Hair loss can be a struggle for both men and women. And it affects a large portion of the population. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, over 80 million Americans suffer from hair loss. There are many factors that affect hair loss, such as genetics, hormones, and stress. Every individual feels differently about their hair loss, and for some it is worth exploring a hair transplant treatment because the hair loss has affected their self-esteem.A hair transplant can help a patient gain a fuller head of hair.
Not the same as a PRP hair restoration that slows down hair loss, a hair transplant is surgery to move existing hair follicles to an area with thinning or no hair. Doctors have been doing these procedures since the 1950’s, however, new technology and techniques have improved them.
Types of Surgery
Hair transplants have a number of applications, including:
- Androgenetic alopecia
- Eyebrow transplant
- Frontal hairline reconstruction
The benefits of a hair transplant are the same for all applications. Patients find they can regain their hair, and their self-confidence with very little downtime and lasting results.
What is the Process?
Grafts containing follicles from the back of the head are transplanted to the bald scalp area. For a patient getting a follicular unit extraction (FUE), the surgeon numbs the patient’s head. Individual follicular units containing only 1-4 hairs are removed. The surgeon uses small micro blades or fine needs to puncture the area that will receive the graft. Each small graft is carefully placed in the area that needs to be covered, taking into consideration the hair density and pattern so it looks natural.
The area will heal with small dots, which hair will cover. The process can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours, and most people can return to work within 3-5 days after the procedure. The transplanted hair will fall out in a few weeks after the surgery, but new hair growth will occur in that area.
Who is a Candidate for a Hair Transplant Treatment?
Ideally, the patient should be over 21 as the hair pattern is not fully developed before then. Hair loss may continue to progress as a patient gets older which would require more treatments so it is better to wait. Those with chronic health issues such as diabetes, auto-immune issues, or on blood thinners might not be the best candidates for the procedure. The patient should be in good general health with a healthy immune system to recover quickly.
The hair color and thickness also play a role into the candidacy of a hair loss patient. For example, curly or wavy hair gives more scalp coverage, making the baldness less apparent. In addition, those with a flexible scalp can accept new hair follicles more readily.
A hair transplant can give the patient very natural results, with little scarring. Any post-surgical pain and discomfort can be minimized. An experienced professional can help patients regain their hair, and their self-confidence.