Visual Steps in a Hair Transplant

Step 1: Designing a new hairline

On the day of your procedure, after the initial paper work and review of your past medical history, we will review our goals that we intend to accomplish with the transplantation. This is a critical part of the procedure and one that should not be rushed. We often take 45 minutes in reviewing the steps to be taken to accomplish your goals if it entails multiple procedures or the creation of a new scalpline.
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Step 2: Preparing and Shaving the Donor Area

Determining the donor area is also a matter not to be rushed. Whereas the surgical scar from a single procedure is relatively free of adverse consequences, multiple procedures require that the donor area of each procedure be considered with future transplantations in mind. This will result in a donor area that allows the greatest flexibility in styling.
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Step 3: Preparing the receptor sites

The receptor sites are of several types. Inter-relation with the scalpline design, age, hair characteristics, shape of head, facial features, density desired and flexibility of the transplant process are all relevant in determining the type and distribution of the receptor sites.
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Step 4: Preparing the Grafts

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Step 5: Placing the Grafts

Placing the grafts utilizes fine forceps designed specifically for this purpose. Since two to three people are all that can comfortably be at the patient's head to place the grafts, technicians and Dr. Reed rotate and take turns planting the grafts into the receptor sites.
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Step 6: Application of Dressing

We occasionally use a dressing for the first night only. This is usually when grafts have been placed in the crown (as opposed to the frontal forelock). The crown may need a little more protection during your first night's sleep.
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Step 7: Return Next Day for a Wash and Dry

We prefer to see you the following day for the first hair wash. This allows us to check to be sure graft position is optimal. People frequently stay overnight in one of the several hotels in La Jolla and return home the next morning after the hair wash.
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