Hair Restoration (SmartGraft FUE)

Park Avenue Plastic Surgery offers hair restoration via SmartGraft, a follicular unit extraction (FUE) system that harvests individual hair follicles without a linear strip incision, minimizing scarring and recovery time. The technique suits both men and women experiencing pattern hair loss. Transplanted follicles are permanent. The procedure is supervised by Dr. Rapaport at the 5th Avenue Manhattan clinic.

Hair restoration at Park Avenue Plastic Surgery uses the SmartGraft FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) platform — a minimally invasive hair transplant method that avoids the linear donor-site scar associated with traditional strip (FUT) surgery. The procedure is available to both male and female patients with androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) at Dr. Rapaport's 5th Avenue Manhattan clinic. SmartGraft FUE vs. traditional strip surgery: Classical FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) harvests a strip of scalp from the back of the head, leaving a linear scar that limits short hairstyles. FUE with SmartGraft instead extracts individual follicular units one at a time using a small rotary punch tool — leaving only tiny round micro-scars that are essentially invisible at normal hair lengths. The SmartGraft device automates graft collection and hydration, preserving follicle viability during the extraction-to-implantation interval. The procedure: Under local anesthesia, follicles are harvested from the donor zone (typically the back and sides of the scalp, where hair is DHT-resistant). Recipient channels are then created at precise angles and densities in the thinning or bald areas. Individual grafts are implanted to mimic natural growth patterns. Sessions typically range from 1,000 to 3,000+ grafts depending on the extent of hair loss and coverage goals. Results: Transplanted follicles shed their initial hair within two to four weeks (shock loss) — this is a normal part of the process. New permanent growth emerges from three to four months onward, with full density visible at 12 months. Results are permanent; transplanted follicles retain their DHT-resistant genetics and will not miniaturize over time. Candidates include adults with stable pattern hair loss, adequate donor density, and realistic expectations regarding coverage. The practice serves patients from across Manhattan, New York City, and the tri-state area seeking hair restoration performed in a board-certified plastic surgeon-led environment.