Hair Transplant

A Complete Guide On Hair Transplant Treatment Procedure: Benefits, Cost, And Side Effects

Sufficient hairs in your head enhance facial symmetry and boost self-confidence. But hair fall has become a common problem today. It can be quite distressing for an individual. 

There can be various reasons behind it, such as male pattern baldness(alopecia), scalp inflammation, or scalp injuries. Sometimes, inflammatory diseases like lichen planus can be the reason for hair loss.

Hair transplant surgery is an excellent option for people suffering from hair loss. It is a surgery in which hair from the back or side areas of the scalp is taken and transferred to the bald areas of the scalp. Dermatologists or plastic surgeons recommend hair transplant surgery to individuals who have tried various hair loss treatments, and they are ineffective for them.

What Is a Hair Transplant?

Today, pattern baldness is the most important cause of hair loss. There are other reasons, too, like stress, genetic factors, improper diet, and many more.

Hair transplant surgery is one of the most advanced surgeries.Your healthcare provider will move hair to the bald areas of your head in the surgery.

However, a hair transplant is not a good option for 

• Individuals who have suffered hair loss after taking any medication or chemotherapy.
• People who do not have many donor sites for hair transplants.
• Individuals suffering from thick or fibrous scars after an injury or surgery.
• People who have hair loss on various areas of the scalp.

What Things To Be Considered Before The Hair Transplant Surgery?

You need to consider several things before doing the hair transplant surgery.

• Smokers are at high risk of developing complications related to hair transplant surgery. If you want effective results, then quit smoking as soon as possible.
• If you do the hair transplant surgery without much hair on your donor site, then the results are not very effective.
• Your doctor will do a thorough physical examination to ensure you are ready for the surgery.
• Talk to your doctor if you are taking any medication regularly. Say clearly if you are taking any over-the-counter drugs like vitamin supplements or fish oils.
• Talk to your provider if you have taken any medication and have a severe allergic reaction.
• Tell your doctor about your hair growth pattern and the extent of hair loss.
• Ask your doctor about the complications associated with the surgery. 

Types Of Hair Transplantation

Earlier, the punch grafting technique was used for hair transplantation surgery. It is a technique in which a tube-like instrument will punch a round scalp tissue with at least 12-30 hairs from the donor area. They are then transplanted to the tiny holes in the recipient area. However, this method has one limitation. It creates a patch look that most individuals don't like. 

The method was later improved with strip harvesting. Here, a strip of scalp tissue with 12-30 hairs is removed and transplanted to the recipient site. It provided more natural-looking results. But unfortunately, the strip method leaves much scarring on the donor area.

Hair transplantation has continued evolving over the years. Researchers focussed on natural-looking results with less scarring on the donor area.Now lets discuss the type of hair transplantation.

1.Follicular  Unit Transplantation

Your surgeon will first assess your scalp and hair condition and then provide a customized treatment plan. There are usually two types of hair transplant surgery. The first one is Follicular unit transplantation. The surgeon will clean your scalp and numb the back side of your head. He will then remove a 6-10 inch strip from the donor site and sew the donor area. Now, the surgeon will divide the removed strip into 500 to 2000 grafts. Each graft will have individual hair or a few hairs. The number of grafts will vary depending on the hair type, color, and area to be transplanted.

The surgeon makes tiny incisions on the areas where you are bald or have thin areas. He will then place the graft in each incision. Follicular unit extraction can give a natural look to your scalp and hair growth. The scars are even less in the donor area and it will be covered with longer hair in the near future. However, this method is not suitable for patients with restricted donor areas. Again, it involves stitches at the donor area, so it takes a long time to heal.

2.Follicular Unit Extraction

Here, your surgeon will remove individual hair follicles from the donor area and transplant them to the recipient site.

Follicular unit extraction does not involve the removal of thin scalp strips like follicular unit transplantation. Hence, it is less invasive, and the patient heals faster here. There are fewer scars even on the donor site. The follicular unit extraction procedure is suitable for patients with limited donor areas, as hair follicles can be extracted from different areas of the scalp.

Now, let's discuss the complete procedure.

• Your surgeon will first shave the donor area to increase visibility.
• He will then remove the individual hair follicles with a tool.
• The surgeons will make small incisions on the bald area and then transplant the extracted follicles in that area.
• Healing will take almost 5-7 days. 

Follicular unit extraction has limitations, such as being expensive and requiring longer procedure times. 

Advanced Hair Transplantation Method

1. Robotic Hair Transplantation

Today, most hospitals are equipped with advanced technologies like robotic hair transplantation. Robots and artificial intelligence assist surgeons in using the follicular unit extraction method.

Here, the robots will analyze your scalp thoroughly and identify the donor areas for hair transplantation. They even assist in removing the hair follicles and transplanting them in the bald areas with high precision and speed.

This method is becoming popular because it is efficient and has minimal scarring on the patient's scalp.

2. Scalp Reduction

Surgeons use the Scalp reduction method to treat severe hair loss. Here, the surgeon will remove a portion of the bald scalp and then stretch the hair-bearing skin to cover the bald area. This option is usually preferred in patients who want immediate hair coverage in their bald areas. However, it has certain limitations. The scalp reduction technique can have some complications like scarring and infection. The results are effective depending on factors like scalp elasticity.

3. Direct Hair Implantation

Direct hair implantation is a minimally invasive hair restoration technique. Here, the surgeon uses an instrument to extract hair follicles from the back or sides of your scalp. These follicles are then loaded in the implanter pen. The surgeon uses the pen to transfer the hair follicles to the recipient area.

This method is highly versatile, which means it can treat hair loss not only on your scalp but also on your beard and eyebrows. The surgeon has complete control over the placement of implants. The healing time is less in direct hair transplantation. Hence, Patients will experience less discomfort and can return to normal activities within a few days.

However, direct hair transplantation has certain limitations. It is quite expensive compared to other treatment methods because of the usage of specialized equipment. 

4. Flap Surgery

Here, the surgeon removes a part of your bald area. He then places a flap of hair-bearing skin on the bald area with stitches despite its connection with the original blood supply.

The main advantage of this method is that it can cover large bald areas of the patient. The results are long-lasting and give a natural look. It even gives an immediate boost to your hair density. But the procedure has limitations, too. The flap surgery has complications like infection and scarring.

Complications Associated With Hair Transplant Surgery

There are a few complications associated with hair transplant surgery. They are as follows.

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Swelling on scalp
• Itching 
• Inflammation on scalp
• Bruising around the eyes.
• Crust on the scalp areas, especially where hair is removed or transplanted.
• Temporary loss of transplanted hair.
• Allergic reaction on the scalp

Things To Consider After Hair Transplant Surgery

• Your scalp may be sore for a few days, so you need to take pain medications for a few days as prescribed by your doctor.
• Try to keep your head elevated while sleeping.
• You can use a cold compress to reduce swelling.
• Avoid strenuous activities for a few days, as it can increase blood pressure.
• Facial swelling is quite common in hair transplant surgery. The swelling starts from the scalp and continues to your face. It will stay for a few days after the surgical procedure. Most patients do not prefer to go to their workplace for almost one week just because of facial swelling.
• The transplanted hair will fall within 2-3 weeks after the surgical procedure. This creates the possibility of new hair growth on your scalp.

Role Of Medical Tourism In Hair Transplant Surgery

Healthcare costs are increasing at an alarming pace. Hair transplant costs are quite high in the U.S. and various other countries. Patients may find it difficult to afford such fees for hair transplants. They even have to wait for longer times, which adversely affects their self-confidence and mental health. 

In such cases, you should consider medical tourism destinations like India. You will find here  world-class hospital that provides advanced technology like follicular unit extraction and direct hair transplantation. The plastic surgeons and Dermatologists in the hospitals have received training from Internationally renowned Institutions. They are skilled and have years of experience in doing hair transplant surgery. You even do not have to wait for a longer time to make appointments and have surgery. 

The cost of hair transplants in medical tourism destinations is even affordable. You can have surgery at a fraction of the cost compared to the U.S. and other Western countries.

Racure Healthcare is an excellent medical tourism company in India. You can have a virtual consultation with the surgeon and discuss hair loss issues before arriving at the destination. The company will even book flights so that patients can travel stress-free.

Conclusion

Are you experiencing hair loss problems? Have you tried various treatment options that have been ineffective? If so, then hair transplant surgery is the best option for you. There are multiple techniques for hair restoration. 

You can consult your healthcare provider. He will assess your scalp condition and hair thinning and then provide you with a customized plan. Try to know about the risks and benefits before doing any surgical procedure.

If you are looking for an affordable hair transplant surgery, medical tourism destinations like India are best for you.

Racure Healthcare will assist you with travel, treatment, and logistics services. You can visit its website today to learn more about its services.