Aside from being one of the most noticeable features on a person, hair represents attractiveness, youthfulness, 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. 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, and patients can expect natural-looking results with improved hair density and the freedom to wear their hair in any style, cut, or color.
What is NeoGraft Hair Restoration?
The NeoGraft hair transplant system is a state-of-the-art device that gives doctors the assistance of mechanical precision to perform automated Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). In the past, a physician would perform FUE by manually harvesting individual hair follicles with tweezers and transplanting them to areas affected by hair thinning or hair loss. 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.
Instead of incisions or manual pulling, NeoGraft uses a suction device to carefully remove the hair follicles in their natural groupings. Thanks to this advanced technique, the length of the hair transplant 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 for hair replacement.
Benefits of NeoGraft Hair Transplantation
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 and faster recovery period
- Reduced physician fatigue which improves outcomes
- 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
NeoGraft is a minimally painful and quick procedure compared to traditional hair restoration surgery. The NeoGraft treatment requires a few steps, all performed in our comfortable office space.
Step One: Site Preparation
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 healthy 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 anesthesia will be delivered into the donor site to make you comfortable for the extraction process.
Step Two: Harvesting the Hair Follicles
To begin the NeoGraft process, the team will use an automated 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 precisely removes the hair follicles. 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 pedal 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 donor hair grafts are collected to fill the recipient site.
Step Three: Transplant Hair Follicles
After all the grafts are extracted from the donor area, they are carefully separated, 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 a minimally invasive procedure 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 you should have minimal discomfort. 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 newly implanted grafts. 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 new hair growth that you see in 9-12 months will be worth the wait. This new hair has a natural appearance 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. There will be minimal scarring, if any.
It is important to have realistic expectations for what NeoGraft can accomplish. NeoGraft should remain in place for life, but the procedure 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.
