Hair Transplant in the Philippines, Asia and the Pacific: A Primer
by Dr. Francisco B. Manzanares, Jr., M.D.

Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure performed on men and women who would like to reverse the signs of hair loss. It helps to correct androgenetic alopecia, scarring alopecia and other types of permanent alopecia. Hair transplantation involves transferring hair grafts (skin and hair units of 1 to 4 hairs extracted from a single donor strip) from the back and sides of your head (the donor area) to balding or thinng areas where you would like new hair to grow.

Today, hair transplantation is a very refined outpatient procedure that can produce full and natural looking results, even after only one hair transplant session. When performed correctly, not even a hair stylist will detect that a person has had a hair transplant. However, it is critical that the hair transplant procedure be performed correctly to achieve such natural results. To do so requires a hair restoration clinic that can perform both Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) at the highest levels of skill, experience, and dedication. Manzanares Hair Restoration Center is in the forefront of this surgical hair restoration.

What is hair transplant exactly?

Hair transplantation is an artistic redistribution system that takes donor dominant hair follicles donor areas such as the chest or from the very back of the head (which are genetically resistant to hair loss) and artfully relocate them into thinning or balding areas. With current microsurgical technologies, this results in a very natural appearance. Basically, we take hair from where you have more than you need and put it where you need it more. The hair that is now growing will be permanent for the rest of the patient’s life. Those newly transplanted hairs need no more care than ordinary washing, styling and trimming as you have always doing in your hair. The end result is your own natural hair growing the way nature created hair to look, feel and grow. More at http://www.manzanareshairrestoration.com.

How effective is hair transplantation?

Hair transplantation is a surgical office procedure for the treatment of hair loss. This is accomplished by actually transferring grafts or small sections of hair bearing skin from the back of his scalp to bold areas on the top of the head. Follicular hair units are usually used. This technique is very effective in most types of hair loss, including male and female pattern loss. It is also effective when concealing scar injury and complications from disease. It is especially effective in concealing the scars from facial plastic surgical procedures (face lifts, brow lifts, etc.). Even eyebrows and eyelashes can be reconstructed with excellent cosmetic appearance. Women in particular are excellent candidates, as their hair loss tends to be diffuse and can afford them full coverage of the area while undergoing healing. Best of all, your results are permanent. More at http://www.manzanareshairrestoration.com.

Are there any risks with hair transplant surgery?

There are practically no risks involved in hair transplant surgery. Occurrences of infection after the procedure are rare. In the few cases where infection does occur, it is often due to the patient’s failure to fully follow post-operative instructions. When infection occurs, it is easily treatable with antibiotics which can be prescribed by the physician. More at http://www.manzanareshairrestoration.com.

What are the steps in performing hair transplant?

A typical hair transplant procedure has at least seven steps:

1. Consultation
2. Blood Tests
3. Anesthesia
4. Extraction of donor hair
5. Division of donor hair into follicular units
6. Implanting of donor hair
7. Post operative care

The entire procedure can lasts from 2 to 4 hours depending on the number of hair grafts being implanted. Follow post-operative instructions we have given carefully and expect to wait 3 to 5 months before your new hair grafts actually start growing your new hair. It’s important to note that once your hair grafts are implanted, the shock of the transplanting will actually cause them to go into the dormant stage. This means your new hair grafts will actually die and fall out. But don’t worry for this is normal and expected. More at http://www.manzanareshairrestoration.com.

Is hair transplant procedure painful?

Hair transplantation is often perceived as a painful procedure because of ignorance and lack of understanding of the treatment. However, it is a fairly simple procedure involving only one or two sessions, and is relatively painless. Most patients watch a movie or take a nap while we work. Afterwards, they tell us that during the procedure they felt no pain. Any discomfort they feel afterwards is usually very temporary and nearly always minimal and easily relieved with simple pain tablets taken for 1 – 2 days after the procedure. One third of our patients do not take any pain tablets anymore. More at http://www.manzanareshairrestoration.com.

I have a medical condition, can I still receive a hair transplant?

Pre-existing medical conditions are always a concern of Dr. Manzanares. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, please tell us at the time of your consultation. For your convenience, we have listed responses from some of the most frequently asked medical questions:

1. COUMADIN
If you are taking Coumadin, you will need to be off Coumadin for a week prior to your hair restoration procedure. When you have a consultation, Dr. Manzanares may require a confirmation from your physician. More at http://www.manzanareshairrestoration.com.

2. INTRAVENOUS SEDATION
At MHR Center, intravenous sedation is virtually never used for hair restoration procedures. Instead, patients are administered local anesthesia and are able to relax and watch a video, stretch or use the restroom at any time during the procedure. If you would like additional sedation or relaxation, you may request it and we will be pleased to order it for you. More at http://www.manzanareshairrestoration.com.

3. DIABETES
We have performed successful hair transplant procedures for patients with diabetes. However, to determine possible candidacy for hair restoration, you will first need to have a consultation with Dr. Manzanares. He may require a confirmation from your diabetes physician to confirm that your diabetes is under good control. More at http://www.manzanareshairrestoration.com.

4. LUPUS (Erythematosus) – LE
In many cases, it is not a good idea to transplant hair into an area where the hair loss caused by LE has occurred. After hair has been transplanted into such an area, the LE process (which caused the hair loss) could recur. However, in some cases (when LE has been inactive for many years) it is feasible to do hair transplants. Dr. Manzanares will determine this during your consultation. More at http://www.manzanareshairrestoration.com.

5. KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
For various medical reasons, a hair restoration procedure cannot be done prior to a pending kidney transplant. However, once a kidney transplant procedure is completed and has healed, Dr. Manzanares can determine if it is feasible for you to have a hair transplant procedure. More at http://www.manzanareshairrestoration.com.

Is hair transplant surgery expensive?

Comparatively, no. While there are costs involved, the benefits of growing your own hair make hair transplantation much more cost-effective than other methods, because afterwards, no further expense is incurred plus you may take into account the financial options Manzanares Hair Restoration Center can offer to you. There are no expensive chemicals to be bought or used continually. There are no expensive hair pieces to be maintained, repaired, tinted, conditioned and replaced regularly every 18 months in order to look natural. So, weighed in the light of all possible alternatives, the hair transplant solution is not only the best, but is also the most economical overall. More at http://www.manzanareshairrestoration.com.

Will hair transplant procedure suggests time off from work?

Little or no time off from work is required. But if you are sensitive about how you will look during the days immediately following, you can wear a hat, or, if that’s not possible in your work environment, Dr. Frank recommends beginning the process just before your holidays. Many patients return to work the next day. However, every person is different. Beyond examination, your consultation is a good source to be informed of possible strategies for your unique situation. More at http://www.manzanareshairrestoration.com.

Is there a chance that hair grafts will be rejected during hair transplant surgery?

Unlike kidney or heart transplant which are donated by another person, there is no possibility that hair grafts will be rejected since hair grafts wil come from the same person. The body’s immune system will not reject such. Moreover, hair from another person cannot be used for hair transplantation purposes. More at http://www.manzanareshairrestoration.com.

When should I consider hair transplant to treat hair loss?

The consideration of when to undergo hair transplant surgery is a personal decision. Its success is based on many factors, including the amount of donor hair available as well as the amount of area that needs to be covered. An evaluation for hair transplant surgery with a qualified hair transplant surgeon is most important in determining when surgery should be considered. As a rule, hair transplant surgery is more successful when there is still existing hair that can be used to camouflage the surgical area. The goal of a successful session is to allow the patient to continue to recede in a natural and expected manner, rather