The hair will need to come from the actual patient. Think of it like an organ transplant from another person. The body of the patient might view a new organ as a foreign object and reject it. The body of the patient would know/realize if donor hair was not from the actual person.

Do you have to use Rogaine? No.

Do some people choose to use it? Yes.

I'd say that using Rogaine after surgery is not completely necessary as the transplanted hairs will remain in their new home on a permanent basis. There are some patients who want to keep using it on the rest of their scalp to slow the balding process and maintain their native hairs.

Nor a dumb question at all. I appreciate you asking!

The hair grafts will be removed from a dense area of hair on the scalp (usually the donor area on the back and sides of the scalp). The hair will more than likely grow back. Even if it did not grow back, the amount of extracted hair will likely not make a difference in the look of the area.

I have not had a hair transplant. I'd like to think I would have one!

By days five through seven (post-surgery), the grafts are taken and cannot be dislodged from the transplanted area. Some scabbing may still be present during this time but, by day seven, most people don’t show any sign of a procedure in their donor area.

His hair used to be much thinner. Did he have a hair transplant? Does he dye his hair or use some sort of spray? I do not know!!!

I am actually taking the first part of this answer from another question I answered earlier.

In general, redness or pinkish discoloration in the recipient and donor areas can be present throughout the first few days. There will be some scabbing that should gradually go away after the first five days.

For two to four days, mild bruising or pinkish discoloration and scabbing can be seen in the transplanted and donor areas, However, these conditions will gradually fade during the first week. Any swelling on the forehead and around the eyes will start two or three days after the surgery. Forehead swelling will peak by day four and subside after that.

You can actually return to work as early as the day after your procedure. However, if your job requires bending, stretching, or physical straining, you should take a few days off until the acute phase is over.

Yes, beat me to the answer. These areas of the body are often used if there are not enough available/viable hair grafts on the back and sides of the scalp.

As you can see, my work computer auto correct function defaults to "hair" on a regular basis. Thanks for pointing it out to me!

Hello!

Does this Instagram post work? I am definitely in my work uniform (scrubs).

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnSB9ZoJyHx/?igshid=YTgzYjQ4ZTY%3D

I don't know how it happened so quickly, but I just realized that our hour has gone by already. I will keep checking for new questions over the next few days (and answering questions) that came in during the AMA. Please leave your questions!

The hair graft donor is always the actual patient. Think of it like an organ transplant from another person. The body might view the new organ as a foreign object and reject it. The body of the patient would know/realize if donor hair was not from the actual person.

I would say that, just like anyone else in a business or medical field, everyone has a different opinion on certain topics. I'd say that taking finasteride after surgery is not completely necessary as the transplanted hairs will remain in their new home on a permanent basis. There are some patients who want to keep using it on the rest of their scalp to slow the balding process and maintain their native hairs.

Topical finasteride has been shown to be as effective as oral finasteride so, in some ways, it is up to the personal preference of the individual.

In general, redness or pinkish discoloration in the recipient and donor areas can be present throughout the first few days. There will be some scabbing that should gradually go away after the first five days.

For two to four days, mild bruising or pinkish discoloration and scabbing can be seen in the transplanted and donor areas, However, these conditions will gradually fade during the first week.

Any swelling on the forehead and around the eyes will start two or three days after the surgery. Forehead swelling will peak by day four and subside after that.

There is always research being performed on hair loss as the medical community works to find new restoration methods.

It is not necessary to use finasteride after a hair transplant but there are many people who continue to use the medication for maintenance purposes of their "native hair" (as opposed to the transplanted hair).

Hair transplants are normally very successful, and the results are permanent. One of the main risks I can share about going to another country is that the medical standards are often not as strict in other countries so there is a chance of the medical facilities not being as clean or advanced. Plus, it is not easy to visit your doctor if there is any type of medical emergency once you return to the United States.

The transplanted hair will permanently remain in the scalp. You might experience future hair loss on other areas of the scalp but not the treated area.

Once the surgery is completed, patients should not wash or touch the recipient area the first night. We provide a cap to protect the scalp. We also show our patients how to properly wash their hair during a follow-up appointment the following day. They should also sleep with their head elevated in order to avoid rubbing off or detaching any of the grafts while they sleep.

While patients should avoid touching, scratching, or rubbing the hair grafts for the first four days, the grafts will be stronger in their "new home" by the fifth day to the point they won't be able to be accidently dislodged anymore.

Thanks for the multiple questions. I will do my best to answer them!

Hair transplants are often thought of as a "male procedure," but we do get the opportunity to help many female patients achieve their desired hairline. We have treated female patients who experienced hair loss due to medical conditions or they suffered some form of accident or trauma to the scalp.

Medical insurance might cover some of the cost if the surgery is deemed to be medically necessary. The cost does not necessarily differ between men and women as the total cost is determined by the number of hair grafts that are needed, the technique used to perform the procedure, and any fees charged by the doctor or the medical facility.

I will say "yes and no". There are many people who are knowledgeable about hair restoration and just need some extra training in how to perform a procedure. We offer training for our staff, and I am happy to say they are an amazing team.

I'll answer the second question first and say, like anyone else, I try my best to have a good balance. I am lucky that I can being my dog to the office, so I get to see him all day (although he does not come into the surgery room during a procedure).

As for my education/schooling, I did my initial medical schooling and then specialty training as a surgical intern at the University of North Dakota. My surgical residency was at the University of New Mexico and York Hospital in Pennsylvania. Then, I joined the Department of Surgical Sciences of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. I also completed a fellowship in hair restoration surgery at the New Hair Institute with hair transplant surgeon Dr. William Rassman. Finally, I started my own practice!

Hello! The hair that is transplanted to the scalp will remain there on a permanent basis. The hair grafts can come from the donor area of the scalp (back and sides) or elsewhere on the body if there is not enough viable donor hair on the back and sides.

I am here for the next hour to answer your questions. I look forward to chatting with you.