What is a hair transplant?

A hair transplant is a procedure in which a plastic or dermatological surgeon moves hair into 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. You can find out more about hair transplantation here.

Hair transplants typically take place in a doctor's office under local anaesthetic.

Pattern baldness also called androgenetic alopecia is responsible for most hair loss. It depends on genetics. The remaining cases are due to various factors, including:

• Diet
• Stress
• Disease
• hormonal imbalance
• Medicines

Are there different types of hair transplants?

There are two types of transplant procedures: Slit grafts and micro grafts.

Slit grafts contain 4 to 10 hairs per graft. Micro grafts contain 1 to 2 hairs per graft depending on the degree of coverage.

Who could benefit from a hair transplant?

Receiving a hair transplant can improve your appearance and self-confidence. Good candidates for a hair transplant are:

• Men with male pattern baldness
• Women with thinning hair
• Anyone who has lost hair due to burns or scalp injuries

Hair replacement is not a good option for:

• Women with a widespread pattern of hair loss throughout the scalp
• People who do not have enough "donor" hair sites to remove hair for transplantation
• People who develop keloid scars (thick, fibrous scars) after an injury or surgery
• People whose hair loss is due to medication such as chemotherapy

What happens during a hair transplant?

After thoroughly cleansing your scalp, a surgeon uses a small needle to numb an area of your head with a local anaesthetic.

Two main techniques are used to obtain follicles for transplantation: FUT and FUE.

In follicular transplantation (FUT):

1. The surgeon uses a scalpel to cut out a strip of scalp from the back of the head. The incision is typically several inches long.
2. This is then closed with stitches.
3. The surgeon next separates the removed part of the scalp into small sections using a magnifying lens and a sharp surgical knife. When implanted, these sections contribute to a natural-looking Hair Growth at.

In follicular unit extraction (FUE), the follicular cells are Hair Follicle cut directly out of the back of the head by hundreds to thousands of tiny punch cuts.

1. The surgeon uses a blade or needle to make tiny holes in the area of your scalp that will receive the hair transplant. They gently place hair into these holes.
2. During one treatment session, a surgeon can transplant hundreds or even thousands of hairs.
3. Afterwards, the graft, gauze or bandages will cover your scalp for a few days.

A hair transplant can take four hours or longer. Your stitches will be removed about 10 days after the operation.

You may need up to three or four sessions to achieve the full head of hair you want. Sessions are spaced several months apart to allow each transplant to heal completely.

What happens after a hair transplant?

Your scalp may be sore and you may need to take medication after a hair transplant, such as.

• Painkiller
• Antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection
• Anti-inflammatory drugs for swelling

Most people can return to work a few days after the operation.

It is normal for the transplanted hair to fall out two to three weeks after the procedure. This makes room for new hair growth. Most people will see some amount of new hair growth 8 to 12 months after the operation.

Many doctors prescribe Minoxidil or the Hair Growth Serum Finasteride (Propecia) to improve hair regrowth. These medicines also help to slow down or stop future hair loss.

What are the complications of a hair transplant?

The side effects of a hair transplant are usually minor and subside within a few weeks.

They may include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Swelling of the scalp
• Bruising around the eyes
• A crust that forms on the areas of the scalp where hair has been removed or implanted
• Numbness or numbness in the treated areas of the scalp.
• Itching
• Inflammation or infection of the hair follicles known as folliculitis.
• Shock loss or sudden but typically temporary loss of the transplanted hair
• unnatural looking tufts of hair

What are the long-term prospects?

Normally, people who have had a hair transplant continue to grow hair in the transplanted areas of the scalp.

The new hair may appear more or less dense, depending on:

• Limpness of the scalp or how loose your scalp is
• Density of the follicles in the transplanted zone
• Hair calibre or quality
• Lock of hair

If you are not taking medication (such as minoxidil or finasteride) or undergoing low level laser therapy, hair loss may continue to occur in untreated areas of your scalp.

It is important to discuss the expected outcome with your surgeon and develop realistic expectations.

Questions and answers

How long does a hair transplant take?

However, with good care, the transplanted hair will remain strong and healthy and last a lifetime. Our surgeons take into account your family history of hair loss and the reasons for your personal thinning or loss and can better determine if you are likely to lose hair in the future.

Can hair transplants go wrong?

Cosmetic surgery can sometimes go wrong and the results may not meet your expectations. You should contact the clinic where you had your hair transplant as soon as possible if you experience severe pain or unexpected symptoms.

Do hair transplants look natural?

Hair transplants can look natural - as long as you go to the right surgeon. Hair transplant candidates may be concerned about the noticeability of their results, but with a talented and qualified surgeon, "Your scalp doesn't look like a doll's head. ..." The best hair transplants involve mimicking nature.

What makes hair follicles grow?

Your hair starts to grow from a root in the lower part of the follicle. The root consists of protein cells. Blood from the blood vessels in your scalp feeds the root, creating more cells and allowing the hair to grow. The hair is pushed through the skin as it grows, passing through an oil gland. You can also use hair growth products to support healthy hair growth.

Does the hair transplant last forever?

A hair transplant can last permanently. The permanent zone from which hair follicles are taken is worthy of its name because the hair is genetically programmed not to fall out.