Hair Loss Treatments in Montgomery, AL

There is a diverse array of hair loss treatments available, each tailored to the individual’s unique circumstances, from topical solutions to advanced hair transplant surgery, depending on the extent of hair loss, overall health, and desired outcomes.

What Causes Hair Loss?

You may notice thinning hair in certain areas as you age. There are often several factors at play when hair begins to thin. Some of the most common problems leading to thinning hair may include:

• Genetics or hereditary factors
• Older age, due to slower hair growth
• Autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata
• Scarring alopecia, where inflammation destroys hair follicles
• Cancer treatment and some medications
• Stress
• Hormonal changes
• Certain medical conditions

What are Some Treatment Options for Hair Loss?

After a thorough consultation of your hair loss history at Alabama Surgical Arts, one or more of the following hair loss treatments may be recommended:

• Hair vitamins
• Customized topical hair solutions
• PRF injections
• Injections of hair formulations
• Oral medications
• Scalp pigmentation
• Hair transplantation

What is Hair Transplantation?

Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure that involves moving hair follicles from one part of the scalp (donor area) to another (recipient area). It is typically done to treat hair loss, such as androgenic alopecia (male-pattern baldness) or female-pattern baldness.

The surgeons at Alabama Surgical Arts have perfected the art of hair transplants for those patients who are self-conscious about thinning or lost hair. Our surgeons offer two major types of hair transplants, each with its advantages. If you are interested in hair transplants or other hair replacement methods, an appointment with one of the surgeons at Alabama Surgical Arts is the first step. During your consultation, we will determine if linear strip excision (LSE) or follicular unit extraction (FUE) suits you most. The number and type of graft you get depend on your hair type, quality, color, and the size of the area where you’re receiving the transplant.

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) or Linear Strip Excision (LSE): A strip of scalp containing hair follicles is removed from the back or sides of the head. This strip is divided into smaller grafts and transplanted to the balding area.

With LSE, Dr. Nizam removes a 6- to 10-inch strip of skin from the back of your head. We carefully close the incision, which will heal in a fine line. Your existing hair usually covers the incision. Our in-house hair team divides the strip of removed scalp into 500 to 2,500 tiny grafts, each with an individual hair or just a few hairs.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): Individual hair follicles are extracted one by one from the donor area using a small punch tool. These follicles are then transplanted to the recipient area.

If you’re receiving the FUE procedure, Dr. Nizam will shave a section of the back of your scalp. Then, we will remove hair follicles from that area one by one. The area heals with small dots, which your existing hair will cover.

The hair grafts are then carefully transplanted to the recipient sites, one by one, for both FUE and LSE procedures. We prefer our cases to be performed under sedation, which is much more comfortable for our patients.

Benefits of Hair Transplantation

• Natural-looking results: Hair transplanted from your own scalp will grow in a natural way, matching your existing hair.
• Permanent solution: Hair transplanted to the recipient area will grow permanently.
• Minimal scarring: Both FUT and FUE leave minimal scarring, especially with FUE.
• High success rate: Hair transplantation has a high success rate, with most patients experiencing significant hair growth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Transplants

What is recovery like?

After the surgery, your scalp may be tender, and you will be prescribed pain medication. Dr. Nizam will advise you to wear bandages over your scalp for at least a day. Most people can resume work 2-5 days after the operation, with full recovery taking a few weeks. During this time, you may experience swelling, scabbing, itching, and mild discomfort or pain.

What can I expect afterward?

Although each patient is different, most follow the following recovery and results timeline:

Month 1: Close attention will need to be paid to aftercare instructions to help your grafts settle in. Your harvest sites will heal.

Months 2–3: You will notice some hair shedding over the first three months. If this happens, don’t worry — this is normal, and it is a matter of time before your new hair regrows.

Months 3–12: Throughout the first year after the surgery, your new hair will become more voluminous, showing steady progress toward your desired hairline.

Months 12–18: After a year or so post-op, your results will become final. Some patients may opt for a second procedure at this time.

What is the best age for a hair transplant?

Older men are considered slightly better candidates for transplants than younger ones.

It is beneficial for our surgeons to fully visualize and understand your genetic balding pattern, which has often not materialized for men in their early or mid-20s. For slightly older men, we can meticulously plan a procedure that best suits your genetic balding pattern and will suit you better as you age. This ensures the most positive result for the long term. Medications like minoxidil, finasteride, and dutasteride can also be used. In general, these medications seem to be more effective at preserving existing hair than growing new hair and are more beneficial for younger men in the early stages of hair loss.

What are the possible side effects of a hair transplant?

Most side effects of hair transplant surgery are minimal and temporary, including:

• Minor bleeding and swelling
• Itching and crusting at the surgical sites
• “Shock loss” of hair, which is temporary

Who is a Good Candidate for Hair Transplantation?

If you are in good general health and have realistic expectations about hair transplantation and its results, you are a good candidate for hair transplantation. If you are suffering from certain medical conditions that affect hair growth, you may not be a good candidate for hair transplants.

How much does a hair transplant cost?

It is impossible to give an accurate price without examining your scalp, determining what is causing your baldness, and choosing the best treatment approach. At an initial consultation, we can provide you with an accurate quote for your hair transplant.