Hair transplantation is the most effective way to restore hair. In hair transplantation surgery, hair is taken from back and side parts of head and carried to the bald area. Transplanted hair continues to grow in that region. People who has hair loss but have sufficient amount of hair at back and side parts of head are perfect candidates for hair transplantation surgery. Hair transplantation very well developed in years and it started to give more natural results. Modern hair transplantation surgery provides comfortable, predictable and natural looking results. Hair loss is a lifelong long process. In most men, male-type baldness would develop till around 40-45 years. After that, hair will continue to fall and weaken within aging process.
Thanks to modern methods, hair transplantation surgery specialists can transplant more hair (graft). Thus, the number of procedures for the desired results decreases.
What Is Done For Preparation Of Hair Transplantation?
Before starting hair transplantation, your hair loss history and scalp will be examined in detail by plastic surgeon. In hair loss treatment, the most effective and appropriate option will be determined for you. If hair transplantation is decided, your general health situation, age and level of hair loss, hair quality and amount in the transmitting area and final cosmetic purpose will be evaluated by your doctor. While planning any type of hair transplantation procedure, the possibility of hair loss in the future is taken into consideration.
How Is The Hair Transplantation Process?
First step in hair transplantation process is designing hair line. Plan on how your hair line will be on your scalp will made by your doctor. Afterwards, transmitting area is prepared. Scalp’s areas where the hair will go and from where the hair will be transmitted are numbed with local anesthetic medicines, if wanted, sedation can also be applied together. Generally, the only discomfort you will feel will be this procedure throughout the whole procedure, and it takes around one or two minutes.
What Are The Hair Transplantation Methods?
There are two different methods of hair transplantation as FUSS (Follicular unit strip surgery) and FUE (Follicular unit extraction).
What Is Follicular Unit In Hair Transplantation?
Follicular unit is the group of 1 or 4 hair which is naturally on human scalp. Each follicular unit contains sebaceous glands, nerves, small muscles and sometimes thin hair. During hair transplantation, follicular units taken with different methods from the back of scalp are transplanted to bald areas at the front part. In order to provide optimum hair growth, follicular units are transplanted as a whole. To the area where hair will go, units consisting of 1, 2, 3 or 4 hair are transplanted. Follicular unites are transplanted close to each other, and therefore a more natural and denser hair look can be obtained.
Fut: Hair Transplantation With Follicular Unit Transplantation Method
During hair transplantation, a hair strip is taken from the back of scalp and this area is closed with stitches to be hidden inside hair. Stitches are removed in around 10 days. It causes a scar behind scalp which is hidden inside hair. The hair strip taken is separated to follicular units by preserving hair follicles in a way to contain 1 or 4 hair under augmentation. Therefore, expectation of life in the transplanted area increases. Afterwards, small holes are opened to the area where the hair will go with the help of tools and prepared hair (follicular units) is transplanted to these areas. Grafts consisting 1-2 hair are placed to the front part of hair line and grafts with more hair are placed to the back. During transplantation, in order to create a natural look, utmost attention is paid way of hair transplantation and density. Depending on the amount of transplanted hair, the procedure may generally take 4 or 6 hours. If much more grafts are transplanted, it can take longer around 8-9 hours. As you will be awake during this time, you will have the opportunity to drink or eat something.
Only with a small dressing, the stitched area at the back of scalp will be covered, it will be possible to wash hair after a couple of days. Most of the patients can go back to their daily activities within one or two days. There may be scabbing in the transplanted area which may fall in 5 or 7 days.
Fue: Hair Transplantation With Follicular Unit Extraction Method
With its commonly known name, in FUE method, hair follicles are taken one by one from the back of scalp with the help of special tools. There are no cuts or stitches in the transmitting area. Afterwards, small holes are opened with tools to the area where hair will go and hair (follicular units) is transplanted to this area. Grafts containing 1-2 hair are placed to the front of hair line, grafts containing more hair are transplanted to the back. During transplantation, in order to create a natural look, utmost attention is paid way of hair transplantation and density. Depending on the amount of transplanted hair, the procedure may generally take 4 or 6 hours. If much more grafts are transplanted, it can take longer around 8-9 hours. Its difference and advantage compared to classical FUSS method is that grafts are taken without cuts and there are no scars and numbness complaints related to this. What is more, it is possible to take from different areas and much more grafts.
Only with a small dressing, the stitched area at the back of scalp will be covered, it will be possible to wash hair after a couple of days. Most of the patients can go back to their daily activities within one or two days. There may be scabbing in the transplanted area which may fall in 5 or 7 days. If a second session is needed, it can be made in 3 or 5 days.
How Is The Recovery Period In Hair Transplantation? How Long Resting Is Needed? When Can You Continue Exercising?
After anesthesia effect goes down, it will be possible for you to go home. After the surgery, your doctor will give you detailed information about points to pay attention and medicines to be used. For a comfortable post-surgery period and good results, it would be better to rest after the procedure. In order to help reducing swelling and bruises, it would be appropriate to sleep head up for the first couple of days after the surgery and ice can applied periodically. There may be bruises under eyes and it will recover in couple of days. There can be ache and swelling responding to medicine during first couple of days after the surgery. Many patients can go back to work within 1 week. During the recovery period, tiring physical activities such as heavy lifting and pulling should be avoided for 4 weeks after the surgery.
What Are The Complications Of Hair Transplantation?
Complications are rare as in other cosmetic procedures, there can be scar, infection and swelling. Your plastic surgeon will give you detailed information about the expected results including possible complications.
When Will We See The Absolute Results Of The Hair Transplantation Surgery?
The results of the surgery will be seen right after the procedure. After the hair transplantation, transplanted hair falls in 2 or 4 weeks and growth of permanent hair starts within 8 or 12 weeks. There is considerable amount of growth in around 6 months, but total hair growth can take 9 or 12 months. With only one or two sessions of hair transplantation, treatment of bald areas can be provided.
