A hair transplant is highly customized to the patient to create a desired and natural-looking result. When choosing a hair transplant, the estimated cost is usually determined by the number of follicular units needed to correct hair thinning, or the size of the treatment area itself. This influences many aspects of surgery that in turn reflect in the price like the type of transplant and the necessary technology. With the help of advanced devices and effective hair restoration methods, hair transplants are more worth it than ever before.
Before and After Photos
As one of the most revered and respected hair restoration specialists in the United States, Dr. Richard Chaffoo is America’s First Triple Board-Certified Hair Transplant Plastic Surgeon and is based in San Diego, CA. Along with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Susan Stuart, he and his staff at California Hair MD focus on technologically advanced hair restoration procedures and treatments. He utilizes his over 30 years of career experience to create personalized and comprehensive health plans for each patient to help them achieve a fuller, more luxurious head of hair.
Call (800) 373-4773 to get in touch with our San Diego or La Jolla office or fill out this online contact form to arrange your hair transplant consultation with Dr. Chaffoo.
Contents
- 1 Before and After Photos
- 2 About Hair Thinning
- 3 What Does a Hair Transplant Entail?
- 4 Benefits of a Hair Transplant
- 5 Ideal Hair Transplant Candidates
- 6 Personal Consultation at California Hair MD
- 7 Hair Transplant Procedure
- 8 FUE Recovery
- 9 Hair Transplant Results
- 10 Cost of Hair Transplants in San Diego
- 11 Schedule an Appointment
- 12 FAQ
- 12.1 How soon will I see the results of my hair transplant?
- 12.2 What are the benefits of NeoGraft hair transplants vs. manual FUE procedures?
- 12.3 Are the results of ARTAS robotic hair restoration natural-looking?
- 12.4 Is hair restoration suitable for both men and women?
- 12.5 How long does a hair restoration procedure take?
- 13 References
About Hair Thinning
Androgenetic alopecia, also known as pattern baldness, is a common condition characterized by the progressive thinning of hair on the scalp, resulting in a receding hairline and eventual baldness. It is influenced by hormones and usually develops gradually over time. This condition is a result of a combination of genetic predisposition and the body’s response to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes hair follicles to shrink and produce thinner hair strands. By addressing hair loss from androgenetic alopecia, individuals can regain their confidence and feel better about their appearance.
What Does a Hair Transplant Entail?
Human hair grows in small groups called follicular units (FUs). To perform hair transplantation, Dr. Chaffoo removes healthy FUs from a donor area, typically on the back and sides of the head, and carefully places them in thinning or balding areas. (1)
There are two main types of hair transplantation procedures:
- FUT: Short for Follicular Unit Transplantation, this method requires removing a strip of hair-bearing skin from the scalp to harvest the follicular unit for transplant.
- FUE: Also known as Follicular Unit Extraction, this more modern technique utilizes small punch-like incisions to remove singular follicular units for transplant.
After successful implantation, the transplanted hair grows permanently, no longer affected by pattern balding. Dr. Chaffoo performs FUE manually or with semi-automated devices.
Why Choose FUE?
FUE hair transplants are less invasive than FUT procedures because they do not require a long incision. (2) The tiny punches heal quickly and do not need sutures, making the surgery itself more comfortable. Dr. Chaffoo can extract large amounts of FUs with this technique, and it is even easier and faster with the help of devices like NeoGraft and ARTAS. The choice of method greatly determines the price point of the procedure. He explains this process and the estimated procedure cost during your initial consultation.
Benefits of a Hair Transplant
Our hair is typically a big part of our identity and greatly influences our outward appearance. Safe and effective hair transplants offer comprehensive results to boost your confidence.
Dr. Chaffoo performs precise procedures that are long-lasting and life-changing. Hair restoration provides:
- A Fuller Hairline
- Natural-Looking Results
- Minimally Invasive
- Low Maintenance
- Imperceptible Scarring
- Fast Recovery
- Permanent Restoration
- Increased Confidence
Ideal Hair Transplant Candidates
To qualify for hair restoration, your hair must be thinning due to pattern baldness or other forms of hair loss. You should be in good overall health with no underlying medical conditions that negatively affect healing. You may have moderate thinning around your hairline or crown with a larger quantity of healthy hair along the sides and back of the head. You must have enough hair for donation, meaning you might not qualify if your thinning is too advanced. It is important to also have reasonable expectations for the procedure. Please remember that some patients may require multiple procedures to achieve their desired results. Your treatment plan may also include non-surgical or hybrid approaches to increase natural hair growth and health.
Personal Consultation at California Hair MD
You will meet with Dr. Chaffoo for a private consultation to discuss your eligibility for hair transplantation. He will inquire about your medical history and when your hair thinning started. It is important to be candid during this meeting to ensure your treatment plan properly addresses your cosmetic concerns. He will then examine the treatment area to assess the extent of thinning and properly determine how many follicular units are needed to correct it.
After determining your health and hair loss, Dr. Chaffoo will create and explain your comprehensive procedure plan. He will take great care to inform you about every necessary step and go over the entire FUE process. At the end of this meeting, a member of his staff will assist you with scheduling your surgery and follow-up appointments to make sure you are on track.
Hair Transplant Procedure
Dr. Chaffoo numbs the treatment area with local medications to keep you comfortable throughout. He may offer IV sedation or another layer of comfort if you wish, but patients are generally awake during hair transplant procedures.
NeoGraft
NeoGraft utilizes a semi-automated extraction tool that enhances the efficiency and accuracy of the procedure. This tool employs pneumatic pressure to gently remove and collect donor hair follicles, reducing trauma to the tissue.
ARTAS
With ARTAS robotic hair restoration, patients can experience a minimally invasive hair transplant procedure that avoids the drawbacks often associated with traditional hair transplantation techniques. It combines the precision of artificial intelligence with the expertise of a skilled plastic surgeon to deliver unparalleled results for patients seeking natural-looking hair restoration.
A hair restoration procedure may take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours, determined by the amount of follicles needed to correct thinning.
FUE Recovery
Expect to take 2 or 3 days off of work after your hair transplant. The recipient area of your scalp may feel itchy, tender, or irritated for the first week, but this subsides quickly as the follicles heal. Please avoid scratching or touching your scalp throughout recovery as the FUs are fragile and the area must stay clean and stable to heal properly. After the first few weeks, the transplanted hair falls out. Do not panic, this is completely normal and expected. The new hair follicles start their growth cycle over, prompting a fuller and more abundant head of hair. As your new hair grows, any discomfort lessens and you start to feel back to normal around the end of the second week.
Hair Transplant Results
The results of FUE hair transplants are considered permanent. The newly placed hair follicles continue to grow normally in their new positions. They are not affected by androgenetic alopecia since they come from an area of the head that does not experience these symptoms. Once the follicles heal and start to grow, the resulting hairline is permanent and stays healthy for the rest of your life. Your hair is more abundant and thicker, allowing a great boost in self-esteem and body confidence.
Cost of Hair Transplants in San Diego
When treating a small amount of thinning on the crown or within the hairline, Dr. Chaffoo may need around 1000 to 1500 grafts. A medium area might require close to 2000, and a large upwards of 3000. Therefore, each patient’s total hair transplant cost will differ. If you are curious about pricing, please read more at your leisure on our website.
Schedule an Appointment
At California Hair MD, Dr. Chaffoo meets with each and every patient individually for a private consultation. If you have been struggling with hair loss and related low self-esteem, please do not hesitate to contact us directly to schedule yours today. Call our San Diego or La Jolla locations at (800) 373-4773, or fill out our contact form and we will get back to you soon.
Read our blog to learn even more about hair restoration and what it can do for you!
FAQ
How soon will I see the results of my hair transplant?
After shedding the initially transplanted hair, your results permanently grow by month 6.
What are the benefits of NeoGraft hair transplants vs. manual FUE procedures?
NeoGraft is FUE transplantation, but the device significantly speeds up the procedure process and allows for more extensive donation. It also allows the surgeon to perform longer surgeries with less physical demand compared to traditional methods.
Are the results of ARTAS robotic hair restoration natural-looking?
Absolutely. The advanced technology used in ARTAS robotic hair restoration ensures exceptional precision and mimics the natural growth pattern of your existing hair. This results in naturally appearing, seamless outcomes.
Is hair restoration suitable for both men and women?
Both men and women can benefit from hair transplants. NeoGraft and ARTAS are both minimally invasive and fit for patients who want to restore their thinning hairline.
How long does a hair restoration procedure take?
The duration of the procedure depends on the extent of the hair restoration required. Generally, a hair restoration procedure takes several hours to complete, ensuring meticulous attention to detail and optimal results.
References
- Rattapon Thuangtong, Jackrit Suthakorn. Design, proof-of-concept of single robotic hair transplant mechanisms for both harvest and implant of hair grafts. Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal. 2024;24:31-45. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csbj.2023.11.051
- Kayiran O, Cihandide E. Evolution of hair transplantation. Plastic and Aesthetic Research. 2018;5. doi:https://doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2017.86