What is a hair transplant? Is hair transplant safe? If you have these and many more questions about hair loss and hair transplantation, this piece of information will be useful to you in several ways.
Table of Contents
Feel free to skip ahead if one topic catches your eye:
- What is Hair Transplant?
- When should you Consider Hair Transplant?
- Types of Hair Transplants
- Recovery and Aftercare
- Is it Permanent?
- Benefits of Hair transplants
- Cost of Hair Transplant
- What are the Possible risks associated with FUT and FUE hair transplants?
1. What is Hair Transplant?
Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure used to treat different degrees and forms of permanent hair loss. During this procedure, a dermatologist or plastic surgeon takes hair from the parts of the scalp or other body parts with thick hair growth and then grafts them to the balding or thinning sections.
This minimally invasive surgical procedure is primarily performed for treating male pattern baldness by removing follicles of hair from the donor site (where hair growth is significant) to the balding part (the recipient site).
2. When should you Consider Hair Transplant?
A hair transplant may be the ideal choice for men and women who want to improve their self-confidence, appearance, and sense of well-being.
Ideal candidates for a hair transplant include:
- anyone who has lost hair from the scalp due to burning or any other injury
- men with male pattern baldness
- women with thinning hair
It is suggested that you should find out with your dermatologist whether or not you have a sufficient amount of healthy hair on the scalp that could be easily transplanted to the balding or thinning sections. Moreover, there should be a high probability of growing hair on the scalp’s thinning or balding areas. For this, a comprehensive scalp examination will be performed by the dermatologist. You may be asked to undergo a blood test to find out the factors causing hair loss.
3. Types of Hair Transplants
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT), which is also known as follicular unit strip surgery (FUSS), is performed by an experienced surgeon. During the procedure, a strip of hair follicles is removed from the back of your head using a scalpel. This strip is generally sized about 6-10 inches. The surgeon and the support team then close the area with stitches. After that, they divide the strip of the scalp into smaller pieces with the scalpel.
Once this has been done, the surgeon would make small holes in the scalp (on recipient area) using a blade or needle. The holes will be made on the balding areas where hair needs to be transplanted. Hair grafts are then inserted from the scalp’s removed piece into the punctured holes in a process known as grafting. After that, surgical sites are covered with gauze or bandages.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
During this surgical procedure, the surgeon will shave off your hair on the back of the head. Then, individual follicles are taken out of the skin of the scalp. The surgeon will then make small holes in the scalp and grafts are placed into the holes, then covering the surgical site with gauze or bandages. It is important to note here that this hair restoration procedure is considered safe and performed in multiple sessions of 2-4 each over many days.
One of the biggest advantages of FUE hair transplants is that they are performed by taking hair follicles from the patient’s skin. Moreover, it does not lead to a “hair plug” look and is not associated with scar formation as FUT. These transplants are usually performed on the scalp but may also be done on legs, arms, or even the genital area.
Opt for the right hair transplant in India from the best hair transplant clinic.
4. Recovery and Aftercare
You may experience some pain, discomfort, or soreness around the scalp after the hair transplantation procedure. Your doctor may recommend some pain medications, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory medications for 3-6 days. Usually, the healing time is 3-6 weeks. Still, it may vary depending on the type of procedure, the general and overall health of the patient, response of the patient’s body to the treatment and post-surgery medications, etc. The majority of people usually return to work a few days after the hair restoration surgery.
- It is important for you not to shower or wash your hair for at least 3-4 days.
- You should avoid any strenuous activities such as intense workouts.
- You should avoid brushing or combing your new hair for at least 3-4 weeks.
- For healing purposes, it is best to take 2-5 days off and take enough rest.
- Use unscented and gentle hair shampoos for the first 2-5 weeks after the surgery.
- It would be best if you do not drink alcohol or take blood thinners like aspirin for about 2-4 weeks before the surgery.
- Antidepressants should be avoided for about 2-3 weeks before surgery.
- You should avoid dietary supplements or vitamins for about 2-3 weeks before your surgery.
- You should engage in scalp massage for about 15-30 minutes every day, 3-4 weeks before the surgery to increase blood flow.
- You should have blood tests and an electrocardiogram (ECG) before the hair transplant surgery if needed.
- It would help if you had a word with your doctor on the supplements and medications you can take to promote and maintain hair growth and volume.
- Avoid combing or brushing hair when your hair is wet.
- You can ask your doctor about a cooling cap if you were or are being treated with chemotherapy. It can minimize the risk of hair loss during chemotherapy.
It is normal for the transplanted hair to fall out after 2-4 weeks of the procedure. This should be taken as the body’s normal response for new hair growth. In most cases, patients can expect the growth of new hair 8-12 months after the surgery. In some cases, the surgeon may prescribe Finasteride (Propecia) or Minoxidil (Rogaine) to stimulate regrowth of hair.
5. Is it Permanent?
One of the biggest advantages of hair transplantation surgery is that it is a permanent procedure. Furthermore, the long-term results of a hair transplant procedure are subject to specific conditions. Patients opting for the FUE or FUT procedure must clearly understand that the “transplanted hair” will fall off for around six to eight weeks after the hair transplant.
However, it will be a temporary phase, and they can expect new hair growing out of the hair grafts in another 6-8 weeks. The dermatologist may ask you to visit the clinic again for a surgical “touch-up” once the initial cuts have healed. In some cases, patients may be required to pay more than one visit to have a head full of healthy hair.
6. Benefits of Hair transplants
For many people, a full and healthy hairline is one of the most important parts of their personality. However, many of us are left at crossroads between our wealth and health because of stressful work schedules, modern lifestyles, and relationship hurdles. In addition to this, the lack of proper nutrition, cigarette smoking, alcohol, and drug abuse, and sedentary lifestyle are some of the biggest causes of hair loss. Some may also experience loss of hair because of hormonal changes, medications, genetics, etc. All these factors may individually or in conjunction with each other can result in either permanent or temporary hair loss.
Let us have a close look at some of the advantages of hair transplants.
Natural hair regrowth: Hair transplants are a blessing for everyone who wants to reclaim their lost hairline. Since the hair restoration surgery is performed by transplanting “own” hair from the donor to the recipient site, the appearance, and texture of the transplanted hair match with the existing hair.
Minimal downtime: One of the biggest advantages of hair transplantation is that this surgical procedure involves minimal downtime. All you need is to take a rest for a few days and resume your routine activities. However, it is crucial to seek consent from the dermatologist before you can resume physical activities such as workouts.
Pain and scar-free: There are no visible scars if an experienced specialist performs hair restoration surgery. Moreover, hair transplants are performed under local anesthesia, and this means you will not feel any pain or discomfort during the sessions.
Cost-effective in the long run: Hair transplant procedures may appear to be a costly option, but they are cheaper in the long run instead of hair growth creams, gels, and other products that offer little to no respite.
Improved Appearance: People opting for a hair transplant procedure will always tell you that their receding hairline used to make them feel unwanted and disappointed with their appearance. A hair transplant has made them feel more attractive and confident. You will get a full head of hair after the hair transplant surgery as you’ll feel and look better.
Minimally invasive: At Skinqure, minimally-invasive hair transplant procedures are performed on an outpatient basis in welcoming, hygienic, and comfortable medical facilities using only local anesthesia leading to a quick and smooth recovery.
Unmatched precision: Hair transplant procedures at a reputed hair transplantation clinic like Skinqure utilises state-of-the-art technology and equipment for restoring your hair with unmatched precision.
Higher graft survival rate: FUE hair transplants have an estimated success rate of 90-95 percent while the hair graft survival rate is approximately 75-85 percent.
7. Cost of Hair Transplant
The estimated FUT hair transplant cost in India is INR 35-60 per graft and the approximate cost of FUE is INR 45-65 per graft. On the other hand, Robotic FUE starts at INR 65-100 per graft. The final cost of hair transplant is dependent on a number of factors, including but not limited to the area of the transplant, number of sessions, number of grafts, types of techniques, the experience of the surgeon, the success rate of the hair transplant clinic, cost of medical equipment, etc.
It is highly recommended that you spend quality time to identify, connect with, and finalise the best hair transplant clinic so that you always have complete peace of mind.
8. What are the Possible risks associated with FUT and FUE hair transplants?
In rare cases, patients opting for FUT hair transplants may experience hair transplant side effects such as:
- Scars
- Numbness or lack of sensation on the treated areas of the scalp
- Itching
Conversely, patients opting for FUE hair transplants may in rare cases experience:
- Pinpoint scaring
- Chronic folliculitis (though extremely uncommon, it can be viewed as a failure for maintaining hygiene or due to some preexisting dermatological disorder)
- Low-positioned hairline
At SkinQure, you will get the most comfortable treatment and if there is any risk the doctor will take care of it. Access the best FUT hair transplant, FUE hair transplant treatment now!
Takeaway
Like youth and good health, most of us take our hairline for granted until it is gone. Hair transplantation can easily help you reclaim a full hairline.
If you have been a victim of baldness, hair transplantation surgery can be an excellent choice to feel more confident about your appearance. However, it is important for you to clear all your doubts and have a detailed conversation with your doctor on what to expect before, during, and after the hair transplantation procedure along with hair transplant results and side effects of hair transplant, if any.
Last but not the least, you should choose only a certified and licensed dermatologist operating from a registered and successful hair transplant clinic. It is also recommended that you have a close look at the portfolio of the dermatologist and clinic. Additionally, you should explore reviews, feedback, testimonials, etc. of the dermatologist and the hair transplant clinic.
Call us now to know more about hair transplant recovery, hair transplant before and after results, hair transplant success rate, and more.