About Hair Replacement and Hair Transplant
More than half of all men will experience some amount of hair loss by the age of 50. Receding hairlines, thinning hair, and bald spots can be the results of age, illness, and at times, genetics. There is hope for both men and women who are experiencing some form of thinning hair or hair loss, though. Dr. Gregory Chernoff has been performing scalp reductions and hair transplants in Indianapolis and California for over 25 Years. In addition to hair replacement, Dr. Chernoff also specializes in the latest techniques for unwanted hair removal, providing long-lasting, aesthetically appealing results.
What causes hair loss?
The cause of hair loss, bald spots, or thinning hair can vary from person to person. Anyone, male or female, may find themselves experiencing some degree of hair loss. The cause of hair loss should be determined before treatment, as a serious health condition may be present. Dr. Chernoff will assist you in determining the cause of your hair loss at your consultation appointment. These may include:
- Hormones: The most common genetic cause of male-pattern and female-pattern baldness. In genetically susceptible individuals, sex hormones will trigger a particular pattern of permanent hair loss. Most commonly seen in men, this type of hair loss can occur at any age, even as early as puberty.
- Medical Conditions: A variety of medical conditions can cause hair loss; these can include thyroid issues, scalp infections, Lupus, and an irregularity of the body’s immune system.
- Medications: A side effect of many prescription drugs, permanent hair loss can result from medications used to treat cancer, arthritis, depression, blood pressure, and heart problems.
- Other conditions: While less common, other conditions can have an impact on hair loss such as emotional shock or hair-pulling disorders. More commonly seen in women, certain hairstyles can exacerbate thinning hair.
What can be done for hair loss?
Although there are several solutions to thinning hair or bald spots, including creams, prescription medications, and hairpieces, few can match the results of a trained cosmetic surgeon. During your consultation, Dr. Chernoff will help you decide the best surgical or non-invasive treatment for your hair loss. Surgical interventions may include:
Follicular Unit Hair Transplant:
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is a hair restoration technique where Dr. Chernoff harvests and transplants individual hairs. The procedure can be performed using local anesthesia or in an outpatient surgical suite. Using tiny groups of between one and three hairs harvested from elsewhere on your body, Dr. Chernoff will create organic, natural looking hair. More than one treatment is usually necessary; the hair will begin to regrow on its own in approximately 4-6 months. The procedure is successful since the harvested follicular units also contain sebaceous (oil) glands, nerves, and a small muscle, so the body recognizes the transplanted hair as your own and is not rejected. This procedure can range from transplanting hundreds of hairs for eyebrows or between three and four thousand grafts in a single session for hair. FUT is considered an advance over older hair transplantation procedures that used larger grafts and often produced a plugged or unnatural look. In a properly performed follicular unit transplant, the results will mimic the way hair grows in nature and will be undetectable as a hair transplant. By transplanting using follicular units the way hair grows naturally, the results of the hair transplantation are virtually undetectable. Precise planting of the transplants in a random pattern results in a hairline that does not look like a line.
Scalp Reduction:
Patients who present with bald spots or defined thinning areas may benefit from a scalp reduction. During a scalp reduction, segments of the balding scalp are surgically removed, and then areas of healthy scalp will be stretched and repositioned over the targeted area. While a scalp reduction does not provide the same results as more detailed hair replacement techniques, Dr. Chernoff and his team can restore the natural looking head of hair.
Our practice also offers non-surgical options for improving hair growth, health, and density. Topical nutrients combined with a new therapeutic laser help to stimulate growth either alone or after a hair transplant. During your consultation, Dr. Chernoff will discuss each option with you and may suggest a combination of non-surgical and surgical options.
