Hair transplant is an increasingly effective, safe and reliable surgical method of hair restoration for people distressed by hair loss and bald head. Hair transplant surgery can help in bringing back a fuller head of hair and thereby helps to regain a more youthful and natural appearance of their hair. For people who may ponder how to grow back hair, hair transplant is the key advance to get permanent natural looks. For receding hairline or diffuse hair loss, something can be done about it and a potential remedy could be to get a hair transplant. Recent advancements in hair transplant technology allows to add thickness to hair and cover a receding hairline without fake looking plug-like hair in older techniques.
Reasons to consider hair transplant
A large portion of the population is affected by the distressing issues of hair loss. 85% of males and 40% of females, with its incidence increasing with age for both sexes represents the population affects by hair loss. There are many causes of hair loss and most common cause is androgenic alopecia which is an androgen-sensitive pattern of hair loss that affects both men and women.
A lot of research and patience goes in to making the significant decision to get a hair transplant. It is important for the concerned to analyze the hair transplant costs, understand the effects and limitations of the procedure before going for it. However, it is equally important to be realistic on what can be achieved with a hair transplant. In complete baldness, a hair transplant will probably produce an improvement, but it may not give a head full of dense hair.
On the other hand, in case of minor hair loss and plenty of donor hair, several years of hair loss can be reversed by hairline transplant. One factor to keep in mind is that, getting a hair transplant will not put a permanent end to hair loss. A proactive approach to protect and maintain the hair after the procedure will still be needed.
How are candidates chosen for hair transplant ?
Men and women can have hair fall issues and may seek hair fall solutions suitable to them. For a candidate to fit for hair transplant, two main things needed would be to:
– Have enough healthy hair on the scalp that can be transplanted to the part of the scalp that needs hair and
– Have the ability of the transplanted hair to grow in the thinning area of the scalp
A dermatologist with experience in hair loss treatment will suggest if hair transplant is suitable to the candidate after a thorough scalp exam. Blood tests are required to check deficiencies or abnormalities in the body that may be causing hair loss. A scalp biopsy may also be needed for the right diagnosis.
Diagnosis -Characteristic pattern of associated hair loss gives a straight forward diagnosis of androgenic alopecia. Miniaturization and depigmentation of hairs along with the lack of clinical inflammation are features that confirm the diagnosis.
Age – In the age group of less than 25 years of age, future hair loss pattern is less predictable and expectations are highly unrealistic. Hence, hair transplant is best suitable for people older than 25 years of age.
Hair calibre –Thicker calibre hairs have larger shaft diameter that provide more rapid surface area coverage than for people with thin calibre hair. SO, the outcome of hair transplant is better for people with thicker hair calibre.
Donor hair density – People with scalp donor sites having dense hair are excellent candidates for hair transplant surgery. Whereas, less donor hair density are considered poor candidates for hair transplant. Candidate expectations may have to be set accordingly.
Degree and Pattern of Baldness-People with frontal baldness achieve the most dramatic results in appearance after hair transplant and hence are chosen as great candidates. Hair transplant surgeons reiterate that concentrating grafts in the frontal scalp will provide the maximum long-term density and minimal risk on appearance.
Patient expectations -People with a history of compliance to hair loss treatments have realistic expectations and thus represent ideal candidates. A conservative approach is needed to be accepted by the candidate for a natural appearance that lasts on the anterior hairline that is recreated after the transplant. The candidate must also be prepared for multiple hair transplantation sessions that may be needed to achieve the expected or desired results.
Results, Recovery and Risks of Hair Transplant
A person is expected to have thicker-looking hair after a successful hair transplant. Results are seen between six and nine months after hair transplant surgery. It may take up to 12 months in some cases. It is normal that the transplanted hair will fall out between two and eight weeks after the surgery. At about 3 months, it is quite common that the hair may look thinner than before the transplant. People may require follow-up transplants or medical treatment for longer lasting effects.
Hair transplant surgery is a non-invasive procedure and is mostly done on an outpatient basis. In general, it is advisable to shampoo the hair after two to three days. Still, the scalp will have to be protected from sun and infections for a while after the surgery. Being on antibiotics for a few days can prevent infections. Medicine are prescribed to prevent or slow down new hair loss and thinning. This can maintain natural-looking results for years to come.
In general, because of the vigorous blood-supply to the scalp that allows quick healing with minimal chances of infection, complications after hair transplant are rare. However, oedema, bleeding, folliculitis, numbness of the scalp, shedding of native hairs at the donor or recipient site, epidermal cysts, ingrown hair and infection are potential risks of hair transplant.
A hairline transplant can restore the hairline and give back the volume and thickness from the past when the transplant procedure is performed by an experienced, skilled surgeon for hair transplant in Chennai. To follow the surgeon’s postprocedural instructions will give best results and increase the chances of a successful hair transplant.
