Fill
in balding areas with a patient's own
hair using a variety of techniques including
scalp reduction, tissue expansion, strip
grafts, scalp flaps, or clusters of punch
grafts (plugs, miniplugs and microplugs).
Works best on men with male pattern baldness
after hair loss has stopped.
Length:
1
to 3 hours. Some techniques may require
multiple procedures over 18 months or
more.
Anesthesia:
Usually
local with sedation. Flaps and tissue
expansion may be done with general anesthesia.
In/Outpatient:
Usually
outpatient.
Side
Effects:
Temporary
achy, tight scalp. Unnatural look in early
stages.
Risks:
Unnatural
look. Infection. Excessive scarring. Failure
to "take." Loss of scalp tissue
and/or transplanted hair.
Recovery:
Back
to work: usually 2 to 5 days. More strenuous
activities: 10 days to 3 weeks. Final
look: may be 18 months or more, depending
on procedure.
