A hair transplant is performed to restore hair in those areas of the scalp that are bald or have a thinning hair condition. There are multiple types of hair replacement surgery and the most common one is hair transplantation. This treatment involves removing small pieces of hair from a donor site and using them as grafts to be relocated to the bald or thinning area.
What is the truth behind hair loss
Baldness, thinning hair or receding hairline all of these hair loss conditions are often blamed on poor circulation of blood in the scalp, vitamin deficiencies, dandruff and excessive hat-wearing. All of these theories have been disproved time and again. However, on the other hand, hair loss can be determined by looking at your maternal grandfather, or that 40-year-old men who haven’t lost their hair will never lose that hairline.
Primarily hair loss is caused by a combination of conditions:
- Ageing
- Hormones
- Family history
The bottom line is, that the earlier hair loss begins, the more severe the baldness will become.
Here at Premier Dermatology, our local dermatologists understand better than most how difficult a decision it can be to get a hair transplant and we take pride in providing our patients with all the information before making a final decision.
Types of hair transplant
When getting a hair transplant, there are two types of treatments available:
- Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) – This treatment is a minimally invasive technique that involves removing hair from the back of the head as individual follicles before gently placing them into small holes created in areas of thinning or bald parts.
- Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) – This treatment is a slightly more invasive procedure that involves removing a strip of scalp from the back of the head before placing it into individual hair follicles to then transplant into any areas of hair loss on the scalp.
Which type of hair transplant to go for?
When deciding which type of hair transplant is right for your condition, there are several things you will need to look into-
The first step is to consult an experienced hair transplant specialist or a dermatologist who will be able to address any concerns you have.
Here at Premier Dermatology Dr Trisha Khanna has the experience and knowledge that is required to answer any questions you have before you get started.
Is the hair transplant a painful procedure?
Generally, hair transplants are not painful as initially local anaesthesia injections are given.
During the procedure, a local anaesthetic is injected into your scalp to prevent the feeling of any discomfort.
After your procedure is done, if you experience any it will be minimal and easily managed by over-the-counter medications.
Your surgeon will also prescribe you antibiotics and other types of medication to help reduce the likelihood of infection or post-operative swelling.
Are there any side effects of hair transplants?
There are some risks and side effects involved with a hair transplant treatment, as with any type of surgical procedure.
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Discomfort
However, these side effects are temporary and will subside within a few days during the after care.
Can hair transplants cause scarring?
FUE and FUT techniques can leave scars and most of the time, they won’t be visible to the naked eye.
FUE tend to leave small scars less than a millimetre at the donor area, and as your hair grows it will become unnoticeable.
On the other hand, FUT hair transplants involve extracting a strip from your scalp, this will result in a more noticeable scar on the back of your head, but this will naturally fade over time. The skills and experience of your surgeon can make a difference in how extensive your scar is.
How does a hair transplant work?
Deciding to go ahead with a hair transplant is a big decision but, for many people, the benefits of this treatment has been remarkable. Below are these steps followed before and during the treatment:
Stage 1: Consultation – The lead surgeon or the dermatologist will be there to discuss the procedure in more detail, review your suitability for the procedure and go through the consent forms that you will have to sign. The surgeon then reviews your planned hairline or crown before confirming the surgery and shaving the identified donor area.
Stage 2: Preparing for surgery
Stage 3: Hair follicle extraction
Stage 4: Hair follicle dissection
Stage 5: Hair graft implantation
Stage 6: Recovery
The timeline of hair transplant growth
The success of your hair transplant depends strictly upon how you follow the aftercare steps. The better you care for your hair and follow the advised steps, the more natural it will look and the more successful your transplant will turn out.
The clinic you choose for your hair transplant can also make a big difference to how well it takes and how successful it is.
Book a consultation with our hair transplant expert Dermatologist today to know more.
Reference link –
Hair Transplant: Procedure, Recovery, Complications, and More – Healthline
10 Hair Transplant Side Effects for Long Term in Future – HexaHealth
Hair transplant growth stages week by week – A full timeline – KSL Clinic
