If you are considering hair transplants but are worried about the unnatural appearance of hair plugs or the telltale signs of outdated procedures, then schedule a consultation with Dr. Cooley to learn more about modern hair transplantation surgery. Hair loss can often feel like a losing battle, but today’s hair restoration treatments result in hair that blends in effortlessly without distracting scars or noticeable signs of having “work done”. To book your appointment, call the Cooley Hair Center today at 704-542-1601 and discover how hair transplantation surgery can transform your appearance, your self-confidence and your life.
Hair Transplant Surgery in Charlotte, NC
Dr. Jerry Cooley, MD performs FUE and FUT hair transplant surgery at Cooley Hair Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Cooley is a Diplomate of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS), a past President of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), and the only Hair Transplant Mentor-recommended surgeon in the Carolinas. Every surgical step is personally performed by Dr. Cooley.
Hair transplant surgery moves your own hair follicles from a suitable donor area to areas of thinning or hair loss. Transplanted follicles can provide long-lasting, natural-looking growth. Hair loss can continue in non-transplanted areas, so medication or additional procedures may be recommended as part of an individualized treatment plan.
Hair Transplant Surgery in Charlotte, NC
Cooley Hair Center is located at 10660 Park Road, Suite 4200, Charlotte, NC 28210. The practice serves patients from across Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and the broader Carolinas, including Raleigh, Greensboro, Columbia SC, and Charleston SC. Dr. Cooley offers free in-person consultations at the Charlotte clinic and free virtual consultations for patients anywhere in North Carolina or South Carolina.
Charlotte patients choose Cooley Hair Center for a specific reason: every FUE extraction and every graft placement is performed by Dr. Cooley himself. At many hair restoration practices, surgical steps are delegated to technicians. At Cooley Hair Center, Dr. Cooley performs every surgical step personally. For a procedure that permanently affects how you look, that standard matters.
What is Hair Transplantation?
Hair transplantation surgery is the most effective and lasting method for treating male and female pattern baldness. Unlike antiquated procedures of the past that relied on large hair grafts and produced the unnatural and infamous “pluggy” or “doll head” look, modern hair transplant procedures are designed to create natural-looking results that are indistinguishable from the surrounding hair. As a minimally-invasive and highly successful procedure, it’s easy to understand why the number of men and women opting for hair transplants is increasing every year.
The Hair Transplant Process
The processes behind hair transplant procedures are relatively straightforward. Hair transplantation works by harvesting healthy donor hair follicles and transplanting them to the areas of the scalp where the hair follicles have died out. Hair grows naturally in groupings of one to four hairs, referred to as follicular units.
During modern hair transplant procedures, viable follicular units are harvested from active parts of the scalp, known as the donor sites. The follicular units are then transplanted to rebuild thinning hairlines and fill in bald patches.
While women tend to suffer from diffuse hair loss that occurs across the entire scalp, most men only lose hair from the tops of their heads and generally bald to a more significant degree than women.
For men, hair follicles located on the back and sides of the head are much more genetically-resistant to hair loss than the follicles found on the front and top of the scalp. By harvesting these healthy follicular units and transplanting them to sections that have begun to thin out, hair can be effectively redistributed to provide a more consistent and uniform density.
Transplanted follicular units will retain their genetically-resistant properties and continue to grow hair, making them indispensable to successful and lasting hair restoration techniques. Since hair loss in women affects the whole scalp, the donor sites typically used in hair transplants for men aren’t always viable donor sites for women.
This can make hair transplantation surgery options more limited for women; however, you may still be a candidate for hair transplants depending on the extent of your hair loss. At Cooley Hair Center, Dr. Cooley provides hair transplantation surgery to his patients using only the latest, minimally-invasive surgical techniques: follicular unit transplantation and follicular unit extraction.
Follicular Unit Transplantation
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) is one of the two modern methods used for hair transplants today. During a FUT procedure, a strip of the scalp is removed from the back or side of the head. This donor strip is then carefully dissected to separate the healthy follicular units from the tissue, while the skin is sutured shut with dissolvable stitches. The viable follicular units are then transplanted into the targeted areas of the scalp, creating a fuller and thicker head of hair.
FUT results in a thin horizontal incision line where the donor strip was removed. Still, any subsequent scarring from this technique can be easily camouflaged by the surrounding hair and will continue to fade in appearance for up to 12 months. While results are not instant, patients can expect to see a significant improvement in their hair density and coverage after about six months, though new hair growth will continue to persist for up to 18 months. The results you attain with FUT should last indefinitely so that you can enjoy a fuller, healthier head of hair for a lifetime. Additional treatments, such as hair loss medications or platelet-rich plasma therapy, may also be recommended following your hair transplantation surgery to prevent or slow down any future hair loss.
For patients in Charlotte and the Carolinas needing maximum coverage in a single session, Dr. Cooley performs FUT hair transplant surgery at his Charlotte, NC clinic. For the full clinical overview, see the dedicated FUT page.
Am I a Candidate for Hair Transplant Surgery?
Hair transplant surgery is appropriate for patients who meet the following profile:
- Stable hair loss pattern. Hair loss should be stable or slowly progressing. Patients with rapidly advancing hair loss may benefit from medical management before surgery.
- Sufficient donor density. FUE and FUT both rely on a healthy donor area with adequate follicle density. Dr. Cooley evaluates donor density during your consultation.
- Men with male pattern baldness. The most common surgical candidate profile. Transplanted follicles are genetically resistant to the DHT that caused the original hair loss.
- Women with female pattern hair loss or traction alopecia. Dr. Cooley performs hair transplant surgery for women with certain patterns of hair loss. Candidacy criteria differ from male pattern baldness and are evaluated individually.
- Patients who have had previous transplants. Dr. Cooley performs repair and revision procedures for patients who had prior transplants that produced an unnatural appearance or unsatisfactory density.
The definitive answer to whether you are a candidate requires a consultation. Dr. Cooley offers free consultations in person and by video for patients across the Carolinas.
Follicular Unit Extraction
Follicular unit extraction (FUE) utilizes a much more meticulous approach to hair restoration surgery than FUT. Rather than removing a strip of the scalp to provide viable hair grafts, FUE works by extracting individual follicular units from the donor sites. Using a handheld punch device, Dr. Cooley can harvest healthy hair follicles without making large incisions or leaving behind a long scar at the back of your scalp.
Once a sufficient amount of hair follicles have been harvested, the hair grafts are transplanted in the same manner as FUT. The only difference between these two techniques lies in the method used to extract the hair grafts at the beginning of the procedure. The circular excision marks left behind by FUE tend to heal very well, leaving behind faint scarring that is easily covered by short length hair growth over time.
As with the FUT technique, results will not be immediate but will be visible around the six-month mark when density and coverage provide noticeable improvements. Final results will be apparent around the 18-month mark, at which point you should enjoy fuller, thicker hair for a lifetime. While hair loss may continue after your procedure, medications or platelet-rich plasma therapy may be recommended after your surgery to prevent or slow down hair loss and preserve your results.
For patients in Charlotte and the Carolinas, Dr. Cooley performs FUE hair transplant surgery at his Charlotte, NC clinic. For the full clinical overview of the FUE technique, recovery, and results, see the dedicated FUE page.
Hair Transplant Results and Recovery Timeline
A picture is worth a thousand words, so make sure to visit our Before & After gallery to view real results on real patients.
- Days 1 to 14: Redness and scabbing may occur as the scalp heals. Follow the postoperative instructions provided by your surgeon.
- Weeks 2 to 8: Transplanted hairs commonly shed before new growth develops.
- Months 2 to 3: The early growth phase may begin; visible progress varies.
- Month 6: Many patients begin to notice improvements in coverage and density.
- Months 12 to 18: Results continue to mature. The timing and degree of improvement vary by patient.
View real patient outcomes from Dr. Cooley’s practice in our before and after gallery.
BEFORE & AFTER GALLERY
Hair Transplant Cost in Charlotte, NC
The cost of hair transplant surgery at Cooley Hair Center depends on the number of grafts required and the technique (FUE or FUT). Dr. Cooley provides a personalized cost estimate during your consultation, based on a physical evaluation of your donor area, hair loss pattern, and goals.
For a complete breakdown of FUE and FUT pricing, per-graft cost ranges, and financing options, visit our hair transplant cost page.
Why Charlotte Patients Choose Dr. Cooley for Hair Transplant Surgery
- Hair restoration credentials. Dr. Cooley is an ABHRS Diplomate and served as President of the ISHRS in 2011.
- Every procedure personally performed. Dr. Cooley does not delegate surgical work to technicians. Every FUE extraction and every graft placement is done by Dr. Cooley himself.
- 25-plus years of surgical experience. Dr. Cooley has practiced hair restoration surgery for over 25 years, including involvement in hair follicle research through his partnership with HairClone.
- The only Hair Transplant Mentor-recommended surgeon in the Carolinas. Hair Transplant Mentor independently evaluates and endorses surgeons based on patient outcomes and ethical practice standards.
- Recognized internationally. Dr. Cooley has been featured in Wired, The New York Times, GQ, and Esquire.
testimonials
Cooley Hair Center, Charlotte, NC
Address: 10660 Park Road, Suite 4200, Charlotte, NC 28210
Phone: (704) 542-1601
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday: Closed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Transplant Surgery
Is a hair transplant permanent?
Hair transplants can provide long-lasting results because suitable donor follicles are generally more resistant to pattern hair loss. However, surgery does not stop future thinning in non-transplanted hair. Dr. Cooley may recommend medication or additional treatment to help maintain overall coverage.
What is the difference between FUE and FUT hair transplants?
FUE removes individual follicles using a small punch device, leaving no linear scar. FUT removes a strip of scalp, leaving a linear scar but allowing for a higher graft yield in a single session. Dr. Cooley performs both techniques and will recommend the most appropriate approach based on your hair loss pattern, donor area, and goals.
How long does hair transplant recovery take?
Recovery varies by patient and procedure. Dr. Cooley will provide instructions for returning to work, exercise, and other activities. Transplanted hairs commonly shed within two to eight weeks. Visible improvements develop over the following months, and results may continue to mature for 12 to 18 months.
How many grafts will I need?
Graft count depends on the extent of hair loss, the density of the donor area, and your coverage goals. Early hair loss typically requires 800 to 1,500 grafts. Moderate to advanced loss typically requires 2,500 to 4,000 grafts. Dr. Cooley provides a specific estimate during your consultation after evaluating your donor area.
How much does a hair transplant cost in Charlotte, NC?
Hair transplant cost depends on graft count and technique. Dr. Cooley provides a personalized cost estimate during your consultation. For a full pricing guide, visit our hair transplant cost page.
Does Dr. Cooley perform every procedure himself?
Yes. Every FUE extraction and every graft placement at Cooley Hair Center is personally performed by Dr. Jerry Cooley, MD. No portion of the surgical procedure is delegated to technicians.
Do you perform hair transplants for women?
Yes. Dr. Cooley performs hair transplant surgery for women experiencing female pattern hair loss, traction alopecia, and diffuse thinning, in addition to treating male pattern baldness. Candidacy criteria differ for female patients and are evaluated individually.
Related Hair Restoration Treatments at Cooley Hair Center
- FUE Hair Transplant: Individual follicle extraction, no linear scar
- FUT Hair Transplant: Strip method, maximum graft yield in one session
- PRP for Hair Restoration: Learn about platelet-rich plasma treatment options
- Alma TED: Learn about this non-surgical hair restoration option
- Hair Transplant Cost: Pricing guide and financing options
Get your self-confidence back
When you have surgical hair restoration at Cooley Hair Center, you will see not only new hair but renewed self-confidence and higher self-esteem. It is an investment in yourself!
It is an investment in yourself!
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