Are you planning on getting your hair transplanted? If you answered yes, then this guide is written just for you. In this guide we have put light on some main questions that need crystal clear answers so you understand exactly what you are to expect from this transplant.
Hair Transplant Explanation
This surgery is a minimum outpatient invasive process that allows the patient to regain lost hair from new follicles transplanted in your head. This treatment involves a procedure where hair follicles from one side of your head (or other part of your body) known as donor site are removed and transplanted to the bald or recipient site.
Who Can Opt for a Hair Transplant
Any male or female who is experiencing baldness, traction alopecia, receding hairline, head trauma or male-pattern baldness can opt for this surgery and get permanent hair back once again. Men who are suffering from male pattern baldness, men or women who lost their hair due to fire accidents. Men are aware that medications and drugs will not help them in restoring their hair back.
Hair Transplant Procedures
Transplantation of hair is done in two ways. One is Follicular Unit Extraction or FUE and the other is Follicular Unit Transplantation or FUT. Below is a brief:
Follicular Unit Extraction: FUE or Follicular Unit Extraction is the more popular transplant procedure of the two surgeries. The reason behind this is, it’s less invasive and the down-time is almost minimal. In FUE, the surgeon manually harvests each individual hair follicles from the donor area to the needed area. This process is also known as grafting. If done properly, a natural and uniform look is achieved.
Follicular Unit Transplantation: FUT or Follicular Unit Transplantation is the process of the surgeon removing a strip of skin with hair follicles attached from the donor area to the recipient area. The skin is divided into small pieces of grafts and one by one implanted into the recipient area.
Graft Explanation
A graft is the removal of a strip of skin from donor area that is surgically removed without touching the blood supply. Once implanted into the recipient area, the skin develops a new blood supply.
Hair Transplant Duration
Though this is verified as per the procedure, nevertheless, it takes around 4 to 8 hours for the surgery.
Expected Results
Right after the second or third week, the transplanted hair tends to fall out. This stage is known as ‘shock loss’ and completely normal. At times, patients experience hair fall from areas that were not touched during the surgery.
By the 6th or 8th week, approximately 85% to 95% hair will have grown with the hair thickening after every cycle of growth. The growth cycle is about every 6 weeks, depending on the patients health condition. By the 6th month the result can be seen and by the 12th month the full final result of your treatment can be seen. By this time you will be having a crowning glory to show off.
Risk of Transplant Treatment
Though hair transplantation is the most less invasive and the most lowest medical procedure involving any risks, still like any other surgery there are some risks associated with a hair transplant like scaring, reddening of skin or not the expected result. There are chances of losing transplanted hair known as “shock loss”, which is common in recovering patients.
Where Else Can this treatment be used
Apart from the head, you can get it done on the eyebrows, eyelashes, abdomen, beard, chest and pubic area as well. Some also get use this process of surgery to cover their scars.