Hair transplantation (also known as hair restoration surgery) can be very effective when done properly. But how do they work? What does the process involve? And are you an eligible candidate?
How hair transplants work
Every hair on your body has and knows its own identity – whether it is scalp, eyebrow, hair or arm and so on. Transplanted hairs will continue to grow the way they grow, no matter where you put it. For example, eyebrow hair will grow like eyebrow hair even if it is transplanted to your head. This is the theory behind hair transplants.
When you transplant a scalp and hair, it will retain the characteristics of the scalp area from which it was taken. The sides and bottom of the head do not usually look bald, even in the more advanced male and female baldness. This is because the follicles in these areas are not affected by male hormones. So when you remove the follicles from here and place them elsewhere, they will continue to grow as before.
Hair transplant care
The transplant surgeon will give you detailed instructions on how to treat your scalp after transplant surgery. You can usually go home about half an hour after the surgery is completed and you may be given medication and topical treatments to prevent the infection. Most surgeons recommend taking at least a few days off work and / or strenuous activity.
Once implanted, small spots may form. These will fall out after about 7-10 days and the hairs may also fall out. This is normal – remember, the hair follicles have been transplanted and not the hair itself. The hairs will grow back.
Make sure you are polite during this initial period – especially when bathing. If you rub your scalp hard, you can damage your cuttings.
New hair will start growing within the next 3 months. Full results should appear about a year after surgery.
What conditions are suitable for hair transplantation?
Transplants are suitable for certain types of hair loss, but not for everyone. Your hairdresser or transplant surgeon will be able to advise you on your eligibility for treatment.
Hair transplants are most often used in the treatment of hair loss in men and women. In these cases, the hairs are transplanted from the back and sides of the scalp (sometimes referred to as the “permanent” area, as these hairs grow indefinitely throughout a person’s lifetime) to the upper / frontal / coronary areas of the scalp (sometimes referred to as the “non-permanent” area, as this can be affected by male / female hair loss.
In addition to hair loss for men and women, hair transplants can also be used for:
- Retention / mechanical hair loss
- Hair loss due to burns
- Hair loss after plastic surgery, such as face lifts
- Permanent hair loss after radiotherapy
Hair transplantation can also be used to create or thicken eyebrows where they have been lost, depending on the cause.
Hair transplants are not suitable for hair loss due to the following conditions:
- Primary scarring alopecia (resulting from an autoimmune condition), such as frontal fibrosis alopecia
- Alopecia Areata
Hair transplant methods
There are two main types of hair transplants used today:
FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation)
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)
Each method has its own particular advantages and disadvantages. You and your surgeon will be able to decide together on the best option for you.
FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation)
- Also known as the “strip method” because it removes a strip of skin and hair from the donor area at the back of the scalp.
- The donor strip is divided into grafts (each containing 1-3 hairs) under a microscope and then transplanted into small incisions in the recipient area.
- About 1500-1600 transplants can be transplanted in one operation.
- Temporary techniques in the donor area have become very sophisticated – but they still leave fine scars when they heal. The scar is likely to be visible if the patient decides to wear a very short hairstyle.
- The patient does not need to shave his head before the procedure.
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)
- The hair follicle units (containing 1-3 hairs) are removed one by one from the donor site, using a special device and inserted into small incisions at the recipient site.
- About 1300-1400 transplants (each containing 1-3 hairs) can be transplanted in one operation.
- This method takes a little longer than FUT and there is a higher risk of follicle loss – but it has a faster healing time.
- There is no linear scar, making this method more suitable for those who want to wear very short hairstyles.
- The patient should usually shave the head before the procedure.
In both types of transplants, the donor and recipient areas are stained with local anesthetic prior to surgery, so there should be no discomfort. Depending on the number of hairs that have been transplanted, the procedure can take from 4 to 12 hours. It is usually very simple and complications are rare, but it is important to follow the postoperative care routine recommended by your surgeon.
Am I a good candidate for hair transplant surgery?
The ideal candidate for hair restoration surgery has healthy hair on the sides and back of the head. These sites are used as donor sites for transplants. Men and women with well-defined baldness, thinning hair, and those with limited hair loss due to scalp injuries or repetitive cosmetic procedures are generally good candidates for hair restoration surgery. Our team will inform you about treatment options during the initial consultation.
How do doctors decide which part of my head will receive the transplanted hair?
The front and top of your head will receive transplanted hair first, because these are the areas that frame your face and most affect your appearance. The crown is usually the last area to receive hair (in subsequent procedures) unless it is the only bald area.
At what age should I have my hair replaced?
In general, hair transplant patients between the ages of 20 and 50 are the best candidates for a fuse hair transplant. However, this procedure works best for younger people as hair loss at an early age is unpredictable.