Hair Transplant: Everything About Procedure

The problem of baldness and increased hair loss has given rise to the emergence of many methods and cosmetic preparations designed to deal with this unpleasant phenomenon. There are many remedies for hair loss for men and women, but, unfortunately, due to their individual predisposition, they do not help everyone. According to observations, many local remedies have a therapeutic effect only during use and do not give a prolonged effect. It is believed that a hair transplant can be the solution in this situation, let’s see if it really is.

The most common causes of baldness

Excessive hair loss, causing baldness or alopecia, can be associated with various reasons, among which the following can be distinguished:

• burdened heredity;
• hormonal dysfunction;
• unbalanced diet;
• previous infections;
• overloads of an emotional or physical nature.

Among all the prerequisites, the most common cause is hormonal imbalance. They can develop in men and women, and are characterized

by increased sensitivity of the hair follicle to the hormone testosterone. The hormone content in the blood remains within normal limits, and sensitivity to it is due to genetic factors.

Under the influence of testosterone, atrophy of the hair follicles gradually occurs, followed by their loss. When a person notices that his hair is beginning to thin rapidly, he is very anxious and rushes to look for ways to solve the problem. To a greater extent, this applies to women who are more sensitive to their appearance, but many men can not help but worry about the increasing baldness on their heads.

When is a hair transplant indicated?

Even if the patient is determined to make himself a hair transplant, he will have to undergo a thorough examination in a medical institution. Based on the results and an external examination, a trichologist will establish the cause of the baldness and evaluate the general state of health. The skin of the head is studied using a special camera that allows you to visually see the condition of the hair. This procedure is called a phototrichogram.

If the amount of dying hair is high enough, the doctor looks at the condition of the follicles. In the event that they are open, conservative treatment is recommended, as there is still hope for the revival of their own hair. If the follicles are already closed for the supply of nutrients from the outside, then there is practically no chance of their recovery, and transplantation is the only way to reanimate hair.

Hair Transplant Technique

Different areas of the scalp have different sensitivity to testosterone, and the crown and forehead are the most vulnerable in this regard. The occipital part is practically not affected by the hormone, therefore, hair for transplantation is taken mainly from this area. In addition, there is a technique for transplanting artificial hair. However, this method is rarely practiced, as a rejection reaction may develop on synthetic foreign material.

In addition, artificial hair requires special, gentle care and regular medical procedures to prevent loss. Hair taken from another person is not used for the same reason – the risk of transplant rejection is very high. The problem, relevant to all transplantology, did not bypass the hair transplant.

Surgeons performing hair implantation use various tactics and technologies in their work:

mini-grafting – transplantation of small groups of follicles;

microfollicular transplantation – transplantation of single follicles.

The first method is gradually losing its popularity since after it there are small scars in the donor area and the survival of hair is deteriorating. The second technique is considered more modern and progressive and is increasingly being adopted by leading clinics. After it there is no scar left, the transplanted hair is the better-taken root in a new place, and the number of useful bulbs can be significantly increased due to careful separation.

The growth of transplanted hair lasts a lifetime, just as they would grow in their former place. The likelihood of a new loss is extremely low since the occipital follicles contain almost no receptors that are sensitive to the effects of testosterone. Subject to the instructions and recommendations of the doctor, there is simply no reason for a relapse of baldness.

Useful Hair Transplant Information

The transplantation procedure is carried out under local anesthesia so that patients do not experience pain and any discomfort during its conduct. The duration of the operation can be different and depends on the volume of the transplant zone. On average, the follicle transplant takes from 4 to 5 hours. During one session, it is possible to transplant a certain number of hair follicles – from 1.5 to 3 thousand.

If the baldness area is too large, another or more operations may be required. Repeated intervention is recommended no earlier than 4-6 months after the first implantation. After the procedure, it is not recommended to wash and massage the hair for 14 days, and also visit the sauna and bath at this time. After the completion of the postoperative period, care for transplanted hair is no different from normal.

When agreeing to a hair transplant, it should be borne in mind that the visible effect will not come immediately, and you will not be able to defeat everyone with chic hair immediately after the operation. During the intervention, not the hair itself is transplanted, but only the follicles, so it is necessary to wait until the bulbs give new growth. This usually occurs 2-3 months after their implantation. According to statistics, 90-99% of follicles take root in a new place.

Contraindications for hair transplantation

Although the procedure usually does not give side effects, there are a number of pathological conditions in which it is contraindicated:

• diabetes;
• malignant neoplasms;
• infectious and inflammatory processes in the acute phase;
• blood diseases;
• serious hormonal disorders;
• mental disorders.

In the absence of contraindications, hair transplantation can be carried out in full, in one or more phased procedures. For men suffering from baldness, this is a great opportunity to regain self-confidence, and for women – do not worry more about their appearance.