Hair transplant is a surgical procedure that transfers hair that you already have to fill an area that has thin hair or no hair at all. For this surgery, candidate must have good volume of hair growth at the sides and back of the scalp so that it can be transferred to the donor sites.
CAUSES
Hair loss or pattern baldness can be caused due to variety of factors such as stress, illness, hormonal imbalance, various medications or unhealthy diet.
PROCEDURE
There are two main techniques used for the purpose of hair transplant. They are :
- FUT (follicular unit transplant)
- FUE (follicular unit extraction)
FUT
Procedure starts by giving anesthesia to the scalp. This procedure involves cutting out a strip of your scalp skin from the back of the head. Typically, it is a several inches long incision. The incision is closed. After the incision the separated portion of scalp into small sections using a sharp surgical knife or a magnifying lens. Once the scalp is implanted these treated sections will achieve natural looking hair growth. Post treatment a disinfecting solution is gently applied to your scalp and the donor area is dressed with bandage.
FUE
This type of hair transplant is one of the latest advances in hair restoration. Using a blade or needle (micro surgical extraction instrument) firstly holes are made in the area of the scalp where the treatment is supposed to be done. These hairs are gently inserted in an angle and density that matches the original hair, so that it resembles a natural and realistic pattern. After the graft, bandages will cover the scalp for a few days.
A hair transplant procedure takes four hours or more depending on how many hairs to be added. Stitches will be removed after about ten days of surgery. It may take about three to four sessions if full head is being treated.
POST SURGERY
After surgery scalp will be sore and few pain medications should be taken to reduce any pain, few antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection, to keep the swelling down few anti-inflammatory medications.
FUT
It takes approximately 10-14 days to recover from a FUT procedure.
FUE
In this procedure, as only individual follicles are removed, small puncture scars which are not even visible to the naked eye are left. Also, there is no discomfort or post-surgical pain. It takes 7 days or even less for total recovery. FUE technique results are permanent once you have undergone the surgery.
COST
The exact cost depends on the individual and varies from case to case. It is suggested to take a personal consultation with the surgeon to get the exact cost.