Trichotillomania is a psychological condition characterized by an urge to pull out one’s own hair. (1) This can lead to noticeable bald patches on the scalp and other areas. It is often linked to other emotions such as distress, boredom, or anger. When treating trichotillomania patients, it is critical to consider both therapeutic approaches, in addition to cosmetic treatments for hair restoration. We offer hair restoration treatments that can help these patients see improvements in hair regrowth, but they are most effective when patients can find strategies that reduce hair-pulling urges.
Dr. Richard Chaffoo is the founder and surgical director of California Hair MD. He is America’s First Triple Board Hair Transplant Certified Plastic Surgeon, with his practice being designated as the only “Center of Excellence” on the West Coast in robotic hair restoration. He is actively involved with cutting-edge research to develop new treatments for hair loss. As an established leader in his industry, he is invited to teach and train other plastic surgeons about hair restoration surgery at the annual Aesthetic Society meeting. He has also been invited as an international guest speaker at numerous meetings on plastic and hair restoration surgery, lecturing in cities such as Madrid, Athens, Oslo, Paris, São Paulo, and Rome.
Dr. Susan Stuart is a board-certified dermatologist and the cofounder of California Hair MD. She is one of the few board-certified plastic dermatologists in the country who is also a super-specialist in hair restoration. She is nationally recognized and is the go-to dermatologist for several publications, including Cosmopolitan and the Huffington Post. Dr. Stuart also works with the medical device industry to develop and refine new and exciting technologies, even going as far as beta testing new robotic hair restoration systems.
Together, Dr. Chaffoo and Dr. Stuart lead the only hair restoration practice in the USA under the co-direction of both a triple board-certified plastic surgeon and a board-certified dermatologist.
To learn more about our specialized hair restoration procedures, we invite you to schedule a personal consultation online. If you have any questions or would prefer scheduling a consultation over the phone, we invite you to call any of our Southern California locations at (858) 500-1116.
Contents
About Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania (TTM) is a hair-pulling disorder that can cause one to pull hair from specific areas of the body repeatedly. Hair can be pulled from any part of the body and might appear to others as normal hair loss, but it is self-inflicted. This condition is considered a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which encompasses a wide range of disorders and conditions that revolve around repetitive thoughts and actions. (1) It largely affects women and often develops in early adolescence, although TTM can occur at any age. (2)
About Hair Restoration
Hair restoration consists of various treatments that aim to restore and stimulate hair growth in the areas that need it. At California Hair MD, we offer a wide variety of both surgical and non-surgical treatments and technologies that can be used to restore new growth in patients treating their trichotillomania.
Benefits
Undergoing specialized hair restoration to treat trichotillomania can lead to several positive outcomes and offer numerous benefits, including:
- Improved Appearance: Restoring hair can enhance overall appearance, allowing patients to feel more like themselves.
- Enhanced Self-Esteem: Improving the appearance, growth, and density of hair can restore self-esteem and confidence.
- Minimally-Invasive Treatment Options: We offer several technologies and treatments that can provide significant results without an extensive recovery time.
- Customizable Procedure Plans: Each hair restoration treatment is tailored to each patient’s circumstances.
How is Trichotillomania Treated?
Trichotillomania is primarily treated through different types of therapy before the hair restoration procedure can begin. There are several different types of behavioral therapy patients can undergo, including cognitive therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. (2)
Patients are asked to commit to therapy for a certain period before undergoing hair restoration, as any hair-pulling behaviors after restoration can alter results, lead to complications, and even render the scalp untreatable. It is best to find a therapist who specializes in treating trichotillomania.
Hair Restoration Treatments
After successfully overcoming trichotillomania, patients are welcome to consider hair restoration to restore growth and confidence. At California Hair MD, we offer several hair restoration treatments to help each patient restore new growth to areas that may have suffered from repetitive hair-pulling. While we offer a wide range of surgical and non-surgical treatments, some of our most popular include FUE, NeoGraft, ARTAS i-X-i, and hair restoration using PRP.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is an advanced hair restoration technique that extracts individual hair follicles from one area of the scalp and transfers them to another area to restore new growth. This treatment utilizes a circular punch tool to harvest healthy hair grafts, avoiding a linear scar. Once the grafts are collected, Dr. Chaffoo will meticulously place the grafts into the incisions to match the natural growth patterns of the pre-existing hair. Dr. Chaffoo can replant the follicles in various areas, including the face or brows, restoring permanent growth that can be styled in any way.
NeoGraft Hair Restoration
NeoGraft® is a medical device that automates FUE hair transplantation. It is the first FDA-approved follicular unit harvesting and implantation system, which eliminates human error and allows Dr. Chaffoo to switch between extraction and implantation quickly. NeoGraft® is known for being less invasive than other hair restoration methods and uses air-pressure suction to help extract the follicles.
ARTAS® i-X-i
The ARTAS® i-X-i is a cutting-edge robotic hair transplant system that can perform FUE. This technology is the only robotic surgical device that is specifically designed for hair restoration. The ARTAS® i-X-i uses artificial intelligence and several stereoscopic cameras to determine which hair follicles are the most viable for transplantation. This technology additionally offers more precise and consistent results, as well as a quicker transplantation process overall.
Hair Restoration with PRP
One of our most popular non-surgical hair restoration treatments utilizes the regenerative powers of blood to restore natural hair growth. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a concentrated solution of the plasma found in a patient’s blood that can help rejuvenate the skin and hair. PRP contains more than 20 types of growth factors that interact cellularly to stimulate wound healing and tissue regeneration. Our practice is the only one in the region offering dual spin PRP, which has 7-8 times the growth factors of older PRP methods used in San Diego. When administered to the scalp, these growth factors can activate the pathways that signal and influence hair growth.
When performing this treatment, Dr. Chaffoo will collect a sample of blood. The sample is processed through a centrifuge to separate the PRP from the other contents found in the blood. The plasma serum is then injected into areas of the scalp experiencing hair loss. This treatment may be performed as a standalone solution or added to another hair restoration treatment to enhance and complement its effects.
Cost of Specialized Hair Restoration for Trichotillomania in Southern California
The cost of each specialized hair restoration treatment can depend on the type of procedure performed, the number of treatment sessions performed, the extent of correction, as well as a handful of other factors. Dr. Chaffoo will discuss the pricing of each patient’s hair restoration treatment with them once he has evaluated the condition of their scalp and developed their personalized treatment plan.
To learn more about the cost of your personalized hair restoration procedure, we invite you to schedule a personal consultation online. If you have any questions or would prefer scheduling a consultation over the phone, we invite you to call any of our Southern California locations at (858) 500-1116.
FAQ
What is trichotillomania?
Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder characterized by recurrent hair pulling, which leads to noticeable hair loss.
Can trichotillomania be cured?
While the condition can be managed effectively through various means, complete cessation of hair-pulling will vary between patients. While some patients may see the condition go away over time, others may require professional guidance and therapeutic techniques to overcome self-induced hair-pulling.
How successful is hair restoration for people with trichotillomania?
Success rates for hair restoration tend to be high for those who adhere to their preparation and recovery instructions, as well as their accompanying psychological strategies for reducing their hair-pulling.
Is hair restoration painful to undergo?
Most hair restoration methods involve minimal discomfort due to the use of local anesthesia. Patients may experience minor discomfort during the recovery period.
Will I need more than one hair restoration session?
The number of treatment sessions required will depend on the condition of your scalp and the desired results. Dr. Chaffoo will discuss the details of your treatment plan with you during your consultation, once your scalp has been evaluated. If you continue to pull your hair after hair restoration, you may require future sessions, though you must work to control these habits if you suffer from TTM.
What type of anesthesia is used during hair restoration?
Local anesthesia is commonly employed to ensure patient comfort throughout the procedure.
References
- Pereyra AD, Saadabadi A. Trichotillomania. PubMed. Published June 26, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493186/
- Snorrason I, Berlin G, Lee HJ. Optimizing psychological interventions for trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder): an update on current empirical status. Psychology Research and Behavior Management. 2015;8:105. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s53977