Preparing for Your Procedure: How Does a Hair Transplant Work?

Man Looking In Mirror At HairlineAny surgical procedure can be unnerving, and a hair transplant is no different. Many patients worry about the pain and stress of the procedure, but you should feel comfortable knowing that NeoGraft hair transplants are noninvasive and less painful than other transplant options.

Though you should always address any concerns about a medical procedure with your doctor, this article will give you a better idea of what to expect with a step-by-step overview the hair transplant procedure.

What Is a NeoGraft Hair Transplant?

A NeoGraft hair transplant is a noninvasive method of follicular unit extraction (FUE). There is no scalpel, no cutting and no removal of the scalp. Healthy hair follicles are taken from areas of the scalp with more hair growth and moved to areas where more hair is needed through a process that is faster and less invasive than traditional hair transplant methods. The speed preserves the quality of the graft and allows for a more natural looking hairline.

It’s probably easiest to understand the process as two halves. The first half is the Follicular Unit Extraction, where hair follicles are gently removed from the scalp or “donor area.” The second half is the Follicular Unit Transplant, during which the follicles are carefully placed in the desired location to provide the most natural regrowth pattern.

The entire process should take roughly five hours, though this may vary based on the amount of hair being transplanted.

Step-By-Step

One of the best ways to reduce anxiety about the NeoGraft hair transplant process is to understand each step.

Step 1. Vital Signs

Your vital signs, such as body temperature and blood pressure, will be checked to ensure that you are healthy enough to move forward with the procedure.

Step 2. Scalp Preparation

In preparation for the hair transplant, a member of your doctor’s team will shave a portion of your head. This is called the “donor area,” and it is located on the back of your head toward the bottom of the hairline. This area must be shaved so the NeoGraft machine has clear access to follicles. Next, your scalp will be numbed with a local anesthetic, and the site will be quickly disinfected.

Step 3. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

Once your scalp is fully prepared, you will lay face down and a certified NeoGraft technician will carefully and gently extract naturally occurring groups of one to four follicles using the NeoGraft machine. The technician will target one follicular unit at a time, choosing the healthiest looking follicles for the best possible chance of regrowth.

The machine uses a rotating punch to incise follicular units and a suction device to remove them and transport them to a tray to await transplant. This tray can hold up to 50 units at a time, and the machine can remove up to 600 units per hour. Though the term “punch” sounds harsh, the extraction is actually a gentle process that causes less pain than a series of light pin pricks.

The FUE typically takes about two hours. Though you can opt for sedation, many patients choose to stay fully awake, watching a movie or chatting with attendants during the procedure.

Step 4. Break Time

There is no need to immediately begin the transplant process after extraction. This is an excellent time to visit the restroom, stretch your legs or simply take a quick breather.

5. Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT)

Once enough follicular units have been collected, it’s time for the actual Follicular Unit Transplant. For this part of the process, you will sit comfortably in a chair. The location where follicular units will be placed will be anesthetized so you will feel no pain during the procedure.

NeoGraft uses a “no touch” follicular implementation method, which carefully places each follicle into the scalp area using a safe and simple delivery technique. Follicles are positioned in the best possible location for the most natural looking regrowth, and implementation continues until all of the harvested follicles have been transplanted.

The amount of time it takes to complete this part of the procedure varies, depending on the size of the regrowth area. Just like during the extraction, you will be fully awake, able to talk to those around you, use your phone or read a book.

That’s it!

At this point, the hair follicles simply need to rest and regrow. In the donor area, your natural hair will grow back in 7 to 10 days, at which time your newly transplanted hair follicles will be firmly rooted under the scalp. Most people report little to no pain after the procedure and are able to quickly get back to their daily routine. The NeoGraft process should be undetectable to the outside world in little more than a week.

To learn more about the NeoGraft hair restoration procedure, schedule a consultation with our experienced team at Dallas NeoGraft today.