Can Baldness Be Stopped?

There is no medical treatment or miracle cure for stopping hair loss or stimulating hair growth -except minoxidil ( Rogain ) and finasteride ( Proscar ). These products provide variable results in some patients who then must continue this type of treatment for the rest of their lives, which can be quite tedious and expensive.

Hair Transplants: Advanced Technique, Sophisticated Results

Hair transplants, a sophisticated and natural technique that precludes all rejection problems, represents a solution to hair loss. The technique consists in removing follicles (grafts) that are insensitive to baldness-causing factors, which are present in the crown, then in transplanting them into a thin area of the head where they will continue to grow as in their original site, since these follicles are not affected by the causes of baldness.

In the past these grafts were the size of a pea (8 to 20 hairs). Nowadays, we use follicular units consisting of small bunches of 1 to 4 hairs having the characteristic of originating from the same hair opening, hence of being very small. Please note that the number of units of 1, 2, 3 or 4 hairs varies according to the person. Using follicular units of 1 or 2 hairs allows us to obtain a subdued effect, which imparts to the hairline a natural look from the first session. Our experience has shown that we can transplant up to 1,500 follicular units, i.e. between 4,000 and 5,000 hairs, per session in order to obtain a maximum success rate. At least two sessions are usually required to reconstruct a hairline.

Using follicular units and bunches wisely

To start with, the surgeon removes from the crown a small strip of scalp that will be divided into follicular units of 1 to 4 hairs with a microscope. Depending on the density desired and the transplant site, the surgeon will redistribute these follicular units individually or sometimes in bunches of 2 units when more thickness is desired. That’s when the surgeon’s aesthetic eye and artistic talent come into play.

What's the Procedure Like?

The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia and lasts between 4 and 6 hours depending on the number of grafts. Pain is minimal and of short duration - approximately 5 to 10 minutes, i.e. the time required for performing local anaesthesia - which pleasantly surprises patients. The transplanted hair resumes its natural growth 8 to 20 weeks after the procedure and does not require any particular care . It can therefore be permed , coloured and combed without fear of seeing it fall off.

A small strip of scalp is removed from the back of the head. Using microscopes, experienced technicians then isolate follicular units from this small strip. These units will afterwards be meticulously inserted, using magnifying glasses and jewellers’ tweezers, into the minuscule holes the size of a pinhead that the surgeon has created while taking into consideration the angle and direction of the existing hair. The surgeon’s dexterity and refined touch will ensure that the grafts are inserted in an almost imperceptible manner among the existing hair.

Is This the Solution for Me?

A medical checkup will confirm the origin of your baldness, the availability of grafts at the donor site and whether your health condition can undergo this procedure. Also feel free to discuss with us planning, the shape and desirable location of the grafts to be implanted.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hair Transplants

Can a wide area be covered?
Quality grafts from the donor site constitute our basic material. If their quantity is limited, they will be transplanted in more strategic sites according to planning that is adapted and customized to each individual case.

Do we need to plan for an extended leave from work?
This depends on the type of work you do. You can appear in public after surgery because it is no longer necessary to wear bandages. The use of cold packs in a semi sitting position for the night will help prevent swelling and ecchymoses (bruises). It is recommended to wait one week before straining or doing strenuous physical activities. However, you can wash your hair on the very next day. Sutures will be removed after 7 to 10 days. Convalescence is usually quite comfortable. Any pain or itching can be relieved with medication. You also need to wait at least one month between hair transplant sessions.

When will I be able to see the result of a graft?
When preparing the follicular unit, the hairs are cut down to 2- 3 millimetres. When they are transplanted, these can be expelled after 2-3 weeks—the follicle (root) remaining in the skin—or stay fixed while being in a state of rest. The hairs will start to grow back after 8 to 20 weeks at the rate of about 1 centimetre per month. They don’t require any particular care. You can perm, colour and comb them with no fear of seeing them fall off.

How many sessions are required?
Each case is individual. The texture, colour and density of the hair hoped for are three unavoidable variables. If you start replacing hair as soon as there is noticeable loss, one session will likely be sufficient. On average, for advanced baldness, you need to plan between 2 and 4 sessions. The transplanted hair will behave very much like in their original site. Which means that they are not more likely to fall off than before.

What is the viability of grafts?
For the first 2 days, pullin on a hair always resulted in a lost of graft. By the 6th day, pulling on a hair no longer dislodged the graft. Pullin on an adherent scab always resulted in a lost graft through day five. At 9 days postoperatively, grafts were no longer at risk of being dislodged.

Is this technique for men only?
Absolutely not. Twenty percent of women suffer from baldness , which can be corrected in the same manner.

Are there other solutions?
Though there is no cure, there are drugs that can slow down or even stop hairloss. Regrowth is sometimes observed. When you consult your medical specialist, you will receive all the relevant information.

For More Information on Hair Transplants

Dr. Élise Bernier and her team will be pleased to answer any questions you might have. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

You can also visit the website of The Canadian Research Foundation.