Hair Transplant Procedures: What Are They and How Do They Work ?

Hair transplantation may be done in two ways: Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) (FUE). Each approach yields a similar outcome, with a few exceptions.

Hair Transplantation Using FUE

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) is a relatively recent advancement in hair restoration surgery. It entails extracting individual follicular units, or hair follicles, and transplanting them to a new location. According to an article published in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, the surgeon does this by using extremely small "micro punches" to remove hairs from the scalp with minimum scarring.

The benefit of FUE is that it leaves no visible scar. Instead, it generates hundreds of small scars that fade away over time, especially for persons with light hair who may not be able to entirely conceal a standard "strip technique" hair transplant scar.

Hair Transplantation using FUT

FUT involves removing a strip of healthy hair from a donor region on your head, usually at the back of your head where it is less visible. This donor hair strip is relocated and connected to the thinning area of the scalp.

The benefit of FUT is that transplanted hairs have a better survival rate than hairs transplanted using the FUE procedure, according to a report published in the World Journal of Plastic Surgery. FUT, on the other hand, has the disadvantage of leaving a wider scar on the back of the head, which is apparent with some short or shaved hairstyles. It's also worth noting that the outcome of either technique is determined by the surgeon or dermatologist who performs the procedure.

FUE, understandably, takes longer than FUT and is best suited to smaller treatment regions. However, both treatments give the same natural-looking results in the hairline and crown area, with the exception of scarring, which should not be noticeable if the hair on the back of your head is dark and thick.

What Is the Process of Hair Transplantation ?

Hair transplant operations, including FUT and FUE, are performed as outpatient procedures. You'll usually be given local anaesthetic to numb your scalp, but you'll be awake throughout the procedure. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that the treatments take four to eight hours, with some transplants requiring many sessions spread out over several days.

The treatment entails extracting healthy hair from the afflicted region and transplanting it to the healthy area. You may be wrapped and given instructions on how to care for the surgery site at home after that.

What Does Hair Transplantation Cost ?

Estimates range from $,000 to $15,000 or more as a ballpark figure. However, as with any medical procedure, the cost of hair transplant surgery is determined by a variety of factors, including the local market (or where you live and have your surgery done), whether you choose FUT or FUE, whether you have to travel for your surgery, the surgeon you select, and the complexity of your case.

Because hair transplant surgery is deemed cosmetic, your insurance provider is unlikely to cover the cost. However, if your hair loss is caused by an illness or injury, you may be eligible for compensation. If you're considering hair transplant surgery, the first step is to call your insurance carrier to learn about your coverage possibilities.

Time to Recover and Post-Surgical Care

Any procedure has physical expenses in addition to financial expenditures. If you've been bandaged, take careful while removing the dressings at home since they might adhere to the wounds.

Swelling will also occur along the hairline and in the regions of the scalp where the hair has been transplanted. To reduce the impact, your plastic surgeon may prescribe steroids.

You'll be permitted to wash your hair gently two to three days following the surgery, but you'll probably be advised to avoid wearing pullover tops (even t-shirts) for a few weeks.

Following surgery, your doctor may prescribe a topical minoxidil regimen, however you should carefully follow their recommendations because any topical treatment might cause irritation at the surgical sites.

The amount of time it takes to recover depends on whether you chose FUT or FUE. In FUT surgeries, your surgical regions should heal in two to three weeks, and you should be able to resume normal activities in the same period of time. According to a paper published in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, your surgery sites can recover in one to two weeks and you can resume regular physical activity after that.

Complications and Disclaimers for Hair Transplants

Hair transplant surgery has the potential for problems, which your surgeon will discuss with you. The following are examples of common complications:

Swelling and pain

Infection \sScarring

At the suture site, a cyst has formed.

Bleeding

Complications of anesthesia

During surgery, you may experience heart difficulties.

Dissatisfaction among patients

Before you choose a hair transplant, keep the following in mind:

If you have inherited DHT sensitivity, your hair may continue to fall out following a hair transplant. This might indicate that the hair around the transplanted areas thins out while the transplanted hair stays thick and strong.

A hair transplant does not result in the growth of new hair. Instead, it entails relocating existing hairs in a new position. You won't be able to restore your previous hairline and hair thickness with a transplant if you've already lost most of your hair.

A hairline transplant, on the other hand, may significantly improve the look of most men's hair. Just make sure your expectations are reasonable based on the amount of hair you still have.

Alternatives to Hair Transplantation

While hair restoration surgery is a possibility, there are less intrusive (and less expensive) treatments that have been shown to work — and they don't require you to go under the knife.

Minoxidil and finasteride are two FDA-approved drugs for treating hair loss in males that have been proven to be effective. According to a report published in the Journal of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, these hair loss treatments can reduce hair loss and boost hair density. Both minoxidil and finasteride, which are applied topically and taken orally, are validated by years of scientific study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Finasteride is also available as a topical solution. If you don't want to commit to taking a tablet every day for hair health, a topical treatment applied directly to your scalp may be the best alternative. Additionally, evidence shows that topical finasteride is exactly as effective as the oral version (according to an article published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)