Do I Have to Shave My Head Before a Hair Transplant?
Q:
Hi Dr. Mohebi,
I am planning to undergo an FUE hair transplant to add greater density to my hair in the front and along the hairline. Do you always shave the patient’s hair before a hair transplant? Is there a way it can be performed with long hair?
A:
Thanks for the question.
It is usually not mandatory to shave a patient’s head before an FUE procedure. Both types of hair transplant (FUE or FUT/strip) can be performed with minimal or no shaving.
- In the strip method, shaving can be limited to the area of the strip that will be removed so the patient will have long hair on both sides of the wound so it will be covered. With the FUE method, the donor shaving can be done in layers which means the longer neighboring hair can cover easily cover the shaved area. Layer shaving in FUE transplant can only eliminate the appearance of a shaved head if you leave your hair longer on the back and sides. We recommend complete shaving whenever possible since it allows us to expand the donor area to the entire permanent zone. That increases the evenness of the hair on the donor area and avoids the minimal contrast between the extracted and neighboring areas with higher density.
Shaving the donor area in layers allows us to harvest up to 2000 grafts in one day. However, it might not be possible to harvest more than that amount. For larger sessions, we need to have access to the entire donor area so shaving in layers might not be possible.
- We offer Celebrity Hair Transplant (non-shaven FUE) so the patient doesn’t need to have any shaved areas on the donor or recipient area. This procedure is more labor intense so fewer grafts could be transplanted in each session and it is more expensive for the same reason.Celebrity Hair Transplant is popular among celebrities who do not want any evidence of a hair transplant (even in the first few days after the procedure). This hair restoration technique allows the surgical team to either excise the grafts with long hair or cut only the hair that needs to be harvested so there is no visible shaved area on the back of the head.
Do I need to shave my head for a hair transplant?
Non-Shaven FUE – FAQ With Dr. Mohebi.
Do you have a question for Dr. Mohebi? If so, Contact Us today!
Can a Baseball Cap Help Female Hair Loss?
Even though hair loss is mostly thought of as a condition that mainly happens to men, there are a number of women who also suffer from hair loss. Many women are embarrassed to discuss their hair loss in public so they don’t seek professional help. However, there is now a hair loss treatment that women can use by simply wearing a baseball cap.
The LaserCap LCPRO is a baseball cap that is operated by batteries and includes a special disc inside the dome of the cap. Once the switch is turned on to activate the LaserCap, 200 pulsed lights go to work on stimulating scalp hair growth. The pulsed light is a low level laser light that stimulates what is known as the “energy factory” of the cell as it passes through the scalp. In turn, this stimulating action brings about an atmosphere that is rich in oxygen and energy to help stimulate the hair follicles.
One of the most convenient aspects of the LaserCap LCPRO treatment process is that it doesn’t require a number of trips to the doctor’s office. The patient can take the LaserCap LCPRO home and use it for treatment multiple times during the week. The number of times the cap needs to be used in the comfort of the patient’s own home is determined by the doctor as the needs of each patient are different. However, wearing the cap is normally recommended at least three times per week in 15-minutes intervals.
While the LaserCap LCPRO has been on the market for more than five years, it has only recently received approval from the FDA as a product that can be used to stimulate hair growth. While it’s too soon to tell the long term effectiveness of the LaserCap LCPRO or other laser caps currently on the market. However, it does offer female patients another way to combat hair loss beyond Minoxidil, also known as Rogaine, which is currently the only medication approved by the FDA to combat female pattern baldness.
Parsa Mohebi Hair Restoration currently offers a special Laser Cap with 224 individual 650nm 5MW lasers. This Laser Cap is used to treat thinning hair in many patients without other medical or surgical options. Please contact our office if you would like more information.
A Look at The Psychology Of Hair Loss And Hair Transplants
One of the things men and women learn while growing up is a full head of hair is a symbol of power and strength. The loss of that symbol of youth can have a devastating psychological impact on the identity and self-worth of a person. Hair loss has and its consequences have been studied extensively and some of the reported psychological effects on male patients include:
- Detrimental impact on their sex life
- Affected career choices in men
- Inability to stay competitive in the work place
- Increased anxiety levels among younger men
- A higher rate of depression in men with male patterned baldness (1)
While there have been published reports on the psychological impact of hair loss in both men and women, the corrective effect of hair restoration has not been studied until the last few years. We have conducted a study to evaluate this. Our motivation for this study came from our observations of the changes in patient’s behavior as well as their overall satisfaction after their hair transplant.
A Unique Study on the Psychological Effects of Hair Loss
In 2008, Drs. Parsa Mohebi and William Rassman conducted a study (2) to quantify the psycho-social impact of hair loss in men with typical male-patterned baldness. The study criteria were based on a combination of prior studies as well as clinical observations that could be modified by a hair restoration procedure.
A group of patients were picked who have had a hair transplant in the past and they were surveyed the changes they experienced through a questionnaire. The questionnaires featured queries about these eight criteria:
- Level of happiness
- Energy level
- Youthful feeling
- Feelings of anxiety
- Self-Confidence
- Feelings about the future
- Impact of the procedure on their career
- Impact of the procedure on their sex life.
The patients chosen for the study (200 men with male patterned baldness) had their first hair transplant between 1-3 years prior to the study. Their participation was voluntary and their responses were permitted to be anonymous.
The Results of the Study
We discovered the patients had significant improvements in each of the criteria regardless of their age or their stage of baldness. In fact, most patients showed a greater sense of well-being in their youthfulness, career, energy level, sex life and overall happiness. They also felt improvement in their anxiety levels, self-confidence and outlook on their future. These studies confirm the significance of hair to people’s self-esteem
Hair Transplant = A Better Self Image
Natural looking results from today’s advanced hair transplant procedures can help prevent, and in some cases even reverse, many psychological problems associated with hair loss. The more a person suffers from the effects of hair loss, the greater the positive effect of a transplant on their psychological well-being.
According to the study, patients with an active social life who experienced hair loss at an early age were more likely to suffer from anxiety and other negative effects. Therefore we can easily assume that hair loss can lead to a negative impact of the future outlook and positive attitude of a person. These negative feelings seem to reverse after a hair restoration procedure.
Although the response rate was not 100%, the results support the observations of hair restoration physicians and anecdotal evidence from patients.
Final Thoughts on the Psychology of Hair Restoration
Those experiencing hair loss, but not feeling any negative effects from the loss, are less likely to have a hair transplant procedure. However, most men and women suffering from hair loss find hair restoration to make a significant improvement in many aspects of their lives. Whether they’re looking to improve their chances in the job market, seeking a more youthful appearance or simply searching for some greater measure of self-worth, hair restoration is an option that helps broaden both personal and professional horizons.
Since you’re looking at our website, you might already be inclined to have a procedure. We would be happy to meet with you for a professional consultation appointment.
(1) Alfonso, Mariola., et al. The psychosocial impact of hair loss among men: A multinational European study. Curr. Med. Res. Opin. 2005; 21:1829-36.
(2) Mohebi, Parsa and Rassman, William R., Psychology of Hair Transplants, Hair Transplant Forum International, March/April 2008 (Vol. 18, Number 2, Pages 41 and 47), Los Angeles, California.
Join Us for Our 2nd Open House Event
Parsa Mohebi Hair Restoration is hosting its second ever open house for prospective and current patients. Based on the success of the first open house, the staff at Parsa Mohebi Hair Restoration thought that another round of meet and greets would be an excellent opportunity for more patients to get to know the Doctor and his staff.
The open house will feature refreshments, socializing, and informative interactions with the medical professionals and the experienced staff of the practice, led by Dr. Parsa Mohebi himself. There will be an opportunity to meet with patient models, who have had their hair transplant procedure performed by Dr. Mohebi.
Gifts certificates will be presented to guests who attend the open house event. The certificates will be valid for a limited time only, but can be used towards any prospective patient’s future procedure. Dr. Mohebi will have private meetings during the open house, but due to limited time and high volume of participants, he will not be doing full consultations. These preliminary meetings will be to determine if the guest is a candidate for a hair transplant. After that initial meeting, visitors who are deemed candidates are, and will be, encouraged to book a full consultations and evaluations so that Dr. Mohebi can map out each patient’s specific transplant options.
This is an exceptional opportunity for all those who participate. Parsa Mohebi Hair Restoration would love to see you there. The entire team would like to forge a long lasting relationship with patients in a collective effort to help make you look and feel better about your hairline every day.
Come join us! It will be a great time!
RSVP by July 6, 2015 through info@parsamohebi.com.
When: July 18, 2015 from 11am to 2pm
Where: 16661 Ventura Blvd. #313 Encino, CA 91436
*All gift certificates presented during our open house event are valid for a limited time only.
Q&A: Donor Hair Requirements
Q:
Hi, Doctor!
I had a few questions to ask about hair restoration… First of all: When you’re doing a hair transplant, are there requirements for the hair length on the donor site(s)? Does it need to be cut short? And can hair be left long where the grafts are being implanted? And secondly: Does having curly hair complicate the procedure? Is there a risk of ingrown hairs or any other issues?
A:
These are a couple very good questions! For your first one: There are no length requirements for the donor site or the implantation site. We shave a very tiny part of the donor site in order to harvest the grafts. This means that length isn’t really an issue! As for the implantation site, some doctors might recommend shaving, but it’s never required. As for the second question: Though curly hair is a bit tougher, it really depends on the method. With FUE, yes–it is definitely harder, and most surgeons will likely recommend a different technique. With FUT (the strip method) it is perfectly fine!
Dr. Parsa Mohebi is a nationally ranked hair transplant surgeon located in Los Angeles, CA, and he is available to answer your questions. Are you concerned about hair loss? Would you like to know more about the hair transplant process? Submit your question to info@parsamohebi.com and follow us on Twitter and Tumblr!
Q&A: Does Hair Continue to Thin After Hair Transplant?
Q:
Hi, Doctor!
One thing I’ve always wondered is this: If someone has thinning hair (around the temples, for example), and has a hair transplant done, essentially getting back the hairline they lost, I’d imagine it would look great and natural at first. But, would the hair loss continue from the previous point? Like, you’d have great hair for an inch and then suddenly thinning parts? If this is the case, then how do doctors and patients prepare for this inevitability? I don’t want to get a transplant if it just means that I’m going to be losing my hair or having my hair stopping and starting strangely after the transplant point!
A:
This is a very good question! The short answer is: yes, hair will continue to thin past the transplantation point.
Long answer: As this is something normal and natural, your hair transplant surgeon will do a microscopic evaluation before proceeding with the transplant. If there are signs that thinning will occur, the doctor will create what is called a “master plan” to proportionately transplant donor hair throughout the scalp. This may take multiple procedures to perform over varying lengths of time, but any good hair transplant doctor will be prepared for this possibility and will be able to help prevent it. Make sure to go to a good surgeon when you are ready for your transplant–any doctor worth his or her salt will know to prepare for future hair loss, and will be able to work with you to prevent it.
Dr. Parsa Mohebi is a nationally ranked hair transplant surgeon located in Los Angeles, CA, and he is available to answer your questions. Are you concerned about hair loss? Would you like to know more about the hair transplant process? Submit your question to info@parsamohebi.com and follow us on Twitter and Tumblr!
Q&A: Hair Loss After Face Lift
Q: Hi, Doctor! I had a face lift a little while ago (I’m a post-menopausal woman) and I was just a little concerned about how the surgery may have affected me in ways I wasn’t prepared for. The hair around my post-surgical scar and temples has yet to grow back. I take HRT, and am generally in very good health. Though I’ve tried many topical treatments, nothing has worked! The hair at the back of my head is still in perfectly fine condition. What could I do to fix this?
A: Great question! It is not uncommon for patients to experience hair loss following a face lift or forehead lift. Generally, the loss occurs near the scar, on the temples, as you’ve described experiencing. One of the best options for this sort of problem is a hair transplant. If you are a good candidate, with good donor hair quality, a hair transplant can minimize scar visibility and restore thinned or receding temples and corners.
Dr. Parsa Mohebi is a nationally ranked hair transplant surgeon located in Los Angeles, CA, and he is available to answer your questions. Are you concerned about hair loss? Would you like to know more about the hair transplant process? Submit your question to info@parsamohebi.com and follow us on Twitter @DrMohebi!
Q & A: Hair Transplants for Younger Patients
Q:
Hey Doc.
Can I get your official thoughts on younger guys (Ages 19-26, but particularly guys in the 20s age range) getting hair transplants? That’s a question that comes up quite a bit and the general consensus seems to be to not get a hair transplant that young—that they should wait until they are at least in their late 20s or early 30s and their hairline has matured and the hair loss has stabilized. They also seem to recommend starting the prescription medication for hair loss at that age to hopefully help halt the hair loss. Is this something you agree with? What is your stance on a 20-year-old getting a hair transplant? Or does it really depend on many other variables?
A:
It was the standard of care among hair transplant surgeons to wait until age 24 for a hair transplant. Before that, doctors could not be sure where their patients’ final stages of hair loss would end up. Today, we don’t follow such a restrictive guideline for a couple reasons:
1. We have better diagnostic tools today. We do microscopic evaluation (miniaturization study) that can tell us where people will be heading in the future and what their final stage of hair loss will be. As a result, we don’t have to wait until they look completely bald in order to know what their final hair loss stage will be.
2. We have better hair loss medications that can slow a patient’s receding hairline, even at an advanced age. The age limitation for hair restoration that we had 20 years ago no longer applies today.
We have performed studies on the psychology of hair loss and hair transplant, and, as a result, we know the worst age for being hit by the negative psychosocial effects of hair loss is in the early 20s. It doesn’t make much sense to wait until the person become obviously bald to treat his or her condition.
It is important for the surgeon to consider different aspects before committing to giving a hair transplant to a young patient. It is also crucial that, if there is any doubt about the future class of hair loss, the doctor should assume that the patient is going toward class VII and plan accordingly. This will prevent giving a very low hairline to someone who will be a class VII at some point during his life.