How Long Can I Expect A Hair Transplant To Last?

When it comes to the early signs of aging, there are few symptoms as frustrating and embarrassing as hair loss. Unfortunately, some men and women begin to experience thinning hair and balding earlier than others, often making them look – and feel – older than they actually are. Although there are many over-the-counter remedies available, many are unreliable or ineffective. Fortunately, advanced medical hair restoration techniques now make it possible for patients to restore a more youthful hairline with natural, long-lasting results. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Khorsandi and the experienced team at VIP Plastic Surgery are proud to offer multiple hair restoration options at their Las Vegas, NV facility. If you are considering FUE or FUT hair transplant, read on to learn more about the procedure, including how it works, what kinds of results are possible, and how long you can expect them to last.

How does hair transplant work?

Many people are familiar with the traditional “strip” hair restoration method (FUT hair transplant), which involves the surgeon making a horizontal incision on the back of the scalp and excising a strip of skin to harvest the hair for transplant. While this has proven to be an effective technique, there is some downtime associated with the procedure, and patients are left with a fairly lengthy scar. This can be particularly problematic for men and women who prefer to wear their hair short, as the scar is usually visible.

Follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplant is a minimally invasive alternative for patients seeking a more convenient option for hair restoration with limited downtime and visible scarring. During a follicular unit transplant procedure, the surgeon uses advanced tools and technologies, including the NeoGraft®or SAFE Graft system, to extract individual clusters of 1, 2, 3, or 4 hair follicles. Because there is no incision required, patients will not have a visible scar. In fact, the tiny dots left at the extraction site usually heal and fade completely in a matter of days, leaving no visible evidence that the procedure was performed. In fact, FUE hair restoration can also be used to camouflage the linear scar left by a previous strip transplant.

Should I get FUE or strip hair transplant?

During your initial consultation at VIP Plastic Surgery, Dr. Khorsandi will carefully evaluate your hair loss, discuss your concerns and goals, explain your options at length, and answer all of your questions in detail to help determine which hair transplant technique may be most appropriate for you. Some things to consider when it comes to deciding between FUE hair restoration and a traditional strip method transplant include:

• Degree of hair loss: a larger number of hair follicles are able to be extracted during a strip transplant, often making this option more beneficial for patients with more advanced hair loss

• Lifestyle: patients in Las Vegas, NV who have an active lifestyle and prefer to wear their hair very short may be better suited to FUE hair restoration

• Downtime: patients who need to return to work or social engagements more quickly may prefer the FUE hair transplant, thanks to its shorter recovery period

• Finances: In some cases, the FUE hair restoration approach is more affordable than FUT surgery

One important thing to remember when choosing between FUE and FUT hair restoration is that, when performed properly by an experienced surgeon, the hair growth results can be equally stunning. The main difference in the two methods lies in the technique used for harvesting the hair follicles.

Do FUE hair transplant results look natural?

Dr. Khorsandi fully understands the importance of not only restoring hair growth but also achieving a natural-looking result. During each FUE hair restoration procedure, Dr. Khorsandi meticulously places the hair follicles in a natural and appealing distribution. Because follicular unit extraction allows the surgeon to harvest individual hair follicles as well as clusters of 2, 3, or 4 hairs, Dr. Khorsandi is able to position the larger groupings in areas where thicker, fuller hair is appropriate and use the smaller clusters to achieve a natural-looking hairline.

When will I see my hair transplant results?

Following a hair restoration procedure, patients should expect the newly transplanted hair follicles to begin falling out after a few weeks. While this can be frightening, it is a normal and essential part of the hair restoration process. New growth will usually begin after about three months, though it may take a full year for the final results to become visible.

How long will a hair transplant last?

Because the hair is harvested from an area of full, thick, natural growth, the transplanted follicles will not be susceptible to balding and thinning in the same way as the original hairs were. As a result, patients who undergo hair transplant surgery can often enjoy their enhanced look for many years, if not forever! However, it is important to remember that the aging process will not stop, and patients may experience subsequent thinning in other areas.

Am I a good candidate for hair transplant in Las Vegas, NV?

While most men and women can be considered candidates for hair restoration, the best results are typically realized by patients who have less advanced hair loss. For this reason, Dr. Khorsandi recommends exploring your hair restoration options soon after you begin to notice thinning hair or male pattern baldness developing.

To find out more about whether you qualify for FUE or FUT hair transplant in Las Vegas, NV, call VIP Plastic Surgery to schedule your one-on-one consultation with Chief of Plastic Surgery and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Khorsandi. If you prefer to have your appointment from the comfort and privacy of your own home, you can also take advantage of our convenient online consultation option. We look forward to helping you restore your look, confidence, and happiness with reliable and long-lasting hair restoration solutions!