A hair transplant is a procedure in which a plastic or dermatological surgeon moves hair to a bald area of the head. The surgeon usually moves hair from the back or side of the head to the front or top of the head. Hair transplants typically occur in a medical office under local anesthesia. If you want to learn more about Hair Transplants, join us in this article from the Doctourwebsite.
Effective factors in hair loss
In addition to the genetic factor, various factors that affect hair loss include:
Diet
Stress
Illness
Hormonal imbalance
Medications
Are there different types of hair transplants?
There are two types of transplant procedures: slit grafts and micrografts. Slit grafts contain 4 to 10 hairs per graft. Micrografts contain 1 to 2 hairs per graft, depending on the amount of coverage needed.
Who might benefit from a hair transplant?
Receiving a hair transplant can improve your appearance and self-confidence. Good candidates for a hair transplant include:
Men with male pattern baldness
Women with thinning hair
Anyone who has lost some hair from a burn or scalp injury
Hair replacement isn’t a good option for
Women with a widespread pattern of hair loss throughout the scalp
People who don’t have enough “donor”hair sites from which to remove hair for transplant
People who form keloid scars (thick, fibrous scars) after injury or surgery
People whose hair loss is due to medication such as chemotherapy
What are the different types of hair transplant surgery?
There are several different ways to perform hair transplant surgery, including:
Grafting
Scalp reduction
Flap surgery
Tissue expansion
What happens during a hair transplant?
After thoroughly cleaning your scalp, a surgeon uses a small needle to numb an area of your head with local anesthesia.
Methods Used for Hair Transplantation
In follicular unit transplantation (FUT)
The surgeon will use a scalpel to cut out a strip of scalp skin from the back of the head. The incision is typically several inches long. This is then closed with stitches. The surgeon next separates the removed portion of the scalp into small sections using a magnifying lens and a sharp surgical knife. When implanted, these sections will help achieve natural-looking hair growth.
In follicular unit extraction (FUE)
The hair follicles are cut out directly from the back of the head through hundreds to thousands of tiny punch incisions. The surgeon makes tiny holes with a blade or needle in the area of your scalp that’s receiving the hair transplant. They gently place hairs in these holes. During one treatment session, a surgeon may transplant hundreds or even thousands of hairs. After, the graft, gauze, or bandages will cover your scalp for a few days. A hair transplant session can take four hours or more. Your stitches will be removed about 10 days after surgery.
In single-unit transplantation (SUT)
In the SUT method, the technician extracts hair follicles from the back of your head or the side parts. These areas are called the donor areas because they do not contain male hormones and usually do not fall. Therefore, if we plant these follicles on the bald areas, they will not fall. SUT is one of the most modern and popular hair transplant methods which is usually proper for the majority. The follicles are delicately extracted and then planted by the micrograft method. The side effects and complications of this method are significantly less than the classic and old-fashioned methods. There will be no scars. Yet, it all comes down to the expertise and knowledge of the specialists and technicians to operate the method correctly and safely.
What happens after a hair transplant?
Your scalp may be sore, and you may need to take medications following hair transplant surgery, such as:
Pain medication
Antibiotics to reduce your risk of infection
Anti-inflammatory medications to keep swelling down
Most people can return to work several days after surgery
It’s normal for the transplanted hair to fall out two to three weeks after the procedure. This makes way for new hair growth. Most people will see some amount of new hair growth 8 to 12 months after surgery.
What are the complications associated with a hair transplant?
Side effects from a hair transplant are usually minor and clear up within a few weeks. They can include:
Bleeding
Infection
Swellingof the scalp
Bruisingaround the eyes
A crustthat forms on the areas of the scalp where hair was removed or implanted
Numbnessor lack of sensation on the treated areas of the scalp
Itching
Inflammationor infection of the hair follicles, which is known as folliculitis
Shock loss, or sudden but typically temporary loss of the transplanted hair
Unnatural-looking tufts of hair
What is the long-term outlook?
Typically, people who’ve had a hair transplant will continue to grow hair in the transplanted areas of the scalp. The new hair may appear more or less dense depending on:
Scalp laxity, or how loose your scalp skin is
The density of follicles in the transplanted zone
Hair caliber or quality
Hair curl
If you don’t take medication (such as minoxidil or finasteride) or undergo a low level of laser therapy, you may continue to experience hair loss in nontreated areas of your scalp. It’s important to discuss the expected outcome with your surgeon and develop realistic expectations.
What is the recovery process after hair transplant surgery?
Most hair transplants are outpatient surgeries, which means you can go home the same day as the procedure. Your recovery process will depend on the type of transplant you have. In the days after surgery, you may be able to:
Day 1: Remove bandages
Day 2: Wash your hair
Days 3 to 5: Return to work and start light activities
After 10 days: Remove stitches (done by your healthcare provider)
After 3 weeks: Return to exercise or sports
How long do the results of a hair transplant last?
It can take up to a year before you see the full results of any hair transplant. The transplanted hair may fall out as the graft or flap heals. This is normal. The hair should grow back. You may need several “touch-up” hair transplant surgeries to achieve a natural-looking result.
Conclusion
To have a hair transplant means to undergo a transformative procedure that not only restores hair but also brings back confidence and self-esteem. It's a surgical technique where hair follicles are moved from a donor site to a balding part of the body, primarily to address male pattern baldness. This process can significantly improve one's appearance and is a testament to modern medical advancements that allow individuals to combat hair loss effectively. The success of a hair transplant lies not just in the growth of new hair, but in the renewed sense of well-being and satisfaction it provides to those who undergo the procedure. It's a commitment to oneself, a step towards reclaiming one's image, and a powerful way to make peace with one's changing body by taking control of one's hair loss journey.
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