Know the Bottom Line Between Hair Restoration vs. Hair Replacement in San Francisco
We don’t like to waste time when making financial decisions in the Bay Area. Silicon Valley folks expect to research the best outcomes, make an informed decision, and get results. It’s what our little “Valley of Delight” is known for around the world.
And it’s why we remain an economic powerhouse in the tech world.
Dr. Canales doesn’t like to waste patients’ time either. When men and women meet him for a hair loss consultation, he provides a thorough exam, listens to expectations, and gets right to the bottom line. There are several options for addressing hair thinning, which fall into two categories: hair restoration and hair replacement. San Francisco residents may not know the difference, so let’s go over them:
HAIR REPLACEMENT TREATMENTS
These options are considered ‘non-invasive ’, meaning non-surgical.
Hair Toppers: Also called hair patches. This is a type of wig made of either real or synthetic hair and attaches to the scalp with a medical-grade adhesive. The benefits of a topper are instant results for a thicker-looking head of hair. The drawbacks include: regular maintenance and frequent visits to a ‘hair system business’ to replace the full topper. Wearing a topper long-term can cause scalp problems and tension and add stress to the natural hair roots below. Think of acrylic nails – they look great but make your nails weaker and more unhealthy underneath.
Topical creams: Results vary depending on each person. Popular medical creams can offer some results, but research shows the effects are minimal and vary from person to person. For example, a woman who experiences thinning around her temples could benefit from creams, which studies have proven can widen the blood vessels to help with hair growth. If the thinning is more significant, such as in male pattern baldness, this treatment hasn’t proven to work well.
Herbal remedies and vitamins: A healthy lifestyle usually contributes to a healthy body. But herbal hair loss treatments are considered ‘natural’ medicines that are normally much less effective. Sometimes they can help the scalp and hair shaft; sometimes they don’t. And it takes several months of regular use to even see results.
HAIR RESTORATION TREATMENTS: These all involve surgical processes and Follicular Hair Extraction, or FUE:
Strip Surgery: This is an ‘old school’ method in which a strip of healthy, full hair is removed from another part of the scalp (typically the very back) and replanted in the affected area. It basically moves the balding area to a less noticeable spot (where grooming can hide the surgery).
Scalp Reduction: This is also a less common, older procedure in which the bald area of the scalp is removed, and the remaining scalp is stretched to fill the space. Post-op results can happen quickly and could last for years. The cons are that the scalp loses elasticity from aging, and a new bald area may reappear. It also leaves a noticeable scar across the scalp and can produce a very unnatural-looking hairline.
Robotic Hair Transplantation Surgery: The other two surgical options have become less popular after the launch of robotic hair restoration surgery. The ARTAS robot helps Dr. Canales find the best donor hairs throughout the scalp to avoid any telltale strips or scarring. Post-op results may take up to one year to appear, but they can last a lifetime. This is the patient’s own natural hair!
No matter what direction someone chooses, whether hair restoration in San Francisco or hair replacement, there will be maintenance after a treatment. But is the maintenance worth it compared to hair restoration surgery? And which option gives an individual the best results long term? We’ve found it to be robotic hair transplantation surgery!
