Providing good service and satisfaction from hair transplantation surgery 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 to our hair transplant centre is important, you need to meet the hair transplant surgeon and the surgical team to understand the details involved in the hair transplantation surgery procedure and how the hair team works.
What is involved in a hair transplantation surgery?
Hair transplantation involves transfer of patient’s existing hair from the back thick areas to the thinning or balding areas of the front scalp. When these grafts are transferred correctly and carefully to thinning areas of the scalp, they look natural, stay and last a lifetime. Click to see more of our hair transplant results
There are 2 techniques in hair transplantation surgery: Strip FUT and FUE procedure. Please go to Hair Transplant page to understand more the two technologies in hair transplant procedure.
Why virgin donor hair is important?
The donor hair from the back area of the scalp is limited, poor procedure will damage the grafts and therefore affect the chance to create full coverage and good density of the transplanted areas .To choose the best hair restoration surgeon around , make sure a licensed experienced and properly trained physician will be responsible for your treatment. It’s a good idea to ask your hair restoration surgeon a lot of questions so you can have confidence in your decision.
What is FUE technique?
FUE is the major advancement in hair transplantation surgery, is a difficult procedure done only by updated talented physician. Watch the video to show how our hair transplant surgeon, Dr. Arambulo performs the critical parts in this hair transpalntation surgery procedure and the preservation of intact grafts production necessary for the hair to have good growth.
The following are questions patients must ask any FUE Physician Provider on FUE hair transplantation surgery.
- What is your choice of machine and why do you choose it?
- Who is your mentor in FUE?
- What is the maximum number of FUE grafts you harvest in one session?
- How do you document the number FUE grafts harvest?
- Do do you have video that shows the actual FUE procedure
- Do you have video performing FUE, that show the intact production of FUE grafts?
Click to know more about FUE hair transplantation surgery
What is FUE with Direct Hair Implantation ( DHI) Approach
DHI is a generic technique , a method of placing grafts using implanters, adapted by many hair restoration surgeons worldwide. The use of implanters, such as the Choi pen, originally introduced by Dr. Kyungpook Kim and Dr. Choi, and other brands are now available. DHI FUE hair transplant is a refined and specialized physician approach of grafts harvest and hair implantation .Unlike traditional techniques,DHI does not require pre-made incisions.The implanter pen creates the channel and places the grafts in one motion.The advantage of implanters is less trauma to the bulbs of the grafts during placing of grafts. The term DHI is used to refer to immediate implantation of follicular unit following its extraction.The term direct hair transplantation is also used by some practitioners to refer to sharp implantation technique.In either case DHI is not a hair transplant method and should not be marketed as such. www.ishrs.org
Since 2010, Dr. Arambulo has incorporated the use of implanters, such as the Choi pen and Lion. These implanters allow for atraumatic, precise, and controlled placement of grafts into pre-made slits. www.ishrs.org.This approach is long adopted at AHRC in preserving graft integrity and supports optimal healing and high grafts survival rates.
Dr. Arambulo’s method is grounded in decades of clinical experience and a deep understanding of the unique characteristics of Asian, European and Caucasian hair. At the core of her success is the meticulous harvesting of donor hair grafts through Follicular Unit Extraction, ensuring the production of intact, high-quality grafts. These are harvested using her preferred machine—selected for precision and reliability, not for brand prestige.Contrary to popular marketing claims,FUE by robotic or high-end devices do not guarantee better outcomes. In fact, no machine can replicate the skill, artistry, and clinical judgment of a seasoned hair transplant surgeon—especially when addressing the complexities of ethnicity hair types .says Dr. Arambulo
Ultimately, from the experience of Dr. Arambulo the true success of a hair transplant lies not in the brand of the device or trendy terminology, but in the naturalness, density, and long-term survival of the transplanted hair. With Dr. Arambulo’s expert hands, patients receive seamless, natural-looking results that speak for themselves.
At Asian Hair Restoration Center, we don’t just talk results—we show them.
Do I shave my hair?
In strip hair transplantation surgery , the donor back hair is kept long to cover the linear incision, however, in FUE procedure type of hair shaving of the scalp as in above will depend will depend on the size of procedure and is required to facilitate harvest. This full scalp shaving is for more than 1000 grafts plan and should be acceptable to patients who prefer FUE technique: However in patients who do not like to shave a Non-Shaven FUE procedure is also available. Please go to FUE page to know FUE donor scalp preparation further.
How long does a hair transplantation surgery procedure take?
AHRC performs maximum of 3500 grafts /session by strip hair transplan and 2000 grafts by FUE on an outpatient basis. The length of the hair transplantation surgery procedure depends on patients scalp characteristics and number of grafts to place. The hair procedure usually lasts from 5-12 hours in strip or FUE procedure. 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 surgery hurt?
Patients are given local anesthesia in the donor and recipient areas. Most patients find that once the anesthesia is given, they feel no pain or discomfort during the hair transplantation surgery procedure. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how minimal the discomfort from the surgical procedure is. Patients’ pain from anaesthesia infiltration assessment is minimal: rate of 1-3 from the score of 1-10. A “Gate Theory” during anaesthesia infiltration is applied to further decrease the mild discomfort associated with it. Most patients watch movies, listen to music or nap during the procedure. After surgery patients will typically feel mild discomfort and numbness or no discomfort at all.
How many grafts will I need?
The amount of grafts you will need ultimately depends on your degree of hair loss present, projected future hair loss pattern, and how full you desire your hair to be. Online consultation will help us provide you, the initial estimate of number of grafts but personal consultation with Dr. Arambulo is important for proper assessment and evaluation of your donor reserve to provide the more accurate estimate number of grafts plan.
What do I expect from the hair transplantation surgery procedure?
During the procedure:
Hair transplant is considered a minor surgical procedure. Patients will be awake and place under local anesthesia only, sometimes accompanied with premedication for mild sedation and relaxation.Patients can expect to go home the same day after the hair transplantation surgery. The procedure may take 5-12 hours depending on the patients number of grafts plan and scalp characteristics.
Will people know I had a hair transplant surgery?
The photo shows the stages of healing in the recipient areas: Immediately following surgery. The recipient area is typically pink with scabs forming around the micro or tiny incisions. These thousands of tiny incisions will heal rapidly within 24 hours especially if PRP is used, with scabs falling off after ten to fourteen days. Few days after the surgery a person 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.
How will I look like after hair transplantation surgery?
In most cases, patients will leave the office with surgical cap provided or patients own baseball cap or bandana (scarf) to hide the graft implanted area for the first few days.
What does the healing process involve?
Although in some patients temporary occasional minimal swelling, numbness, and discomfort can be expected for several days following hair transplantation surgery. In our experience because of improved anesthesia and postoperative care, it is usually not very noticeable. With today's very refined micro hair transplantation procedure, the incisions are very small. These wounds will heal fast especially if Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is used.
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 Asian Hair Restoration Center or at Arambulo Dermatology Center Rm 1112 MATI at The Medical City, but, for busy patient, he may do the shampoo himself gently and carefully. Take home medications, written and video post-operative instructions will be provided for the utmost care of transplanted hair.We make sure you understand your obligation after the procedure prior to discharge.
Patient will come back 14 days after hair transplantation surgery for removal of sutures which is by appointment.For patient who has limited time, he can ask the local doctor to remove the sutures.
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 hair transplantation surgery. Sometimes, the hair stays in place, but this happens only rarely.
When will my newly transplanted hair start to grow?
Normally it takes between four to six months following surgery before the transplanted hair follicles begin to grow new hair. However, we noted early growth as early as two months after surgery with Platelet Rich Plasma use. The transplanted hair grows in very thin initially and gradually grows thicker and fuller over time. After one year, patient’s transplanted hair will be fully mature and will continue to grow for a lifetime
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 team of competent surgical assistants and medical technicians, and combined with the atmosphere of team spirit comprise the core ingredients to a successful procedure. The AHRC training system has increased the teams surgical quality and efficiency. Currently, AHRC well trained surgical team made it possible for thousands of grafts to be implanted in a single big session: 2,500 and 3500 by Strip FUT method and 1500-2500 by FUE technique. With difficult scalp characteristics, though rare, two consecutive days divided FUE procedure might be possible.
Will I need more than one procedure?
The number of the sessions will depend on patient's extent of hair loss, donor supply, the desired density and scalp characteristics. Dr.Arambulo will discuss with you the different design plan according to your goal during consultation.
When can I go back to work?
Depending on the choice of technique and the nature of your work, it is often possible to go back to work the next day, but, it is best to take a leave for 3 days. If you have time we prefer that initial shampoo, 24 hours after procedure is at Asian Hair Restoration Center or at the Medical City. Dr. Arambulo will discuss the details of preparation during the consultation so that the procedure will not interfere with your work.
Are the results permanent?
Dr. Arambulo can assure you of proper selection of genetically resistant hair follicles from the back area of the scalp as donor , correct and atraumatic placing of grafts, observing all the procedure details and with her efficient surgical team , from her experience the transplanted hair will continue and successfully grow for a lifetime . Our excellent results are proves her "World Class Hair Transplant Procedure" Click Patients' Hair Transplant Journey
Will my hair transplant results look completely natural?
Hair transplantation is an art and when done correctly, can be so natural that even your hair stylist will not know that you have had it done. Dr. Arambulo is updated, with artistic performs the hair transplant surgery with skills and efficiency so that your new hair will look and feel natural and no one will know the difference unless you tell them. To see our authentic results , click to go to Patients' Hair Transplant Journey
Will I have a scar and what will it look like?
In Strip technique, donor area is sutured back together employing the trichophytic closure technique to reduce the detectability of linear scar that will remain. We have observed unnoticeable linear scars from our patients with the current trichophytic technique and the latest one is with the use of deep sutures but still, even in the hands of the best surgeon, scar may be detectable due to tightness and variability of scalp characteristics.
Is it true that DHI and FUE are scarless ?
No hair transplant technique is completely scarless. For patients who do not like linear scarring on the back, FUE procedure is the choice of technique. FUE technique offers patients the option of no stitches and less visible scarring. Scarring due to FUE as compared to a standard strip excision for the same number of grafts is certainly not less. However, the diffuse nature of the punctate scars from FUE may confer a decrease in detectability especially in patients who either shave their head or wear their hair short.
DHI ( Direct Hair Transplantation) is a modified form of FUE harvest technique using the implanters to place grafts which is adapted by different hair experts from different parts of the world. FUE ,though, minimally invasive should not be advertised as completely scarless. This is one of a misleading information in hair transplant field. www.ishrs.org
Will I be able to drive home after the surgery?
Like most types of minor out-patient surgery, you are not allowed 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 him to drive him home.
If you don't have a driver AHRC staff will assist you to arrange the transportation. You have a choice of our private driver or GRAB to bring you to our centre and back to the house or hotel.
What do I expect after surgery?
Day 1 post op:
Patients may have some oozing and discomfort 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 but with our patients the experience is so minimal to none. In addition, the tumescent solution used has anti-inflammatory medicine to avoid this problem. It is normal to find scabs on the recipient areas. A written and video post-procedure instructions will be provided for your guidance
Day 4-7 post op:
Scabs will start to fall off within two weeks and are considered normal.
When is the follow up schedule?
24 hours after: 1st shampoo at the center, as much as possible
5-7 days after: removal of sutures at the center or by your local doctor
14 days after, optional for patients who want removal of remaining absorbable sutures
However, if patient cannot come for follow up, absorbable sutures are used. We provide out patients, written and video post-operative instructions to guide them on how to take care of the transplanted hair grafts. It is important that you watch this post operative video instructions with somebody to help you take care of your scalp after surgery.
To assess the hair growth after procedure, please visit us 4 -6-8-12 months after surgery. Our staff will remind you of your subsequent date of follow-ups.
How long do I have to wait until I have another hair transplantation surgery 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, you need to wait that long before you can have another procedure.
Is hair transplantation surgery expensive?
Considering the quality of our work , our patients regard hair transplant, a good investment in their future happiness. In addition hair transplantation can be less expensive because result is permanent than an artificial hairpiece over the long run. Our real results prove our excellent job. Do not be misled by physician offering the cheapest cost especially in FUE procedure. Spend time to understand the hair transplant technology especially the FUE procedure and know the credentials of a good hair transplant specialist. Donor's hair is so limited, poor surgery will not grow back damaged hairs anymore.
What to do if I had bad surgery done somewhere ?
If you are not satisfied with hair transplant results done outside our center,call us today to schedule a consultation and discover your options for improvement.Let our expereince guide you to a better result.Click to learn about hair transplantation repair.
After using Propecia® (finasteride) for a prolonged period, would cessation of use of the drug result in the same sudden rapid hair loss off all hairs that would have been lost without the use of the drug, like suddenly stopping use of Rogaine® (minoxidil)?
The hair would be lost until the point where an individual would have been without treatment. However, the hair loss is not sudden and will take several months to a year after stopping the medication.
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. Click to get the updates on Finasteride medication for hair loss.
How do I find an excellent hair restoration surgeon?
The most important decision in restoring your hair is the physician you choose. Dr. Arambulo is the first Filipino Diplomate of American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (www.abhrs.com) in 2014 .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 proven by her excellent and fantastic results .Who you choose will determine how natural and full your new hair will be for the rest of your life. In addition, the Asian Hair Restoration surgical team are well trained by Dr. Arambulo work enthusiastically and are dedicated to excellence.
Actual photos and videos of our full procedure will be shown on your initial visit to help you understand that our physician hair restoration specialist, Dr. Arambulo does not delegate but does herself the major and critical part of the procedure, in both strip FUT and FUE procedures. If you have further questions about hair transplantation surgery , please email us or call for personal consultation appointment.
Attending scientific conferences and workshops, is an indication of her commitment and advanced training and most of all being invited to speak on hair transplant procedure here and abroad.
She is also a Fellow of ISHRS ,she strongly supports the Mission and Vision of International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery ( www.ishrs.org) applying it as the guiding principles in hair transplant practice:“ To achieve excellence in patient outcomes by promoting member education, international collegiality ,research ,ethics and public awareness”.
The Physician's Experience: The gallery of before and after photo are authentic results , her own work that matches with her years of practice. Beware of physicians who use photos of other physicians as their own or copy photos of other physicians. Its good to know that before and after website photos used in the website are patients who are willing to be referenced for the Dr. Arambulo, you can request to talk with them about their experience with us.
The Manner in Which the Physician Practices : A call for initial consultation to visit the clinic will help you know about the environment in which Dr. Arambulo practices; to know more about her which is likely to result to a good patient/physician relationship founded upon trust based on your knowledge of her training, experience, and competence. As a certified dermatologist, she has the authority to evaluate your hair loss concern and willing to spend time with you, to give you the different treatment options that will work best for your hair loss problem. In addition, an initial visit to the clinic will help you know more the Asian Hair Restoration office staff helpfulness and willingness to answer your other concerns. Our video post-operative instructions are also something to show you the importance of a well trained surgical team observing the surgical details important to achieve the best aesthetic result form the difficult hair transplant procedure.
Thank you very much for your patience and time reading these FAQ. Please call for personal consultation ( Telemedicine ) to understand hair transplantation surgery procedure further
Still got questions about hair transplant in the Philippines? Tap us at our contact us and we'll be happy to answer your hair question delightfully.