The First Step to Hair Restoration: What to Expect at Your Consultation

The decision to pursue hair restoration doesn’t happen overnight. Most people spend months researching, comparing options, and working up the courage to actually book that first appointment.

At Vivida Dermatology, with locations in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada, and St. George, Utah, our board-certified dermatologists understand that walking into a consultation means you’re serious about addressing your hair loss. 

Here’s what happens during that initial visit and how we determine if follicular unit extraction (FUE) makes sense for your situation.

Your scalp examination

The consultation starts with a close look at your scalp. We examine the density of your existing hair, check the pattern of thinning or baldness, and assess areas where you still have strong growth.

This exam reveals whether you have enough healthy donor hair for transplantation. The back and sides of your head typically maintain better growth even as the top and front thin out, making these areas ideal donor sites.

Medical history and hair loss pattern review

Hair loss happens for different reasons, and understanding yours helps us recommend the right approach. The consultation covers several key areas, such as:

• When thinning or hair loss first started
• Family history of pattern baldness
• Medical conditions affecting hair growth
• Current medications
• Recent major stressors or life changes

These details help us distinguish between permanent pattern baldness and temporary hair loss from stress, nutritional deficiencies, or hormonal changes.

How pattern baldness differs between men and women

Men typically experience hair loss due to androgenetic alopecia, which causes the classic receding hairline and thinning crown. Women more often experience overall thinning across the top of the scalp rather than concentrated baldness in specific areas. Knowing your pattern helps us plan where to place grafts for natural-looking results.

The best candidates for FUE typically have at least 50% hair thinning in one area or more, and healthy donor hair.

Setting realistic expectations for hair restoration

Hair restoration gives you real, permanent results, but it won’t recreate the same density you had at 18. During the consultation, we can show before-and-after photos of patients with similar hair loss patterns to help you see what FUE can achieve. These examples help you visualize realistic outcomes for your specific situation.

Graft numbers and coverage

The number of grafts you need depends on several factors:

• Size of the treatment area
• Desired density
• Available donor hair
• Hair texture and color

Each graft contains 1-4 hair follicles, and we harvest them individually using a micro punch tool. The number of grafts determines the procedure length and the overall cost.

Timeline for results

The transplanted hair falls out within a few weeks after the procedure — this is completely normal and actually indicates that the follicles are entering their natural growth cycle. New growth starts around three months, though the hair comes in fine at first. 

Full results appear around the year mark, as the follicles complete their growth cycle and produce thicker, stronger hair that matches your natural texture.

The FUE procedure and recovery

FUE typically takes several hours and may require more than one appointment, depending on the number of grafts needed. We use local anesthesia to keep you comfortable while we carefully extract follicles from donor areas and transplant them to thinning sections. 

The donor area heals quickly, with tiny puncture marks fading within a week or two. Small scabs form at the transplant sites and fall off on their own as new skin develops underneath. Most people return to work within a few days, though you should avoid strenuous exercise and direct sun exposure for a couple of weeks while everything heals. 

Unlike older strip harvesting methods that leave a linear scar, FUE scarring is minimal — just small dots that your existing hair covers, even when you wear it short.

Book your hair restoration consultation at Vivida Dermatology

That first appointment gives you a clear picture of what hair restoration can do and what the process involves. Our dermatologists answer your questions honestly and help you decide if FUE fits your goals.

Call us or book an appointment online at one of our offices in Las Vegas or Henderson, Nevada, or St. George, Utah.