Are you considering a hair transplant? This popular surgery has been around for many years and it can be a great way to jump-start your hair growth.
However, if you're on the fence about whether it's worth pursuing, here's what you need to know before undergoing the procedure.
What is Hair Transplant?
It is a surgical procedure that involves moving hair from one part of the body to another. It can be used to treat baldness or to make a person's current hairstyle fuller and thicker.
The first recorded attempt at hair restoration was performed by French barber Jean-Baptiste Denys in 1822. He used his own method of transplanting healthy hairs from one part of the head onto another area that had been shaved clean with no results other than some pain and swelling at the donor site.
Types of Hair Transplant
There are three main types:
- Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT)
- Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
- Direct Hair Implantation (DHI)
Who can go for a hair transplant?
This is most effective for people who have experienced hair loss due to male pattern baldness, which is a genetic condition that causes hair loss on the top and front of the head. It is also effective for people who have lost their hair due to injury or scarring.
You must have healthy hair growth in the donor area for a hair transplant to be successful. It is also important to know that the outcome of the surgery may not be what you hoped for. Your surgeon will be able to assess whether you are a good candidate for this surgery during a consultation.
What can you expect during the surgery?
This is typically performed under local anesthesia and can take several hours to complete, depending on the size of the area being treated. During the procedure, the surgeon will remove hair follicles from the donor area and then transplant them to the recipient area using tiny incisions.
After surgery, you may experience some discomfort, swelling, and redness in the donor and recipient areas. You may also experience some bleeding and scabbing. Your surgeon will provide you with instructions on how to care for your scalp after the surgery to ensure proper healing.
Recovery After Hair Transplant
After the procedure, you will be given specific instructions for your post-operative care. You will be asked to wear a surgical cap and keep your head covered with a scarf or hat for one week after surgery. You may also be given prescriptions for pain medication, antibiotics and blood thinners.
Your doctor will provide you with information about possible side effects that could occur after the procedure (e.g., bruising). He or she will also explain how often to follow up with him/her following your surgery so he/she can monitor its progress until it reaches optimal results.
Hair Transplant Complications
Hair surgery is a safe procedure, but there are risks and complications that can occur. Some of the most common complications include:
- Infection
- Scarring
- Unnatural-looking results
Hair transplant surgery is a safe and effective way to restore hair to balding or thinning areas of the scalp. Before you decide to undergo this surgery, it is important to have realistic expectations about the outcome and to choose an experienced surgeon.
With proper care and follow-up, you can enjoy a fuller head of hair and increased confidence in your appearance.