A lot of people take pride in their hair, and can find it distressing when they find that their hair is starting to thin, or even fall out. There are remedies for this, such as hair transplants, but with all the information there is, it can be difficult to know what to believe.
This guide has been created to tell you everything that you need to know about hair transplants and what you should consider before taking this big step.
Table of Contents
Eligibility
Just because someone is experiencing hair loss doesn’t mean that they are necessarily the right candidate for a hair transplant. There need to be enough healthy donor follicles meaning that people with severe hair loss may not qualify for the procedure. The best way to find out if you are suitable for hair transplant treatment is to consult a specialist.
Varieties
There are two main types of hair transplants that most specialists perform today. These are:
- Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): The surgeon determines which part of the scalp will be the donor site for healthy hair follicles. A strip of skin, including follicles, is removed. The surgeon stitches the site, and the donor strip is divided into separate grafts. These are then transplanted onto the recipient site. FUT leaves a single scar in the shape of the removed strip which is usually well hidden by the surrounding hair once it grows back.
- Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): If removing a strip of scalp and leaving behind a long scar puts you off FUT, FUE is the best alternative. Individual follicles are extracted for transplantation from the donor site to disguise whether any hair has been removed. This can provide a slightly more seamless appearance and less visible scarring.
Previous forms of hair transplant have given less natural results, but contemporary transplants are extremely natural-looking and tailored to the individual. Whichever variety is right for you, choosing a trustworthy clinic and reputable practitioner is important.
Places like hshairclinic.co.uk have plenty of patient stories that demonstrate the highest safety and customer satisfaction standards. As with any medical procedure, you must meet with the specialists before the day of surgery. This gives you a chance to ask any questions and feel more comfortable.
Procedure
Before the procedure begins, your surgeon will use numbing gel as a precursor to local anesthetic. Whether you are having FUE or FUT, there will be incisions made into your scalp, but the anesthesia will prevent you from feeling any pain.
Some clinics use highly advanced precision technology to perform the extractions and grafts while others rely on the skill of human surgeons. Not every patient will experience the same length of procedure since the number of grafts varies from person to person.
From beginning to end, the procedure may take several hours or even the whole day. Your surgeon will be able to give you an approximate time at the beginning of the appointment, although this is open to change as the procedure goes on.
Recovery
Once the procedure is over, your scalp may be swollen from the incisions. It will likely be tender to touch and you will be given instructions from your surgeon about how to care for the skin in the upcoming days and weeks.
It’s important that you clean the transplant zone gently and regularly to prevent infection and reduce scarring. You will notice scabbing, which may itch, but resist the urge to scratch as this will delay the healing process.
Outcome
After the procedure, you won’t notice an instant improvement to your hair’s fullness. Even once the swelling has subsided and the healing is complete, it will take time for the follicles to settle and the hair to grow. The time between getting the surgery and seeing visible results will depend on the individual.
Some people start noticing growth as early as three months post-surgery while others only start to see it after a year. Beyond this point, nearly every patient will show signs of full growth from the transplanted follicles.
Maintenance
Once you have fully recovered from the surgery, you must keep your scalp and hair in good condition to preserve the new fullness. This means learning how to wash your hair and use the right products to avoid dryness. Hair can easily break and fall out when it becomes dry and brittle.
Although a hair transplant is virtually permanent, mistreating or neglecting your hair could lead to further hair loss. Make sure to condition your hair after shampoos to restore the necessary oils and moisture. Bleach, heat, and tight hairstyles can also cause damage and are worth avoiding.
Final Thought
Now that you are equipped with the basics about hair transplants, make your initial appointment and find out if you’re eligible.
