Aside from being one of the most noticeable features on a person, hair also conveys youthfulness, attractiveness and confidence. When a person experiences a receding hairline, hair loss or a botched restoration procedure it can negatively impact their self-image and self-confidence. Imagine placing all your hopes into a restoration procedure, only to achieve results that look unnatural or unattractive. For patients who have had this experience, it is disheartening. For people who have thinning hair or hair loss, it is discouraging and may deter them from seeking hair restoration altogether.
At Corridor Hair Restoration, under the expert guidance of Dr. Andrews, we understand the medical and emotional complexities of hair loss. That is why we offer our patients NeoGraft—a revolutionary hair restoration system that gently removes and transplants your own hair follicles. The results are amazing, giving you a full head of natural looking hair with the freedom to wear your hair in any style, cut or color you desire.
What is NeoGraft?
NeoGraft is a state-of-the-art system that gives doctors the assistance of mechanical precision to perform Follicular Unit Excision or FUE. In the past, a physician would perform FUE by manually extracting and transplanting each individual hair follicle with tweezers. It was a painstaking process that could take upwards of eight hours to complete, potentially leading to patient discomfort and physician fatigue. Further, before NeoGraft, the manual use of tweezers to twist, pull and extract the hair follicle could cause damage to the graft and render it unusable. To account for damaged grafts, the physician would have to spend more time removing more follicles to ensure there were enough viable grafts. Thanks to NeoGraft, the length of the procedure has been substantially reduced and the quality of the hair follicle is preserved during FUE. This translates into a better overall patient experience and a more successful hair restoration outcome.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Healthy men and women who have moderate hair loss are good candidates for NeoGraft. The beauty of NeoGraft is that it is not limited by hair type or hair color; however, patients cannot be completely bald and must have adequate hair in the back of the scalp that can be harvested.
Benefits of NeoGraft
NeoGraft is the first automated system of its kind approved for hair follicle harvesting and implantation. NeoGraft enhances FUE, making it easier and more efficient for the surgeon to extract and implant the follicles while maintaining the integrity of the follicle. The benefits of NeoGraft include:
- Decreased procedure time
- Reduced physician fatigue which improves outcomes
- Faster recovery period
- More precise follicle harvesting
- Fewer damaged hair follicles during the extraction process which means fewer follicles have to be harvested and those that are transplanted are of higher quality and more likely to live
- Essentially no visible scarring
- Suitable for most hair colors and types
- Cut, color and style hair as normal
- Can be used on other parts of the body including the eyebrows, face or body
- Covers scarring from previous injuries, burns or strip restoration surgery
The NeoGraft Procedure
Upon arrival at our clinic, Dr. Andrews will meet with you to discuss any questions you may have and review the treatment plan. He will mark guidelines on the recipient site to ensure proper placement and spacing of the grafts. Next, Dr. Andrews will analyze your scalp to locate the area with the most hair follicles, which is usually the back of the head between the ears. Once the donor site is determined, an area approximately two inches wide and four inches long will be shaved to the scalp and local anesthetic will be delivered into the donor site to make you comfortable for the extraction process.
To begin the FUE process, the team will use the handheld device to extract hair follicles from the donor site. The device is the size of a large pen and the end of the device has a thin metal tip that works like an apple corer to precisely remove the hair follicle. The tip will be held directly over the hair follicle, angling the device to match the angle of the hair. The device is then pushed down on the skin at the same time that a peddle is pressed to activate the handpiece. This combined action cores the hair follicle, creating a graft. Next, the tip is placed over the graft and pneumatic pressure removes it from the skin in a smooth and controlled manner. This process is repeated until enough grafts are collected to fill the recipient site.
After all the grafts are extracted from the donor site, they are evaluated and counted. Any damaged grafts are removed. Before the grafts can be implanted, the recipient site will be numbed, and small slits will be made in which the grafts will be placed. The grafts are carefully placed in each slit to match the angle of hair growth in the recipient site. Once all of the grafts are implanted, a dressing is placed around your head and you are free to leave and have someone drive you home. The entire procedure can take three to eight hours, depending on the number of grafts and the size of the recipient site.
Recovery and Downtime Following NeoGraft
Because NeoGraft is minimally invasive and requires no incisions or stitches, the recovery is relatively fast. You may experience minor swelling and itching at the donor and recipient sites, but pain should be minimal. Approximately three days after your procedure both sites will begin to scab. The implanted follicles may appear raised for the first two weeks. In the early days following your procedure, be cautious with the newly implanted hair in the recipient area—use a cup to gently pour water over your head when you shower, don’t rub or itch your scalp, avoid sun exposure, refrain from contact sports and avoid activities that could disrupt the recipient area. Most patients return to work three or four days after NeoGraft, although it is possible to return to work the day after your procedure. You can expect to return to your normal activities and exercise approximately one to two weeks after your procedure.
Natural Results
NeoGraft requires some patience on your part, but the hair growth that you see in 9-12 months will be worth the wait. The hair looks natural because it is your own hair growing. As the transplanted follicles produce hair, you will see a fuller head of hair and a more youthful hairline.
[IncredibleGallery id=”176″]
It is important to have realistic expectations for what NeoGraft can accomplish. NeoGraft should remain in place for life; however, NeoGraft will not stop future hair loss, nor can it change the texture or volume of your hair strands. Dr. Andrews will advise you on the steps you can take to maintain your existing hair and prevent future hair loss.
The Dr. Andrews Difference
Choosing a knowledgeable and experienced physician is the most critical decision you can make. Dr. Andrews has the skill, artistry and training to carefully and masterfully extract and transplant your hair follicles to give you a natural-appearing hair restoration. To learn more about NeoGraft and the other hair restoration procedures we offer, contact Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery and Corridor Hair Restoration at 319-800-6877 to schedule a consultation. During your consultation, Dr. Andrews will listen to your goals and concerns, assess your scalp and hair, review your health history and recommend the best course of treatment for you.
