Baldness affects both men and women more frequently nowadays. It used to be linked to age or genetics, but now stress, chronic diseases, poor lifestyle, and unhealthy diets contribute to hair loss.
Hair loss can significantly impact people’s lives, causing a loss of confidence and even depression. When significant signs of hair loss appear, people are left with limited choices, including using cosmetic hair patches, permanent wigs, or opting for hair transplant treatments.
Understanding the Hair Transplant Procedure:
In a hair transplant, the surgeon takes a thin strip of skin with hair from the back of your head. They then divide it into smaller pieces, each containing 1 to 4 hairs (hair grafts). These grafts are placed into tiny cuts made in the scalp. Finally, the area where the hairs were taken is closed with stitches.
There are two main types of hair transplant:
– Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and
– Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT).
Similar results are offered by each type of procedure, but they are achieved in different ways.
1. Initial Consultation- During your initial consultation a specialized hair loss expert will carefully examine your hair and scalp, asking relevant questions to identify the underlying cause of your hair loss. This crucial step holds significance as not all hair loss conditions qualify for hair transplant treatment. Patients with temporary conditions, such as telogen effluvium or alopecia areata, are seldom eligible for hair transplants.
If you prove to be a suitable candidate for a hair transplant, the expert will assess the number of required hair grafts. Subsequently, you will make a decision regarding the type of surgery, choosing between FUT or FUE.
2. FUT vs FUE- Choosing your Transplant Type – FUE operates by removing individual or small clusters of follicles, each no larger than 1mm in diameter, from the donor area located at the back of the head. Subsequently, the surgeon makes minute incisions in the balding area(s) and inserts the extracted follicles into these incisions.
FUE requires more time compared to FUT due to the individual removal of each follicle cluster. This typically leads to minimal scar tissue compared to FUT, making it a preferable option for individuals desiring short or shaved hairstyles.
In an FUT procedure, the surgeon removes strips of skin from the donor area and subsequently divides the skin into small groups of follicles. These follicle groups are then implanted into the incisions, mirroring the process in FUE. The surgeon closes the incision in the donor area using sutures (stitches) or staples to prevent infection and facilitate rapid healing.
Because FUT involves the removal of larger skin areas, it typically results in more noticeable scarring in the donor area. However, FUT is often a quicker and more suitable option for patients dealing with extensive hair loss that requires substantial coverage. Longer hairstyles can effectively conceal the scarring, making FUT a popular choice for women experiencing female pattern baldness.
Performing FUT necessitates a highly skilled and experienced surgeon, along with a larger team of trained medical professionals to aid in the procedure. This is a key factor contributing to the higher cost of FUT compared to FUE.
3. Hair Transplant Surgery- Regardless of the chosen surgery type, the procedure typically concludes within a single day, contingent on the required number of hair grafts. The surgeon will shave and mark your donor area to pinpoint where the follicles need extraction. Subsequently, a local anesthetic is administered to numb the scalp and alleviate any potential discomfort.
In an FUT procedure, the surgeon makes a cut approximately 4-5mm deep around the area, peeling away the skin layer containing hair follicles using a sharp skin hook. The extracted strip is then dissected into small follicle clusters.
For an FUE procedure, a sharp punch extracts small follicle clusters directly from the scalp. These follicles can be immediately transplanted into incisions or preserved in a sterile solution for later implantation. The punch size is typically small, no more than 0.9mm in diameter, to prevent triggering hair transplant trypophobia.
4. Post-Surgery- Following the surgery, the surgeon will bandage your head to safeguard your scalp from potential infection and other post-transplant complications. You will receive advice to take several days off work, ideally at least a week, allowing your grafts sufficient time to recover. It is recommended to avoid strenuous exercise, and refraining from washing or rubbing your hair for a few days is crucial, as this can dislodge the grafts.
Ready to regain your confidence and address hair loss? Explore your options today. Contact us for a personalized consultation and take the first step towards a fuller, more vibrant head of hair.