How to Beat Baldness with Hair Transplants
Are You a Viable Beneficiary?
Hair loss remedies such as transplants are not a solution for everyone. These restorative procedures are dependent on some factors such as genetics, the rate of hair loss and the amount of hair in the donor area. Your donor hair should not be close to falling out as the recipient part needs healthy hair for implantation. Your dermatologist may also recommend performing a scalp biopsy or blood test to access your viability of a transplant procedure.
If your hair thinning has been attributed by constant styling and pulling of your hair, your dermatologist may advise you to handle your hair delicately before considering to perform a hair transplant.
Different Methods for Hair Transplants
The most widely used hair transplant procedures are the Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). FUT involves harvesting a strip of healthy hair from your donor area and then removing the hair follicles to implant on the recipient part. This method requires less muscle and is time-sensitive. It also has a higher probability of producing the intended results.
FUE is the more advanced procedure but requires more human input and is time-consuming. The procedure can at least take four to eight straight hours. It involves picking individual hair follicles randomly from the permanent region and transplanting them to the beneficiary area. The scarring in this procedure is unnoticeable, but the results are not entirely impressive.
Is Age a Factor to Consider?
Men with hair loss, especially under the age of 25, are recommended to take medication before settling for a hair transplant. Some people may also mistake developing a mature hairline as a sign of hair loss when it is a natural process. The age of the patient also determines the hair transplant design. People experiencing pattern hair loss may not be ideal candidates for a hair transplant as they will continue to lose their hair.
However, age should not be of concern provided you have enough hair follicles, a ‘fertile’ donor area and good health in general.
After-Care
Patients are advised to take some days off from work to allow the implanted hair time to get fixated. Wear clothes that you can put on easily to avoid pulling out the hair. You should also adjust your sleeping position to avoid rubbing off your implanted hair on your pillows or striping off moisture from the hair follicles. also, avoid exposing your ‘new’ hair to direct sunlight for at least two weeks. Smokers are also advised to avoid smoking.
Your scalp may be tender after the operation, and you may be required to take pain relievers to ease the pain.
Risks Involved
As with all cosmetic procedures, hair transplants have risks involved. These may include getting hair follicle infections or scalp inflammation. This can be treated using prescribed medication.
Due to the introduction of new hair in your recipient area, your original hair may speed up its process of miniaturization, thus end up in temporary thinning of the preexisting hair. You may also experience some mild itchiness, but this will stop by applying some sulfate-free shampoo on your hair. In rare cases, people prone to keloids may develop one especially if they have undergone FUE.
These risks should be discussed with your dermatologist to come up with a prevention or treatment plan.