Know About Various Types of Hair Transplantation

Experiencing hair loss is the most common problem in the world that one witness at some point in their lives. In the entire world, 50% of women and 60% of men experience some degree of hair loss. Generally losing 50 to 100 hair strands per day is a common phenomenon. But if you are witnessing bald spots all over the head or having a steadily thinning hairline, or there is the partition’s enlargement, or if the hair is gradually falling out making thinner ponytails it can indicate a concern that may require hair loss treatment.

To address hair loss basic treatment includes medicinal and topical treatments. But if there is baldness or hair loss due to scalp injury then hair transplantation is the best restoration method preferred.

Hair Transplantation Procedure

Many factors contribute to hair loss and baldness, ranging from emotional stress to hereditary or family history conditions. Hair loss can be due to hormonal imbalances, illness, medical treatment like chemotherapy, polycystic ovary syndrome, etc. Furthermore, making use of a lot of cosmetic treatments may result in hair loss.

Hair transplantation is the technique of transferring healthy hair follicles from one site known as the donor site to the other site where there is a need for hairs i.e., the recipient site. Single scalp hairs were used in the first transplant, which was done in Japan in 1939. The hair transplantation procedure requires care and expertise and hence is carried out by certified dermatologists or trichologists.

Types of Hair Transplantation Procedure

Hair transplantation can be carried out in the following two ways:

Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS) also Known as the Follicular Unit Transplant

In this procedure, a skin strip is removed normally from the back portion of the head by making an incision of nearly 5 to 10 inches. This incision is stitched up and covered. The extracted skin is further split into smaller units nearly 2000 units known as follicular units or grafts with the help of a scalpel. With the help of needle small holes are made in the scalp where hair transplantation is required. In these holes, small fragments or grafts with hair follicles are inserted. The site is covered with a bandage.

This is an easier, faster, and cheaper hair transplantation method. This is an efficient method when there is a need to graft more amount of hair follicles.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Procedure

The trichologist makes use of a motorized extractor machine to extract hair follicles from the healthy hair site to the donor site. Then small holes in the scalp are made at the recipient site. The hair follicles extracted are now inserted into these holes via grafting. This method is safe and less painful. It also results in less scar and thus the healing is faster.

The choice of the method depends on the available donor site condition, health condition, and budget. In case you are having a problem with hair loss and baldness for the past five years, then it is good to consult a trichologist or a good dermatologist. These health practitioners shall help you to find the cause of the hair loss and thus can give you the best advice for further treatment. The cost of hair transplantation varies from region to region across the country. If one is looking for a Hair transplant in Bangalore, then the average cost of a basic hair transplant session would be around INR 70, 000/-.While the motorized and specialized Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) procedure may cost you around INR 1,50,000/-. A city like Bangalore is famous for its skilled health professionals and thus getting hair transplants in Bangalore is easier, and more efficient.

After Hair transplantation

The hair transplantation procedure may last for a few hours and may take several visits to complete the entire procedure. Once the bandages are removed there is a possibility of swelling in the area around the transplant. In such cases, injections and medicines are prescribed to reduce pain and swelling. Thus, the health practitioner may prescribe painkillers, antibiotics, steroids, and medicines like Propecia and Minoxidil for stimulating hair growth.

Some necessary precautions that must be followed after hair transplantation are as follows:

You need to wait for some days after the transplantation to wash your hair.
You should use only prescribed shampoos or mild shampoos for washing.
Avoid combing in the new graft area for 3 weeks.
Don’t cover the grafted area with caps or scarfs unless the doctor advises.
Avoid exercise for a week. Though you can return to your daily work after 3 days of transplantation.
If you witness hair fall after the process doesn’t worry.

But there are chances of getting infected after hair transplantation. Consult the doctor immediately if you witness the following conditions:

Pus draining out from the site of transplantation
Itching, feeling pain, and witnessing swelling in the area
Bleeding from the area
Loss of sensation at the site of transplantation
Folliculitis or inflammation of hair follicles
Loss of hair in larger amounts.

Pros and Cons

Hair transplantation offers numerous benefits in the form that the procedure makes use of individual hair and thus avoids aesthetic hair. It thus gives a natural look. It is a simple procedure that does not require any special further treatment. It is a safe procedure and has a good success rate. But the biggest challenge of hair transplantation is that the recovery period may take longer time. Normally it takes 8 to 10 months for full recovery after the transplantation. Moreover, the result of hair transplantation depends on the quality of the hair follicles.

Conclusion

There are certain side effects associated with scarring, numbness, swelling, pain, and infection at the hair transplantation site. But before you decide, weigh the pros and cons, identify the underlying cause of your baldness, and determine how successful a hair transplantation procedure will be for you.