Although hair transplantation has been applied for many years, after the recently developing technology and increasing medical experience, hair implantation procedures can now be solved easily and at a more affordable cost than before. First of all “how to get hair implants?”.
In general, different techniques are applied in hair implantation, which is defined as another implantation of hair follicles taken from the back of the head. There are many different methods. What are the differences? Ok. There we go.
Types of Hair Implants
These hair transplants, which have been applied by doctors in the United States since the 1950s, have changed a lot with the development of technology until today. Basically, it is a filling surgery by transplanting hair cells to areas with thin, sparse, or no hair.
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.
FUE Technique
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.
The rest is the same in all techniques. The prepared grafts or hair follicles are transferred to the transplant area, which is cleaned and made ready for operation. Of course, before the area is cleaned and numbed. With the scalpel needle half, small holes are created. Grafts or hair follicles are placed in these prepared points. Depending on the size of the area to be transplanted, these procedures can take between four and eight. Some transplants may not be fully successful. Such situations may require additional.
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.
What are the problems with hair implants?
Thinning
If you have had hair transplant surgery, you may be alarmed to find that the hair you already had is actually getting thinner. This is a normal post-operative condition and the thickness comes back within a few months after surgery.
Bleeding
A side effect of hair transplant surgery may include some bleeding. Putting pressure on the area will usually stop the bleeding. In rare situations, the bleeding does not stop so it might be necessary for the surgeon to do some extra stitching to close the wounds.
Pain
There is actually very little pain involved with the actual hair transplant surgery. About half of the people who have the procedure done will not need any pain relievers at all. Most others take a mild pain reliever such as Tylenol for a few days, and that seems to be enough for them.
Itching
It is not unusual for itching to occur in areas affected by hair transplant surgery. Yet, it should not last more than a few days. Using shampoo to wash your hair every day will help with this problem to diminish.
Swelling
Just about everyone who has had hair transplant surgery has experienced swelling in the forehead and around the eyes. This lasts for only a few days with the worst being of it appearing on the fourth day. For some, a black eye may result.
Numbness
Another common side effect of hair transplant surgery is numbness. Patients typically report feeling numbness for several weeks after the surgery. This is only temporary.
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 “how to get hair implants?”.
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.