What is Neograft Hair Restoration?

Neograft is an advanced, minimally invasive hair restoration technique that utilizes automated Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) to transplant individual hair follicles from a donor area (typically the back or sides of the scalp) to areas of thinning or baldness. Unlike traditional strip harvesting, Neograft leaves no linear scars, using a gentle suction-based system to extract and implant follicles with precision. At Nairobi Sculpt Aesthetic Centre, Dr. Mukami Gathariki specializes in Neograft, delivering natural-looking, permanent hair regrowth for men and women experiencing hair loss due to androgenetic alopecia, trauma, or other non-progressive causes. Her expertise ensures high graft survival rates and results that seamlessly blend with your natural hair, tailored to your unique hairline and aesthetic goals.

The procedure is performed in a comfortable, outpatient setting, with minimal downtime and a focus on patient comfort and satisfaction.

Benefits of Neograft Hair Restoration

• Natural-Looking Results: Follicles are implanted to match your natural hair growth pattern, ensuring a seamless, undetectable outcome.
• No Linear Scarring: Tiny puncture marks (less than 1mm) heal quickly and are virtually invisible, even with short hairstyles.
• Quick Recovery: Most patients resume normal activities within 2–3 days, with minimal discomfort and no sutures required.
• Permanent Solution: Transplanted hair is resistant to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for balding, ensuring long-lasting results.
• Versatility: Suitable for scalp, eyebrows, beard, or sideburn restoration, and effective for various hair types, including curly or coarse hair.
• High Graft Survival: Neograft’s automated system minimizes follicle trauma, achieving 90–95% graft survival rates.
• Improved Scalp Aesthetics: Restores a fuller, youthful hairline, enhancing facial balance and confidence.

Who is a Candidate for Neograft Hair Restoration?

Neograft is suitable for individuals who:

• Are in good general health with no uncontrolled medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, autoimmune disorders) that affect healing or hair growth.
• Experience hair loss classified as Norwood stages 2–6 (men) or Ludwig stages 1–2 (women), or have localized hair loss from trauma or scarring.
• Have sufficient donor hair in the occipital or temporal scalp regions, with adequate density and quality for transplantation.
• Seek restoration for thinning hairlines, crown baldness, or facial hair (e.g., eyebrows, beard) to enhance appearance.
• Have realistic expectations, understanding that full results take 12–18 months to develop as hair grows in cycles.
• Are non-smokers or willing to quit for 2–4 weeks before and after the procedure to optimize healing and graft survival.
• Do not have active scalp infections, severe dermatitis, or progressive hair loss conditions (e.g., alopecia areata) without stabilization.
• Are committed to postoperative care, including gentle scalp washing and avoiding trauma to the grafts.

During a consultation, Dr. Mukami will evaluate your scalp using tools like a densitometer, assess your hair loss pattern, and discuss your goals to confirm Neograft’s suitability, possibly recommending adjunctive therapies for optimal results.

Why Choose Neograft?

Patients opt for Neograft hair restoration to address:

• Receding Hairline: Restores a youthful, symmetrical hairline to enhance facial proportions.
• Thinning Crown or Mid-Scalp: Increases hair density in sparse areas for a fuller, healthier appearance.
• Bald Spots: Fills in patches caused by genetics, burns, or surgical scars, blending with existing hair.
• Facial Hair Restoration: Enhances sparse eyebrows, beards, or sideburns for a polished look, especially for men.
• Psychological Well-Being: Boosts confidence and self-esteem by addressing hair loss, a common concern impacting quality of life.
• Non-Surgical Preference: Offers a minimally invasive alternative to traditional hair transplant methods with less downtime.

The Neograft Hair Restoration Procedure

Neograft is performed in an accredited outpatient facility under local anesthesia, taking 4–8 hours depending on the number of grafts (500–3,000 follicles):

1. Preoperative Consultation: Dr. Mukami maps the donor and recipient areas, designs the hairline, and discusses graft numbers. Patients are advised to avoid minoxidil, blood thinners, and smoking for 2 weeks prior.
2. Anesthesia: Local anesthesia with lidocaine is administered to the donor and recipient areas, ensuring a pain-free experience. Sedation may be offered for comfort.
3. Donor Hair Extraction: The Neograft device uses pneumatic pressure to extract individual follicles, leaving micro-punctures that heal rapidly. Follicles are stored in a sterile, temperature-controlled solution to maintain viability.
4. Follicle Preparation: Technicians sort and trim follicles under magnification, ensuring only healthy grafts are implanted.
5. Recipient Site Creation: Dr. Mukami creates micro-incisions in the recipient area, aligning with the natural hair angle and density for optimal aesthetics.
6. Follicle Implantation: The Neograft system implants follicles with precision, minimizing trauma and ensuring high graft take (90–95%).
7. Post-Procedure Care: A light dressing or no dressing is applied, and patients receive detailed instructions. No sutures or staples are needed.

Dr. Mukami’s meticulous approach ensures minimal follicle transection, precise placement, and natural results, with a focus on patient comfort and safety.

Risks and Considerations

Neograft is a safe procedure with low complication rates, but potential risks include:

• Swelling and Redness: Common for 2–5 days, resolving with head elevation and cold compresses.
• Folliculitis: Inflammation of hair follicles, rare and treatable with antibiotics or topical steroids.
• Graft Failure: Less than 5–10% of grafts may not take, often due to poor aftercare or underlying scalp conditions.
• Temporary Shock Loss: Existing hair near the recipient site may shed temporarily, regrowing within 3–6 months.
• Infection: Rare with proper sterile technique and postoperative hygiene.
• Numbness or Itching: Temporary sensations in the scalp, resolving within weeks.
• Uneven Density: Rare with Dr. Mukami’s expertise, addressed through careful planning or touch-up sessions.

Dr. Mukami minimizes risks through rigorous preoperative screening, sterile technique, and comprehensive aftercare guidance.

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery from Neograft is straightforward, with the following timeline:

• First 48 Hours: Mild swelling, redness, or soreness in the scalp, managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Tiny scabs form around grafts. Sleep with head elevated to reduce swelling.
• Days 3–7: Scabs begin to fall off, and patients can resume light activities. Gentle scalp washing starts 48–72 hours post-procedure to keep the area clean.
• Weeks 2–3: Transplanted hair sheds (telogen effluvium), a normal phase before new growth. Avoid strenuous exercise or direct sun exposure.
• Months 3–6: New hair growth begins, with noticeable density improvements. Hair appears thin initially, thickening over time.
• Months 12–18: Full results are visible, with thick, natural-looking hair integrated with existing hair.

Dr. Mukami’s aftercare instructions include:

• Spraying saline solution on the scalp every 2–3 hours for the first 2 days to keep grafts moist.
• Using a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo starting 48–72 hours post-procedure, avoiding direct water pressure.
• Avoiding scratching, rubbing, or picking at the scalp to prevent graft dislodgement.
• Refraining from heavy exercise, swimming, or sauna use for 2 weeks to minimize sweat and infection risk.
• Protecting the scalp from UV exposure with a loose hat or SPF 30+ sunscreen (after 2 weeks).
• Avoiding smoking and alcohol for 2–4 weeks to support healing and circulation.
• Attending follow-up visits (e.g., 1 week, 1 month, 6 months) to monitor progress and address concerns.

Combining Neograft with Other Procedures

Neograft can be paired with complementary treatments to enhance results and overall aesthetics:

• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: Stimulates follicle activity and improves graft survival by injecting growth factors into the scalp, often performed 1–3 months post-Neograft.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): Promotes hair growth and scalp health using non-invasive laser devices, ideal for ongoing maintenance.
• Minoxidil or Finasteride: Topical or oral medications to stabilize native hair loss and support transplanted hair, started 2–4 weeks post-procedure.
• Botox or Fillers: Enhances facial symmetry and youthfulness to complement a restored hairline, suitable for concurrent or staged treatment.
• Chemical Peels or Micro-Needling: Improves scalp or facial skin quality, typically performed after full scalp healing (3–6 months).
• Facial Procedures: Rhinoplasty, facelift, or eyelid surgery for comprehensive rejuvenation, planned separately to avoid scalp stress.
• Body Contouring for Men: Liposuction or gynecomastia correction to complete a transformative aesthetic journey.

Dr. Mukami will create a personalized treatment plan during your consultation, ensuring safe and effective combinations tailored to your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will Neograft leave visible scars? No, Neograft leaves tiny (less than 1mm) puncture marks that heal within days and are nearly invisible, even with short haircuts.
• How soon will I see results? New hair growth starts at 3–4 months, with significant density by 6–9 months and full results in 12–18 months.
• Is Neograft painful? Local anesthesia ensures a pain-free procedure. Post-procedure discomfort is minimal, managed with mild analgesics for 1–3 days.
• Can Neograft restore eyebrows or beards? Yes, Neograft is ideal for precise restoration of eyebrows, beards, or sideburns, with customized graft placement for natural results.
• Will the transplanted hair fall out? Transplanted hair may shed within 2–3 weeks (shock loss), but new, permanent hair begins growing at 3–4 months.
• Is Neograft suitable for curly or African hair types? Yes, Dr. Mukami’s expertise ensures successful outcomes for curly, coily, or coarse hair, with careful attention to follicle curvature.
• How much does Neograft cost? Costs depend on the number of grafts and session complexity. Contact Nairobi Sculpt Aesthetic Centre at +254 720 626 037 for a personalized quote.