Introduction
Hair transplant has emerged as a highly sought - after solution in New York City, not only for hair loss but also for unique applications such as being ranked second on the list for forehead wrinkle removal. In a city where aesthetics and self - confidence are of utmost importance, understanding the nuances of hair transplant procedures becomes crucial. This article will explore the various aspects of hair transplant in New York City, from its methods and candidates to the top clinics and doctors, and even touch on related concepts like forehead reduction surgery and its relation to hair transplantation.
Understanding Hair Loss
Types of Hair Loss
Hair loss can affect both men and women, and it can be caused by a variety of factors. Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male - pattern baldness in men and female - pattern hair loss in women, is the most common type. In men, the frontal and temporal recession are typical, often classified by the Hamilton - Norwood scale. Women, on the other hand, usually experience thinning in the central areas of the scalp, which can be classified by the Ludwig scale. Other reasons for hair loss include medications, hormonal changes, autoimmune disorders, injury, stress, and certain hairstyles.
Hair Growth Cycle
The hair growth cycle consists of four stages. The anagen phase is the growth phase, where about 90 percent of hair follicles are actively growing. This phase can last up to 7 - 8 years. The catagen phase is a brief transitional phase that lasts about two weeks, during which the hair follicles shrink, and the hair detaches from the blood supply. The telogen phase is the resting phase, lasting several months, where about 10 to 15 percent of follicles are present, and a new hair begins to grow within the follicle. Finally, the exogen phase is the shedding phase, where a normal person loses about 50 to 100 hairs each day, after which the hair returns to the anagen phase.
Hair Transplant Methods
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
FUT, also known as the strip method, involves removing a linear strip of the scalp from the back of the head, where the hair is permanent and more abundant. The follicular unit grafts are then carefully microscopically dissected from the strip and implanted one by one in the thinning or balding area. One advantage of FUT is that it is generally faster than its alternative, the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), and may deliver a more significant number of donor hairs from the back of the head. It is also possible to leave the hairs’ shaft longer if needed for specific procedures such as eyebrow hair transplantation. However, a major disadvantage is that it leaves a linear scar, which is noticeable if the head is ever shaved.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
FUE is a modern approach to hair transplantation. It involves removing individual follicular units, which exist as families of 1 - 4 hairs. Each follicular unit to be harvested is punched out using a punch size of 0.8 mm - 1 mm on average. The main advantage of FUE is avoiding a linear scar, as well as a more comfortable recovery with less pain and no sutures to remove. It can also be applied to the sides of the head and other body sites such as the neck and chest in some individuals. However, the process is time - consuming and labor - intensive as each graft needs to be carefully removed.
Tools for FUE
- Motorized: This is the most common method currently used for FUE. Machines like those made by Ellis, Devroye (Waw), Neograft, Smartgraft, and Trivellini (Mamba) are popular. The Ellis is a sharp punch system with a rotational mode only. The Devroye Waw FUE system has only an oscillating manner. The Neograft and Smartgraft systems are rotation mode only and come with a suction - based system. 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.
- 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 several disadvantages, including high cost as the robot costs about $300,000, and the procedures are often more expensive for patients. It also requires darker hair for extractions, limiting its use for patients with white or red hair. The harvest location is limited as it only works where a flat grid can be applied, and the procedure is generally not faster than motorized punch systems.
- Manual: A sharp or blunt - tipped manual punch is a cylindrical instrument rotated in hand and through the skin around the hair shaft.
Candidates for Hair Transplant
The ideal candidate for a hair transplant is usually between 25 to 66 years of age, but there is no strict age limit as individuals younger than 26 can experience premature hair loss. The right candidate suffers from pattern baldness, which is typically a genetic condition affecting certain areas of the scalp, leaving other parts with decent donor hair that can be extracted. They should have healthy hair on the back and sides of their head where the grafts can be excised from. It is better to begin the process before a patient is completely bald so that existing hair can be used to help hide the early restoration stages. Those with well - defined female or male pattern baldness, hair loss from cosmetic surgery procedures, scalp injuries, scarring, those who want to thicken or restore their beards, moustaches, or eyebrows, and those who have undergone previous hair restoration procedures are all potential candidates. However, individuals with scarring hair loss conditions such as frontal fibrosing alopecia, certain underlying medical conditions that may impact healing (such as immunosuppression), or unrealistic expectations about the potential of a hair implant may not be good candidates.
Top Hair Transplant Clinics and Doctors in New York City
Bernstein Medical Center for Hair Restoration
Founded by world - renowned hair restoration innovator and surgeon Dr. Robert M. Bernstein in 2005, Bernstein Medical is a state - of - the - art hair restoration facility and international hair loss referral center. Dr. Bernstein introduced the concept of transplanting only naturally occurring follicular units into medical literature in 1995 and developed follicular unit transplantation (FUT), the gold standard in hair restoration. In 2002, he, along with his colleague, developed follicular unit extraction (FUE), and the center introduced robotic FUE procedures in 2011. The clinic is a beta - test site for the Artas robotic hair transplant system and uses it for all FUE hair transplants. Dr. Bernstein has been named to the “top doctors” list in New York magazine for twenty consecutive years and has received numerous awards in the hair restoration industry.
Dr. Gary Linkov at City Facial Plastics
Dr. Gary Linkov is a dual Ivy League trained, double - board - certified plastic surgeon and hair transplant specialist. He uses the latest FUE and FUT techniques to reverse hair loss and regain real growing hair. Dr. Linkov has been featured on Dr. Oz’s show and is among the top 3 aesthetic facial and hair surgery specialists in the USA according to USA Today. He is intricately involved with every step of the hair implant process, including performing portions of the FUE harvesting and placement of grafts and all of the recipient site creation. His clinic offers a range of hair restoration procedures tailored to the unique needs of patients.
Dr. Michael B. Wolfeld
Dr. Wolfeld is a nationally - recognized hair restoration specialist, a board - certified plastic surgeon, and an assistant clinic professor of plastic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center. He is the first physician certified both by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery. Dr. Wolfeld has received many awards and honors, including being named in the New York Times “super doctor” list, Castle Connelly's “top doctors in America", and in the “10 best list of plastic surgeons” by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons. He offers various hair restoration options, including the Artas IX system, which is a physician - assisted robotic method for hair transplantation.
Dr. Andrew Jacono
Dr. Jacono is a dual board - certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. He offers various hair transplant methods in his New York and Long Island surgical centers. He can perform procedures like micro follicular unit grafting, where he extracts grafts from an area of the body with healthy hair and places them in hairless parts of the scalp. He also offers Neograft hair transplants. Many patients have seen excellent results from his hair transplant procedures, with natural - looking hairlines and increased hair density.
Forehead Reduction Surgery and Hair Transplant
What is Forehead Reduction Surgery?
Forehead reduction surgery, also known as hairline lowering, reduces the height of the forehead. It is a surgical procedure that is more invasive than other hair transplant procedures. The surgery usually takes a couple of hours and involves making a horizontal incision across the hairline, pulling the skin of the scalp forward, bringing the hairline forward, and suturing the incision closed. It is performed under a calming twilight anesthetic and a local anesthetic to ensure a pain - free procedure. Once healed, the scar is hardly visible, if at all.
Benefits of Forehead Reduction Surgery
The benefits of forehead reduction surgery include bringing facial features into better proportion, especially for those born with a large forehead. It removes excess skin on the forehead by reducing its length in proportion to the eyebrows, restores the natural hairline by bringing it forward, creates a more youthful appearance, and helps individuals lose the self - consciousness about having a high forehead. It results in a denser, even hairline and has a relatively fast recovery time.
Candidates for Forehead Reduction Surgery
Good candidates for forehead reduction surgery are in good health. They should have an even hairline across the length of the scalp, flexible forehead skin, no M - shaped hairline with balding on either side of the head, evenly spread hair across the top and back of the head, and no history of previous hair loss. However, depending on the type of hair loss, such as male or female pattern hair loss, patients may need other specialized treatments.
Relation to Hair Transplant
Hair transplant can be used in conjunction with forehead reduction surgery. For example, in cases where there is still some thinning or to further enhance the density of the new hairline, hair transplant techniques can be employed. The transplanted hairs can be carefully placed to blend in with the hairline created through forehead reduction surgery, resulting in a more natural and aesthetically pleasing outcome.
Hair Transplant Process
Pre - procedure Preparation
Before a hair transplant, patients need to avoid medications and supplements that can thin the blood and cause increased bleeding during surgery, such as aspirin, vitamin E, gingko biloba, and ibuprofen. They should refrain from smoking for at least one week before the procedure. Taking vitamin C and vitamin K before the procedure may help with healing and limit bruising. For body hair donor areas, if applicable, the area needs to be shaved five days prior to the procedure to allow the hairs to grow out to the desired length for extraction. For scalp hair donor areas, the hair can be left long so that the surgical team can trim or shave as per the discussed plan for harvesting.
During the Procedure
The hair transplant procedure is conducted under local anesthesia, which numbs the donor and recipient sites. The procedure usually takes several hours, typically about six to eight hours, depending on the extent of the restoration. Patients may be asked to lay on their abdomen for the extraction portion of the procedure and then seated comfortably on their back throughout the remainder of the procedure. There may be minimal discomfort, mainly from the injection of the anesthetic, but after that, the patient is pain - free.
Post - procedure Recovery
After the hair transplant, patients need to follow specific post - treatment instructions for a smooth recovery. For the first night, they should sleep with their head elevated on several pillows or in a recliner chair to prevent swelling and place a towel under their head for possible light bleeding. They 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. 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.
Cost of Hair Transplant in New York City
The cost of hair transplant in New York City varies. Some practices charge based on the price per graft, while others charge a flat rate per hair implant surgery. The cost per graft generally ranges from $5 - $13 in most cases, and the total cost of transplantation starts at $16,000. The final hair restoration price depends on factors such as the difficulty of the transplant procedure, the experience of the surgeon, the geographic location, and the surgical technique. It's important to note that while cheaper hair transplant options may seem appealing upfront, they can lead to significant long - term costs if not done correctly. Inexperienced practitioners or substandard clinics may use outdated techniques, resulting in poor results, complications, or even permanent damage to hair follicles, which may require additional corrective procedures.
Conclusion
In New York City, hair transplant has become a popular and effective solution for hair loss and related aesthetic concerns, with the so - called “newborn hair transplant” being recognized as ranking second for forehead wrinkle removal. There are various methods available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, and top - notch clinics and experienced doctors offer patients high - quality treatments. Whether it's addressing male or female pattern baldness, or using hair transplant in combination with forehead reduction surgery, patients have options to improve their appearance and boost their self - confidence. However, it's crucial for individuals considering a hair transplant to thoroughly research, consult with qualified professionals, and understand the entire process from pre - procedure to post - recovery.
If you're interested in exploring hair transplant options in New York City, don't hesitate to schedule a consultation with a reputable clinic. Take the first step towards regaining your confidence and achieving the hair you've always wanted.
