What to Expect from a Hair Transplant
Hair loss is a common condition that affects both men and women. It can be a natural part of the aging process or occur as a result of a condition. Regardless of what has triggered your hair loss, you may have heard of hair transplant surgeries and found yourself wondering whether or not the procedure could be right for you. Learn more about hair transplants and how they work below to see if you could be a good candidate for the operation.
What is a hair transplant?
If you are suffering from hair loss, a hair transplant operation may be the solution you need to restore your self-confidence. This popular procedure involves removing hair follicles from certain areas of your body and implanting them on your head. It was first introduced in the 1950’s but has since undergone many revisions in order to provide the most noticeable and natural looking results. It comes in to distinct formats, which are follicular unit strip surgery (FUSS) and follicular unit extraction (FUE).
FUSS is the more invasive option of the two types of implant operations. During it, your surgeon will carefully remove a small strip of skin from the back of your head. Typically, this is about six to 10 inches long. Afterwards, he will sew the area shut and begin dividing the removed strip of skin into very small grafts. Typically, 500 to 2,000 grafts will be created using single follicles or small clusters of them. The amount of grafts produced will greatly depend on your hair quality, type and the doctor’s ability to divide the hair follicles.
During a FUE procedure, no skin is removed, making it a less invasive option. During it, your surgeon will simply shave the back of your head. Afterwards, he or she will carefully remove the follicles from the shaved portion and then proceed to form them into grafts.
Once the grafts of made regardless of which procedure your surgeon opts for, they will carefully implant them into small holes or slits made into your scalp. It is critical for you to seek out a reputable and experienced hair transplant surgeon who is capable of giving you the best hair growth results possible. The grafts must be strategically implant in order to appear natural.
What happens after a hair transplant?
Once your hair transplant operation is completed, you may experience pain and tenderness in your scalp. This generally lasts for a few days up to a few weeks. Your surgeon will help you manage the pain with medication. Most people are able to get back to their daily tasks in as little as a few days following surgery. New hair growth can take up to six months to appear. The transplanted hair typically falls out within a few months as new healthier and stronger hair begins to grow. Don’t be alarmed if you notice fall out initially, it is a normal part of the hair growth process.
Getting a hair transplant may be the most effective option available for you to get new hair growth. Speak with a reputable surgeon to see if you are a good match for the procedure.
