"Hair loss is just a combination of genetics and luck," Dr. David Lavine explained during our interview. He chalked hair loss up to 50 percent DNA and 50 percent pure chance. For many people, men and women, luck just hasn't pulled through. If that's you, you'll be happy to know Fort Worth doctors offer numerous solutions.
Surgical Hair Restoration
Dr. Lavine's Center for Cosmetic Surgery routinely performs this technique, which requires moving hair from places like the neck and horseshoe area, where it's genetically programmed to fight hair loss, to places where hair loss occurs. "It's like planting grass, except you're using hair and it's permanent," Lavine said.
The Hair Restoration Institute of DFW Director Shelly Beatty explained the growth process. "As soon as the repositioning takes place, those little follicular grafts go to sleep for 90 days," Beatty said. "At the 90-day mark, its like clockwork; the new hairs emerge from the scalp, and they'll grow the rest of your life." The procedure costs between $3,000 and $12,000, depending on the number of hairs transplanted.
NeoGraft
Similar to surgical hair restoration, NeoGraft moves hair from one place to another, but it takes only one hair at a time and promises no scar.
Steven Camp, M.D., of Plastic Surgery Texas says, "This innovative new procedure allows us to treat large areas of hair loss without any scalpel incision, no stitches, no general anesthesia and no resulting linear scar from hair donor sites. This is the least invasive procedure available for hair transplant, and it has a proven track record for delivering results. A consultation to evaluate individual patterns of hair loss is recommended, and the majority of patients are excellent candidates."
Laser Therapy
The most common procedure performed at the Hair Restoration Institute of DFW, laser therapy involves stimulating hair follicles so cells can regenerate hair. "[Laser therapy] is typically best for those who still have hair, but are in the beginning to middle stages of hair loss," Beatty said. Each treatment takes 20 to 30 minutes, and most clients come in for a minimum of twice per week for three months.
Clients need to obtain a prescription for laser hair therapy. Costs start at $2,500.
Dermal Lens
"If you can imagine something that looks like a contact lens with hair injected into it that perfectly matches your own, that's a dermal lens," Beatty said. Doctors adhere the lens, covered in hair, to a patient's scalp. Since the hair does not grow, upkeep only includes monthly visits for cleansing.
The initial procedure at the Hair Restoration Institute of DFW takes an hour and a half to two hours and costs $1,495. Beatty said it allows clients to walk out the same day looking like they never experienced hair loss.
Propecia
At the beginning stages of hair loss, doctors can prescribe medication like Propecia or Rogaine. "It's great for young guys that come in that are too early to do hair transplantation on," Lavine said. "If the medicine works, it saves them surgery." However, it runs $60-65 per month, and it's a lifetime commitment.
