The Developing Science of Hair Transplants

Dr. William Yates and the Yates Hair Science Group are committed to combating hair loss, a matter that can have a profound impact on an individual’s confidence and emotional well-being. The Yates Hair Science Group offers multiple treatments and therapies, including newer discoveries like platelet-rich plasma therapy, and modern variations on traditional treatments, such as the basic yet effective hair transplant.

The process hair transplant is simple in concept, and can be compared to transplanting a tree or grafting vines together. The follicle–the gland that grows a single strand of hair–is moved from one area of your scalp to another, growing hair in the new location and helping to reduce the appearance of hair loss by evening out the growth. Because the transplanted hair follicles are those immune to the hormones that trigger hair loss in later years, they should continue growing hair for the rest of the patient’s life, regardless of where they are placed.

Follicle transplants have been performed since the 1950s, but were relatively crude procedures, resulting in extreme pain and scarring. Modern techniques are far more refined, and primarily come in two forms. Follicular unit transplant (FUT) removes a thin strip of skin several inches long, sews the scalp closed, divides the strip into hundreds of smaller sections, and implants those back into the scalp.

Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is similar, but removes individual hair follicles for relocation. FUE is a more exacting process, but is less invasive. The use of robotic surgical systems, such as the ARTAS system, allows the FUE procedure to be performed with precision unmatched by any doctor.