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“Dr. Lopresti made me feel comfortable and I knew he was the right doctor for me.”

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Home/Hair Transplant Surgery

Hair Transplant Surgery

Dr. Mary Lopresti & Dr. Matthew Lopresti

At Leonard Hair Transplant Associates, hair transplant surgery isn’t just a procedure; it’s a carefully crafted ordeal. With over 30 years of experience in New England, our team combines advanced surgical technology with expert precision to create hairlines and results that look completely natural. Every hair transplant is planned and executed with meticulous care, using state-of-the-art tools and techniques to ensure results that last and enhance your confidence.

Hair transplant surgery is a journey, and every step is tailored to you. From the initial consultation to personalized follow-ups, we guide patients toward fuller, natural-looking hair over time. Leonard Hair Transplant Associates delivers results that are reliable, refined, and designed to make you feel your best, making us the go-to choice for anyone serious about hair restoration.

What Is a Hair Transplant?

Hair transplant surgery is all about putting your own hair back where it belongs. We take healthy hair follicles from the back of your head, areas that naturally keep growing hair, and move them to spots where it’s thinning or gone. These hairs are ideal for transplantation, giving long-lasting, natural results once placed.

Using modern techniques, we carefully remove the follicles and position them with precision, so they blend seamlessly with your existing hair. The goal isn’t just coverage; it’s a natural-looking hairline and thicker hair that lasts for years. The process is straightforward, rooted in how your hair grows, and designed to deliver results that actually make sense.

At our Massachusetts and Rhode Island surgical offices, we perform both the FUE technique and the traditional strip method for our patients. Hair restoration may be necessary for aesthetic reasons or possibly due to an injury. It can also benefit those who have lost hair in specific areas following a cosmetic procedure. We commonly perform hair restoration for balding or thinning areas on the scalp, as well as eyebrow hair transplantation.

Today’s current hair restoration techniques can make the hair transplantation results very natural-looking and age-appropriate. Even after a single but thorough hair transplant session, beautiful aesthetic results can be achieved from the comfort of our state-of-the-art surgical centers.

What Are the Benefits of Hair Transplant Surgery?

Hair transplant surgery offers a long-lasting, natural-looking solution for hair loss by restoring hair using your own healthy follicles. Because transplanted hair is taken from areas genetically programmed to grow for a lifetime, the results are long-lasting and reliable. Some of the key benefits of hair transplant surgery include:

For many patients, hair transplant surgery not only restores hair—it restores confidence, allowing them to look as young and vibrant as they feel.

Am I a Candidate for Hair Transplant Surgery?

Before considering a hair transplant, we look at the main factors that determine whether surgery is right for you. This includes the density of hair in the back of your head, which serves as the donor area, as well as your overall hair characteristics and your realistic expectations. Our doctors follow the principle of “first, do no harm,” so if your hair thinning is temporary, caused by stress, medication, a medical condition, or lifestyle factors, it usually makes sense to address the underlying cause first. For most people, hair loss is genetic, and that is when a hair transplant can provide long-lasting, natural-looking results. Even hair loss from an injury or a prior procedure can often be helped, but the goal is always to make sure you have a clear understanding of what is possible before moving forward.

For those in the early stages of thinning, non-surgical hair loss treatments can help stabilize or improve existing hair. For more advanced thinning or balding, a hair transplant can restore coverage and create a natural hairline. Many patients achieve the best results by combining surgical and non-surgical approaches, keeping existing hair healthy while adding transplanted hair where it is needed most. By focusing on donor density and aligning your expectations with what is realistically achievable, we deliver a fuller, natural-looking appearance that restores confidence and provides long-lasting results, all guided by care, experience, and the principle of putting your safety and outcomes first.

What Are the Different Types of Hair Transplant Surgery?

There are two methods to harvest grafts in the hair transplant procedure: the traditional strip method and the Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) method. Each approach offers unique benefits and considerations. Dr. Matthew Lopresti and Dr. Mary Lopresti can review each modality and guide you in selecting the ideal approach based on your anatomic characteristics and expressed goals. Additionally, non-surgical options are always recommended as an alternative, or in addition to, a hair transplant procedure, to optimize your outcome.

Traditional Strip Harvesting

During a hair transplant, hair is redistributed from the donor site located in the back of the head to the balding or thinning areas on top. These grafts are placed to create a natural-appearing result. The new hair follicles act as your normal hair, growing at the same rate as the rest of the area. The procedure can help you achieve a fuller head of hair with natural-looking results.

Step 1: Preparation

During a traditional strip method procedure our patients sit in a comfortable chair designed specifically for hair transplants. Our patients are awake the entire time and drive themselves to and from our office on the day of the hair transplant. Patients are able to watch movies or television and are typically not able to feel anything other than a touching and/or pressure sensation. The procedure will take about four to five hours.

Step 2: Donor Site Harvesting

To begin, we lift the hair up in a row in the back with hair clips, shave about a half inch band of hair and then numb it with a local anesthetic. A strip of skin with these shaved follicles is then harvested and placed in saline solution for hair transplantation. That small incision is sutured together, we remove the hair clips and the hair will shingle right over the sutured area in the back of the head—and it’s completely hidden.
Grafts removed and placed into Petri-dishes

Step 3: Grafting & Placing Hair Follicles

Under magnification, the follicular units from the donor strip are dissected by our staff that have only one hair, two hair, and three hair grafts. These grafts are then placed in saline solution. The area that is bald or thinning is made numb by a local anesthetic.
Then, very small incisions are precisely made into the skin, in which these tiny grafts are then planted. Dr. Lopresti creates these incisions in a way that follows hair growth direction, as well as the angulation from the surface of the scalp. Once these are in place we shampoo the patients’ hair and they leave our office without any bandages.

Step 4: Post-Operative Care

When the hair transplant procedure is complete most patients experience soreness in the donor site where the sutures are. Extra-Strength Tylenol® is primarily used for post-operative medication, but a stronger medication can be prescribed if needed. Approximately 10-14 days later the patient comes into our office to have their sutures removed. This simple process takes 15-20 minutes and the sutured area will heal in a line. In most individuals, it’s a fine line about the width of a pencil line, and it is completely covered by your hair.

Follicular Unit Excision (FUE)

Dr. Lopresti FUE procedure

Dr. Lopresti FUE procedure

Step1: Preparation with Dr. Lopresti

On the day of your procedure, Dr. Lopresti will take photos and carefully design and draw your newly transplanted area with a marker so that, together, you can finalize the plan. During a FUE hair transplant it is necessary for our patients to lie facedown for long durations while the grafts are harvested by Dr. Lopresti. A local anesthetic is injected into the scalp to numb the area. This injection process causes a slight pinch and burning sensation and generally takes between 3–4 minutes. Once completed, the remainder of the procedure is extremely comfortable.

Step 2:  Donor Site Harvesting

Our Chief Surgeon, Dr. Matthew Lopresti, manually extracts each follicular unit carefully from the scalp. This part of the procedure requires an extreme amount of skill and experience with sophisticated instruments to provide an optimal outcome for our patients. We take great pride in providing safe and efficient FUE hair transplant procedures with minimum operative time.

Step 3: Grafting & Placing Hair Follicles

Using extreme precision, tiny little incisions are made into the skin, into which these tiny grafts are then planted. Dr. Lopresti makes these incisions following the direction of hair growth and the angulation from the surface of the scalp. Our highly skilled team members take great care inserting the grafts into the incision in the proper direction to ensure optimal results.

Step 4: Post-Operative Care

At the conclusion of the FUE hair transplant the recipient and donor sites are thoroughly cleaned. We then place a bandage on the donor site to keep it covered until it can be removed the day after surgery. Post-operative instructions are reviewed and patients can then drive themselves home.

Learn More About Follicular Unit Excision

What Can I Expect After Hair Transplant Surgery?

The hard part comes after hair transplant surgery, which is waiting for the new hair to grow. The hair in the transplanted grafts will begin to grow about a ¼ inch in height initially and may fall out after approximately three to four weeks—but don’t worry! This is an expected physiologic situation. The little hairs in the grafts grow out of the grafts, making room for the same follicle to create a new hair that will grow. This is the standard shedding process, and your new hair should begin to grow in again in about three or four months. It’s a long period to wait and patience is your best friend during this time.

Approximately six months after the hair transplant is when we really can see the new hairs that have grown to a length creating a visual change. This is your own natural, growing hair that you can style however you wish. If you have any questions about this process, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.

View More Patient Photos

When Will I See My Hair Transplant Results?

Patience is required, but the results are well worth the wait. Between 9-12 months after the hair transplant is when patients typically see the most impressive difference in density. However, at around 16-18 months post-operatively is when everything will have grown through the skin and the final results are achieved. This is your own growing hair that can be cut, colored, and styled.

“I am so pleased that I took this step and did something about losing my hair. It has been just a year since I had the surgery and I can’t believe the improvement and the wonderful results! Even my hairdresser told me that my hair is so fuller now she forgot I even had a problem. ”

~ Patient

Will My Hair Transplant Leave a Visible Scar?

Depending on the hair transplant harvesting technique used, there may be a fine linear scar hidden under your hair. With the traditional strip method, a pencil line scar will be in the back of your scalp that will not be visible unless you wear your hair short in the back. If the FUE procedure is performed, there will be small white “speckled” scars remaining in your donor area. However, they typically are not particularly noticeable, even with a short haircut in the back. Dr. Matthew Lopresti and Dr. Mary Lopresti will provide additional details about what to expect from the final result during your first meeting.

Will I Need Another Hair Transplant in the Future?

Hair transplant surgery is designed to provide additional density in thinning or balding areas on the scalp. That said, if you have male or female pattern hair loss, you could continue to lose hair where your genes dictate you will. Hair loss is a progressive condition and, if left untreated, you increase the likelihood of having another hair transplant. While the transplanted grafts should not fall out, other hair on the scalp probably will continue to recede. We will evaluate your hair quality and condition when we develop a customized treatment plan.

Our physicians will let you know if additional treatments will be necessary and help you formulate a long-term approach to stabilizing, preserving, and restoring your hair. It is typical that these non-surgical therapies will be necessary.

Hair Restoration for Women

Often in our American society, it’s considered “normal” for a man to lose his hair; it is not so for women. Though perhaps a somewhat discomforting experience for many men, it is not considered unusual. Unfortunately, treating hair loss or baldness in women frequently does not receive that same openness by the public.

At Leonard Hair Transplants Associates, approximately 15 percent of our surgical patients are women. Compared to a typical hair restoration surgeon’s practice, this number is quite high, which we believe reflects our surgeons’ true commitment and leadership in the field of hair restoration for every individual—man or woman.

Dr. Matthew Lopresti and Dr. Mary Lopresti encourage women experiencing hair loss to seek out our hair restoration services without hesitation, fear, or embarrassment. We welcome the opportunity to evaluate any patient who is concerned about her lost or thinning hair.

Learn More About Hair Restoration for Women

View More Patient Photos

Hair Restoration for Transgender Patients

Hair plays a powerful role in how we see ourselves, and for many male-to-female transgender patients, the hairline can be one of the most important details in feeling fully aligned with their identity. A receding hairline or thinning at the temples can feel especially frustrating, and restoring these areas can have a meaningful impact on confidence and self-expression.

Hair transplant surgery for transgender patients often focuses on creating a softer, more feminine hairline by adding density to the front and temples. Achieving the right fullness sometimes requires more than one procedure, with treatments spaced about 18 months apart so that the transplanted hair from the first session has time to grow before adding additional coverage. Every plan is tailored to the individual, balancing realistic expectations with the goal of a natural, voluminous hairline that complements facial features. By taking a careful, step-by-step approach, patients can enjoy long-lasting results while feeling supported and understood throughout their transition.

Learn More About Transgender Hair Restoration

Can Facial Hair Be Transplanted?

In addition to restoring a fuller head of hair, our surgeons perform eyebrow restoration to create a thicker brow appearance. This includes non-surgical and surgical treatments that can effectively address or camouflage hair loss caused by genetics, excessive plucking, disease or disorder, or another concern.

Learn More About Eyebrow Restoration

Are There Non-Surgical Treatments to Help Regrow Hair?

We offer a comprehensive range of state-of-the-art minimally invasive and non-surgical treatments for hair loss such as PRP with ACell® Injection Therapy, Propecia®, and Rogaine® Foam. These methods can be used in conjunction with hair transplant surgery or as alternatives to the procedure if the patient is not yet a candidate. During your initial consultation, we can discuss your desired outcome and unique needs to determine the best course of action.

In addition, we offer Spectrum MD by Capillus, an advanced low-level laser therapy (LLLT) system designed to stimulate hair follicles, improve scalp health, and support thicker, healthier hair growth. Spectrum MD by Capillus is a convenient, non-invasive treatment that can be performed in-office or at home, making it an excellent option for patients seeking a medically guided, drug-free approach to hair restoration.

During your consultation, our physicians will evaluate your degree of hair loss, goals, and lifestyle to determine whether non-surgical treatments, surgical restoration, or a combination of both will provide the best long-term outcome.

Why Choose Us for Your Hair Transplant?

Choosing the right practice for hair transplant surgery is one of the most important decisions you can make on your hair restoration journey. At Leonard Hair Transplant Associates, hair restoration is not a side offering, it’s our specialty. For more than 30 years, our team has focused exclusively on diagnosing, treating, and managing hair loss for men and women throughout New England.

Dr. Matthew Lopresti and Dr. Mary Lopresti are experienced hair restoration surgeons who remain at the forefront of advances in both surgical and non-surgical hair loss treatments. Every procedure is personally planned and performed with meticulous attention to detail, from natural hairline design to precise graft placement and long-term preservation of existing hair.

We believe excellent results begin with exceptional patient care. From your initial consultation through long-term follow-up, our team prioritizes education, transparency, and individualized treatment planning. We take the time to understand your goals, evaluate your pattern of hair loss, and recommend the most appropriate options, whether that involves hair transplant surgery, non-surgical therapies, or a combined approach. Our philosophy is simple: deliver natural-looking, age-appropriate results while treating every patient with compassion, respect, and honesty.

Additional Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Transplants

Is There a Best Time to Have My Transplant?

When planning a hair transplant, it’s important to factor in 10 to 14 days of post-operative visibility, as the transplanted areas may be noticeable during that period. The good news is that wearing a baseball hat is allowed immediately after surgery, so you can continue your routine while your scalp heals. The time of year does not affect the procedure, so you can schedule it whenever it is convenient. The sooner you begin, the sooner you can start seeing new hair and enjoy the results.

Before hair transplant surgery, ongoing hair loss can often be managed with medical treatments like Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) with ACell® therapy, Propecia®, or Rogaine Foam®. In some cases, it may simply be too early for a surgical procedure, which is why a one-on-one evaluation with Dr. Matthew Lopresti helps determine the right timing and treatment plan. With careful planning and realistic expectations, patients can achieve natural, long-lasting results with minimal disruption to daily life.

What Is a Good Age for a Hair Transplant?

There is no “perfect” age for a hair transplant. At our offices, we have patients ranging from their early twenties to their early nineties. Good candidates for the procedure, however, are men and women who have realistic expectations of the results, and what can be achieved after a proper examination of one’s scalp. An adequate donor area is also necessary. Because each individual is unique, only an honest evaluation with a hair restoration professional can help someone decide when a transplant is most appropriate for them.

Will I Be Awake During Hair Transplantation Surgery?

Yes, hair transplant patients are completely awake and alert during the procedure. Since only a mild, local anesthetic is used, patients are able to watch television, movies, or read while they sit in a comfortable chair. If, however, you would prefer a mild sedative for the surgery, it can be arranged.

How Long Does the Hair Transplant Procedure Take?

Generally, a typical strip harvesting surgery will take around 5 hours, while the Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) technique requires patients to be in the office for up to 8 hours. The time of surgery also depends on the size of the session.

Can Someone Else’s Hair Be Used to Transplant?

No, using another individual’s hair is not possible because of the way foreign tissue is rejected. However, thanks to advances in the field, hair follicle banking from HairClone® is a revolutionary option that allows people to save healthy hair follicles before they start balding. Over time as their hair starts thinning, they can choose to clone and re-inject the follicles back into their scalp to preserve their full head of hair.

Do You Perform the Hair “Plug” Transplants?

No! We have not used the hair plug technique for over 38 years. The hair plug technique was developed in the 1950s, and was widely used up until the late 1980s. Today’s methods have advanced with state-of-the-art precision and smaller hair grafts, consisting of only 1 to 4 hairs.

How Long Will the Hairs Be Immediately After the Transplant?

The hairs are typically a few millimeters in length immediately following the hair transplant procedure. Once transplanted, the new hairs sometimes give the appearance of growing but in actuality are just being thrust out. Within a 2-3 week period, almost all of the newly transplanted hairs will have shed. Approximately three to four months following this initial shedding, the new growth of hair begins.

When Can I Start Exercising Again After My Transplant Surgery?

You can typically resume light exercise four days after the procedure. Once the donor area stitches have been removed, you can then resume your weight training. With the FUE procedure, you may resume weight training sooner.

Is It Okay to Wear My Hairpiece After Surgery?

For the first three days after hair transplant surgery, you should not wear a hairpiece, as your scalp should not be confined in any way. Dr. Matthew Lopresti and Dr. Mary Lopresti also advise that hairpieces be worn as little as possible following surgery for several reasons. First, it can delay healing and regrowth, and second, it’s important for patients to psychologically adjust to being more comfortable without it. Your own hair is now on its way to growing, and you will no longer have use for your hairpiece.

When Will the Hair Start to Grow?

About 5 to 6 months after a hair transplant, you’ll start to notice new hairs sprouting in the transplanted areas. These hairs are usually thin and curly at first, which is why many patients describe early growth as “patchy.” This happens because the follicles are transitioning from the dormant phase they were in during transplantation into the active growth phase. Hair grows at roughly a 1/4 of an inch per month and gradually thickens and straightens as the follicles settle into their new location.

By 7 to 8 months, the new hairs are generally one to one and a half inches long. Because growth is gradual, it can be easy to overlook day-to-day changes, even though the follicles are actively producing stronger, more mature hair. At this stage, the hair is fully groomable and begins to blend more naturally with your existing hair. Between 9 and 12 months, you’ll usually see the most noticeable increase in density, with full results continuing to develop over 16 to 18 months as the follicles complete their growth cycles, producing long-lasting, natural-looking hair.

Can I perm or color my new hair?

You should wait about one month after hair transplant surgery before coloring your hair. During the first few weeks, the scalp is still healing and the newly transplanted follicles are settling into place. Hair dye and other coloring agents can irritate the scalp, increase inflammation, and interfere with this early healing phase, which is why coloring is not recommended right away.

After the one-month mark, coloring your hair is generally safe because the follicles have anchored and the skin has recovered. Since the transplanted hair is your own, it responds to color the same way the rest of your hair does. Allowing that initial healing time helps protect your results and ensures the new hair grows in healthy and strong.

Schedule Your Hair Transplant Consultation

If you have thinning hair but have not yet come in for a hair loss consultation, we encourage you to schedule one as soon as possible. For our patients who have already successfully undergone their hair transplantation surgical procedure, we invite you to schedule your follow-up examination with Dr. Matthew Lopresti and Dr. Mary Lopresti. For more information on whether hair transplantation may be the right solution for you, please contact us today!