HomeHealth articlesmale pattern baldnessA Complete Guide to Hair Transplants

Everything You Need to Know About Hair Transplants

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Everything You Need to Know About Hair Transplants

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A hair transplant is a procedure to add more hair to a zone on your scalp that might have hair thinning or loss. Read further to know more about it.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Sneha Kannan

Published At April 17, 2019
Reviewed AtApril 20, 2023

Introduction:

Hair transplants are performed by taking hair follicles from denser areas and moving them to the part of the scalp experiencing thinning or hair loss. Unfortunately, around 60 % of men and 50 % of women across the globe experience hair loss, as per reports. As a result, over-the-counter topical drugs like topical Minoxidil (Rogaine) have been widely used for management.

The first transplant was performed in 1939 in Japan with single scalp hair. After some time, surgeons started utilizing small miniaturized scale unions to limit the appearance of transplanted hair on the scalp. In the present decade, doctors developed the plug strategy. This incorporates transplanting hair in tufts.

Do Hair Transplants Work?

Hair transplants are regularly more effective than over-the-counter hair recovery products and medications. But there are a few factors to consider before opting for a hair transplant:

  • 10 to 80 % of the transplanted hair tends to grow in three to four months.

  • Like typical hair, the transplanted hair can also get thin over time.

  • People with sluggish hair follicles (sacs that ordinarily contain hair underneath the skin, however, no longer grow hair) might not benefit much from a hair transplant. But investigations suggest that PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatment can help up to 75 % of the transplanted hair grow back.

  • Hair transplants do not work for everyone. They are primarily used to re-establish hair in case you have hair loss or thinning or have lost hair due to damage.

  • Most transplants are performed with the hair present on one's scalp, so they are not as fruitful for treating individuals with widespread thinning and baldness, hair loss due to chemotherapy or drug, and thick scalp scars from damage.

How Much Do Hair Transplants Cost?

The cost of hair transplants depends on:

  • The extent of the transplant procedure.

  • Availability of surgeons in a particular locality.

  • Experience of the surgeon.

  • Surgical technique picked.

Hair transplants are restorative procedures, so health insurance will not pay for them.

What Are the Various Hair Transplant Surgeries?

A hair transplant surgery moves hair to the bald or thin area of the scalp. Those who have tried various hair loss treatments and have not benefitted from them usually opt for hair transplant surgeries.

Following are the various transplant surgeries available:

How Does a Hair Transplant Work?

Fundamentally, a hair transplant involves removing hair follicles from the scalp and putting them in a zone with less or no hair. It is generally taken from the back of the head or different body parts. Before the start of the transplant, the surgeon analyzes the zone where the hair will be collected and numbs it with a local anesthetic. The patient can as well request sedation if anxious. It will make them remain calm during the procedure.

The surgeon will perform any one of the following transplant procedures such as:

  • Follicular unit transplantation (FUT).

  • Follicular unit extraction (FUE).

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT):

FUT is known as follicular unit strip medical procedure (FUSS). The FUT procedure involves the following steps;

  • Using a surgical blade, the surgeon expels a bit of the scalp, usually from the back of the head. The strip gauge is regularly around six to 10 inches long. However, it can stretch out from ear to ear.

  • They close the zone where the scalp is expelled with sutures.

  • The surgeon separates the scalp strips into little pieces with a surgical tool. They may cut it into as many as 2,000 smaller fragments, called unions. A portion of these unions may contain only a single hair each.

  • Utilizing a needle or bleeding edge, the surgeon makes little openings in the scalp where hair will be transplanted.

  • The surgeon embeds hairs from the evacuated bit of scalp into the cut gaps. This progression is called grafting.

  • They then cover the surgical site with a bandage or cloth.

  • The number of unions one get relies upon the following:

  1. Type of hair.

  2. Size of transplant site.

  3. Quality (counting thickness) of hair.

  4. Hair shading.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): The FUE technique involves the following steps;

  • The hair on the back of the head is scrapped.

  • The surgeon then expels solitary follicles from the scalp skin. Little dimples will be seen where every strand was taken.

  • They graft hair follicles into the openings.

  • They then cover the surgical site with bandages or dressing.

Recovery Period:

FUT and FUE, each procedure takes days to heal. It relies on the work performed by the surgeon. The person who underwent a hair transplant can return home immediately after the procedure. When the medical procedure is done, the surgeon cautiously evacuates any bandage. If the area is swollen, the surgeon may inject Triamcinolone into the area to hold the swelling down. You will likely feel pain or soreness in the transplant zone or in the zone where the hair was taken from. For a few days, the surgeon may recommend:

Things to Do After a Hair Transplant Procedure:

1. Wait two or three days after the medical procedure to wash your hair.

2. Use delicate shampoos for a couple of weeks.

3. Do not press a brush or search down over the new joints for around three weeks.

4. Do not wear any tops, pullover shirts, or coats that must be worn through the head until the doctor permits.

5. Do not exercise for around seven days.

7. Try not to stress if a few hairs drop out. Understand that it is a part of the procedure. The transplanted hair may not develop much.

What Are the Reactions to a Hair Transplant?

  • The most common symptom is scarring, which any procedure cannot prevent.

The other side effects are:

  • Infections.

  • Pus may form in the surgical site.

  • Scalp pain, tingling, and swelling.

  • Inflammation of hair follicles (folliculitis).

  • Losing sensation around the surgical areas.

  • Visible zone of hair that does not coordinate the encompassing hair.

Minoxidil and Finasteride can likewise cause side effects like:

  • Irritated scalp.

  • Dizziness.

  • Chest pain.

  • Headaches.

  • Irregular heartbeat.

  • Hand and foot swelling.

  • Sexual dysfunction.

How to Choose a Hair Transplant Surgeon?

Here are a few tips for anyone searching for a hair transplant surgeon:

1. Always select an authorized and board-certified surgeon.

2. Confirm the record of the effective transplant procedures and demand to see a portfolio.

Conclusion:

On average, around 50 % of individuals experience hair loss globally. People usually start treating hair loss with over-the-counter medicines without seeking professional help, which will not always work to your advantage. Talk with a doctor or a transplant surgeon when you start experiencing hair fall more than usual and discuss which treatment would be best for you. When getting a transplant, do not expect out-of-ordinary changes, as the success of a hair transplant depends on various underlying factors and health conditions. Make sure to follow the post-care advice suggested by the surgeon and hope for the best.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

What Information Is Required to Know Before Hair Transplantation?

Hair transplantation is a permanent procedure, so before deciding to go with hair transplantation, one should know well about it. Moreover, seeking a qualified and experienced doctor is very important, as only an experienced specialist can give the best results. Also, there are two types of hair transplant, follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT); it is necessary to choose the right one for the individual with the help of the specialist.

2.

How Long Does a Hair Transplant Last?

A hair transplant usually lasts for an entire lifetime. Hair transplantation is designed to be permanent, but in rare cases, it must be done again. The shape of the new and better hairline can be visibly seen immediately after a hair transplant. The hair will begin to grow rapidly after the healing of the skin.

3.

What Are the Downsides of Hair Transplant?

Hair transplants do carry many downsides. However, before consulting a specialist, individuals need to weigh the downside of hair transplants against the benefits. The downsides include:
- Longer recovery period.
- The health of the individual should be good for getting an effective result.
- Post-surgery, the scalp will remain tender for longer periods of time.
- High chance of infection.
- The result of the hair transplant depends on the quality of the hair follicle. If the quality of hair follicles is compromised, there will not be a better result.

4.

What Is the Ideal Age for Hair Transplantation?

There is no fixed age limit for undergoing hair transplant surgery. The most common age for hair transplantation is between 30 to 39 years because hair loss begins to stabilize after the late twenties. Although, hair transplants can be carried out in the early twenties or even in the late forties.

5.

What Is the Chance of a Hair Transplant Failing?

Hair transplantation is a safe and effective procedure, but it may not be effective in very rare individuals, which is typically far less than five percent. In addition, there are many reasons for hair transplant failure, including an inexperienced surgeon, unsuitable candidates, improper graft handling, and poor post-operative care.

6.

What Type of Hair Loss Is Considered Too Bald for a Hair Transplant?

Unfortunately, a hair transplant is impossible if an individual is completely bald. Hair transplantation is done by removing hair follicles from one part of the scalp with hair and transplanting them to the part with no hair. Hair transplantation is difficult if an individual has no hair to collect the donor's hair.

7.

Does Transplanted Hair Turn Gray?

Hair transplant surgery does not change the color of a person's hair. Transplanted hair starts to gray, like the donor's hair, as an aging process. But transplant surgery does not speed up the graying process

8.

How to Conceal the Head After Hair Transplantation Surgery?

Immediately after the surgery, the scars are visible. Everyone would find out about the procedure without opening up about the procedure. So some ways to hide hair transplant procedures are:
- Wear a hat or cap after a week of the procedure.
- Grow or change facial hair to distract people's attention.
- Try long hair follicular unit extraction (FUE); it leaves long hair on the surgery site and needs to cut hair short from the sides and back.
- Plan a short vacation

9.

Is Wearing a Cap Recommended After a Hair Transplant?

It is safe to wear a hat after 7 to 10 days of the surgery. However, hair transplant experts suggest not using objects that put pressure on the scalp at least three months after the surgery. Usually, hair transplant specialists recommend that patients wait at least 7 to 10 days before they wear hats.

10.

Why Are Hair Transplants Not Accepted by Many People?

The success rate of hair transplant is mostly high, even though many people avoid using hair transplant due to multiple reasons, including:
- Hair transplant rejection after the surgery.
- Risky post-operative hair transplant care.
- It is not suitable for all individuals as it requires existing donor hair.
- Expensive procedure.

11.

Are Hair Transplants Worth It?

Hair transplants are worth it as the treatment is lasting, safe, and has a high success rate. The procedure does not involve medicine or chemicals that cause damage to the hair or produce any side effects. As the procedure involves the patient's own hair and gives a very natural look, it is accepted by many people.

12.

Do Hair Transplants Appear Artificial?

Generally, hair transplants give a natural look as human hair is used for transplant, which is taken from the donor site of the patient's head. As real hair is collected from the site of high hair volume, it gives a natural appearance. However, for the natural appearance of hair, many elements are needed, ranging from the donor area's quality to the procedure's quality.

13.

Will Dandruff After Hair Transplantation Affect Hair Growth?

Dandruff after getting a hair transplant is quite common. Mild dandruff does not affect the growth of the transplanted hair; scratching the head can cause hair fall. So it is necessary to treat it medically, which is a safe and effective way to remove dandruff.

14.

Why Do I Look Balder After a Hair Transplant?

Baldness after hair transplantation is a temporary reaction, as most adults lose transplanted hair within 2 to 3 weeks post-surgery. This is a natural process that paves the way for new hair growth. As new hair appears, it will look healthier and thicker.

15.

Is Hair Transplantation Surgery Painful?

Hair transplant surgery is not painful, as anesthesia is used during the procedure. But post-operatively, patients may experience pain after the anesthesia wears off. The patient may also experience redness and swelling after surgery. However, the doctor will prescribe painkillers and antibiotics to prevent infection and pain.
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Dr. Jena Pratap Chandra
Dr. Jena Pratap Chandra

Family Physician

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