The Full Toronto Plastic Surgeons Wellness Centre Guide to Hair Transplants

What is a Hair Transplant?

Hair transplants vary in methods and techniques, including Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), the Neograft hair transplant technique, female hair transplants, strip graft repair, and the Artas hair transplant method. A hair transplant can take anywhere from 3 to 10 hours. When performing a hair transplant, Toronto Plastic Surgeons Wellness Centre begins by consulting with you to fully understand your aesthetic goals, areas of concern, and medical history.

During your hair transplant procedure, the hair grafts are removed from the donor area, properly prepared, and inserted into the recipient area. You will be under local anesthetic to reduce your chances of experiencing any discomfort.

The tiny puncture wounds at the donor site and recipient area will heal over time, often forming small crusts that fall off within two weeks.

Causes of Hair Loss

Hair loss has many causes, from genetics to stress. Some of the main causes of hair loss include:

• Genetics. A type of testosterone in the body called DHT can damage hair follicles, especially if it runs in the family. When more of this hormone is produced, your hair becomes more fragile and thins out. DHT depends entirely on an individual’s genes, and if you have older family members who are balding or have thinning hair, you may be susceptible to hair loss.
• Aging. The most common cause of hair loss is age. As we age, we lose many hormones and proteins that keep our skin firm, our hair thick, and our bodies resilient. Just like wrinkles result from lost collagen and repeated movements, thinning hair is a natural part of the aging process.
• Stress. Being in a constant state of panic, frustration, and proverbially “ripping your hair out” can, in fact, cause your hair to fall out. When you’re stressed, your corticosterone levels reduce, causing acne to appear on the skin and hair growth to reduce.
• Excessive Hair Product Use. Overusing dyes, bleach, hair relaxers, heat, hair gel, and shampoos with harsh chemicals damages your hair follicles over time, causing them to become brittle and thin or fall out.
• Diet & Lifestyle. Healthy eating and regular exercise are good for every part of your body – even your scalp! If you eat too little repeatedly for a prolonged period, you will find that the protein in your nails and hair weakens, causing both to become extremely fragile.

Types of Hair Transplants

Toronto Plastic Surgeons Wellness Centre offers FUE hair transplant options with various treatment methods, including the traditional method or via ARTAS or NeoGraft technology. While we do not offer FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) as it is an outdated version of FUE, we will still explain the differences between FUE vs. FUT to keep you informed.

FUE

As the modern approach to hair transplantation, Follicular Unit Extraction is a detailed process. Individual hairs are extracted from the donor site (typically at the back of your hair, where your hair is the thickest) using a hollow needle. The hair is then processed and inserted into the recipient site (wherever your hair is thinning or receding). This process can be performed by the ARTAS robot, the NeoGraft method.

Advantages

Some of the advantages of FUE include:

• Undetectable scarring, as no stitches or linear incisions are involved.
• The procedure uses advanced technology and techniques to ensure precise, seamless results.
• It is the most comfortable option of all hair transplantation methods.
• FUE boasts a faster recovery time, especially compared to FUT, as the wounds that need to heal are very small punctures.

Disadvantages

There is a chance that it is difficult to harvest the entire follicular unit from the donor site, resulting in lower hair density when the recipient site shows regrowth. Since the procedure also involves small puncture wounds, there is a risk of infection if you do not follow the aftercare instructions properly. Lastly, right after your procedure, you will experience some swelling, discomfort, and scabbing for 1-2 weeks, which will resolve on its own and can be soothed with a cold compress or over-the-counter pain medication.

Methods

Neograft uses a handheld punch drill to dissect and graft hair from the donor area to the recipient site. Vacuum suction from the device extracts the follicle, and the drill creates small punctures in the recipient area to place the follicles within.

The ARTAS Robot is a fully human-free method for performing an FUE hair transplant with robotic precision and high accuracy. This technology offers real-time 3D digital analysis of your hair follicles to identify the scalp area best suited for hair harvesting. A two-needle dissection technique offers this method minimal scarring and the ability to harvest multiple hairs per graft.

FUT

Follicular Unit Transplantation involves taking a whole strip of hair from the donor site and fragmenting it, earning it the nickname “the strip method”. It is similar to the FUE method, but FUT is more invasive, yields less natural-looking results, and carries a higher risk of infection.

Advantages

Some advantages of the FUT method of hair transplantation include:

• Like FUE, it is a long-term hair transplantation solution.
• Side effects after the procedure will alleviate themselves within weeks of the transplant.
• Improved self-esteem for the patient.

Disadvantages

FUT, unfortunately, carries some disadvantages. Some disadvantages of FUT include:

• Unnatural results from large strips of hair being placed into the recipient area(s) instead of individual follicles being strategically inserted.
• Side effects after your procedure include swelling, tension, bleeding, redness, and numbness (which will subside within a few weeks).
• Visible scarring that can only be hidden if you grow your hair past your neck. Otherwise, there will be a relatively large scar on the back of your head.
• Discomfort after your operation can last a long time while the stitches and donor area recover, making sleeping very difficult.
• Slower recovery, as you have to wait for stitches to heal and avoid all physical activity until they are fully healed to prevent the scar from widening and opening up.
• Scalp stretching can occur after multiple hair transplant sessions—so if you suffer from progressive baldness, a FUT hair transplant is not for you.

What is the Best Hair Transplant Method?

The “best” method by which your hair transplant is performed is determined by the severity of your baldness, your desired outcome, and the amount of hair you have on your body that can be used for the transplant. Your medical history and budget will also be considered, as manual vs. robotic transplants can impact the cost.

For the best hair transplant results, book a consultation with the Toronto Plastic Surgeons Wellness Centre team so we can create a unique treatment plan catered to your specific concerns and goals.

How Much Does a Hair Transplant Cost in Canada?

While the average hair transplant cost in Canada is usually around $8,000, various factors can make that price go down (to as little as $1,000) or up (to as much as $20,000) – it all depends. When figuring out your hair transplant costs, you will need to compare the different methods available to you during your consultation, along with other factors such as the severity of your concerns, the duration of your treatment, your medical history, and your personal preferences.

Learn more about pricing and the cost of hair transplants on the Toronto Plastic Surgeons Wellness Centre website and during your consultation.

Hair Transplant Timeline & Results

One Week After Your Hair Transplant

For 1-5 days following your hair transplant, any bandages applied to the donor site will be removed. The grafts in the recipient area should not be touched, even if bandages are in place. Your scalp will be very susceptible to damage during this time, so stay out of the sun and watch out for swelling around the eyes or forehead. This swelling can be reduced with sleep, over-the-counter medication, and a cold compress.

You will have a healed donor area within 5-7 days after your treatment. On day 5, gently wash your hair to help scabs fall off on their own. During this recovery period, please avoid itching or scratching your scalp, as this can prolong healing and increase the risk of infection.

One Month After Your Hair Transplant

By the two-week mark, your transplanted hair will fall out so it can begin to grow back thicker and longer than before. All scabs and itching will be gone, so you can return to your normal shampooing routine. Do not shave or cut your hair during this time, as you need to go through the “falling out” process to achieve full results.

Three Months After Your Hair Transplant

After 3-4 months, the new hair will pop through the follicles and grow in a thick, consistent pattern. Enjoy the growth during this time and do not cut it; feel free to style and shampoo it however you like. After 5 months, around 50% of the new hair will have grown, covering bald spots.

One Year After Your Hair Transplant

You can begin getting haircuts around the 9-10 month mark, as 90% of the hair will have grown in by then, and you may need to style it. After 12-18 months, your results will be visible and ready to enjoy.

Hair Transplant Results

You will begin to see results 6-9 months after your hair transplant, but your final results may not be apparent until the 1-year mark. Your transplanted hair will fall out during the first few weeks after your procedure. This is completely normal, so don’t be alarmed! New hair growth will begin during the fifth or sixth month.

Post-Operation Aftercare

To care for your scalp after your hair transplant, don’t wash your hair for the first few days. Using a mild shampoo, you can gently massage the scalp with lukewarm water once a day around the 3-5 day mark.

After 3 months, you will see hair grow from the recipient area in the donor site’s original shape, color, and structure. You should not dye your hair or use hair products that contain heavy chemicals for the first year until you are fully healed. Do not participate in activities that cause you to sweat excessively for the first week after your hair transplant, and avoid swimming, saunas, and prolonged sun exposure for the first month.

Aftercare instructions are integral to follow, and there can be many details you should be aware of.

Alternatives to Hair Transplants

There are three main alternatives to hair transplants. Trying non-invasive options before pursuing a permanent solution is typically the first thing our patients try.

• Rogaine. Rogaine Minoxidil, often referred to as Rogaine, works by penetrating the hair follicles and rejuvenating them, allowing them to produce stronger hairs that grow for longer. Rogaine is not medically proven to cause hair growth, however.
• Volumizing Shampoo. Hair loss shampoos are often marketed to men and women who want to treat baldness or hair thinning, but you will rarely see any results.
• Supplements. Supplements work very similarly to volumizing shampoo—they strengthen the hair that remains, but will not cure baldness or a receding hairline.

Figure out which hair transplant option is best for you and understand the causes of your hair loss so you can find the right solutions with the Toronto Plastic Surgeons Wellness Centre team today.

Hair Transplant FAQs

Can You Wear a Hat After a Hair Transplant?

We advise against wearing a hat right after your hair transplant. You must wait until you are fully healed to wear any type of hat, as it can remove or shift the grafts and compromise your results.

How Should I Sleep After a Hair Transplant?

After your hair transplant, keep your head straight and elevated to promote proper blood flow, reduce swelling, and encourage quick hair growth.

When Can I Wash My Hair After My Transplant?

Wait 1-2 days post-op before shampooing. After that, shampoo with lukewarm water and a gentle soap, carefully pouring the water onto your head with your hands, and avoid rubbing your scalp too hard. During recovery, shampoo daily to help remove scabs and promote healing. Scabs should be gone in about 10 days, and you can resume your normal hair-washing routine 2 weeks after your transplant.

When Can I Get a Haircut After a Hair Transplant?

You should wait at least 3 weeks before getting a haircut after your hair transplant, but it is best to let it grow out! After two months, your transplanted hair will begin to grow, and you can style it however you’d like.

Posted by:

Dr. Stephen Mulholland, Md

Dr. Stephen Mulholland has been practicing plastic surgery for over 20 years. He is one of Canada’s most renowned and best plastic surgeons in Toronto with his wealth of experience, artistry, and humbleness towards his patients.

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