Most people do not feel at ease with the idea of losing their hair; hence, many will try to find a remedy. This trend in turn has resulted in the rise in the rate of hair transplantation in recent times. Nevertheless, a patient who decides to use this strategy should be aware of at least one or two hair transplant facts. In this article we include such aspects as advanced surgery inclusion, different transplants available, how the transplants function, advantages and disadvantages of various transplants, among other things.
What is a hair transplant?
Surgical method of hair restoration in which hair root structures grafted from hair-bearing areas in the body are placed in bald skin. This type of approach is mainly used to stimulate hair growth in a specific area or region of skin.
Types of Hair Transplant Procedures
Hair transplantation by Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) method.
FUT is a modification of the strip method where a strip of hair bearing capable of synthesizing hair follicles and its surrounding tissue is cut en bloc at one location from the scalp and embedded into other bald areas that require hair improvement. The key merit of this type of surgical restoration is that a great number of grafts can be positioned during one surgical session.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
FUE is a somewhat recent version of a surgical technique in which, using an asymmetrical hollow instrument, individual follicular units are lifted off from the scalp. Despite this procedure resulting in less scarring, some scarring will still occur following the embiggening of the FUE scars, and the recovery duration is quite short compared to that of regular FUE.
Direct Hair Implantation (DHI)
DHI, or Direct Hair Implantation, is a technique that is used in hair restoration surgery involving the implantation of follicular units using a specialized pencil instrument known as a DHI pen. Thus, the various processes of dosing and angling the hair follicles are greatly improved.
Robot assisted hair transplants
As today’s robotic hair transplants reach for extremely unmanaging heights of sophistication, the Hand-Free Robotics systems consist of depression to harvest and implant hairs within defined regions of the scalp. This makes it possible to carry out the entire task with minimal or no use of the hands, thus enhancing accuracy and regularity of the operation.
How Hair Transplant Procedures Work
A hair restoration procedure transposes healthy hair follicles from a donor site, usually the lateral or posterior aspect of the scalp, to the areas of balding or thinning of the hair. These methods are two: follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE), which are widely accepted. In FUT, a linear piece of the scalp is surgically removed first, then cut into smaller sections known as grafts, whereas in FUE, individual hair follicles are harvested one by one from the scalp surface. After which, these follicles are placed in the area in need, and over the course of time, they begin to grow naturally, thus acting as a permanent solution to baldness.
Benefits of Hair Transplant Procedures
There are different types of hair restoration treatments available, and each has its benefits, the most important being a permanent answer to baldness as per the expectations. This tends to be the case since the two techniques use—and hence graft—the hair follicles of the patient. Therefore, it grows normally, and no special treatment is required for the patients thereafter. On the other hand, hair transplants are psychologically beneficial since they create more hair that looks suitable for the given purpose in cases where the person is balding or has hair thinning in its natural state. This, however, is a series of procedures that are relatively less difficult and do not involve much or at all skin cutting.
Choosing the Right Hair Transplant Clinic
When selecting the appropriate clinic for hair transplantation, it is imperative to consider the experience, expertise, and reputation in that order. You should choose clinics that have qualified experts and have performed successful procedures before. Ensure they offer individual consultations to evaluate your condition and discuss the available options. In addition, visit the official sites of such clinics and check the comments and reviews posted by other patients. An honest and fair clinic will certainly have a cost of services and an aftercare to provide you with a good outcome and experience.
Preparing for a Hair Transplant
There are several fundamental steps to follow when preparing for a hair transplant surgery for optimal results. One, make an appointment with your physician and discuss your aspirations and get a full evaluation of your hair and scalp first. Comply with any preoperative measures, such as abstaining from smoking and alcohol, as well as the use of some drugs that might affect healing. It is also vital to practice healthy habits like eating well during this period. In addition, be sure to organize for a leave of absence from work and provision of transport after the procedure, as some degree of discomfort will be felt.
The Hair Transplant Procedure
The fundamental principle of the hair transplant procedure is that hair follicles are taken from donor sites, which are generally located at the nape of the neck, and are implanted into bald or thinning regions on the head. The physician carefully harvests normal hair follicles from the donor region and subsequently implants them in the designated recipient area, in consideration of the natural growing orientations. The most popular technical variations incorporate follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT). In most cases, this procedure is carried out under local anesthesia and takes a fairly short time, with new hair growth expected after a few months.
Alternative treatments for hair loss
In addition to the more invasive approaches like hair transplantations and other surgical treatments, there are many accepted treatments for hair loss, such as medication, lasers, and herbal treatments. Among these remedies, the FDA has approved medications such as minoxidil and finasteride, whose main purpose is to encourage the growth of hair and stop its loss. Furthermore, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) also aids in hair growth by activating the hair roots and does not require surgery. On the other hand, however, some people like to aim at additional related and restorative treatments, including, but not limited to, organic oils and mixtures or synthetic nutraceuticals. In some of those individuals, these can be of use, and in some of them they might not work that well, and this is the reason that there is a need for a specialized practitioner who will be consulting them regarding this matter.
FAQs about hair transplants
Does a hair transplant cause discomfort to the patient?
Most patients report mild pain during and after the procedure due to local anesthesia and pain management techniques during the procedure.
Do women undergo these procedures to improve their hair?
Yes, women can also undergo hair transplant procedures, particularly those with pattern alopecia or less hair density than average.
Conclusion
For those experiencing all types of hair loss, hair transplantation is among the most potent of solutions. This class of treatment allows the patients to evaluate the procedures, including their advantages and disadvantages, where aftercare fits, and provides them with all the details for the decision-making process. If you are planning to undergo a hair transplantation procedure, consult a board-certified specialist to explore the options open to you and begin the process of restoring your self-esteem.
