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Dr. Halaas: NYC's Leading Hair Restoration Specialist

Hair restoration is not a side service at Dr. Halaas's practice — it is a primary area of expertise she has dedicated more than 17 years to developing. She is a certified luminary for NeoGraft, the leading automated follicular unit extraction (FUE) system, and is responsible for training fellow plastic surgeons on the device. Her membership in the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) reflects her commitment to best-in-class care within a highly specialized field.

Dr. Halaas is double board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and has published peer-reviewed research on advances in hair restoration. In 2021, her paper "Advances in Hair Restoration" was published in a leading medical journal — a testament to the depth of her expertise and her ongoing contribution to the field. Patients travel from across the country to receive hair restoration care at her Manhattan and Westchester offices.

Understanding Hair Loss

Hair loss has many causes, and identifying the underlying reason is the first step toward effective treatment. The most common causes include:

  • Androgenetic alopecia — Hereditary hair loss, also known as male- or female-pattern baldness, is the most prevalent cause for both men and women.
  • Hormonal changes — Thyroid disorders, pregnancy, menopause, and other hormonal shifts can trigger temporary or prolonged hair thinning.
  • Stress and illness — Physical or emotional stress, surgery, and certain medications can cause diffuse hair shedding (telogen effluvium).
  • Traction and styling damage — Chronic tension from tight hairstyles or chemical treatments can cause localized hair loss over time.

Early intervention typically produces the best outcomes. Dr. Halaas recommends scheduling a consultation as soon as hair loss becomes a concern — before significant density is lost — so that the widest range of treatment options remains available.

Surgical Hair Restoration Options

For patients with established hair loss who want permanent, natural-looking results, surgical hair restoration remains the most effective solution. Dr. Halaas offers several techniques depending on each patient's degree of hair loss, donor density, and goals.

NeoGraft (Automated FUE)

NeoGraft is the most advanced automated follicular unit extraction (FUE) system available. Individual hair follicles are extracted from the donor area — typically the back and sides of the scalp — without creating a linear scar, then precisely implanted in thinning or bald areas. As a NeoGraft luminary and trainer, Dr. Halaas performs this procedure at the highest level of skill, with results that are permanent, undetectable, and completely natural-looking.

SmartGraft Automated FUE

SmartGraft is another state-of-the-art automated FUE system that Dr. Halaas offers as an alternative to NeoGraft. Like NeoGraft, it uses a no-linear-scar approach, preserving donor site integrity while delivering natural-looking results.

Follicular Unit Grafting (FUT)

Follicular Unit Grafting (FUT), also known as the strip method, involves removing a thin strip of scalp from the donor area and dissecting it into individual follicular units for transplantation.

This technique can yield a high number of grafts in a single session, making it well-suited for patients requiring significant coverage.

Facial and Eyebrow Hair Transplants

Hair restoration is not limited to the scalp. Dr. Halaas also performs:

Before & After Hair Transplant

Hair Transplant

Patient: 26 - Hair Transplant

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Before and after of a patient who received a hair transplant procedure
Before and after of a patient who received a hair transplant procedure

Hair Transplant

Patient: 27 - Hair Transplant

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Before and after of a patient who received a hair transplant procedure
Before and after of a patient who received a hair transplant procedure

Hair Transplant

Patient: 28 - Hair Transplant

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Before and after of a patient who received a hair transplant procedure
Before and after of a patient who received a hair transplant procedure

Non-Surgical Hair Restoration Options

Many patients prefer to begin with non-surgical options, or to use them as a complement to a surgical procedure. Dr. Halaas offers several highly effective non-surgical hair restoration treatments for patients at all stages of hair loss.

Laser Cap (Low-Level Laser Therapy)

Laser Cap uses 650 nm red light technology to stimulate dormant hair follicles back into an active growth phase. Worn like a baseball cap and powered by a battery pack, Laser Cap is a convenient, comfortable at-home treatment that can slow hair loss and encourage new growth with consistent use.

Formula YH by Dr. Halaas

Formula YH is Dr. Halaas's proprietary hair restoration formula — developed specifically to address the root causes of hair loss and thinning. Available in three formulations (Formula YH Pink, Green, and Blue) targeting different severity levels, Formula YH combines key active ingredients that slow hair loss progression, reduce shedding, thicken existing hair, and stimulate new growth. It is a unique differentiator that is only available through Dr. Halaas's practice.

Hydrafacial Keravive

Hydrafacial Keravive is an advanced scalp health treatment that cleanses and stimulates the scalp, removes follicle-clogging impurities, and delivers a proprietary blend of growth factors directly to the scalp. Two hundred times more concentrated than any other scalp treatment, its ingredients are small enough to penetrate even the smallest hair follicles, creating a healthier foundation for hair growth.

Regenerative Product Therapy

Regenerative product therapy uses exosomes and other regenerative agents to signal the scalp to produce more robust hair growth, reduce inflammation, and restore a healthy scalp environment. Dr. Halaas also offers Phyllotex, an all-natural hair loss supplement that supports hair growth through improved microvascularization, targeted nutrition, and protection from environmental stressors.

Before & After

Non-Surgical Hair Restoration

Patient: 1 - Non Surgical Hair Restoration

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Non-surgical hair restoration (PRP)
Non-surgical hair restoration (PRP)

Non-Surgical Hair Restoration

Patient: 4 - Non Surgical Hair Restoration

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Non-surgical hair restoration, before and after 9 months. The patient was treated with exosomes.
Non-surgical hair restoration, before and after 9 months. The patient was treated with exosomes.

Non-Surgical Hair Restoration

Patient: 5 - Non Surgical Hair Restoration

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This patient had 4 treatments of exosomes to the scalp.
This patient had 4 treatments of exosomes to the scalp.

Which Hair Restoration Treatment Is Right for You?

The right approach depends on where you are in the progression of hair loss, your goals, and your preference for surgical vs. non-surgical care:

  • Early-stage hair thinning — Non-surgical options (Laser Cap, Formula YH, Keravive, Phyllotex) are often highly effective at this stage and can significantly slow or halt progression.
  • Moderate to advanced hair loss — Surgical hair restoration (NeoGraft, FUE, FUT) produces the most complete and permanent results. Non-surgical treatments are used in combination to maintain and maximize the outcome.
  • Preference for non-surgical — Patients who prefer to avoid surgery can achieve meaningful improvement with a customized combination of non-surgical treatments.
  • Facial or eyebrow hair loss — Surgical transplant is typically the most effective solution for beard, brow, or mustache restoration.

During your consultation, Dr. Halaas will assess your pattern of hair loss, evaluate donor density, review your medical history, and make a specific, personalized recommendation.

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What to Expect: Consultation and Treatment

Consultation

The hair restoration consultation with Dr. Halaas is a thorough evaluation of the scalp, hair density, and pattern of loss. She reviews the patient's medical history, identifies contributing factors, discusses realistic expectations, and presents a treatment recommendation with clear reasoning. For surgical patients, an estimate of the number of grafts needed and anticipated results is provided.

Treatment Day

For NeoGraft or FUE procedures, the treatment day typically spans 6–8 hours depending on the number of grafts. Local anesthesia is used; most patients are comfortable throughout. For non-surgical treatments, sessions are significantly shorter and require no downtime.

Recovery and Growth Timeline

  • First 2–4 weeks — Transplanted grafts shed (a normal and expected phase called "shock loss"). The follicles remain intact beneath the scalp.
  • 3–6 months — New hair begins to visibly emerge from transplanted follicles.
  • 10–12 months — Final results are fully apparent, with natural density and growth patterns established.

For non-surgical treatments, improvement is more gradual. Most patients using Laser Cap or Formula YH notice reduced shedding within 2–3 months and increased density at 4–6 months with consistent use.

Hair Restoration FAQs

Are hair transplant results permanent?

Yes — transplanted follicles are genetically resistant to the hormones that cause hair loss, meaning they continue to grow for life. The surrounding native hair may continue to thin over time, which is why maintenance with non-surgical treatments or FDA-approved medications is recommended.

Does hair restoration surgery hurt?

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. Most patients experience little to no discomfort during surgery. Mild soreness in both the donor and recipient areas is common for a few days post-operatively and is well managed with medication.

Do you treat women experiencing hair loss?

Yes. Dr. Halaas has extensive experience treating female hair loss, which typically presents as diffuse thinning rather than receding hairline or bald patches. She offers both surgical and non-surgical solutions tailored to female hair loss patterns.

How many grafts will I need?

The number of grafts depends on the size of the area to be treated and the desired density. Most patients require between 1,000 and 3,000 grafts, though this varies significantly. Dr. Halaas will provide a specific estimate during the consultation.

Can I combine surgical and non-surgical treatments?

Absolutely, and this combination approach often produces the best long-term results. Non-surgical treatments can strengthen native hair, support the scalp environment, and help maintain results following a surgical procedure.

Schedule Your Hair Restoration Consultation in NYC

Hair loss is a deeply personal concern, and the consultation is a judgment-free conversation about what you are experiencing and what you want to achieve. Dr. Halaas takes the time to listen carefully, evaluate thoroughly, and recommend only what she genuinely believes will help.

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Yael Halaas MD

Sources

  • International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS): https://ishrs.org/ 
  • Halaas Y, Krane NA, Christofides EA. "Advances in Hair Restoration." August 2021. https://rdcu.be/cBiRM
  • American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: https://www.aafprs.org/

This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.

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