When you hear the words ‘hair transplant’, what comes to mind are visible plugs of patchy hair. In the past few years, however, hair transplants have advanced beyond recognition. A hair transplant, often called hair restoration, refers to an outpatient procedure that involves a technology known as micrografting in which hair follicles from one area of your head are donated to areas of your scalp where the hair is thinning.
The outcome of a hair transplant is noticeably long-lasting and is considered a permanent solution. The procedure takes time and also requires a period of healing and recovery after the treatment. It’s a big commitment, but it’s one which more and more people who experience hair thinning are prepared to make.
In this short article, you will learn more about the different hair transplant procedures, what they involve and the results you can expect.
Is A Hair Transplant Permanent?
After hair follicles have been grafted into thinning areas of your scalp, your skin takes some time to heal. You may notice that some of your hair falls off in the first 3 months after your transplant. This is very normal. Healing may take as long as 6 to 12 months. But when the healing process is done, the hair follicles transplanted will start growing and will fill the bald patches on your scalp. This hair will continue growing naturally as you get older. A hair follicle transplant is a permanent procedure; it can’t be reversed. Like all hair follicles, however, the transplanted follicles have a lifespan. There may come a point at which they stop producing hair the same way they used to do.
Factors That Affect Hair Loss
Hair loss is associated with certain factors. These include:
- Family history (inheritance)
- Medicine and supplements
- Hormonal changes and diseases
- Radiotherapy to the head
- Some hairstyles and treatments
- A traumatic or stressful event
Types Of Hair Transplant Procedure
There are two types of contemporary hair transplantation procedures, Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).
The FUT procedure takes hair follicles with strands of hair from the back of your scalp and moves them to areas where your scalp is bald or thinning.
The FUE procedure transplants follicles from any area of your head to the site where your hair is experiencing thinning, using tiny punctures to implant them. Both forms of hair transplant are deemed permanent.
How Do Hair Transplants Work?
During the hair transplantation procedure, the doctor moves hair from areas of vigorous growth to areas with little or no hair. The transplanted hair is usually taken from the back of your head, but you can choose hair from other parts of your body. Before doing the transplant, your surgeon will first sterilise that area where the hair will be taken from and treat it using local anaesthesia. The FUT or FUE procedure will then be carried out.
How Will Your Hair Look After The Procedure?
It may take some time before you see results after your transplant is done. As the healing process begins, you may notice more hair loss in the first few months after the procedure. Your doctor will reassure you that you have nothing to worry about, that this is to be expected. Once your scalp has completely healed, you’ll notice the hair follicles starting to appear. Hair will grow again and become the same length and texture as the rest of your hair. You can style, cut and dye micrografted hair just as you’ve always done before.
What Should You Expect In The Long-Term?
Your hair transplant should stay put for a long while. As you age, your hair follicles may get thinner, but they will likely produce some hair for as long as you live. Your transplant surgeon will discuss with you the ways to ensure your hair doesn’t look unnatural or patchy in the years following the procedure.
When To Talk To A Doctor
Do your research before opting for a hair transplant. Ask your surgeon to provide you with before and after photos of previous procedures, and discuss the process and type of hair transplant method you want with a professional before booking an appointment.
The Bottom Line
Hair transplants are a viable treatment option for visible hair thinning. While the outcome of a hair transplant is considered permanent because it can’t be reversed, that doesn’t mean that the way your hair looks after healing is the way it will look throughout your life.
Getting a well-qualified professional experienced in carrying out hair transplants is vital to getting a natural look that you’ll love. Vinci Hair Clinic can answer all your hair transplant questions in the course of a free no-obligation consultation. Give us a call and book your consultation today!
