Facial Plastic Surgery Blog

Losing hair can be frustrating and even a little scary. Hair loss can affect confidence, appearance, and everyday life. Whether you’re starting to notice your hair thinning or you’ve been dealing with bald spots for a while, you’re not alone—and you’re not stuck. We’ve helped men and women all over the state regain their confidence with the best treatments available for hair restoration Utah.

At our office, we focus on providing real, proven solutions. Led by Dr. Bitner, the only doctor in the state trained in both Facial Plastic Surgery and Hair Restoration Surgery, our clinic is located in Layton, just outside of Salt Lake City. With years of experience, a highly trained team, and a certified in-office surgical suite, we’re here to help you find a treatment that fits what you need.

Let’s break down the best treatment options we offer for men looking into hair transplant Utah or other hair restoration procedures.

Why Does Hair Loss Happen in the First Place?

For a lot of men, hair loss is genetic. It’s something passed down from parents, and it can start earlier than most expect. Some notice it in their early twenties. Others don’t see it until they hit forty or fifty. Either way, male pattern baldness (also called androgenic alopecia) is the most common reason.

Other causes can include things like stress, certain medical conditions, or even some medications. No matter the cause, we offer multiple options that work for different types of hair loss.

Option 1: FUE Hair Transplant

One of our most popular options is the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) method. With this treatment, we take tiny, individual hair follicles from the back or sides of your head—areas that usually don’t go bald—and move them to the thinning or balding areas.

The recovery is pretty easy compared to older methods. This kind of hair transplant works great for men who want a natural look without a long recovery time. We do this right here at our office. Our surgical suite is clean, private, and safe. 

Option 2: Frontal Hairline Creation and Recipient Site Preparation 

The frontal hairline is arguably the most important component of a successful hair transplant Utah. It’s the first thing both patients and others notice. If the hairline looks natural, it sets the tone for the entire transplant. If it doesn’t, even perfect results elsewhere can’t compensate.

The goal of designing the frontal hairline is to frame the face in a way that looks natural, not just now, but also years down the road. While it may be tempting to recreate a youthful hairline, this typically doesn’t age well. A low or overly straight hairline may make a 35-year-old look young temporarily but appear unnatural by the time they’re 55.

Every graft placed in the hairline is permanent. Native hairs around them may continue to fall out. That’s why future hair loss patterns must be considered when designing the hairline.

Creating a natural hairline is as much an art as it is a science. When the design process is overly mechanical or clinical, the final look can appear artificial. 

Option 3: Donor Harvest and Graft Preparation

An equally important component of hair restoration is how the donor’s hair is harvested and how those grafts are prepared for implantation. These steps are critical to the survival and natural appearance of the transplanted hair.

Donor hair is typically taken from the back of the head—the area most resistant to hair loss. The exact amount available for harvest depends on the patient’s unique genetics and progression of hair loss.

We usually take a strip approximately 1.5 cm wide, stretching from just above one ear to the other. This strip is trimmed to about 3 mm in length, anesthetized with lidocaine, and then infiltrated with saline to prepare for removal.

The strip is removed using a scalpel, carefully paralleling the natural direction of hair growth to preserve the maximum number of viable follicles.

After removal, the donor strip is immediately placed into cold, sterile saline to maintain viability. It is then:

• Slivered into thin sections

• Divided into individual follicular units

• Trimmed with great care to preserve the regenerative components of each graft

The entire process is performed under strict conditions to avoid damage. Exposure to heat or dryness can dramatically reduce the survival rate of the grafts.

Hair grafts, once removed from the body, must be reimplanted within just a few hours. Unlike skin, which can survive longer outside the body, hair grafts begin to deteriorate quickly. That’s why speed and teamwork are essential.

Each case is managed by a dedicated team of 6–7 professionals to ensure efficiency. A typical 1.5 cm-wide strip yields between 1,750 and 2,200 grafts, ideal for a single-session transplant.

Option 4: Medication

Medical treatments can help slow down or even stop hair loss. These work best when started early and are usually used alongside other treatments.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “The most common options include:

• Minoxidil (Rogaine). Over-the-counter (nonprescription) minoxidil comes in liquid, foam and shampoo forms. To be most effective, apply the product to the scalp skin once daily for women and twice daily for men. Many people prefer the foam applied when the hair is wet.
  Products with minoxidil help many people regrow their hair or slow the rate of hair loss or both. It’ll take at least six months of treatment to prevent further hair loss and to start hair regrowth. It may take a few more months to tell whether the treatment is working for you. If it is helping, you’ll need to continue using the medicine indefinitely to retain the benefits.
  Possible side effects include scalp irritation and unwanted hair growth on the adjacent skin of the face and hands.
• Finasteride (Propecia). This is a prescription drug for men. You take it daily as a pill. Many men taking finasteride experience a slowing of hair loss, and some may show new hair growth. It may take a few months to tell whether it’s working for you. You’ll need to keep taking it to retain any benefits. Finasteride may not work as well for men over 60.”

Why Choose Utah Hair Restoration?

Our team is made up of people who care deeply about our patients. Dr. Bitner grew up in Utah and has always wanted to bring the best medical care to his home state. He’s trained at some of the top medical programs in the country, including the Mayo Clinic and the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery fellowship.

At Utah Hair Restoration, we don’t push treatments you don’t need. We work with you to figure out what’s going to help, whether that’s a hair transplant, medication, or a combination of treatments.

What Results Can You Expect?

Hair restoration is a gradual process, and most patients begin to see early growth within several months. Over time, the hair continues to thicken and mature, with final results typically taking up to a year. Because the transplanted hair is your own, it looks and feels completely natural.

We’ve seen hundreds of men walk out of our office with a new sense of confidence. Some of them had been wearing hats for years or avoiding pictures. Seeing their reactions to their new look is one of the best parts of what we do.

How to Get Started

If you’re ready to take the first step or just have questions, give us a call at (801) 525-8727. We’d love to talk with you, answer your questions, and set up a consultation with Dr. Bitner. You’ll get honest advice and a full picture of your treatment options for hair restoration.

At Utah Hair Restoration, we believe you shouldn’t have to accept hair loss as something you just deal with. Whether you’re looking into medication or a full hair transplant, we’re here to help you make the choice that works for you. Hair restoration Utah doesn’t have to be confusing or stressful. With the right team and the right plan, you can start feeling more like yourself again.

Call us at (801) 525-8727 or fill out a contact form here to schedule your consultation today. Dr. Bitner is here to help you feel confident again!