Dr. Alfonso Barrera, MD, FACS, and Dr. Eric Ruff, MD, are our board-certified plastic surgeons at West Houston Plastic Surgery Clinic. They specialize in reconstructive hair transplants in Houston, Texas, using advanced techniques to restore hair in scarred areas.
How Reconstructive Hair Transplants Work
A hair transplant after trauma or surgery moves healthy hair follicles from a donor area, typically the back of the scalp, to the areas where you’re experiencing hair loss. There are two main techniques we typically use at West Houston Plastic Surgery:
- Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): Individual follicles are removed and transplanted, leaving minimal scarring.
- Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): A small strip of scalp (usually 1 cm wide and 5-20 cm long) is taken from the back of the head, and the follicles are transplanted to the affected area.
Your surgeon will meticulously place each graft, ensuring natural direction, density, and blending with existing hair.
What to Expect After the Procedure
Transplanted hair grows for about 10-15 days, then temporarily sheds before entering a resting phase. Around three to four months later, new hair begins to grow, with full results visible after about a year. If you have scarred areas, you may need a second or third session to get better hair density.
Recovery and Aftercare
Most patients return to work within two to five days, and the initial redness and swelling usually resolve within seven to 10 days. Your post-procedure care includes:
- Avoiding strenuous activity for a week
- Using prescribed shampoos and avoiding direct sunlight
- Skipping heat styling and hair products for a few weeks
A Long-Term Solution for Hair Loss
Hair from the donor area keeps growing after a transplant, just like it would naturally. To find out if a reconstructive hair transplant is right for you, call West Houston Plastic Surgery Clinic at 713-468-5200 for a consultation.
