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FAQ- Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does hair grow?

Hair grows according to location on the body, genetic background, age, and sexual hormonal influences. There are three phases of each cycle: growing, resting and falling. These phases are also known as anagen, telogen, and catagen, respectively. At least 85% of the hairs on the scalp are growing at one time. Normal daily hair shedding of 50-100 hairs per day can be expected. Scalp hairs grow about one half inch per month. The growth cycle of each individual hair can be up to several years before shedding. The growth cycle of eyebrow hair is very short and the resting period very long compared to that of the scalp.

Q: What is hair made of?

Hair is approximately 91 percent protein. It is composed of long chains of amino acids called polypeptide chains, which are linked by peptide bonds. Polypeptide chains are intertwined around each other in a helix shape. The chemical composition of hair is 45.2 percent carbon, 27.9 percent oxygen, 15.1 percent nitrogen, 6.6 percent hydrogen, and 5.2 percent sulphur.

Q: How much hair do I have?

Most healthy persons have about 80,000 -140,000 scalp hairs according to the color, size of the scalp, and hair density. Blondes generally have higher numbers of hairs with redheads having the fewest number of hairs.

Q: How much hair do I need?

This varies from patient to patient. The amount of hair necessary for adequate coverage is evaluated and discussed at the initial consultation with Dr. Gauvin. Some people do not appreciate their degree of hair loss until as much as 50% is lost. Miniaturization is a gradual process and occurs over years and may not be noticed at first. Looking back at old pictures may be the first real moment of truth. Men can be very satisfied with a return of their hair even if it is not as thick as before. Women on the other hand dislike all signs of thinning, since it is not cosmetically acceptable, and want it to be as thick as possible.

Q: What is the difference between hair density and hair fullness?

Hair density pertains to the total number of hairs per square centimeter in any given area of the scalp. Hair fullness describes the volume of the hairs themselves, for example, as having “body”. While a person may have high density if the person also has fine textured hair, he/she may not have fullness. Hair fullness is most often seen in patients with more coarse hair and especially in wavy or curly hairs.

Q: Why does hair transplantation work?

Hair transplantation has been practiced since the 1950's and is a safe and proven process. The success of hair transplantation is based on the scientific fact that hair follicles at the back and sides of the scalp (donor area) are genetically programmed to permanently retain the capacity to grow hair. These follicles, when transplanted to bald or thinning area, take root and grow normal healthy permanent hair in their new location. The new hair will have the same strength, color , texture, and life span as your donor hair.

Q: How is hair transplantation performed?

We perform all procedures in an operating room, fully equipped with monitoring equipment, emergency supplies, and sterile instruments. Prior to the procedure, photographs of your entire head will be taken and the doctor will carefully trace your hairline. Then, you will be given relaxing medication, only by mouth.
Once the relaxing medication has taken effect, a local anesthetic will be injected, first into your donor area, and then as a block to numb the forehead and front of your scalp. At this point, the entire top of your head will be numb. Therefore, in most instances, hair transplantation is no more painful or difficult to undergo than a long dental procedure, and is done while you are relaxing, listening to music or simply napping.
After your head is completely numb, a section of tissue is removed from the donor area which will be closed with stitches. There will be a linear scar, which will be hidden by your downward combed hair in the back. Then the tissue is dissected under microscopes into individual follicular units and placed into bald or thinning areas. Within 24 hours, small crusts will form on each graft, and fall out in the next 7-10 days. The grafted hairs will often start to grow within 3-4 months after the procedure and will continue to grow for a lifetime without any special care of any kind.

Q: Is hair transplantation an extensive procedure?

No, Hair transplantation is a very safe, relatively minor surgical procedure which is performed on an out -patient basis under local anesthesia. Patients return home immediately after the procedure. No bandages are required , and patients may return to work as soon as the next day but we usually recommend them taking off a couple days off from work.

Q: What is Follicular unit hair transplantation?

Hair naturally emerges from the scalp in clusters or groups of 1-4 hairs in each pore. Each grouping of hair is call "Follicular unit". Follicular units are a group of hair as it naturally occurs.
Follicular unit hair transplantation is the most advanced technique used in hair restoration surgery. By using this technique, follicular units are preserved in their natural composition to maximizes the supply of donor hair and contributes to the finest most natural looking result.

Q: What percentage of transplanted hairs usually "take" or "grow"?

There is an over 90% take of all the grafts if great care and good techniques are followed in every step. To assure this, it is important that the patient carefully follows the post-operative instructions.

Q: How many grafts are placed at each session?

The number of grafts placed at each session may vary depending on the extent of baldness and the graft type. At the time of your initial consultation the number of grafts you need is estimated. Cost is determined by these numbers.

Q: How many sessions are necessary?

The number of sessions necessary to achieve a personally desired goal varies from person to person. It depends on the amount of your hair loss and expectations, most of our patients have an average of 1-3 sessions.

Q: How long does the surgery take?

The length of surgery normally takes four to eight hours depending on how many grafts are being placed. During the procedure, you will be able to have as many frequent breaks as you need. Because patient care is always our top priority, it is important that each patient feel comfortable and relaxed. There will be no other hair transplant patient scheduled at the same time; therefore, our patients will receive the best medical attention from our doctor and his highly qualified staff one patient at a time.

Q: How do I take care of my transplanted hair?

Once your new hair grows, you just take care of it as you would your own hair. It can be washed, combed, cut, styled, permed or colored. You can swim, exercise or perform any activities without worrying that it is going to fall out because it is not a hair piece covering over your bald spot, it is your natural growing hair!

Q: Are there any complications?

Complications are rare. Severe infection is highly unusual due to the abundant blood supply in the scalp, but minor infections can occur around a newly transplanted hair follicle, similar to an infected ingrown hair or pimple, and responds easily to antibiotics. Minor scars that occur in the donor scalp as a result of the removal of donor skin are narrow and can be easily hidden by the surrounding hair. The graft sites in the recipient frontal area heal with almost no visible scarring and are covered by the transplanted hair. Patients may experience mild swelling to the forehead area for a few days following surgery. In rare occasion, parts of the scalp can remain numb after each procedure but this usually disappears in 2-8 months after the surgery.