Hair Restoration or Hair Transplantation?

Hair Restoration or Hair Transplantation?

Chances are you have heard of the term hair transplant, hair restoration, or hair plugs, and do not quite understand the difference between them and need clarification. It can be quite confusing for many people looking into treatment options for hair restoration. We are here to help!

We understand that for many individuals, a full head of hair is important, which is why we are happy to service men and women in the Boise and Meridian, Idaho area. When done correctly and with an experienced surgeon, hair restoration is unnoticeable and completely natural looking.

Around 50 million men and 30 million women suffer from thinning hair and baldness and are looking for solutions. Research suggests that almost 50 percent of all men will experience some degree of baldness by the time they reach their 50’s. Research continues to link hair loss with poor self-esteem and body image, and even perceptions of looking older than they really are.

Possibly the most frustrating thing about hair loss are the reasons behind it. The vast majority of hair loss in men can be blamed on genetics and the dreaded “male pattern baldness”, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia. This type of hair loss is defined by the pattern of hair thinning and loss, which begins above the temples and thins at near the top of the head. Other reasons could include stress, disease, medication, hormones, or injuries. When you schedule a hair restoration consult with Dr. John at Mountain West Medical we will address all of the potential causes for your hair loss as well as all of the possible solutions tailored to your particular needs.

The most common over-the-counter treatment for thinning hair is the topical treatment Rogain (minoxidil). Rogain (minoxidil) is an FDA approved treatment that is applied directly to the scalp twice a day and may gradually see thicker hair. As a practitioner who has recommended this treatment option to my patients I believe you really only need to apply this cream about once a day. Unfortunately, this type of treatment is usually not enough to achieve the desired results.

Another option I recommend for my patient’s is hair transplant or hair restoration. These are two different words for the same course of action: Taking hair from one part of the scalp and transplanting it to the thinning or balding section. Hair plugs is the older, now outdated, method of removing large sections of hair at once and transplanting, leaving it looking unnatural and disconnected from the rest of the hair.

There are two modern methods that are commonly used today: Follicular unit transplantation (FUT or FUSS) and Follicular unit extraction (FUE). Many people opt out of the FUSS method because of the slow recovery time and linear scar left of the back of their head, which is why Mountain West Medical Services, serving our customers in Boise and Meridian Idaho, has chosen to offer the FUE method.

It is important to understand the level of skill and expertise required to perform Follicular unit extraction and find a qualified surgeon. This technique of harvesting hair is more time consuming and requires a higher level of skill compared to the alternative FUE. During the FUE procedure our surgeon and team will shave the back of your scalp and remove hair follicles one by one. This area heals and will become undetectable as hair grows back in.

During the hair restoration consultation, we will cover what to expect before, during and after the procedure. Many patients find they can return to work 2-5 days after the procedure and have no unsightly scar to worry about. While the procedure takes several hours, patients feel little to no discomfort and do not require sedation or strong pain medication. Once transplanted, hair can be cut, colored, and styled.

Here is one of our patient’s Instagram posts showing his results after one year. As you can see, it takes time to get desired results but it is definitely worth it if you have tried less invasive options with no results.

Our team at Mountain West Medical is ready to answer your questions about balding, hair loss, and thinning hair, and all your treatment options here in Boise, Idaho. Schedule your free virtual or in person hair restoration consultation today!