The complete hair transplant timeline takes up to a year for the newly grafted hair to take root, go through its growth cycle, and start to become longer, thicker, and well-established. Your reward for being patient through this process will be the transformative benefits of having healthy hair.

How much will my San Francisco hair transplantation surgery cost?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Dr. Matarasso will need to meet with you to assess your degree of hair loss and determine how many grafts it will require to achieve your desired level of coverage. The number of grafts you require will also affect how long your procedure will take.

The total cost of grafts is not necessarily the only expense influencing the final price tag. There are often also fees associated with the surgeon’s time and the use of an accredited surgical facility, as well as any medical supplies or prescription medications you may require after your procedure. It’s smart to ask for an itemized list of all these expenses ahead of time, so there are no surprises when it comes time to pay for your hair restoration.

How long does the recovery process take after a hair transplantation in San Francisco?

Since leading-edge hair restoration techniques are minimally invasive, you could technically be ready to return to work immediately after your surgery. It’s your decision how long to wait before you jump back into work and social activities. Bleeding, scabbing, swelling, discomfort, and redness are all normal in the first week or so after hair restoration, so if you choose to keep your recovery private, you may wish to take more time off to rest.

Am I a good candidate for a hair transplant?

A hair transplant in San Francisco from a skilled, reputable doctor can be life-changing for both men and women. Having a full, healthy head of naturally thriving hair will provide a self-esteem boost and enable you to stop hiding your baldness with wigs, scarves, or hats.

Men who are considering hair loss surgery will need to still have an adequate amount of donor hair on the sides and at the back of their head to use as grafts. The best way to determine if you are a good candidate is to identify your level of baldness on the Norwood scale. Most experienced hair loss surgeons can provide good results with patients who fall between classes 3 and 6. If you’re in your 20s and just starting to become concerned about your thinning hair or receding hairline, it could be challenging to decisively determine what shape your hair loss pattern might take until your balding has advanced to a certain degree. If you’re in your 30s or beyond, schedule your hair transplant consultation with Dr. Matarasso today.

Hair Transplants in San Francisco

Stop hiding your hair loss with hats, wigs, hairpieces, and scarves. Hair transplantation with micrografts is the most successful and technologically advanced method of restoring lush, healthy, naturally growing hair. Let Dr. Matarasso restore your self-confidence with micrograft surgery.

Hair transplantation is the most effective method for regaining a fuller head of hair.

Contact our office at (415) 362-2238 to find out more about hair transplantation in San Francisco.