Hair Transplant
Hair fall can be a major issue for many people. It can leave one feeling self-conscious, often leading to low confidence levels. Hair transplant is one excellent treatment option available for those who are experiencing hair loss.
1 session
One time treatment
1-2 weeks
Recovery time
Benefits of hair transplant
Hair transplant offers a range of benefits for individuals experiencing hair loss or thinning:
Low Maintenance
Hair transplantation offers a one-time solution – medicated shampoos or regular visits to a doctor or stylist are not needed, unlike with other treatment options.
Minimal Scarring
Hair follicles are extracted randomly using punch blades that are less than 1mm in diameter so there is hardly any noticeable scarring, even with a shaved head.
Natural Looking Results
Hair is harvested from donor areas and meticulously transplanted to the thinning or balding areas. The transplanted hair blends seamlessly with existing hair, creating a natural appearance that mimics the growth pattern and characteristics of natural hair.
Permanent Results
Compared to other medicines and topical treatments used to treat hair loss, hair transplant surgery offers permanent results as the transplanted hair follicles are typically resistant to the effects of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), the hormone responsible for hair loss in certain individuals.
What is hair transplant?
A hair transplant is a surgery that takes hair from the back or side of the patient’s head and moves it to the bald area of the head e.g., the front or the top. This can be done in three ways:
- Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE):
- This method involves removing healthy hair follicles from an area of the scalp where there is an abundant amount of thick hair. The hair follicles are removed by making tiny punches after which they are placed in a storage solution. When all of them have been extracted, the follicles are taken from the solution and inserted into balding areas on top of the scalp. Hair follicles are removed randomly so that there is less noticeable thinning of hair in a certain area.
- Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT):
- This method is also known as the strip method; an incision is made at the back of the scalp and strips of skin are removed. The incision is closed with stitches, leaving behind a single, fine scar. The surgeon then dissects out individual follicles, or hair roots, before inserting them into balding areas on the top of the scalp, where holes have already been made.
- Direct Hair Implantation (DHI):
- Similar to FUE hair transplantation, hair follicles are removed from the back of the head and implanted into the balding areas in DHI. The main difference between FUE and DHI is that the DHI technique implants the extracted hair follicles directly after they are taken out compared to FUE where hair channels must be opened first before implanting the follicles.
What happens during the procedure?
Local anesthesia is applied on the portion of the scalp where the treatment will be carried out to make it painless. The patient may feel some pressure on their scalp as incisions are being made.
The level of discomfort with the FUE and DHI methods is significantly lesser than with the FUT method as there is less trauma to the scalp due to a lower number of incisions. There will also be minimal bleeding, and in most cases, no bruising. Normal activities can be resumed immediately following the FUE and DHI hair transplant methods – there’s no need to take time off from work or other responsibilities.
What is the recovery time?
Following the hair transplant surgery, patients may experience scalp soreness, which is managed with pain medications. Bandages covering the scalp must be worn for at least a few days. Antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed in this duration to reduce the risk of infection and swelling.
How long does it take for follicles to grow back?
The transplanted hair will initially fall out within 2 to 3 weeks. Patients can expect to see new hair growth between 2 – 6 months after the surgery. However, there is a chance that the transplanted hair may not grow, and the patient may need to undergo another procedure.
Who is eligible for a hair transplant procedure?
Anyone experiencing hair loss is eligible for hair transplant surgery. Both men & women can get a hair transplant:
- men with male pattern baldness
- women with thinning hair
What factors can influence the results of hair transplant procedure?
Two important factors that can influence the results of this treatment are:
- Age: The outcome of a hair transplant is influenced by the age at which it is performed. Generally, adults from 18 – 50 years are best suited for hair transplants. People younger than 18 can experience stunted growth of new transplanted hairs, while those who are older than 50 may not see any results from the procedure at all.
- Follicle Density: A person’s follicle density refers to how many good quality or dormant follicles they possess. Naturally, those with higher follicle densities in the donor area would be better candidates for a hair transplant surgery as they would have more healthy hair available to harvest.
Aftercare instructions for hair transplant treatment:
Keep the scalp clean and dry for the first few days, avoid strenuous activities and excessive sun exposure. Take the prescribed medications as instructed and attend the follow-up appointments for proper monitoring of the healing process.
What are the possible side effects of hair transplant?
Following are some side effects of hair transplant treatment:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Swelling
- Inflammation