According to statistical research, two out of every three men in the world experience hair loss until the age of 35, and by the age of 50, they experience significant hair loss or serious thinning.

 

Whatever the reason is, a number of questions arise in everyone’s mind with hair loss. One of the first questions that almost everyone comes to mind is “are hair implants permanent?

 

Let’s look for the answer to this question together. But first, what exactly is this and how is the operation performed.

 

Although hair transplantation has been applied for many years, after the recently developing technology and increasing medical experience, hair transplantation procedures can now be solved easily and at a more affordable cost than before.

 

In general, different techniques are applied in hair transplantation, which is defined as another transplantation of hair follicles taken from the back of the head. Costs vary depending on the size of the area to be transplanted. However, this is not the only factor.

Hair Implants

First of all, it is determined which technique will be used for the area to be transplanted. This is FUSS (follicular unit strip surgery) or FUE (follicular unit extraction). This is usually done in clinical settings or in private surgical areas in doctors’ offices. As the first procedure, your scalp is cleaned and your procedures are started by injecting medicine to numb the back of your head.

 

If the FUSS technique is to be used, your doctor will remove a 6 to 10-centimeter scalp strip from the back of your head and put it aside, and cover the removed area. It covers this area with the surrounding hair bristles. The operations team then divides the 6 to the 10-centimeter strip of scalp, which is removed from the back of your head, into 500 to 2000 micro-pieces each containing hair cells (hair strands). These parts are called grafts. The number of these grafts varies depending on the quality, type of hair cells, and the size of the area to be transplanted.

 

But; If the FUE technique is to be used, the process presses will be slightly different. This time, your doctor will start the operation by shaving the area from the back of your head where the hair strands will be transplanted. The hair follicles to be transplanted afterward will be removed one by one from here. This area will heal in small spots.

 

How Does a Hair Implant Work?

Simply put, a hair transplant takes hair you have and transfers it to an area where you don’t have hair. It’s typically taken from the back of your head, but can also be taken from other parts of your body.

 

Before starting a transplant, your surgeon sterilizes the area where the hair will be removed and numbs it with a local anesthetic. You can also request sedation in order to stay asleep for the procedure. Your surgeon then performs one of two transplant methods: FUT or FUE.

Who Needs The Hair İmplants?

Androgenic alopecia patients, the most common type of hair loss, are the best candidates for hair transplantation. This condition is often referred to as male or female pattern hair loss.

 

If these items are suitable for you, we can assume that your hair transplantation process will be successful in general. These :

 

Age: People who have a hair transplant must be over the age of 25. Before this age, hair loss is more unpredictable.

 

Hair diameter: People with thicker hair usually get better results than people with thinner hair. Thicker hair provides more protection to each hair follicle.

 

Donor density: Patients with hair density below 40 follicles are considered weak candidates for hair transplantation per square centimeter in donor areas.

 

Hair color: People with light or close hair color usually achieve the best results.

 

Expectations: People with realistic expectations are likely to be satisfied with the results.

DHI vs FUE and FUT Hair Transplantation

DHI, FUE, and FUT involve the transplantation of hair follicles taken from a part of your scalp to other areas that are balding or sparse.

 

During FUT surgery, a surgeon cuts a long, narrow strip of skin behind your scalp. Hair follicles are taken one by one and transplanted along your hairline. This method is usually the fastest and cheapest, but it can leave a long scar. The scar can be noticed if you wear your hair short, but long hair often hides it.

 

In DHI and FUE surgeries, individual hair follicles are taken directly from your scalp. During FUE, a surgeon manually cuts a series of channels in your scalp to insert the hair follicles. The DHI technique allows surgeons to make these incisions and to transplant hair at the same time.

 

DHI and FUE are less damaged in terms of scars caused by FUT, but these operations often take longer and are more costly.

 

Companies offering DHI claim that this is the most advanced and effective hair treatment option. However, there has been no study comparing the results with other hair treatment techniques.

 

Any FUE surgery can be successful in the treatment of hair loss. However, there is some controversy about this: whether FUT or FUE is the more effective method.

Hair Transplant Side Effects

The most common side effect is scarring, and this cannot be avoided with any procedure.

 

Other potential side effects include:

• infections
• crust or pus drainage around the surgical sites
• scalp pain, itching, and swelling
• inflammation of hair follicles (folliculitis)
• bleeding
• losing sensation around the surgical sites
• visible areas of hair that don’t match the surrounding hair or are noticeably thinner
• continuing to lose hair if your hair is still balding

 

Minoxidil and Propecia can also have side effects, such as:

• irritated scalp
• dizziness
• chest pain
• headaches
• irregular heart rate
• hand, foot, or breast swelling
• sexual dysfunction

Recovery

FUT and FUE may each take several hours to several days to complete. In part, this depends on the amount of work performed by the surgeon. You will go home the same day of the procedure.

Once the surgery is done, your surgeon carefully removes any bandages. The area may be swollen, so your surgeon might inject triamcinolone into the area to keep the swelling down.

 

You’ll likely feel pain or soreness at the transplant site as well as in the area where hair was taken from. For the next few days, your surgeon may prescribe:

 

• pain medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil)
• antibiotics to prevent infections
• anti-inflammatories, such as an oral steroid, to relieve swelling
• medications such as finasteride (Propecia) or minoxidil (Rogaine) to help stimulate hair growth

 

Here are some aftercare tips for hair transplant surgery:

 

• Wait a few days after the surgery to wash your hair. Only use mild shampoos for the first few weeks.
• You should be able to return to work or normal activities in about 3 days.
• Don’t press a brush or comb down over the new grafts for about 3 weeks.
• Don’t wear any hats or pullover shirts and jackets until your doctor says it’s OK.
• Don’t exercise for about a week.

 

Don’t worry if some hairs fall out. This is part of the process. The transplanted hair may not grow much or seamlessly match the hair around it for a few months. 

 

End of the line we solved the main question “is hair implants permanent?”. The hair implant, which is a completely safe procedure, is completely permanent. Of course, it is a permanent solution except for a reasonable loss rate.

Finally

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.