Alopecia, or hair loss, has long been a matter of concern for most men and women worldwide. It affects two out of every three men and one out of every five women. Fortunately, hair transplant surgery can help alopecia patients return their heads to full, healthy hair. Many people have varied concerns and questions regarding hair transplant, and it’s absolutely fine to have these queries as undergoing hair transplant surgery is a big decision. In this blog, we will find answers to these questions to make the information proper and factually correct; the insights are taken from Dr. Sumit Agrawal. Considering his expertise, he is known as the best hair transplant doctor in Mumbai. So, let’s start learning, which will aid in making a more confident and assured decision.
What is Hair Transplant?
Hair transplant is a cosmetic procedure that provides permanent hair regrowth. In this surgery, a hair transplant surgeon removes healthy hair follicles from the back or side of the head (or another body portion). The extracted follicles are then transplanted to areas of the scalp with moderate to severe thinning, receding hair, or balding.
What are the Causes of Hair Loss?
Various factors lead to hair loss and hair thinning. It includes heredity, age, tight hairstyles, stress, scalp skin diseases, certain drugs, underlying medical disorders, and hormonal imbalances, which can cause excessive hair fall or loss.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for Hair Transplant?
Not all persons with hair thinning or baldness are suitable candidates for hair transplant. This surgery is recommended for anyone who has significant hair loss, adequate healthy donor hair, and a healthy scalp. Such candidates must be in good overall health and have reasonable expectations about the result of the procedure.
Can a Patient with Alopecia Areata Undergo Hair Transplant?
Hair transplant surgery is not recommended for Alopecia Areata or patchy hair loss. These conditions are due to autoimmune disorders where the hair follicles are attacked by the immune system, thus leading to unpredictable hair loss. In these cases, hair transplant may not be suggested as the newly transplanted hair can also be attacked by the immune system, leading to hair loss.
What are the Two Options for Hair Transplant Surgery?
Hair transplant surgery can be performed using one of two techniques: Traditional Follicular Unit Transplantation or Strip Surgery (FUT/FUSS) or Advanced Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).
- The FUT procedure harvests hair follicles by removing a strip containing healthy hair follicles and then dissecting it under a microscope to isolate the individual hair follicles from the surrounding skin. A microblade is then used to insert these follicles one at a time into the tiny holes in the recipient area.
- The FUE process involves harvesting individual hair follicles directly using micro-punching equipment. FUE hair transplants are preferable because they are less painful and more accessible to recover from. Still, they are more expensive than FUT hair transplants due to the extended duration of the procedure.
Apart from this, a hair transplant surgeon will determine which technique will suit one the best after careful evaluation. The choice is based on several elements, such as the extent of hair loss, the goals that need to be achieved, patient expectations, and more.
How does Hair Transplant Work?
Hair transplant surgery includes extracting healthy hair from the back or sides of the head (donor site) and transferring it to thinning or balding parts of the scalp (recipient site). Donor hair is resistant to the DHT hormone, which causes hair loss, ensuring the success of the hair transplant procedure. The transplanted hair is not rejected by the body and retains its unique properties such as colour, texture, curl, and growth rate during hair transplant and regrowth. Proper blood circulation to the scalp ensures that the grafted follicle remains viable.
How Long Does Transplanted Hair Take to Grow?
In the days preceding the procedure, all newly transplanted hair comes out and is replaced by newly formed hair follicles. The candidate should anticipate to observe new hair growth within three months of undergoing a hair transplant and noticeable improvements in look between six months and a year. The freshly transplanted hair becomes thicker, longer, and denser in volume than before. Complete hair development of transplanted hair takes time, but the growing hair lasts a lifetime.
Are there any Adverse Effects or Concerns after Hair Transplant Surgery?
A hair transplant is a safe procedure, but patients may experience side effects such as pain, itching, numbness, swelling, bleeding, scarring, and unsatisfactory results. It may involve surgical complications such as skin necrosis, scalp infection, cysts, thinning of hair girth, and wound dehiscence.
Can Women Have Hair Transplants?
Yes, many women with receding hairlines, thinning hair, or bald spots/patches on their scalp seek hair transplant surgery to keep their heads full of healthy hair.
What Precautions Should One Take Before Hair Transplant Surgery?
Before receiving a hair transplant, one should refrain from strenuous physical activities and rest for at least a week. Also, a week before surgery, one should avoid smoking, drinking, and excessive caffeine use. One must keep the scalp dandruff-free and wash the hair with anti-dandruff shampoo three days before the procedure. On the day of the procedure, one must arrive with a clear head, at least 1.5 cm of hair, and not on an empty stomach.
Is the Hair Transplant Surgery Painful?
Hair transplant surgery is performed under regional anaesthesia, which numbs the surgical areas and assures that there is no pain or discomfort during the treatment. However, when the anaesthetic is delivered, the candidate should expect to feel mild pain or discomfort.
Does One Need to be Admitted to a Surgical Center or Hospital for Hair Transplant?
No, a hair transplant is a straightforward, essential surgery performed as an outpatient. One can return home the same day after having a hair transplant.
Consult the Top Hair Transplant Surgeon for Hair Transplant in Mumbai
Before choosing a treatment surgery, one should always contact an expert hair transplant doctor. There are various criteria that decide which form of surgery would be most effective in producing excellent outcomes.
Those looking for safe, natural-looking hair transplant results can consult Dr. Sumit Agrawal at Harleys Hair Transplant Clinic. This Mumbai-based experienced hair transplant surgeon offers efficient hair transplant in Mumbai utilizing techniques such as FUE, FUT, BIO-FUE, high-density hair transplant, vertex hair transplant, and many more. One can discover more about hair transplant surgery and which treatment is ideal for them by booking an appointment at Harleys Hair Transplant Clinic.
