Hair transplantation is the cosmetic procedure of restoring natural hair growth and a fuller looking mane. In this surgical procedure, hair follicles from an area where hair growth is full or a lot, are removed and inserted into an area where hair follicles are less dense or lacking in number. That means, if you are balding in the front portion of your head, the hair follicles from the back or bottom are taken and inserted into the front portion. Since the back/bottom portion of the head usually has a good growth of hair, the hair follicles plucked out are replaced naturally with new hair strands. The hair follicles inserted from the donor site grow out as natural hair. This gives a natural and full-looking mane to anyone undergoing the hair transplant surgery.
If you are troubled with questions like should I get a hair transplant, do hair transplants really work, is hair transplant successful, what are the side effects of hair transplants in the long term, and how does a transplanted hair look like after 10 years, read on.
Click here to read things you should do to prevent hair loss.
Hair loss is a growing menace in the country. With pollution and stress being the major reasons – in India alone, 60% of men and 10% of women suffer from hair loss.
Is hair transplant permanent?
Does the surgery last a lifetime? Hair transplants are not only safe and effective, but they also tend to last a lifetime. The longevity of the treatment depends on how successful the treatment is, how many doses of the same are undertaken, and also the natural hair growth process of the individual. The permanence of a hair transplant is entirely dependent on the individual – It varies from person to person.
Let’s get some facts about hair transplant straight. After the hair follicles are extracted from the donor site and inserted into the bald portions of the head, they start growing just like regular hair. Similarly, they age, fall and grey with time, just like the natural cycle of a hair strand. Although transplanted grafts are permanent, all things on the body are subject to the aging process. Hair transplant is a great option for people suffering from baldness, as the hair follicles used for grafting are usually much more resistant to male pattern baldness and will not fall out like a normal hair strand would.
What is the procedure?
Hair transplant is generally recommended for people with less or no hair growth, chronic or hereditary baldness, balding scalp, genetic defects, or hair loss due to injury, scar or burn. A thorough inspection of the scalp is done before undergoing a surgery. Depending on the size of the transplant that you are getting, the process may take anywhere between 4 to 8 hours.
Your trichologist may suggest one of these two procedures for your treatment. While Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS) is for replacement of small quantities of hair, in Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), more hair is replaced at the same time. Find details about these procedures below:
- Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS)
In FUSS, six to ten-inch strips of skin with hair strands are removed from the back of your head. Then the scalp with missing skin is stitched. This area is immediately hidden by the hair around it. The site of incision is very small and is barely visible. After this, the surgeon’s team divides the strip of removed scalp into 500 to 2,000 tiny grafts, each with an individual hair or just a few hair strands. After he prepares the grafts, the surgeon cleans and numbs the area where the hair will go, creates holes or slits with a scalpel or needle, and delicately places each graft in one of the holes. The number and type of graft you get depend on your hair type, quality, color and the size of the area where you’re getting the transplant.
- Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
In FUE, the back of your scalp is shaved. Hair follicles from this set are removed one by one and inserted into the bald area as in the FUSS process. The area that is shaved heals with small dots- which are covered by the existing hair.
Read more about recovery duration for hair transplantation, here.
Benefits of Hair Transplant
The foremost benefit of a hair transplant is giving you a confidence boost! It increases your confidence about your appearance and reduces your stress and social anxiety. Apart from this, it has the following benefits:
- Safe procedure
Since the hair used for the transplantation is your own hair, it has a very minimal risk. The body accepts this hair and results in no side effects or infections. No chemicals are used in the process, making it very safe.
- No changes in color/texture
As mentioned above, since your own hair is used for the treatment, the hair will look just like it used to before. There will be no change in color or texture; only the hair may grey with age, which will be similar to your natural aging process or cycle.
- Minimal scars
In both the procedures, the hair grafts are made by either shaving a portion of hair or shaving the skin for hair follicles. Although the cuts or scars from this are minimal, they are covered by the natural hair around the region. Meanwhile, the region restores and grows in its natural form.
- Natural looking hair
Not only is your new hair very manageable, it grows just like your natural hair. So you won’t need to apply any special shampoos or chemicals to maintain its density like in other treatments or chemical procedures.
- Permanent solution
Hair Transplant is a permanent solution to baldness, balding hair, hair loss as well as a receding hairline. Hair growth normally starts after 2 to 3 months. It completes its recovery within 8 to 10 months.
- Cost Effective
This treatment is handled in a single sitting and does not require frequent visits or checkups once you fully recover. When compared to its chemical counterparts and salon treatments, it is the most cost-effective option, as you get a permanent solution to tackle hair fall, unlike the treatments which may not be as effective at the same. What’s a better cure than your own hair!
Considering a hair transplant surgery? Consult the best Trichologists in Chennai now. Our procedural suites, near zero infection rates and advanced technologies vouch for our successful hair transplantations. Book an appointment with Apollo Cosmetic Clinics now.
