Information about hair transplant surgery can be provided by the top plastic surgeon in the San Jose Area, Dr. Howard S. Sutkin. Dr. Sutkin looks forward to hearing from you.
The Cosmetic Institute
Phone (408) 866-5433
555 Knowles Drive
Suite 100
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Balding or thinning hair is a natural process that can profoundly affect men's, and occasionally women's, appearance and self-confidence. The condition is typically brought on by aging or shifts in hormonal levels. Hair transplant surgery, performed by plastic surgeon Howard Sutkin at our San Jose area office, cosmetically disguises this process by moving healthy hair to the balding or thinning areas of the head. Men with a reasonable amount of hair on the sides and back of their head can expect hair transplant surgery to provide them with a more natural looking, fuller head of hair.
There are a number of different procedures for hair transplant surgery used at our San Jose area office, the most common of which involves the use of grafts, or small sections of healthy hair. The plastic surgeon removes healthy grafts from the scalp, which range from two to 40 strands of hair, and transfers them to thinning or balding areas. The plastic surgeon typically performs an average of 50 hair grafts per session.
Flap surgery has been performed on men for more than two decades. When this procedure is performed by plastic surgeon Howard Sutkin at the Cosmetic Institute in the San Jose area, he will remove a strip of bald scalp and replace it with a strip of hair-bearing scalp. The advantage here is that one strip equals hundreds of punch grafts.
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Another approach to hair transplant surgery used at our facility near San Jose is termed scalp reduction. This procedure involves making incisions in the bald or thinning areas of the head and removing a small section of scalp. The healthy sections of hair are then brought together and sutured. This approach is ill-suited for replacing the front hairline but is ideal for filling in the top and back of the head.
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After hair transplant surgery, the plastic surgeon cleans off the scalp and covers it in gauze. Many patients are fitted with a bandage to protect the sutures and hold the new sections of hair in place. Some patients experience aching, throbbing, or tightness. Prescription medication can reduce this discomfort. Patients can usually start washing their hair after a few days but should avoid rigorous activities for several weeks. It is important to note that hair from relocated grafts falls out within six weeks and does not begin to grow back for up to a month. Stitches are usually removed by the plastic surgeon in one to two weeks.
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Hair transplant surgery complications are rare, but include infection, excessive bleeding, scarring, and a reaction to the anesthesia. The most common problem involves skin plugs dying before any new hair has had a chance to grow. Should this occur, our plastic surgeon will have to re-plant plugs in a subsequent operation. Because there are different types hair transplant surgery, searching for a skilled plastic surgeon in the San Jose area is crucial. To maximize the success of your hair transplant surgery and to minimize the risk of complication, our plastic surgeon will give you specific instructions for surgical preparation and postoperative care.
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Contact the Cosmetic Institute today to schedule a consultation with plastic surgeon Howard Sutkin. Patients interested in hair transplant surgery in the San Jose, California area can also contact our office directly to learn more about the cost of the procedure.