Hairline Restoration

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Chesterfield Valley, O'Fallon and Chesterfield, MO

Hairline restoration is a specialized procedure that can restore the natural density and shape of your hairline. This procedure uses hair transplantation techniques to take healthy hair follicles from various regions of the scalp and transplant them to the sparse areas of your hairline.

Dr. Robert T. Cristel is a board-certified surgeon at Synergi Facial Surgery who specializes in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and otolaryngology (head and neck surgery). Dr. Cristel prides himself on offering the most advanced surgical and non-surgical treatments, and he strives to give each patient the individualized attention and personalized care they deserve.

If you are ready to explore your hairline restoration possibilities, please request a consultation online. You may also reach our Chesterfield Valley, O’Fallon, and Chesterfield offices by calling (314) 523-5738.

About Hairline Restoration

Hairline restoration can refine, elevate, and restore the aesthetic appearance and growth along your hairline.

Hair loss is a common condition that affects millions of people. While this condition is physically harmless, it can significantly affect one’s appearance or sense of self-confidence, especially when it affects more prominent areas like the hairline. (1)

Dr. Cristel can address these concerns by performing a hairline restoration procedure. This procedure uses hair transplantation techniques to harvest hair follicles from predetermined areas of the scalp, also known as donor areas. Dr. Cristel then places the follicles in areas of your hairline experiencing thinning, shedding, or visible hair loss. The positioning of each one will match the natural growth patterns of your scalp, restoring a defined yet delicate border between your skin and scalp.

Benefits

Hairline restoration offers numerous benefits, including:

  • Improved Aesthetics: The primary benefit of hairline restoration is its ability to restore the natural growth of your hairline, which can contribute to a more attractive and youthful look overall.
  • Minimal Scarring: Dr. Cristel employs several advanced techniques to minimize scar visibility and promote quicker fading.
  • Natural-Looking Results: Dr. Cristel creates seamless results by placing each graft at different angles and directions to match the growth patterns of your hairline.
  • Lasting Effects: Hairline restoration yields permanent results, making it a worthwhile investment for many patients.
  • Wide Application: Dr. Cristel can perform this treatment to restore the entire perimeter of your hairline, including hair loss at the front, sides, and back of the head.

Candidates

You may be an ideal candidate for hairline restoration if you have noticed your hairline starting to thin. You should possess good overall health and maintain realistic expectations regarding your results. It is also important that you are a nonsmoker or willing to quit using nicotine.

Dr. Cristel will assess your eligibility for this procedure during your personal consultation, once he has met with you in person.

Personal Consultation

Dr. Cristel tailors each hairline restoration to the patient’s unique hair growth patterns. At your personal consultation, Dr. Cristel will ask about your concerns and goals to better understand your motivations, your medical history and lifestyle, and the root cause of your hair loss. He will also evaluate your scalp’s health, the current condition of your hairline, and your natural growth patterns.

Dr. Cristel will use this information to create a treatment plan unique to you. He will decide the most suitable area to take grafts from, how many grafts he will need, and start mapping out where to place each one. Depending on your case, he may also suggest pairing your treatment with another for more cohesive results.

We encourage you to prepare and ask any questions you may have about hairline restoration or hair transplantation. This consultation serves as a learning opportunity and helps you understand what to expect from your procedure.

To schedule this consultation, please submit our online contact form or call (314) 523-5738 to reach our Chesterfield Valley, O’Fallon, and Chesterfield offices.

Preparation

Once you have scheduled your hairline restoration procedure, Dr. Cristel will direct you to make certain lifestyle changes to prepare for your procedure. Each one will help enhance the safety and effectiveness of your treatment. They may include:

  • Discontinuing Certain Medications: Avoid using any blood-thinning medications or supplements under medical guidance.
  • Arranging a Ride: Have a trusted friend or relative drive you home after your hairline restoration treatment.
  • Plan Time to Rest: Arrange some time away from your personal and professional responsibilities to allow your scalp to heal.
  • Pick Up Your Medications: Before undergoing your procedure, pick up any medications or prescriptions that you will need as you recover.
  • Cease Any Substance Use: If applicable, abstain from consuming any nicotine or alcohol in the weeks leading up to your appointment.

Procedure

When you arrive for your procedure, Dr. Cristel will meet with you one last time to reconfirm each detail of your treatment plan. He will then cleanse your scalp, and you will receive local anesthesia.

Dr. Cristel will strategically harvest hair follicles from the back of the scalp, separating the most viable ones and preserving them. He will place small hair graft sites at the targeted treatment areas before placing the preserved grafts inside. Each graft will vary in its direction, degree, and angle to seamlessly match your scalp’s growth patterns. Once Dr. Cristel places all the hair grafts, he will dress the entire area and allow you to rest until he is ready to release you.

Hairline Restoration Recovery

Dr. Cristel will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions to help you care for yourself as your scalp heals. Aftercare is an essential part of any procedure, as it can directly influence the quality of your results.

After your hairline restoration procedure, you will need to take some time away from your commitments to allow your scalp to heal. It is common to experience some initial swelling, redness, or soreness around both the donor area and treated areas of your scalp. These effects will subside on their own, but you may manage them by taking prescribed medications and elevating your head while resting.

You may return to light activities and desk work after approximately one week, but you will need to continue avoiding anything strenuous until Dr. Cristel approves. You must also refrain from touching, scratching, or picking at your newly transplanted hairs throughout your recovery to avoid accidentally removing or irritating them.

Long-Lasting Results

Hairline restoration yields gradual results that you will notice as you progress through your recovery. You will be able to enjoy new growth around your hairline after approximately 3–6 months, but it can take between 6 and 12 months to experience more significant effects. (2)

Your hairline will appear fuller, thicker, more voluminous, and denser as the transplanted hair continues to grow back. These improvements can frame your face better and accentuate its natural sculpt and contours.

After your hair goes through a regular growth cycle, the new hairs will remain in their transplanted location. You can continue to style or cut your hairline as you please.

Cost of Hairline Restoration in St. Louis, MO

The cost of your hairline restoration will vary depending on factors in your treatment plan, such as the number of grafts Dr. Cristel uses and the extent of your procedure. Once he has met with you, he will give you a comprehensive cost estimate. We also list our pricing on our website. There are no additional anesthesia or facility fees with this procedure.

To learn more about our pricing, please request a consultation online or call (314) 523-5738.

FAQ

How does hairline restoration work?

Hairline restoration takes healthy hair follicles from the back of the scalp and moves them to the hairline to restore a fuller and denser look. The procedure requires a high level of precision and artistry for the results to look completely natural.

Who is an ideal candidate for hairline restoration?

You may be an ideal candidate for hairline restoration if you experience thinning or shedding at your hairline. This includes areas such as the forehead, temples, around the ears, or nape of the neck.

How long does it take to recover from a hairline restoration procedure?

Your exact recovery length will vary, but you will be able to return to most of your daily activities after resting for approximately one week.

Are the results of hairline restoration permanent?

Yes, the results of your hairline restoration procedure will be permanent once the transplanted follicles start to grow. From this point on, you will be able to cut, style, and wear your hair as you please.

What is the difference between hairline restoration and hairline lowering?

Hairline restoration focuses on restoring your hairline to achieve a thicker and more voluminous appearance. Hairline lowering involves surgical advancement of the hairline to reduce the appearance of your forehead and create a more proportionate appearance.

References

  1. Phillips TG, Slomiany WP, Allison R. Hair Loss: Common Causes and Treatment. American Family Physician. 2017;96(6):371-378. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2017/0915/p371.html
  2. Zito PM, Raggio BS. Hair Transplantation. Nih.gov. Published February 12, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547740/#article-22486.s4