Introduction
In 2025, New York City has witnessed a significant development in the field of cosmetic and medical surgeries, where the Newborn Hair Transplant has claimed the second spot in the nasal basal elevation surgery list. This fact not only highlights the increasing popularity and demand for hair transplant procedures but also reflects the high - end medical services available in the city. In this article, we will explore the various aspects of hair transplants in New York City, including the procedure itself, leading doctors, available techniques, and the reasons behind its popularity.
Understanding Hair Transplant
Definition and General Procedure
A hair transplant is a surgical procedure designed to improve baldness. During this procedure, hairs are moved from an area of thick growth (the donor area) to bald areas (the recipient areas). Most hair transplants are carried out in a doctor's office. Here is a step - by - step breakdown of the general hair transplant process:
- Anesthesia: The patient receives local anesthesia to numb the scalp and may also get medicine to relax them.
- Scalp Cleaning: The scalp is thoroughly cleaned.
- Donor Area Harvesting:
- In some cases, a strip of the hairy scalp is removed using a scalpel and set aside. The scalp at the donor area is then closed with tiny stitches.
- Alternatively, smaller areas of the scalp and groups of hairs are removed with other equipment or robotic assistance.
- Follicle Separation: Small groups of hairs or individual hairs are carefully separated out from the removed scalp, often under magnification or a microscope.
- Recipient Area Preparation: The bald areas (recipient areas) are cleaned, and tiny cuts are made in them.
- Hair Placement: Healthy hairs are carefully placed in the cuts. During a single treatment session, hundreds or even thousands of hairs may be transplanted.
Why People Opt for Hair Transplants
Most people who have a hair transplant have male or female pattern baldness. Hair loss is typically on the front or top of the scalp. For these individuals, a hair transplant can significantly improve their appearance and self - confidence. It cannot create new hair but moves the existing hair to bald areas. In addition to pattern baldness, people with hair loss from lupus, injuries, or other medical problems may also be treated with a hair transplant.
Popular Hair Transplant Techniques in New York City
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
FUE is a modern approach to hair transplantation. It involves removing individual follicular units, which are families of 1 - 4 hairs. Using various instruments, each follicular unit to be harvested is punched out using a punch size of 0.8 mm - 1 mm on average. The tiny holes created seal up and leave behind small circular scars that are barely perceptible even if the scalp is shaved.
There are different methods within FUE:
- Motorized: This is the most common method. Machines made by Ellis, Devroye (WAW), Neograft, Smartgraft, and Trivellini (Mamba) are used. For example, the Trivellini Mamba system is digitally advanced and has three settings (rotation, oscillation, vibration), which can be custom - set per the doctor's preference to adjust to the patient's hair and skin quality. Dr. Gary Linkov, an experienced hair transplant specialist in New York City, prefers the Trivellini FUE system for its versatility and adaptability.
- Robotic: The Artas robot has some automated features for extracting hairs, creating recipient sites, and placing the hairs (with the Artas IX). However, it has some disadvantages such as high cost (the robot costs about $300,000, making procedures more expensive for patients), requiring darker hair for extractions (patients with white or red hair need to dye their hair), limited harvest location (it will only work where a flat grid can be applied), and still requiring a team of technicians to complete the treatment.
- Manual: A sharp or blunt - tipped manual punch is a cylindrical instrument rotated in hand and through the skin around the hair shaft.
The advantages of FUE include avoiding a linear scar, a more comfortable recovery with less pain and no sutures to remove, and the ability to be applied to the sides of the head and other body sites such as the neck and chest in some individuals. However, it is time - consuming and labor - intensive to remove the grafts carefully.
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
FUT, also known as the "strip" method, involves removing a strip of hair, typically from the back of the head. The strip is processed under a microscope, and the hairs are divided into follicular units and stored until they are ready to be planted. The advantage of FUT is that the procedure is generally faster than FUE and may deliver a more significant number of donor hairs from the back of the head. Also, it is possible to leave the hairs' shaft longer if needed for specific procedures such as eyebrow hair transplantation.
However, FUT has some drawbacks. It leaves a linear scar, which is noticeable if the head is ever shaved, and it is not a good harvesting option in other parts of the scalp and body areas.
| Technique | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| FUE | Avoids linear scar, comfortable recovery, can be used on various body sites | Time - consuming, labor - intensive |
| FUT | Faster, can deliver more donor hairs, allows longer hair shaft for some procedures | Leaves a linear scar, not suitable for all areas |
Leading Hair Transplant Doctors in New York City
Dr. Robert Bernstein
Dr. Robert M. Bernstein is a world - renowned pioneer of modern hair transplant surgery and the founder of Bernstein Medical – Center for Hair Restoration. In 1995, he introduced the concept of transplanting only naturally occurring follicular units into medical literature in his publication “Follicular transplantation,” which led to the development of follicular unit transplantation (FUT), the gold standard in hair restoration. In 2002, along with his colleague Dr. William Rassman, he developed follicular unit extraction (FUE). Bernstein Medical introduced robotic FUE procedures in 2011, and he continues to innovate in the field. He has been on the peer - nominated “top doctors” list compiled by Castle Connolly and published annually in New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors in New York” issue for twenty consecutive years.
Dr. Gary Linkov
Dr. Gary Linkov is a dual Ivy League trained, double - board - certified plastic surgeon and hair transplant specialist from New York City. He uses the latest FUE and FUT techniques to reverse hair loss and regain real - growing hair. He is well - known in the community as the hair restoration specialist to go to when the goal is to have a fuller head of hair. He has been featured on Dr. Oz’s show and, according to USA Today, is among the top 3 aesthetic facial and hair surgery specialists in the USA.
Dr. Andrew Jacono
Dr. Andrew Jacono is a double - board - certified plastic surgeon. He offers various hair transplant methods in his New York and Long Island surgical centers. He is skilled in micro - follicular unit grafting, where hair is transplanted into balding areas as individual follicular units to guarantee natural and undetectable results. During a single procedure, he can create between 2,500 and 3,000 grafts.
Success Stories and Patient Experiences
There are numerous success stories of hair transplants in New York City. For example, a patient who had a receding hairline went to Dr. Gary Linkov for a hair transplant of 2200 grafts approximately 10 months ago. The results were great, and people noticed how good his hair looked but couldn't tell that he had a transplant unless he said something. Another patient, a 36 - year - old man with a receding hairline, underwent an FUE hair transplantation using 1800 follicles with Dr. Khosh. His one - year post - transplant results were excellent, and he was ecstatic with the outcome.
These success stories not only showcase the high - quality services provided by New York City's hair transplant doctors but also give hope to those suffering from hair loss.
Factors to Consider Before a Hair Transplant in New York City
Candidate Suitability
A suitable candidate for a hair implant surgical procedure is a man or woman with appreciable hair loss in a specific area, most typically on the scalp. The targeted area needs to have a stable hair loss pattern, which is not progressive. However, those with scarring hair loss conditions such as frontal fibrosing alopecia, certain underlying medical conditions that may impact healing (e.g., immunosuppression), or unrealistic expectations about the potential of a hair implant may not be good candidates.
Cost
The cost of hair restoration in New York City can vary based on the patient's individual needs and desired results. In general, the price range for a hair restoration procedure is $4,000 - $15,000. Some practices charge based on the price per graft, with the cost per graft generally ranging from $5 - $13 in most cases, and the total cost of transplantation starting at $16,000. The final price depends on factors such as the difficulty of the transplant procedure, the experience of the surgeon, the geographic location, and the surgical technique used.
Risks and Side Effects
Like all surgeries, hair transplants involve some risks. These include bleeding, infection, poor hair regrowth, over - harvesting with a visibly reduced donor density, poor scarring, numbness, shock loss, inflammation, adverse reaction to anesthesia, pain, wound dehiscence (in FUT), and an unnatural appearance. The most common side effect is scarring, and other potential side effects include scalp itching, pain, and swelling, infections, bleeding, inflammation of hair follicles, and loss of sensation around the surgical sites.
Recovery After a Hair Transplant
Recovery after a hair transplant is an important phase. After the procedure, patients should follow the doctor's instructions carefully. For the first night, it is recommended to sleep with the head elevated on several pillows or in a recliner chair to prevent swelling and place a towel under the head for possible light bleeding. Patients can gently clean their hair beginning the second day until five days with water in a carefully poured basin over the head. On the sixth day, they may begin to shower normally.
The transplanted hairs often fall out with the crusts as soon as five to eight days after the procedure, but the hair follicles remain in the scalp. Most of the rest of the transplanted hairs will fall out over the next two weeks. The new hair shafts will begin to grow in the 4 - 6 month window and will continue to grow. The final result is typically judged at 12 months, though it can take longer before all of the hairs grow.
Conclusion
In 2025, New York City's ranking of Newborn Hair Transplant second in the nasal basal elevation surgery list is a testament to the high - quality and advanced hair transplant services available in the city. With leading doctors, state - of - the - art techniques, and numerous success stories, hair transplants have become a popular solution for those suffering from hair loss. However, potential patients should carefully consider factors such as candidate suitability, cost, risks, and recovery before deciding to undergo a hair transplant.
If you are considering a hair transplant in New York City, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with a reputable hair transplant doctor. Take the time to learn more about the procedure, ask questions, and understand what to expect. By making an informed decision, you can increase your chances of achieving the desired results and regaining your confidence.
