Hair Restoration Albany - Hair Transplantation Upstate New York

Serving Albany, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Capital District and Troy, New York

If you have concerns about hair loss whether a receding hairline, thinning hair or obvious balding, rest assured that you are not alone. Millions of men and woman like yourself are seeking help with hair loss. Often desperation can lead to poorly reasoned decisions to pursue treatments offered by opportunist who are more concerned about making a profit than your well being. Here at the Center for Facial Plastic Surgery and Laser Skin Care, Dr. Falk will provide you with honest, objective mainstream advice on medical and surgical treatments for hair loss. The treatments for hair loss can be medical therapy, lasers and surgical hair transplantation. At the Center for Facial Plastic Surgery and Laser Skin Care, we often will combines all three modalities to maintain and achieve optimal hair restoration results. Dr. Falk, is one of a very select group of surgeons trained in the technique of follicular unit extraction or F.U.E. This technique is the latest breakthroughs in hair transplantation surgery that eliminates an unsightly donor scar.

Male Pattern Hair Loss

Male Pattern hair loss or androgenic alopecia refers to the androgen testosterone and dihydrotestosterone which is necessary to produce baldness. Male pattern baldness can occur at any time after puberty when androgen levels rise. It usually begins with temporal region hair thinning. There are several patterns of male hair loss although there is no way to predict which way any individual is going to progress. In general though, those in whom hair loss begins at an early age, are likely to progress to more extensive hair loss. The first step in any hair restoration program is to retain what hair is left and slow down any additional loss.

Female Pattern Hair Loss

The patterns of hair loss in woman are not as easily recognized as those in men. Female pattern alopecia may be diffuse thinning, or variations in density with greater thinning in the front or back of the scalp. Woman rarely progress to full baldness. Woman as in men, the major cause of hair loss is androgenic alopecia. There are several additional causes of hair loss in woman that extend beyond adrogneic alopecia. If you are a woman and concerned about hair loss, then please consult a hair restoration specialist such as Dr. Falk.

Lasers and Light Therapy

Light based therapies for hair loss make claims that hair restoration and maintenance is possible through exposure to lower level light over a series of treatments. This seems to provide a stimulus for fortifying the hair follicles. . It can prevent further hair loss, although may do less for regeneration of new hair growth. The problem with all of these treatments is that they are temporary and all the benefits are lost on discontinuation of therapy. Hair transplantation is the only permanent solution for hair loss.

Hair Transplant Surgery

Contemporary hair transplantation surgery is not your grandfather's, or for that matter even your father's tell-tale hair plugs. Modern hair transplantation has done away with large hair plugs in favor of smaller and smaller sized units including micrografts, even small clusters called follicular units, and single hairs. Dr. Falk is a master of follicular unit grafting which is one of the most technically demanding procedures. Through a combination of artistry and skill he is able to create a natural looking hair lines that is appropriate for each individual.

All hair transplantation surgery involves moving hair from onset site, the donor site, to a new site the recipient site on the thinning or balding area of the scalp. Hair along the perimeter or the fringe of the scalp is in resistant to androgen induced hair loss and is the preferred donor site. Candidates for hair transplantation must have sufficient residual hair along the fringe to provide coverage for the balding area. Traditional harvesting techniques, called strip grafting involves removal of a large strip of hair baring scalp that is then cut up into the smaller pieces for implantation. The down side to this approach is a scar along the posterior scalp which can be detectable with short hair styles. An alternative approach and the approach that Dr. Falk prefers is called Follicular Unit Extraction or F.U.E. This technique although more labor intensive, has several important advantages with the main one being that there is no unsightly scar along the back of the scalp as the individual grafts are harvested one at a time with a tiny punch staggered throughout the donor area. The donor area heals without the need for sutures, and more importantly without a tell tale linear scar. The efficiency of this technique is greatly enhanced with motorized extraction devices called the NeoGraft and A-Z follicular extractor. These systems enable rapid harvest of follicular unit grafts thereby enabling efficient full scalp restoration using exclusively the follicular unit extraction method.

A new era in hair transplantation is upon us, consisting of follicular unit grafting with follicular unit extraction to create results that are natural and undetectable to even the most discerning eye. There is no restrictions in how hair is worn as there is no donor site scar. This combination is quickly becoming the new gold standard for hair transplantation, and is offered at only by a select group of highly specialize hair treatment and restoration centers such as the Center for Facial Plastic Surgery and Laser Skin Care in Albany, NY. So if you are looking for cutting edge approach to hair restoration, contact us today.

Potential Risks of Surgery

No surgical procedure is without some risk, however the potential side effect of hair transplantation surgery are relatively minor. It is common post operative to experience mild pain and swelling post surgery which is well controlled with oral medication. Serious problems with bleeding scaring or infection are rare. Modern hair transplantation is a comfortable experience and most patients are very pleased with the results.

Hair loss is progressive and for this reason most men may require at different times in their lives more than one session of hair transplantation in order to keep up with on going hair loss.

Medical Management of Hair Loss

While there are many claims about miracle cures for hair loss, the only two products with FDA approval for hair loss are Minoxidil (Rogaine™ and Finasteride (Propecia™). Minoxidil is available over the counter. Finasteride can only be obtain by prescription. It blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone which initiates hair loss in susceptible men and woman. Finasteride is not appropriate for use in woman.

Please visit our Hair Restoration FAQ for more information.

If you are unhappy with your hair loss and are considering a hair restoration procedure in the Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs or Troy, New York area, please contact The Center for Facial Plastic Surgery and Laser Skin Care today to schedule a confidential consultation.