Hair Transplants in San Diego

A hair transplant is an effective way to regain your head of hair and take back control of your appearance. It involves using hair follicles from a donor area on the patient’s head to address thinning hair and balding on the scalp. 

Hair loss can be a distressing experience for many men and women, impacting their self-esteem and overall appearance. At his San Diego practice, one of America’s few Triple Board-Certified Hair Transplant Plastic Surgeons Dr. Richard Chaffoo offers an advanced solution through state-of-the-art follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplant procedures. 

Reinvigorate your hair at California Hair MD. Call (800) 373-4773 or visit our contact page for more information. 

Before and After Photos

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About Hair Transplants in San Diego

Androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male or female pattern baldness, is a condition that affects a significant portion of the population. For many, losing hair is a problem for their self-esteem and an unwelcome reminder of aging, causing significant psychological distress. ⁽¹⁾ FUE hair transplantation can address this common issue. This technique is an update on the follicular unit transplantation (FUT) method, which was the mainstay of hair restoration procedures for many years. The FUT method was prone to leaving large visible scars in the donor area and is now far less commonly used. With advancements in hair transplant technology, FUE procedures provide fuller and healthier-looking hair without the linear scarring associated with FUT. ⁽²⁾

With FUE, the surgeon harvests individual follicular units (containing 1-4 hairs) from a donor area and transplants them into a thinning or balding area of the scalp. This meticulous approach is custom-designed to match the surrounding hair, making for natural-looking results. 

Benefits of Hair Transplants

There are many benefits to receiving an FUE hair transplant at California Hair MD in San Diego. These include:

Hair Transplant Candidates

If hair loss has become a significant problem in your life, you may be a candidate for a hair transplant procedure at California Hair MD. Most importantly, you need enough hair still growing healthily on your head to donate to your thinning areas. Good overall health, non-smoking status, and a commitment to following post-operative instructions are important. The best way to find out about your candidacy for FUE is to schedule an appointment to see expert hair transplant surgeon Dr. Chaffoo.

Personal Consultation

At your personal consultation, Dr. Chaffoo will assess your eligibility for treatment and answer your questions. He will examine your hair and scalp health, taking note of your thinning areas and any potential donor sites. You can tell him about the goals you have for your hair, and he can let you know what is possible based on your condition. 

We will ask for a detailed review of your medical history, and we may run some tests to determine your overall health. If we believe that a hair transplant procedure is right for you, we can schedule your treatment appointment and give you instructions to prepare. To schedule your consultation at California Hair MD, call (800) 373-4773.

Preparation

The guidelines we provide before your FUE procedure will be personalized to fit your needs. They will include instructions regarding the medications you take and other lifestyle recommendations. Following these instructions will increase the likelihood that your treatment is successful. Some general preparatory steps include:

Hair Transplant Procedure

Before your hair transplant procedure, we will numb your scalp with a local anesthetic. This measure will be enough to ensure that you feel no discomfort during your treatment.

NeoGraft

NeoGraft is a minimally invasive “no-touch” procedure that represents a significant advancement in hair transplant technology, offering patients a solution to hair loss with superior results. The process begins by carefully extracting individual hair follicles from the donor area, typically at the back of the head. This method ensures minimal scarring and a faster recovery time compared to traditional FUT hair transplant techniques. 

Once the follicles are harvested, Dr. Chafoo meticulously prepares them for transplantation to ensure their viability and success. Each graft is handled with precision to maintain its integrity and promote healthy growth. Dr. Chaffoo strategically creates recipient sites on the scalp where the hair follicles will be transplanted. The angle, depth, and density of these sites are crucial to achieving a natural-looking hairline and overall aesthetic.

ARTAS

Utilizing cutting-edge robotics and artificial intelligence, the ARTAS system aids in selecting and harvesting the most robust hair follicles for transplantation, ensuring a natural and dense hairline. Unlike traditional hair transplant methods, ARTAS is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require a strip of scalp tissue to be removed. This results in less discomfort and a quicker recovery for the patient. The ARTAS system utilizes robotic technology to harvest individual hair follicles from the donor area with precision and accuracy. Creating an appropriate recipient site, Dr. Chaffoo determines the angle, direction, and density of transplanted hair, mimicking natural growth patterns.

The ARTAS i-X-i system represents advancements over previous generations of robotic hair restoration technology, offering improved speed, precision, and ease of use for both the patient and the physician.

Recovery

Immediately after your FUE treatment, expect some swelling and possible bruising, which are typical in the initial days. To manage these effects, we recommend keeping your head elevated above your heart while resting. Avoid applying ice directly to the treated area to prevent disruption of blood flow. Where necessary, Dr. Chaffoo will prescribe medication to manage any discomfort effectively.

Once the hair follicles are in their newly transplanted location, the hair transplant process is not yet complete. They still have to settle in and embed themselves into the scalp and its blood supply. For this reason, taking downtime to rest and recover after your hair transplant procedure is crucial. It can take up to two weeks for the hair follicles to fully embed, but you can resume work much sooner than this. Make sure that you avoid applying excess pressure to your scalp during this time. You can start washing your hair with shampoo five days after your treatment. We will give you specific instructions for looking after your scalp as it heals and how you can facilitate the growth of the transplanted hair. 

Results

While individual results may vary, patients can expect to see initial hair growth within a few months after the procedure. The newly transplanted hair will continue to grow gradually, with full results becoming more apparent over time. Regular follow-up appointments with Dr. Chaffoo will monitor your progress and address any concerns you may have. These appointments are vital for tracking your hair growth and ensuring optimal outcomes.

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures 

At California Hair MD, we offer additional procedures that can work alongside your hair transplant.

Hybrid Hair Restoration

Hybrid hair restoration combines FUE transplant procedures with topical and oral treatments that can further increase hair thickness and growth. It can also include specialty shampoos, supplements, and light therapy. We approach every hybrid hair restoration treatment as an individual case, tailoring the combinations of additional treatments to the specific needs of each patient. The non-surgical treatments can include:

How Much Do Hair Transplants Cost in San Diego?

To find out how much Hair Transplants cost at California Hair MD in San Diego, call (800) 373-4773 or contact us online.

FAQ

References

1. Collins K, Avram MR. Hair Transplantation and Follicular Unit Extraction. Dermatologic Clinics. 2021;39(3):463-478. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.det.2021.04.003 
2. Sharma R, Ranjan A. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Hair Transplant: Curves Ahead. Journal of Maxillofacial & Oral Surgery. 2019;18(4):509-517. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-019-01245-6