Hair Transplant
Hair transplantation is a non-invasive surgical technique. It removes hair follicles from one part of the body, called the “donor site” and transplants them into a bald or balding part of the body, called the “recipient site”. This technique is typically used to treat male pattern baldness.
While hair loss and thinning is a normal part of aging, some men may lose hair on their scalp due to trauma or due to hormonal imbalance. Your surgeon will determine if a hair transplant procedure is right for you.
Today, it is possible to have a natural-looking hair transplant due to the fact that doctors now transplant only a few healthy hairs at a time. This prevents the unnatural, doll-like hair that used to result in the 1970s and 1980s. There have also been significant improvements in creating the hairline and placing the hairs in the thinning areas for natural-looking results. Advances in hair transplant techniques have resulted in such natural results that even barbers and stylists cannot detect that a hair transplant has been done.
Men and women of all ages can be good candidates for a hair transplant, though typically men opt for it in larger numbers than women. To be considered for a hair transplant, you need to have enough healthy hair on your scalp that can be transplanted to the area that needs hair. You also need to have the ability to grow hair on the thinning area of your scalp.
Your cosmetic surgeon will advise you as to whether you are the right candidate for a hair transplant, as also the technique that she will use for your hair transplant. You need to choose the right cosmetic surgeon and Dr. S. Suma is one such skilled and empathetic surgeon. She will not only advise you right through the hair transplant process but will also schedule as many sessions as needed to treat your baldness.
Before your Hair Transplant
Your surgeon will conduct a thorough scalp exam and will also recommend certain blood tests to determine the reason and pattern of your baldness. Some patients may also undergo a scalp biopsy, which will give your cosmetic surgeon the right picture and pattern of your baldness.
If your exam and tests determine that you are a good candidate for hair transplant surgery, your surgeon will discuss the expectations you should have for the surgery. For example, a full head of hair may not be possible, but you could expect a fuller head of hair. You should consult with your cosmetic surgeon and should ask her any questions and address any concerns you may have regarding your hair transplant surgery.
During your Hair Transplant
Your hair transplant may take anywhere between four to eight hours. If you are having a large amount of hair transplanted you may need to return to your doctor’s office for several sessions spread out over several days.
There are two main methods of hair transplant: Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). In the former, your surgeon will remove a 6 to 10-inch strip of skin from the back of your head. He will set it aside and close the scalp. This area is then immediately hidden by the hairs around it. Once this is done, the surgeon’s team will divide the strip of removed scalp into 500 to 2000 tiny grafts, each with an individual hair or just a few hairs. The number and type of graft you get depend on your hair type, quality, color, the size of the area where you get the transplant.
In the FUE method, the surgeon’s team will shave the back of your head. The doctor will then remove the hair follicles one by one from there. The area will heal with small dots that will be covered by your existing hair. Most patients need only a local anesthetic that will numb the scalp area, as well as a mild sedative to help them relax.
After this, the procedure for both techniques is the same. Technicians will prep the healthy hairs and your surgeon will prep your scalp for your hair transplant surgery. Once this is done, all the healthy hairs that have been removed are transplanted into the different areas that need hair. This is done by creating holes or slits with a scalpel or needle and placing each graft in one of the holes. Once this is done, your scalp will be bandaged and your doctor will give you instructions for at-home care.
Precautions and Procedures before and after your Hair Transplant
You should strictly follow all instructions given to you by your cosmetic surgeon. She will recommend that you stop certain medications if needed. You should ask her if you should stop smoking if you are a habitual smoker.
After your surgery, your scalp may be quite tender. You may need to take pain medication for several days. Your surgeon will recommend that you wear bandages over your scalp for at least a day or two.
She may also prescribe an antibiotic and possibly, an anti-inflammatory drug for you post-surgery. Most people are able to return to work within 2 to 5 days.
Hair Transplant Result
Within two to three weeks post-surgery, the transplanted hair will fall out, but you should start to see new growth within the next few months. If you are like most people, you will see 60% of new hair growth after 6 to 9 months. Some surgeons may prescribe the hair-growing drug, Minoxidil. You should discuss this with your surgeon and follow her instructions precisely.
Dr. S. Suma will explain the entire hair transplant procedure that is right for you. She is a skilled and empathetic surgeon, who will meticulously perform your hair transplant procedure and will also follow-up with you for several weeks and even months after your surgery. She understands how important this surgery is for your self-image and will actively listen to and address your concerns. So, if you are considering hair transplant surgery, do consult with Dr. S. Suma and rest easy, knowing you have made the right choice!
To know more about Hair Transplant surgery, as well as the other cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures that Dr. S. Suma performs, you can get in touch with her at +91 86 86 042 042 or email her at info@prettyu.com