Overview | FUE treatment | FUT treatment | Hair transplant side effects | Hair transplant cost
A lot of my patients have many queries and concerns regarding hair loss treatments. Thanks to ground-breaking advancements in biotechnology, there is a long-lasting solution to all your hair loss woes. This solution is called a hair transplant surgery.
A hair transplant treatment involves relocating healthy hair to other parts of the scalp where the hair is sparse or thinning. This can help improve your hairline or fill up thinning spots, thus giving you natural-looking results.
Intrigued? Let’s take a look at the type of hair transplant treatments available. I will also aim to answer some frequently asked questions around this topic.
What are the types of hair transplant treatments available?
There are two types of hair transplant treatments that I’d like to introduce you to. The first is Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), and the second is Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT). Let’s take a closer look at both of these to know what they entail.
FUE hair transplant treatment
This is a gold standard procedure when it comes to hair transplantation. In this, individual follicles are extracted from the scalp’s donor area with specialized cutting equipment. These are then implanted into small incisions in the recipient area. The surgeon ensures that the incisions are angled so that the natural direction of normal hair is replicated. Following this, hair grows strongly in the former bald patch.
- Steps for FUE treatment
At The Bombay Skin Clinic, we begin the procedure by taking photographs of the scalp area once the donor and recipient areas are marked. The donor area may be completely or partially shaved. Once local anesthesia is applied, we perform the extraction using millimetric surgical instruments and extremely fine forceps. The number of units removed can be between 1,000 and 2,000, which translates to between 2,200 and 6,000 hairs. After the units are placed in a special solution to maintain their vitality, with the help of a stereoscopic microscope, they are prepared for transplant.
In the next phase, the recipient area is given local anesthesia and minor cuts are made with needles measuring under 1 mm. These cuts determine the future growth and angle in which hair will grow. Instruments called implanters are used to place the donor follicles in each cut keeping in mind the direction and density distribution pattern of existing hair. Finally, the procedure concludes after all units are transplanted.
I understand this is all quite technical. The process of a hair transplant treatment is quite a detailed one and this was a brief attempt to provide an insight into it.
- Advantages of FUE treatment
Some of the myriad benefits of an FUE treatment include:
- Simple, outpatient procedure
- Fast recovery with barely any downtime
- No stitches; donor area appears completely untouched
- Long-lasting and natural-looking results
As per the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the minimally invasive FUE treatment also ensures no linear scarring.
FUT hair transplant treatment
This is an older hair transplant procedure where a strip of skin bearing hair is removed from the donor area of the scalp. This is why FUT is also called a ‘strip’ surgery. The strip is then studied under a high-powered microscope while the surgeon painstakingly splits it into grafts of single follicular units made up of one or four hairs each. Post this, the grafts are stored in a chilled tissue solution until the time of transplantation. Once the donor area is stitched back up, it is usually covered by the surrounding hair.
The primary difference between FUE and FUT is that in FUT, a strip of donor skin is removed so that follicular units can be transferred to areas of hair loss. Conversely, in FUE, single follicular units are removed directly from the scalp.
What is the expected outcome of this hair transplantation?
Most of my patients see fantastic results between six to nine months after the procedure. In some cases, it may take a year for results to start showing. I always advise my patients not to expect results in a hurry; the desired outcome will eventually show.
You should note that two to eight weeks after the surgery, it is normal for the transplanted hair to fall out. Three months later, your hair may start to seem thinner than before the surgery, but the American Academy of Dermatology also notes this as normal.
Results largely depend on the surgeon you select and differ on a case to case basis. So, I recommend choosing a doctor who understands your type of hair loss the best and who has plenty of experience with this form of treatment.
Are there any possible side effects of hair transplant?
Even with successful procedures, I must caution you that there may be some possible side effects. These could include:
- Infection or bleeding in the donor and recipient areas
- Scarring in both the donor and recipient areas
- Pain and swelling
As per Johns Hopkins Medicine, facial swelling is also possible in some cases of a hair transplant treatment.
We have treated patients at The Bombay Skin Clinic who praise the FUE procedure. While it does take a lot of time, the results are superior. Recovery time is low and there is very little swelling.
Are there any self-care and other precautions to take in the future?
After my patients undergo a hair transplant, we advise them to rest and restrict activities as much as possible until the next day. Patients should sleep with the head elevated at 45-degrees for at least three nights post-surgery. To help in the hair healing and regrowth process, we recommend a diet rich in natural oils, nuts, and vegetables. Do ensure that you consume enough magnesium, Vitamin B, and calcium.
Alcohol and smoking are an absolute no-no. Do not fly for at least two days after the procedure. Some people think that they should cover the newly-transplanted hair; however, you should avoid this. Only start covering your head a week after the surgery. Do check with your dermatologist as to when would be the right time for you to start wearing any kind of headgear.
When is a hair transplant required?
Anyone facing premature hair loss can opt for a hair transplant treatment. I recommend this solution for those facing issues with male-pattern and female-pattern baldness, which is caused by genetics. It is also suggested when you are facing a very minor amount of hair loss, as in this case, you are very likely to see fantastic results. If you are in an advanced stage of hair loss, hair transplant treatment may not be recommended.
Who are the ideal candidates for this treatment?
Almost anybody can be a good candidate for a hair transplant. However, I also look for two criteria that need to be fulfilled:
- You must have sufficient healthy hair on your scalp that can be transplanted to the area lacking it
- You must have the ability to grow hair in the thinning areas of the scalp
Thus, a lot depends on your individual case of hair loss and medical history. Your doctor will be able to best advise you whether you meet these criteria after a thorough medical checkup and study of your hair. Remember that hair transplant results do vary between patients.
When is the treatment not recommended?
I personally do not recommend hair transplant treatment in cases of extensive hair loss. This is because of the lack of good quality donor follicles to transplant to the bald area.
Moreover, if you have thinning hair that is still quite dense, there may not be sufficient space to insert any grafts. This is because the transplanted hair may push out the surrounding hair, thus negating any good results. So, a hair transplant treatment, in this case, is not recommended.
What is the pre-treatment care before the procedure?
For a smooth and problem-free procedure, I advise my patients to not consume painkillers, Vitamin E, and anti-inflammatory medications at least ten days before the day of surgery. They should also avoid over-exposure to the sun as much as possible.
You should also inform your doctor of all the drugs that you have been taking. Blood-clotting disorder patients need to bring their condition to the doctor’s notice. Patients may need pretreatment blood tests to check for clotting or bleeding problems that may hamper the treatment.
Finally, I always recommend having suitable transportation arranged to and from from the clinic. It helps to have a friend or a family member take you home.
How much does the hair transplant cost?
This is one of the first questions my patients put across to me. The cost of a hair transplant treatment varies from patient to patient and case to case. The more severe your hair loss, the more grafts will be needed, and so accordingly the price would increase. Other factors, like the experience of the doctor, also influence the cost.
Closing thoughts
Tired of feeling insecure and embarrassed because of thinning hair? Well, worry no more! Modern hair transplant treatment can help you cast away those balding woes. In no time, you can regain that confidence and flaunt long, lustrous locks. Most importantly, your hair can look and feel as healthy as the rest of you. I urge you to go for a consultation with a qualified hair specialist today.
References
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/otolaryngology/specialty_areas/facial-plastic-reconstructive/cosmetic/hair-transplant.html
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2956961/
- National Health Service: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/hair-transplant/
- American Academy of Dermatology:https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/transplant
Dr. Batul Patel is a celebrity dermatologist and the medical director of The Bombay Skin Clinic an award winning clinic located in South Mumbai & Bandra. She is a passionate and dedicated dermatologist with expertise in all fields of dermatology, trichology and aesthetic dermatology. She has been practicing for more than a decade. Her range of expertise include emsculpt NEO, coolsculpting, fillers, acne treatment, lasers, skin rejuvenation, hair loss, hair transplant, PRP & pigmentation treatments.