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Hair transplant: Procedure, Tip, and Recovery

Are you the one feeling low all the time just because of hair loss? Are you tired of using minoxidil? Then hair transplant is for you.

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Hair transplant: Procedure, Tip, and Recovery

Are you the one feeling low all the time just because of hair loss? Are you the one who often feels embarrassed in the company of your pretty, long thick-haired friends? Are you the one getting tired of using minoxidil, collagen for hair, and products?

Better yet, are you seeking alternatives to minoxidil and those ineffective products?

Hair transplant is for you!

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Most of us take our locks for granted, just as we do our health and youth until they’re gone. A hair transplant can help many patients regain what appears to be a complete head of hair or at least a fuller head of hair.

If you’re concerned about losing hair or turning bald, the treatment might help you feel more confident about your appearance. However, it would help if you consult with your doctor before trying them out.

What is a hair transplant?

Hair transplantation is a technique in which we implant hairs in the bald area of the scalp. It is a common practice these days. The first transplant was carried out in the 1950s (pretty early, right?)

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In the beginning, it was found to be a very risky intervention because the doctors were not trained to cope with the complications of the procedure. Fortunately, we’ve come a long way since then and hair transplants are generally safe.

What do you need to know before a hair transplant?

Hair transplant is usually carried out in people who have permanent baldness. It has nothing to do with temporary baldness as we have other options like minoxidil to cope with brief hair fall. Before heading towards hair transplantation, we have to analyze the scalp and check whether it is eligible for it or not.

As surgical intervention and we have to use different instruments, we usually screen the patient for bleeding disorders and infectious diseases. Then after the patient is called on a specific day for the hair transplantation.

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Are you a good fit for a hair transplant?

A hair transplant can help you look better and feel more confident. The following people are good candidates for a hair transplant:

  • Male pattern baldness
  • Thinning hair in women
  • Hair loss as a result of a burn or scalp injury

Signs you’re not a good fit for hair transplant

  • Women with a trend of hair loss over the head
  • People without sufficient donor hair spots
  • Hair loss as a result of medicine i.e. Chemotherapy

Also Read: Is Massage Therapy Beneficial for Kids?

What types of hair transplant are there?

The most commonly used ones are:

Follicular unit strip surgery

In follicular strip surgery, the patient is called on a day when a surgery is performed, and a strip of scalp is removed. The area from which the strip is removed is then closed with the help of silk sutures. The hair around the surgical site will cover the deficit, and then the patient is sent home after preserving the strip of hair.

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After a couple of days, the patient is again called to implant the removed strip of hairs. It is very much essential to keep the area clean and aseptic measures should be used at every cost. It is easy to perform the procedure and carries fewer complications.

Follicular unit extraction

In the follicular extraction technique, we remove the hair follicles from the scalp and get them preserved. After a few days, a client is called again, and all these follicles will be then implanted into the patient’s scalp. It is a time taking procedure and carries a lot of complications.

What should you do after surgery?

You are supposed to come after a week for a regular follow-up. Following medications can be prescribed to you by your dermatologist:

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  • Anti-inflammatory medications

These medications are usually prescribed to cope with the post procedure inflammation.

  • Painkillers

It is a surgical procedure, so post-transplantation pain is widespread and is a cop with powerful painkillers.

  • Steroids

After the procedure, the patient is commenced on corticosteroids to reduce the swelling and speed up the healing time.

  • Immunosuppressant drugs

In about 20% of the patients, we usually prescribe immunosuppressant drugs because we introduced a foreign body. Most of the time, the immune system rejects the action and the graft.

Also Read: Follow These 5 Secret Tips To Gain Weight Healthily – Don’t be an Underweight Anymore

What should you expect after hair transplant?

Like other surgical procedures, post-procedure complications are also common in hair transplantation. It is essential to cope with them or prevent them at first sight. Following post, procedure complications are common in hair transplantation

  • Tenderness and pain in the scalp

It is a common complaint and not an alarming complication. It usually settles after a week or so.

  • Infections

Hospital-acquired infections and post-procedure infections are common and should be treated. If left untreated, they can lead to sepsis.

  • Transplant rejection

It causes the most havoc to the patient’s experience. It’s important to contact your surgeon or doctor in case this happens.

How much do hair transplants cost?

It costs around five thousand to fifteen thousand to carry out hair transplantation. These rates vary from area to area, and insurance companies don’t cover these expenses.

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Most insurance policies do not cover it. Check with your insurance.

It’s also known within the community that hair transplants in turkey are generally cheaper. However, there’s no guarantee of the same level of expertise.

What are the risks of hair transplant?

  • Transplants, like any other type of surgery, include inherent hazards, such as bleeding and infection. 
  • Scarring and unnatural-looking new hair growth are also possibilities.
  • Folliculitis is an inflammation or infection of the hair follicles that occurs around the time new locks begin to develop. 
  • Shock loss is when you abruptly lose some of your original hair in the region where you acquired the new strands. However, the majority of the time, it’s not permanent.

What results will you get after hair transplant?

Hair grows back in the transplanted areas of the scalp in most persons who have undergone a hair transplant.

Depending on the following factors, the new hair may look more or less dense:

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● the density of follicles in the transplanted zone

hair curl

● hair caliber or quality

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● scalp laxity

You may continue to lose hair in non-treated parts of your scalp if you don’t take medication (such as minoxidil or finasteride) or undergo low-level laser treatment.

It’s crucial to talk to your surgeon about the expected outcome and set reasonable goals.

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Also Read: Drug Safety Testing: Increasing Awareness and Saving Lives

How will you recover from hair transplant surgery?

Your scalp may be pretty painful after surgery and you may have to use pain relievers for many days. 

For at least a day or two, your surgeon will have you wear bandages over your scalp.  They could also give you an antibiotic or an anti-inflammatory to take for a few days. The majority of patients can return to work from 2 to 5 days after surgery.

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The transplanted hair will fall out 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. However, new growth should appear in a few months. After 6 to 9 months, most people experience 60% new hair growth.

If you want to speed up the process, ask your dermatologist for minoxidil. It’s commonly used but there aren’t enough evidence to affirm its effectiveness.

Conclusion

Hair transplantation is a common practice these days to alleviate hair loss. It is a procedure that demands care and proper technique. It should be carried out under the supervision of an experienced dermatologist.

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Though the complications are there, we still have to cope with them as the procedure’s benefits are more than the side effects. Before deciding on any hair transplant method, see your doctor or a transplant surgeon.

It’s important to remember that neither surgery is sure to be successful, but scarring is. You may also be ineligible for either surgery due to the volume or condition of your hair.

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