Everything to know about hair transplant, its types, and benefits
Nearly 35 million men and 21 million women worldwide suffer from hair loss. Several factors trigger the condition, such as age, specific health conditions, the body’s reaction to certain therapies, pollution, and unhealthy habits. A hair transplant is an effective solution for hair loss. During a transplant, a surgeon moves hair from one area on a person’s head to another to offset hair loss. To clear uncertainties regarding hair transplants, here are some details.
Types of hair transplants
Although other specialized styles may exist, two of the most popular hair transplant types are follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT). The complete hair transplant treatment may take up to three to four sessions. After each surgery, therapists cover the scalp with bandages for a few days. The stitches used during the surgery come off approximately ten days after the final transplant session.
FUE hair transplant
In FUE, a hair transplant surgeon makes thousands of punch incisions before surgically removing hair follicles from the back of the head. Once the follicles are cut out, they focus on the area that is receiving the transplant. The surgeon makes small incisions on this scalp area using a needle or blade before carefully placing the plucked hair follicles into these holes. Using this technique, surgeons can transplant several thousand hairs during a treatment session.
FUT hair transplant
In FUT, the transplant surgeon uses a surgical knife or scalpel to make a deep incision on the back of the patient’s head and cut out a layer of skin from the scalp. After closing the incision with stitches, the surgeon uses a magnifying lens and a surgical blade to break this layer of skin into several small sections. These sections are implanted in the area of the head that needs hair. Over some time, natural-looking hair starts growing in that area.
Benefits of hair transplants
Hair transplants can be painful to a certain degree and expensive. However, they come with several short-term and long-term advantages for the individuals undergoing the treatment. Some of the benefits are listed here.
Permanent solution for hair loss
Transplants are a definitive resolution to hair loss. Individuals who undergo a transplant surgery will never suffer from significant premature hair loss again in their lives. Hair transplants generally hold up over the long term. Even for those with hair thinning problems, their hairline will not recede as it does during natural hair loss. The permanency and high success ratio of hair transplants make them an ideal solution for hair loss.
Little maintenance post-surgery
Most hair loss therapies need maintenance visits and other related factors that cost patients plenty of time and money. Unlike such treatments, hair transplants e to no maintenance. When natural hair grows on the scalp, patients must only carry out essential maintenance measures.
High success rate
As implied earlier, most patients undergoing hair transplant surgeries do not face hair loss again. Many celebrities, politicians, actors, and people from all walks of life opt for this tried-and-tested solution to counter early hair loss because of the high success rate.
Low post-surgery complications
Hair transplants have a low margin for error as the head is one of the most, if not the most, sensitive and critical parts of the body. Though it involves the possibility of human error and inner body exposure, skilled transplant surgeons with years of experience, know-how, precision, and confidence pull off such surgeries with zero errors. Additionally, transplants are minimally invasive as the surgeons only work on the scalp and the surrounding skin. Therefore, hair transplants come with minimal post-surgery complications. Besides, there are minimal to zero side effects after a hair transplant operation, as surgeons use general anesthesia during the procedure.
Natural hair growth
It is arguably the most significant benefit for patients. The hair that grows on a patient’s head after a transplant is their own hair. Therefore, hair transplants offer a much better and more convenient alternative to wigs, weaving, and other solutions involving using unnatural hair.
Things to consider before a hair transplant
Individuals looking for hair growth through a transplant must consider certain factors before opting for a particular clinic or surgeon. Some factors include the surgeon’s experience and credentials, the clinic staff’s friendliness, the aesthetic and artistic expertise of the surgeon, the technology and methods used in transplant surgeries, and the number of days available at the patient’s disposal while undergoing therapy, among others. Apart from that, patients must also research online the clinic’s reputation among previous patients and the ratings of the clinic/surgeon.