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Houston Hair, Straight Talk
Thinning hair changes how you feel in a room, on camera, and in your own routine. At Face Forward in Houston, TX, Dr. Melissa Bender offers hair restoration surgery that respects biology and design. The goal is clear: restore coverage with natural-looking results that hold up in daylight, in photos, and at close range. This page explains what causes hair loss, how hair transplantation works, what happens during hair transplant procedures, recovery, timelines for hair growth, and how to maintain a healthier head of hair long term.
The Root of the Problem
The most common cause of hair loss worldwide is hereditary hair loss. This is called androgenetic alopecia or male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness. The follicles miniaturize and shift into shorter cycles, so density fades along the hairline, crown, or mid-scalp. Stress, illness, thyroid disease, iron deficiency, medications, and tight hairstyles can also contribute to or cause hair loss. Some scarring conditions inflame the scalp and damage hair follicles; those require control before any surgical treatment. During your consultation, Dr. Bender reviews history, pattern, and scalp health, and when needed coordinates labs or dermatology care. Timing matters. Stable disease and realistic expectations protect your outcome.
The Science behind the Surgery
A hair transplant relocates living follicles from a stable donor area—typically the back and sides of the head—to areas of the head that are thinning and need coverage. The transplanted follicles keep their native programming or resistance to hair loss. Once healed, the follicles enter a short resting phase before cycling into an active growth phase, which is when the new growth becomes visible. Crafting a natural result starts with planning the hairline and designing density that matches your facial structure and age. It will continue to remain dense and undetectable over the years to come. Survival depends on how carefully each hair graft is harvested, hydrated, cooled, and placed. That is where an experienced hair transplant surgeon makes a measurable difference.
Follicular Unit Transplant removes a narrow strip of scalp from the donor zone and closes it with a fine linear scar that stays hidden in the surrounding hair. Under magnification, that strip is divided into follicular unit grafts—natural bundles of one to four hairs—then placed into tiny recipient sites that follow your native direction and curl. FUT avoids shaving of the donor area and can provide a high graft count in one sitting, helpful when coverage needs are significant or when you prefer fewer sessions. The donor site heals as a line; with careful closure and maintenance, most patients wear their hair normally without drawing attention to it.
Follicular Unit Extraction—often called FUE hair transplant—harvests individual hair follicles with micro-punches, leaving a constellation of tiny dots rather than a single line. This suits patients who keep shorter hairstyles or who want to avoid a linear mark. Extraction is dispersed across the donor so the back and sides keep an even look. Strong hair restoration results come from gentle graft handling and efficient placement, not from aggressive harvesting which can diminish donor supply and lead to thinning in the donor area. In skilled hands, fue hair techniques heal quickly and blend well.
Results You Can Style
Right Patient, Right Plan
Strong candidates have a predictable pattern, solid donor supply, and clear hair restoration goals. “Predictable” means the pattern isn’t racing ahead faster than any plan can keep up. Many younger patients benefit from stabilization first. Women with diffuse thinning can qualify if the donor is strong and hormones or inflammation are addressed. For scarring alopecias, transplantation happens after the disease is well controlled and the patient is appropriately counseled on results. Dr. Bender assesses caliber, curl, color contrast, and density because those variables control how much coverage each graft provides. The goal is a head of hair that looks balanced now and later.
Prep That Pays Off
Your visit starts with specifics: what bothers you, how you style your hair, and what “natural” means to you. Dr. Bender maps your current pattern, estimates grafts needed, and designs a hairline that matches your features and age. Technique is chosen to fit your plan—some patients are candidates for both FUT and FUE and, at times, both techniques can even be employed in a single case. Supportive treatment options can help treat hair loss outside the transplant zone, including platelet-rich plasma, topical or oral medications, and light-based therapy. Preparation is straightforward: pause blood-thinning meds and supplements when directed, limit alcohol and nicotine, follow wash instructions, and plan a few quieter days after your procedure. If you color or treat your hair, timing is coordinated so that the donor and recipient regions are in ideal condition.
From Chair to Grafts
You check in, review the design, and get comfortable. A local anesthetic numbs the donor and recipient areas so you feel pressure and vibration rather than sharp pain. For FUT, the donor strip is removed and the line closed with attention to tension and direction so hair covers it well. Technicians working under magnification separate the tissue into hair graft units and keep them hydrated and cool. For FUE, harvesting follows a pattern that preserves the look of the donor while supplying robust grafts. Recipient sites are created with micro-blades or needles at angles that match your native growth. Singles shape the front edge; doubles and triples add strength behind it. Sessions range from part-day to full-day, depending on grafts needed. You’ll have breaks, snacks, and steady checks on comfort. The pace stays deliberate because advanced technology helps, but careful handling drives survival.
The Payoff, Month by Month
Transplanted hairs shed their hair shafts in the first weeks as follicles reset. New hair growth usually appears around three to four months, gains body by six, and matures between nine and twelve. Crowns can take longer as the swirl fills in. A sharp eye for design matters as much as technique; a believable pattern lets you style freely as density builds. To protect native hair around the transplant, Dr. Bender may recommend maintenance with platelet-rich plasma, approved medications, and consistent scalp care. The combination helps the entire field look uniform as time passes.
Heal Well, Keep Growing
Plan for several quiet days. The donor can feel tight or tender; the recipient shows pinpoint crusts that dissolve with gentle cleansing. You’ll get precise guidance on sleeping position, washing, activity limits, and sun protection. Early on, hold workouts and heat. Hats re-enter the routine thoughtfully. Haircuts and color are timed to avoid stress on the grafts. Most people feel ready for desk work within a few days and socially comfortable once scabs have cleared in the recipient area. Consistent aftercare supports the survival rate you want and the hair restoration results you expect.
Pricing, Plain and Simple
Hair transplant cost reflects technique, grafts needed, team time, anesthesia, and structured follow-up. Prices in Houston vary because plans vary. At Face Forward, you receive an itemized estimate after consultation so you know what’s included and why. Dr. Bender understands that hair loss is a long-term problem that requires long-term planning. From the first visit, Dr. Bender will map out a plan to provide your best result for years to come and not just deliver a single result after one surgery. A clear plan helps you set realistic expectations and budget for the outcome you want.
Why Choose Face Forward?
Dr. Melissa Bender is a double board-certified surgeon and is trained in facial plastic and head & neck surgery. She focuses on hair restoration for men and women, combining design with donor protection so results age well. Her credentials include certification recognized by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and years of surgical practice in cosmetic surgery of the face and scalp. Patients see the difference in the planning: a hairline tuned to bone structure, efficient graft selection that keeps the donor even, and placement that respects angle, direction, and curl. You work directly with a hair transplant doctor whose standards match your own.
Schedule Your Houston Hair Transplant Consultation at Face Forward Today
If you’re experiencing hair loss and ready to move past temporary cover-ups, meet with Dr. Bender. You’ll leave with a plan that fits your pattern, your goals, and your schedule. Call (713) 321-2424 or request your consultation online.
Most sessions last four to eight hours, depending on graft number and hair type. Transplanted hairs shed in a few weeks, then new growth appears around months three to four, thickens by month six, and matures around twelve months or more.
FUE leaves tiny dot scars. With balanced harvesting and good technique, they’re hard to notice at short clipper lengths. Overharvesting or poor spacing makes dots more visible. Choose an experienced surgeon.
Yes—if the donor area is strong and medical causes are addressed. Many women can benefit from FUE/FUT plus medical therapy (e.g., minoxidil, spironolactone when appropriate). Diffuse crown loss may limit candidacy; a consultation can clarify options.
Typical hairlines need 1,200 to 2,500 grafts, but numbers depend on forehead height, temple recession, hair caliber, curl, and desired density. A mapping exam can better determine an appropriate number of grafts for each case.
Desk work: two to four days. A loose, clean hat: usually day three to five (surgeon’s guidance). Light cardio: about one week. Heavy lifting, heat, or contact sports: two weeks or as cleared at follow-up.
Yes. Transplanted follicles keep donor genetics and grow permanently in the new site. They’ll age like your normal hair, including graying over time. Maintenance protects the non-transplanted areas.
Pricing depends on graft count, FUE vs. FUT, team time, anesthesia, and follow-up. Clinics quote per case or per-graft. An in-person consult provides an itemized estimate tailored to your pattern and goals.
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
Monday - 9am - 5pm
Tuesday - 9am - 5pm
Wednesday - 9am - 5pm
Thursday - 9am - 5pm
Friday - 7:30am - 3:30pm
