Local Expertise, Real Growth
Hair loss Houston: it shows up in photos, in harsh office lights, and in the mirror when you’re getting ready. The goal at Face Forward in Houston, Texas, is simple—figure out why it’s happening and build an effective treatment plan that protects the hair you have and restores coverage where you need it. Dr. Melissa Bender, a double board-certified facial plastic and head & neck surgeon, treats men and women with medical therapies and hair restoration surgery when appropriate.
The Biology Behind Shedding
Most thinning comes from androgenetic alopecia—also called male pattern hair loss or female pattern hair loss—a common type where hair follicles miniaturize and produce finer shafts over time. Patterns differ: a receding hairline or crown in male pattern baldness; diffuse mid-scalp thinning in female pattern baldness. Other hair loss conditions matter too. Telogen effluvium follows illness, stress, or major weight change. Alopecia areata is autoimmune and can create smooth patches when white blood cells target follicles. Scarring alopecia destroys follicles permanently and demands timely diagnosis. Hormonal shifts, including menopause, thyroid problems, iron deficiency, medications, and tight ponytails, can amplify shedding.
Diagnosis Before Decisions
Good plans start with precision. Your visit includes a detailed medical history, scalp exam, photos, and, when indicated, blood tests/blood work to check iron, thyroid, and other factors tied to hair loss. If scarring is suspected, Dr. Bender coordinates with medical professionals, including a board certified dermatologist, to confirm diagnosis and quiet inflammation before any hair transplant surgery. Clear diagnosis prevents wasted time and sets realistic expectations.
Low-Lift Ways To Keep Hair
Many people begin with hair loss treatment that stabilizes shedding and supports new hair growth. Oral medications play a role. Finasteride can slow male hair loss by reducing DHT at the follicle (prescribed when appropriate and monitored carefully). Other medications may be considered for women when hormones drive thinning. Topical agents and scalp care improve the environment for new growth and healthier hair. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is another option. A small blood draw is spun to concentrate platelets and growth factors, then injected across areas of hair thinning to stimulate hair growth and boost hair growth over a series. PRP is low risk and pairs well with medical therapy. For alopecia areata, targeted steroid injections can calm activity so hair can return. The treatment plan is individualized and adjusted as the scalp responds.
Design Meets Donor Science
Once a pattern settles and the donor area is strong, hair restoration can replace density in thinning areas. Hair transplantation moves living follicles—typically the back and sides—to zones that need coverage. At Face Forward in Houston, TX, Dr. Bender offers two proven hair transplant procedures:
Both techniques use a local anesthetic. Grafts are placed at angles that match your natural direction and curl. The aim is natural-looking results that blend in bright light and in close conversation. Technique choice depends on goals, grafts needed, hairstyle preference, and long-term donor management.
The Upside, In Real Life
After a hair transplant, the transplanted shafts shed in the first few weeks while the follicles reset. Visible hair growth usually begins around months three to four, gains body by six, and matures by nine to twelve. The crown can take longer as the swirl fills in. Non-surgical therapies have their own rhythm: PRP often shows change by three to six months; oral medications build gradually. Expect steady progress rather than overnight change.
What You’ll See, When
Transplanted follicles keep donor genetics and grow permanently in their new location. To protect surrounding native hair, many people continue medical therapy and PRP maintenance so the field looks even year after year. Plans balance ambition with realistic expectations, so the end point reads as your own head of hair, not a one-size template.
Budgeting for Real Results
Pricing in Houston varies because patterns vary. A clear estimate accounts for technique (FUT vs. FUE), session size, clinical team time, anesthesia, and follow-up. Non-surgical series (PRP, targeted injections) are packaged and scheduled to match goals. If staging helps—front first, crown later—you’ll see that mapped out so the treatment approach protects the donor site and keeps future options open. Think of it as TX hair loss care designed for long-term stability.
Standards Over Shortcuts
You’ll work with a hair transplant surgeon who treats hair as medicine and design. Dr. Bender is board-certified by the American Board in her specialty and focuses on hair restoration that looks right now and ages well. You get direct communication, thoughtful planning, and access to the latest technology where it meaningfully improves handling and survival—never as a gimmick.
Ready To Treat Hair Loss?
If you’re experiencing hair loss in Houston, start with a precise diagnosis and a plan you trust. Book a consultation with Dr. Bender to review causes, compare treatment options, and decide between medical therapy, PRP, and hair transplant. The goal is simple: fewer shed hairs, more hair, and a result that helps you feel confident again.
If shedding is active or diffuse, start with stabilization. If the pattern is stable and coverage is missing, surgery can rebuild density. Dr. Bender maps both paths.
FUE heals as tiny dots. With balanced harvesting and good spacing, dots are hard to notice at short clipper lengths.
New growth shows around months three to four, thickens by six, and matures by twelve.
Yes—many do. The donor area must be strong, and the medical drivers must be addressed. A consult confirms candidacy.
Yes. Medical therapy and scalp care protect non-transplanted hair so the whole field stays even.
Schedule Your Houston Plastic Surgery Consultation Today
The Face Forward process starts with a consultation. You will meet with Dr. Rodman (either in the office or via video call) to discuss the result or look you want to achieve. Dr. Rodman will review and educate you about your options and schedule you for the procedure of your choice. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled as necessary. Achieve your look and enjoy the new you! Schedule your consultation for plastic surgery in Houston at Face Forward today.
6750 West Loop S Ste 1060, Bellaire TX 77401