Hair Transplant

What is a Hair Transplant

Suffering from the loss of hair can be a frustrating and often embarrassing situation for both men and women. Not only do societal norms and definitions of beauty typically include a full, healthy set of hair - but a changing appearance out of someone's control can have a heavy impact on one's self confidence. Many times to combat this problem, people turn to hair transplant procedures. If you're looking for a solution to your thinning or balding hair problems you may be wondering what a hair transplant is. This article will look at the definition of what a hair transplant is as well as the benefits and how you can get started on this procedure.

What is a Hair Transplant

A hair transplant is a surgical procedure to treat baldness or the total loss of hair due to heredity, illnesses or other tragedies. The transplant takes grafts of hair from an area of the donor's body in usually a strip or follicular unit and surgically places them on the scalp or bald area using very small needles and lots of precise placement. The procedure is typically outpatient and involves light sedation. Depending on the type of transplant, there may also be a short recovery period.

The Procedure

While the actual procedure for a hair transplant has transformed and improved over the years, it wasn't until the early 2000's when the use of a "lateral slit" really took this industry ahead with the ability to do hair transplants that were natural and less invasive.

According to a Wikipedia entry, with this new lateral slit technique, it became possible for surgeons to use 2-4 hair follicles in one graft and better cover the surface area. The Wikipedia post also notes that this update has its disadvantages - like the fact that the incisions needed to complete the procedure bisect the existing hairs "T" like form. For this reason, a number of doctors are using a combination of this more advanced lateral slit technique and the older "Sagtial" incisions which "transect less hairs and blood vessels" and can be used to better slide around the follicles while avoiding any transaction with the existing hairs on the patients head.

The Surgery

For the actual procedure, patients will have already planned with their doctor how the follicles will be placed and the type of incision method to be used. They will be advised in advance to prep for the surgery by not drinking certain liquids that can interfere with the surgery most importantly a recommendation to not smoke or drink alcohol will be made as these can contribute to the poor survival of hair grafts in a hair transplant surgery scenario.

After anesthesia and shampooing of the hair, grafts are taken, incisions are made and then follicles are inserted in the areas where balding were once an issue.

What are the Benefits of Hair Transplant Surgery

Aside from the improved self confidence that will come from getting your hair back after losing it, hair transplant procedures today have been improved drastically so that a hair transplant looks far more natural than the hair pieces once used in the past to mask balding and thinning hair.

In addition, a hair transplant is also a permanent solution to thinning or balding hair were wigs, hair pieces, or extensions are costly , only temporary, and have the potential to embarrass someone if they do not hold in place properly or do not match the natural hair perfectly.

How to Get Started with a Hair Transplant

If you have made the decision to proceed with a hair transplant, it's important to do some research on the options available in your area. Hop online or leaf through the yellow pages and write down the names of potential specialists you're interested in contacting. In addition, you may know someone who has had a procedure; these word of mouth recommendations can be valuable in making the right choice for a specialist. Once you have compiled your list of possibilities, give the offices a call, stop by for a consultation, ask questions and look over examples of their work on clients. Once you feel comfortable with the price and hair transplant surgeon you can make your appointment and begin to prepare for the procedure.

Properly researching hair transplant procedures and specialists will better guarantee your satisfaction with the outcome and help you to put any of the embarrassing or worry you once had because of hair loss.



Posted in Hair Transplant by: Sang Ale
2012-08-02 | Hairfear




Frequently asked questions about hair transplant procedures

How much does a hair transplant cost?

Hair transplants can vary in price based off of the area in the world that you are interested in getting a hair transplant as well as the size of the area where you may need a hair transplant. Experienced doctors in the United States will often charge some of the highest prices for a hair transplant worldwide and this is why so many travelers make the move to other parts the world like Turkey, India, Thailand, Mexico...etc for their hair transplants.

Will a hair transplant hurt?

Although hair transplants may look like a particularly unpleasant or painful experience is actually very little discomfort involved with the surgery itself. Hair transplants are always done under an anesthetic so there's absolutely zero pain during the treatment itself. Many people actually relate the process as being very similar to going to the dentist for filling or root canal. Mild pain can persist over the course of postop treatment but he generally just resumes for a few days.

Who can deliver the best surgery?

It's usually best to consider working with surgeons who have and IAHRS certification or international alliance of hair restoration surgeons recognition. IAHRS can often deliver recommendations for the best surgeons in each particular area.

Is this scarring noticeable?

Any type of hair transplant will require the use of incisions throughout the scalp. There can also sometimes be a small scar from the donor area towards the back of the scalp. Asking to look at photos of the surgeon's previous work will help you to see roughly how bad the scarring could be. In most cases an experienced professional can limit the look of scarring and noticeable marks from the surgery.

How long does it take for the hair to grow?

In most cases hair growth will start within eight months and you can start to see a full effect from the hair transplant after a full year. The initial signs of growth can usually start between 3 to 4 months after the surgery.

Are the results permanent?

The hair follicles that are transplanted are generally the ones which are genetically resistant against the symptoms of baldness. As long as you receive hair loss treatment later in your life after the symptoms of balding have started to subside, you can have a better chance at permanent results.

While everyone know you've had surgery?

If you want to limit the chance that people may find out about your surgery it's important to give at least three weeks of healing as the surgical area will be affected and red just after surgery. After around a month of healing it can look far less noticeable. You could consider wearing a hat while time passes or opting for some extra time off if possible.

How long should I rest after surgery?

It's recommended to rest for at least a few days after surgery so that your body can recover. Trenton to over exert yourself and limit sexual activity, running in the gym for around 10 days after surgery.

Is it possible to lose more hair as a result of surgery?

There is always a chance of shock loss which happens when the hair is weak and miniaturizing after the surgery. As long as the surgeon is choosing the correct hair follicles and performing the surgery well it's possible to minimize the chance of this happening however.

Will I need another hair transplant?

The need for another transplant really depends on the individual. With a solid foundation surgery and working to potentially bolster results with drug therapy, you can improve the stability of the hair that was transplanted as well as prevent further loss. Getting a hair transplant early on in your 20s or early on in life could lead to needing long-term transplants as hair loss can be progressive.


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