Frequently Asked Questions about Hair Transplant Surgery:

What causes hair loss?

There are many causes of hair loss (more than 100 strands a day) such as stress, diseases, poor nutrition, poor immune system and injury. But the most common cause is genetics which affects both male and female, also known as Androgenic Alopecia.

This type of hair loss consist of particular receptors found in hair roots that attract DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a by-product of testosterone, which causes hair follicles to minimize and shorten their lifespan, therefore the hair loss process begins. Hair on the front, above the temples, top of scalp and crown can all be DHT receptive, depending on your genetic coding.

There is good news, however, in the field of genetics. Although we may be predisposed to hair loss, there are areas on the scalp where the hair is genetically programmed never to fall out. These are the hair follicles on the back and lower sides of the head that are not affected by DHT. When these grafts are transplanted to the front, crown, and top of scalp, they retain their resistance to DHT hair loss and last a lifetime. Most donor areas contain ample hair to fill in the bald or thinning areas leaving no perceptible change from where they were taken. The transplanted donor hair doesn't know it's in a different place and will continue to grow throughout your life. It is your own natural, healthy hair to style anyway you choose.

DHT hair loss affects two in three men. While many other "solutions" and miracle shampoos promise their product blocks DHT, only two were approved by the FDA, finasteride and minoxidil..Although these medicines still don't promise fast, natural, permanent and cost effectiveness ,the good news is ,hair transplantation is the other option treatment that offers permanent solution to hair loss problem and with current technique the result in natural.

In addition ,AHRC hair transplant specialist ,Dr. Arambulo currently ,is one of the clinical investigators of the Phase II clinical trial in the Philippines ,of the newest Histogen product "Hair Stimulating Complex" ,she will be one of the pioneers in the use of this medicine on hair loss problem.

What is common baldness?

The term "common baldness" usually means male-pattern hair loss. Male-pattern hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss in men. Men who have this type of hair loss usually have inherited the trait (hair follicles receptive to DHT bonding). Men who start losing their hair at an early age tend to develop more extensive baldness. In male-pattern baldness, hair loss typically results in a receding hair line and baldness on the top of the head.

What is involved in a hair transplant?

At your initial consultation,Dr. Arambulo and AHRC well trained staff will carefully evaluate your present hair loss pattern to determine the best possible design plan to meet your goal. Not everyone is a hair transplant candidate, so if we feel a hair transplant is not in your best interest, we will tell you so! The procedure will be completely explained and you will know in advance all costs involved. In most cases, the hair implantation procedure takes only a few hours. Since only local anesthesia is used, you will be home the same day.

We would like to inform you that AHRC charges Php 600.00 for consultation which goes to charity that we support.Be a part of a good cause. Inquiring patients can visit for consultation at The Medical City MATI Rm 1112 and One San Miguel Building, Suite 1804 at Shaw Blvd.,Ortigas Center.Please call for personal appointment consultation now. (CONTACT)

Will my hair transplant results look completely natural?

Hair transplantation, when done correctly, can be so natural that even your hair stylist will not know that you've had it done. But the skill and techniques of hair transplant surgeons does vary widely, as do their results. AHRC surgical team are well trained to observe every detail involve in this procedure. It's important to choose the right procedure and clinic to assure that you will get completely natural results.

How long does a hair transplant procedure take?

AHRC performs 1,500 to 3,500 grafts /session in an out patient basis. The length of the procedure depends on patient's scalp characteristics and number of grafts to place. From our experience procedure usually lasts from 5-12 hours. Most patients will arrive in the morning and will have their procedure completed by late afternoon. This will be explained further on your first visit.

Does the hair transplant procedure hurt?

Patients are given local anesthesia in the donor and recipient areas. Most patients find that once the anesthesia is given that they feel no pain or discomfort during the surgery. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how minimal the discomfort from the surgical procedure is. AHRC patients' pain assessment is minimal: rate of 1-3 from the score of 1-10. Following surgery patients will typically feel mild discomfort and numbness.

How many grafts/hairs will I need?

The amount of grafts you will need ultimately depends on your degree of hair loss now and in the future, and on how full you desire your hair to be. This will be further explained on your first visit.

What is the recovery/healing time?

With today's very refined micro hair transplantation procedure, the incisions are very small and less invasive than past procedures. This results in more rapid healing. Most patients feel fine within a day or two following surgery, although some temporary numbness and mild soreness can be expected for several days following surgery. Take home oral antibiotics and pain medications will be provided after the procedure.

Will people know I had a hair transplant?

Immediately following surgery, a patient's recipient area is typically pink with scabs forming around the micro or tiny incisions. These hundreds of tiny incisions will heal rapidly within 24 hours with scabs falling off after ten to fourteen days. During the first few days after the surgery a person's hair transplants will be noticeable, if there is no previous hair to mask these temporary scabs. However, most patients feel comfortable being in public without wearing a hat within 5 to 7 days following surgery. Once the transplanted hair grows out the results should look entirely natural, even under close examination.

Where will the surgery take place?

Proper screening and evaluation of hair loss problem is done on patient's initial visit. AHRC performs the procedure at The Medical City Wellness and Aesthetic Center or at Asian Hair Restoration Center located at the 18th floor of One San Miguel Building Suite 1804,Ortigas Center. AHRC is designed to provide the spacious ,best stress –free, friendly environment and patient has a choice of a more private by appointment personal consultation and treatments .Providing good service and satisfaction is what we aim for our patients thus appointment is very important to us. We schedule the appropriate amount of time to explain to patients the details involve in the hair transplant procedure. Please arrive on time for our hair transplant surgeon and surgical team would want to spend time with you as much as possible to address all your concerns. Your initial visit is important, before making a decision, you need to meet the hair transplant surgeon and the surgical team to understand the details involve in the procedure.

The procedure is safe and simple in the hands of the experienced staff. The staff recommends that a friend or loved one drive you home after the procedure or the AHRC can assist you in hotel and transportation reservations.

In most cases, patients will leave the office with surgical cap provided or patient's own baseball cap or bandana (scarf) to hide the graft implanted area for the first few days

When will my newly transplanted hair start to grow?

Normally it takes between three to five months following surgery before the transplanted hair follicles begin to grow new hair. Some patients noted early growth after two months. The transplanted hair grows in very thin initially and gradually grows thicker and fuller over time. After one year a patient's transplanted hair will be fully mature and will continue to grow for a life time.

Will I need more than one procedure?

That will depend on the extent of your hair loss and the number of implants per surgery session. It takes about 4 months to see the new growth. That is a good time to return for further evaluation to see if you will need more sessions.

What is the largest number of hair grafts I can have transplanted at one time?

To ensure the best possible results from the procedure Dr. Arambulo has developed a training system to produce a bigger team of competent medical and surgical assistants, and combined with the atmosphere of team spirit comprise the core ingredients to a successful procedure. The AHRC training system has increased the team's surgical quality and efficiency. Currently AHRC surgical team is composed of 10 members and with bigger number of well trained surgical staff made it possible for thousands of grafts( megasession) to be implanted in a single session. The largest number of grafts AHRC surgical team can implant at one time may vary between 2,500 and 3,500. Larger mega sessions is not AHRC advocate since AHRC surgical team needs to allow adequate room in between each new hair graft for blood supply. In patients with extensive hair loss pattern a subsequent hair transplant procedure is recommended to implant new grafts in between the hair grafts from the first session to provide greater density and fullness.

In addition ,the AHRC surgical team works with honesty, artistry ,enthusiasm and dedicated to excellence.

To meet AHRC surgical team call AHRC now. (CONTACT)

What does the healing process involve?

Although there may be some redness and swelling for a few days following your procedure, it is usually not very noticeable. Existing hair, if possible, may be combed over the grafted area to hide them while they are healing.

We usually do the first shampoo after 24 hours at our center but for busy patients may do the shampoo gently and carefully. We will show you video to guide you on how to take care of the transplanted grafts.

Sutures in the donor area are to be removed after 5 days by our staff or local licensed physician for patients who don't have time to follow up .

Why does the transplanted hair have to fall out?

It is perfectly normal for the newly implanted hairs to fall out during the healing process. Understand that by being transplanted, they have gone into a sort of shock or trauma which moves them (ahead of schedule) into the resting phase of the 3 stage Hair Growth cycle. All of this is completely normal and you should not worry as the dermal papilla of the hair root is firmly implanted in your scalp and will regrow again. In some rare cases, the newly implanted hairs will scab as they heal - but not fall out within the next few weeks following your surgery. Sometimes, the hair stays in place, but this happens only rarely.

How long does it take for the new hair to grow?

To a new hair transplant patient, waiting for his hair to grow in can seem like an eternity. For our patients who have been there, anxious to see the "new look." Although some patients notice hair growth after 2 months, in majority of patients, 3 to 6 months on average, patients will notice their fine new hair growing in, slowly at first and not all at the same time. Hair grows at the rate of 1 cm to 1/2 inch per month and despite the claims of some products, there is no vitamin or herbal treatment that can cause your hair to grow faster. Just be patient and keep in mind that for some hair transplant patients, waiting 8 to 12 months is necessary to observe its maximum growth and hair will look very natural. You may style and trim it the way you like. No stylist or barber would notice the difference.

Are the results permanent?

Since the hair follicles that are transplanted to the balding areas are genetically resistant to going bald, they will continue to grow for a life time – just as if they had been left in the bald resistant donor area.

Will my new hair look natural?

The old hair plug days of "Doll" hair are long gone. Hair transplant technicians today (worldwide) use various techniques that transfer one to five hairs maximum (per graft) from the donor area to the recipient area. AHRC surgical team follows every detail in these techniques, so that your new hair will look and feel natural and no one will know the difference unless you tell them!

Will I have a scar and what will it look like?

The AHRC assess the donor area properly and observes the right technique in strip harvest method for grafts. This strip is taken from the back or sides of your head. The donor area is then sutured back together employing the trichophytic closure technique. Our hair transplant specialist Dr. Arambulo is highly experienced at removing donor strips and makes every attempt possible to minimize the scar that will remain. We have observed unnoticeable linear scars from our patients with the current technique. Our photos and videos will tell you more.

Will I be able to drive home after the surgery?

Like most types of out-patient surgery, you will not be able to drive home immediately after your surgery. In addition to the local anesthesia, patients are given a mild oral sedative to help them relax, prior to their procedure. Patients who want to leave immediately after the surgery should bring someone with them. AHRC will assist you arrange transportation back to your hotel .

How long do I have to wait until I have another procedure?

It is also important that you come for follow up so we can asses the growth yield from every procedure. Because it can take 6 to 12 months for your new hair grafts to grow in, you need to wait that long before you can have another procedure. The faster your new grafts come in, the sooner you can have a second procedure. Your hair transplant doctor and staff need to be able to see the new grafts coming in so they can more effectively map out where to implant the hair grafts from your second session.

Can I use Propecia (finasteride) or Rogaine (minoxidil) after my surgery?

Both finasteride and minoxidil are treatments for hair loss that have been reported to be successful in growing new hair. Minoxidil has a 1 in 3 success rate for crown hair growth in men and finasteride reports a 2 in 3 success rate for new hair growth on the crown region. Even though finasteride may not work for all men, it is generally accepted as a treatment to stop further hair loss. If your goal is just to keep the hair you have without losing more, and getting new hair growth with hair grafts, finasteride is an excellent co-treatment option along with hair transplants. Any new hair growth that finasteride can provide should be considered a bonus but please bear in mind that these FDA approved medications only offer temporary result that once discontinued,the hair affected by hormones DHT will fall out.To know more about this call AHRC for personal consultation (CONTACT)

How do I find an excellent hair restoration surgeon?

The most important decision in restoring your hair is the physician you choose. The skill, talent, and experience of hair restoration physicians vary widely, as do the end results. Dr. Arambulo performs herself both methods: Strip FUT and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) with higher skills and knowledge. Who you choose will determine how natural and full your new hair will be for the rest of your life. Asian Hair Restoration surgical team are well trained and dedicated to excellence.

If you have more questions ,please email us or call for personal consultation appointment now (CONTACT)

Does the Hair Restoration Centers use Lasers?

Laser technology assisted hair transplants were popular in the 1990s and used as a sales tool to promote the various clinics using them. However, practical experience and reporting by hair transplant doctors, as well as several studies including a major study done in Germany, show that lasers create more problems then they solve. For example, the heat of the laser can actually cauterize the aperture area where the new grafts are to be implanted. This is the last thing you want since new hair grafts desperately need a good blood supply to survive. Cauterizing the area seals off the blood flow and starves the graft. AHRC don't offer this service.

If you have more questions ,please email us or call for personal consultation appointment now (CONTACT)

EXPECTATIONS

During the procedure:

• Hair transplant is considered a minor surgical procedure. Patients will be awake and place under local anesthesia only, often accompanied with premedication for mild sedation and relaxation. You may wish to bring movie videos or we have a selection of DVD's to watch during placement of grafts part of the procedure.
• Patients can expect to go home the same day after the procedure
• Procedure may take 5-12 hours depending on the patient's number of grafts plan and scalp characteristics.

Day 1 post op:

Patients may have some oozing and pain but it is tolerable. Take home oral pain relievers and antibiotics will be provided.

Day 3 post op:

Patients may have some swelling in the forehead however, this can be avoided if you follow the post procedure instructions provided carefully. In addition an anti-inflammatory medicines will be provided to avoid this problem. It is normal to find scabs on the recipient areas.

Day 4-7 post op:

Scabs will start to fall off within two weeks and is considered normal.

Patients 'follow up schedules:

• 24 hours after : 1st shampoo by our staff as much as possible at AHRC
• 15 days after : removal of retention sutures by AHRC surgical staff or by your local doctor
• 14 days after :optional for patients who want removal of remaining absorbable sutures