Wolfeld: An Exclusive Approach

Dr. Wolfeld is a nationally-recognized hair restoration specialist. He is a board-certified plastic surgeon who serves as an Assistant Clinic Professor of Plastic Surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center, and the first physician certified both by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery.

Dr. Wolfeld and patient during consultation

Renowned Hair Restoration Specialist

Dr. Wolfeld's reputation for excellence has led to many awards and honors, including named in the New York Times “Super Doctor” list, Castle Connelly “Top Doctors in America", and in “10 Best List of Plastic Surgeons” by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons. Providing some of the best hair restoration in NYC, he is known for his outstanding accomplishments in advanced hair procedures in the area as well as nationwide.

Latest Press

View All Press & Articles

The Last Strand: Let's Talk About Hair Loss

Super Doctor in New York by the New York Times 2014 – 2024

New York Magazine’s Best Doctors 2021 – 2024

Top Doctor in New York by Castle Connolly 2017 – 2024

Hair Restoration Before & After

View Gallery

Dr. Wolfeld and patient during treatment

What is Hair Restoration?

Hair restoration is the process of stimulating new hair growth with regenerative treatments, hair growth medications, or by transplanting healthy hair follicles to thinning or balding areas to create a more vital, healthy, and youthful appearance. When it comes to the subject of hair restoration and hair transplant in NYC, Dr. Wolfeld is the surgeon to go to for your treatment.

Hair Restoration vs. Hair Transplants

Hair restoration is the process of restoring hair to a thinning or balding area. It may involve follicular unit graft transplants to fill in a thinning or balding area or a receding hairline, but may also refer to restoring natural hair growth through regenerative techniques such as PRP hair restoration or with the help of prescribed hair growth medications.

Artas machine

What Causes Hair Loss?

Hair loss may be caused by various conditions, including genetics, hormonal changes, aging, some medical conditions, or the result of times of stress. It can also occur as a side effect of some medications, including certain cholesterol drugs, anticoagulants, blood pressure meds, treatments for psoriasis, anti-arrythmia drugs, certain antacids, and anti-fungal medications. The first step in planning your hair restoration in NYC is a full evaluation by Dr. Wolfeld to determine the underlying cause of your hair loss.

About the Hair Growth Cycle

Hair growth occurs in four stages. Hair typically grows about a quarter to a half an inch per month, with each follicle in one of these four stages:

Anagen: The growth phase. During this phase, the cells divide quickly. About 90 percent of your hair follicles are in the anagen phase.
Catagen: The transitional phase in which the hair follicles shrink. This phase lasts about two weeks, with the hair no longer growing, and detaching from the blood supply.
Telogen: The resting phase in which the follicle is not producing any hair, which lasts for several months. A new hair is beginning to grow within the follicle, with about 10 to 15 percent of your follicles in this phase.
Exogen: The shedding phase, with the hair falling out. A normal person loses about 50 to 100 hairs each day. The hair then returns to the anagen phase, with a new hair growing.

Am I a Candidate for Hair Restoration?

If you are losing your hair, notice your hairline receding, your part becoming wider, or your hair thinning, you may be a candidate for our NYC hair transplant procedure. Some people accept hair loss or may choose to wear some type of hair piece, while others prefer to take a proactive approach and undergo a procedure, therapy, or treatment to restore natural hair to a thinning or balding area. If you feel that hair loss is affecting your self-image, confidence, or makes you look older, you are likely a very good candidate for a hair transplant procedure.

Types of Hair Restoration:

FUE

FUE stands for “follicular unit excision or extraction” This procedure involves harvesting healthy hair follicles from the back of the head where they are not genetically programmed for balding. The hairs are extracted individually and then transplanted to the thinning or balding area one by one for a completely natural result.

FUT

FUT, or “follicular unit transplantation,” is also called the “strip” method. In this procedure, a linear strip of the scalp is harvested from the back of the scalp where the hair is permanent and more abundant. The follicular unit grafts are then carefully microscopically dissected from the strip and implanted, one by one, in the thinning or balding area for a completely natural result.

ARTAS iX System

The most advanced hair restoration system, the ARTAS iX System is a physician assisted robotic method to harvest the best quality hair and to ensure precision, reproducibility, and outstanding outcomes. The system also has the capability of creating recipient sites and implanting the follicular unit grafts as well. The ARTAS iX is a huge advancement in modern hair restoration technology.

Dr. Wolfeld Speaks about the ARTAS Robotic System

Medications

If you are losing your hair, several medications are available that can trigger new hair growth. These include:

Propecia (finasteride): This FDA approved prescription medication can help to stabilize thinning hair, and even can help to thicken hair which has thinned. It works by inhibiting the process of converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, which can then lead to hair loss. There are some possible side effects from this medication which would be discussed in a consultation.
Rogaine (minoxidil): This FDA approved medication has been well known for many years. Rogaine may work by dilating the blood vessels in the scalp to encourage increased blood flow and nutrients to the hair follicles. This medication is applied topically to the thinning areas and has proven to be effective for both men and women suffering from hair loss. There is also an off label prescription oral minoxidil option for those patients who may have difficulty with a topical treatment.
Aldactone (spironolactone): Aldactone (spironolactone): An oral prescription medication which may be an effective treatment for women who are struggling with hair loss related to hormonal imbalances. It acts as an anti-androgen (hormones playing a role in reproductive activity) and can lead to fuller hair and less shedding.
Vitamins: Supplements that provide nutrients that may help to strengthen hair for it to appear healthier, thicker, and more attractive. The ingredients in certain hair vitamins can address a range of underlying causes of hair loss.
PRP: Platelet rich plasma contains natural growth factors that can lead to healthier hair growth, and restore follicles that are starting to produce thinner, finer hairs. It is produced from your own blood, which is processed to create the regenerative serum, which is injected into the scalp. PRP hair restoration is usually most effective on those who are in the early stages of hair loss, and may help to stabilize and thicken thinning hair.

Areas of Hair Restoration

Hair loss treatments can be performed on several areas. While our hair restoration in NYC is often to restore a thicker head of hair, modern techniques can increase the quantity of hair in the following areas:

Head

Eyebrows

Beard

Sideburns

Recovery / Post-Op Instructions

Following a hair transplant procedure, you will need to carefully follow your post-treatment instructions so you recover quickly and protect the newly transplanted follicular unit grafts. You can be back to work or other activities shortly after your procedure and can sleep comfortably on the donor area immediately following the procedure.

For the Artas iX FUE procedure, only Tylenol is needed for pain relief, if any, as the procedure is minimally invasive. After a strip method (FUT), you will have stitches or staples and will need to care for the incision site carefully, so it heals properly. You will have restricted activities for several weeks following the procedure. When healed, you will need to have a slightly longer hairstyle so that the fine linear scar is not visible.

Downtime

FUT (Strip Method): With the strip method, the recipient (grafted) areas will be noticeable for approximately 10 days. The donor area will be camouflaged by your hair on the back and sides of the scalp. The stitches or staples are removed at 10 and 20 days following the procedure. Usually full activity can be resumed 4-6 weeks following this procedure.

ARTAS iX: The downtime with the FUE ARTAS iX hair restoration is minimal, usually only several days, and full activity can be resumed 10 days following the procedure. This advanced hair restoration system is precise, accurate, has a shorter recovery time, and allows you to wear your hair shorter in the future.

Risks

FUT: Hair transplants performed with the strip method will leave a thin linear scar scar on the back of the head. Possible risks of an FUT will be discussed and given to the patient prior to a procedure.

FUE with ARTAS iX: With the ARTAS iX method, the risks of complications are very low. As each follicular unit graft is harvested with a very small punch on the robotic system, only a small wound is created that closes and heals quickly, with very minimal scarring. Possible risks of an FUE transplant will be discussed and given to the patient prior to a procedure.

What to Expect During the Hair Restoration Procedure

Preparing for Hair Restoration

Your hair restoration design and plan are discussed and thoroughly reviewed with Dr. Wolfeld prior to a hair transplant procedure. All questions are answered and the extent of hair coverage and graft count are well known beforehand.
It is important not to cut your hair too short prior to a procedure; any shaving of the scalp will be performed the morning of the procedure.
Avoid any nicotine use for at least three weeks prior to a procedure.
Wear loose clothing to your procedure so you are comfortable and a button down shirt. You cannot wear any top that needs to go over your head after the procedure.
It is important to eat breakfast prior to a procedure, but no coffee.
You are unable to drive or take public transportation following the procedure.

During

The procedure will require several hours to complete, typically about six to eight hours, based upon the extent of the restoration. You will be laying on your abdomen for the Artas iX extraction portion of the procedure, and then seated comfortably on your back throughout the remainder of the procedure. There will be minimal discomfort, as local anesthetic will be administered to numb the area.

After

When your hair restoration treatment is complete, Dr. Wolfeld will review the post-op instructions in detail so all questions will be answered. You may experience swelling, which typically diminishes in several days. Following an Artas iX robotic FUE procedure, most patients feel surprisingly well, are able to sleep normally, and require only Tylenol for comfort.

Hair Restoration FAQ

When can I return to work?

How long does recovery take?

Is financing available?

Is it painful?

Will there be scarring?

How long before I can go in public?

Do I need anesthesia?

What's the cost?

How long does the procedure take?

Can women get hair restoration?

When can I return to work?

After an ARTAS hair restoration, most people return to work within several days, depending on the kind of work they perform. The hair transplant procedure may be noticeable for up to 10 days, so some patients choose to wait until then prior to returning to work. After 10 days, any remaining scabs can be washed off.

How long does recovery take?

With ARTAS, most people feel comfortable enough to return to work or other usual activities in several days, however, the transplanted follicular unit grafts are not permanent until 10 days. One just needs to be careful with activities until the follicles are permanent and cannot be dislodged. Some people may choose to work from home for the first 10 days, after such time, the transplant should not be noticeable and the follicular unit grafts are permanent.

Is financing available?

Various financing options are available for hair restoration procedures, allowing you to pay for it over time in easy monthly payments.

Is it painful?

There is minimal discomfort with a hair transplant procedure, as local anesthetic will be injected into your scalp. You may feel the injection of the anesthetic, but after that, you will be pain-free.

Will there be scarring?

The tiny punches created in harvesting follicular unit grafts with the ARTAS iX system leave very tiny, dot scars, and you can wear your at a very short length without any scarring being noticeable. The FUT procedure generally leaves a thin linear scar at the back and sides of the scalp. For the FUT, the hair needs to be kept at a slightly longer length to camouflage the scar.

How long before I can go in public?

You can go out in public after several days, however, your hair transplant may be noticeable for up to 10 days. After day 6 or 7 you can wear a loose fitting baseball cap. After 10 days, the follicular unit grafts are permanent and any remaining scabs can be washed off.

Do I need anesthesia?

Only local anesthetic is used for both the ARTAS iX FUE and the FUT procedures.

What's the cost?

The cost varies depending on the extent of the scalp to be transplanted. The procedure may be in the range of $8,000 to $16,000.

How long does the procedure take?

The procedure usually takes about six to eight hours. This generally depends on how many grafts are being transplanted for the procedure.

Can women get hair restoration?

Yes, hair loss treatments are appropriate for both men and women. If you are noticing your hair becoming thinner, finer, or your part becoming wider and more visible, or you have balding areas, hair restoration treatments can help you look and feel younger and more attractive.

Your Guide to Hair Transplants in NYC Out of Town Patients

For decades, Dr. Wolfeld has been renowned as one of the best hair transplant specialists in the country. Patients visiting New York City take advantage of the opportunity to receive treatment under his attentive care.

Learn More About Traveling Patients

Wolfeld: An Exclusive Approach

Renowned Hair Restoration Specialist

Latest Press

Related Videos

Hair Restoration Before & After

What is Hair Restoration?

Hair Restoration vs. Hair Transplants

What Causes Hair Loss?

About the Hair Growth Cycle

Am I a Candidate for Hair Restoration?

Types of Hair Restoration:

FUE

FUT

ARTAS iX System

Dr. Wolfeld Speaks about the ARTAS Robotic System

Medications

Areas of Hair Restoration

Recovery / Post-Op Instructions

Downtime

Risks

What to Expect During the Hair Restoration Procedure

Preparing for Hair Restoration

During

After

Hair Restoration FAQ

When can I return to work?

How long does recovery take?

Is financing available?

Is it painful?

Will there be scarring?

How long before I can go in public?

Do I need anesthesia?

What's the cost?

How long does the procedure take?

Can women get hair restoration?

Your Guide to Hair Transplants in NYC Out of Town Patients