Hair Transplant
Baldness is quite common among both men and women though percentage of men experiencing hair loss is more than women. There are various reasons for loss of hair including lifestyle, eating habits, stress, genetics, hormonal changes etc. Whilst in men, baldness begins with receding hairline and thinning of hair around crown area, women experience baldness with thinning of hair across central area of scalp. Some men also experience hair loss in their teens or early twenties which is usually related to hormonal changes during puberty. If left untreated, thinning of hair spreads eventually causing baldness. Hair loss often results into embarrassment, reduced confidence and depression.
Hair Transplant is a day care procedure to improve hair density & to correct pattern hair loss in both men and women. The procedure is usually done for patients older than 25 years.
Operation
Based on the hair type, quality, colour & area to be covered, your surgeon will recommend technique to be used for hair transplant. The two common techniques are FUE & FUT. Under Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), your surgeon will remove single follicles from area of head with hair (also called donor area) and insert those in the bald patches (also called recipient area). Your surgeon will ensure that follicles are inserted in such a way that hairs coming out are in natural direction of your normal hair. Under Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), your surgeon will cut away a strip of hair from donor area instead of single follicles as in FUE. The strip is then divided up into single follicles that are then inserted into the bald patches.
Hair Transplant procedure is usually performed using local anesthesia & takes anywhere between 4 to 8 hours based on size of the area to be covered. It may require more than one session if area to be harvested is large. The procedure is usually day care and patient can go home same day.
Result
Hair Transplant procedure will help achieve following.
- Fuller head of hair
- Hair growth in transplanted area
- Enhanced appearance & improved self-confidence
What about scars?
Scars are an inevitable part of any invasive surgery. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technique usually doesn’t leave a scar. Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) technique leaves a scar as your surgeon takes a strip out and closes it. The scar however is hidden under normal hair and is not visible. Scars usually fade with time and become barely noticeable. Please discuss about scars with your surgeon.
Risks/ Complications
Both Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) & Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) techniques are generally safe but following potential complaints, risks and complications may occur; most of the which will subside in 2 weeks’ time. These are largely driven by one’s healing abilities.
- Bleeding, Infection
- Bruising, swelling & pain
- Nausea, Numbness
In rare case, as with all surgical procedures, a revision surgery may be necessary to correct minor irregularities.
Care after treatment/ surgery
Immediately following surgery, your surgeon will cover the scalp with bandages to support natural healing process, minimize bruising and swelling. Most patients will be able to go home the same day and they’ll back to work in 2 to 5 days after surgery. It is common for transplanted hair to fall out few weeks after the procedure. It makes way for new hair growth. Most people will see new hair growth 6-8 months after procedure.
After you are discharged from hospital, you will see your surgeon in post-surgery follow up sessions. Your surgeon will recommend you ways to have effect of procedure lasted for long.
Costs
Costs for individual procedures will vary widely based on the procedure & hospital chosen for surgery but usually involves following.
- Surgeon’s fee
- Hospital facility charges
- Anesthesia fees
- Medical tests, medicines
If revision surgery is needed in a rare case, your surgeon will not charge Surgeon’s fee but other costs will have to be borne by patient as applicable.