Tips for A Successful Hair Transplant

Whether due to aging and genetics or a disease such as alopecia, hair loss is a real issue for many of us. However, advances in medical science have led to the creation of an array of surgical techniques for regaining hair, performed in a way that is virtually undetectable.

This article will look at what you can do to help have a successful hair transplant experience. First, we’ll discuss what a hair transplant is and the different types of hair transplant procedures that are used.

What A Hair Transplant Is and Types of Hair Transplant Procedures

A hair transplant is a form of plastic surgery wherein a surgeon moves hair from one location – generally from around the sides and back of the head, where hair tends not to fall out – and places it into the thinning areas.

Similar procedures to what we have today began being used in the US in the 1950s, but over the years has been greatly refined so that the results are essentially undetectable from natural hair.

Hair transplants are typically performed as an outpatient procedure in your surgeon’s office. The surgeon uses a local anesthetic to numb the areas involved in the procedure. Then, one of two procedures will be performed.

• FUT: Follicular Unit Transplant: The surgeon removes a strip of hair from the back of the scalp (the “donor site”) and then closes that area with suture. They will then separate the hairs into follicular units consisting of one or more hair follicles using a high-powered microscope. The doctor then inserts the follicles into the recipient sites in the thinning areas.
• FUE: Follicular Unit Extraction: The surgeon uses a super-fine punch tool to remove individual follicular units (1-3 hairs) from the donor area. Then the doctor transplants the follicular units directly to the recipient site. This procedure typically has less noticeable scarring than the FUT technique, and it usually does not require stitches.
• The procedure takes several hours, and the patient directly returns home after the treatment.

Tips for Having A Successful Hair Transplant

To have the best outcome and give your transplanted hair follicles the best chances of surviving and filling out, you’ll want to follow the rules.

• First and foremost, follow your surgeon’s instructions. If you are prescribed medication, take it exactly as directed, and follow any other after surgery care instructions you have been given. You might be sent home with antibiotics, pain medication, anti-inflammatories, or other medicines to stimulate hair growth.
• Avoid smoking or alcohol. These activities cause your blood vessels to constrict, meaning that the blood doesn’t carry the right amount of oxygen to the new hair follicles. Your doctor will likely recommend avoiding drinking and smoking before and after your procedure.
• Get plenty of rest, including avoiding exercise. You should do absolutely nothing for the first 24 to 72 hours, depending on your procedure and how your recovery has progressed. Your doctor will tell you what activities you can add to your routine and when. Typically, you are to avoid exercise for a minimum of two weeks.
• Avoid hats and other headwear. You may be inclined to hide your head under a cap while healing. However, it’s best to refrain from wearing a hat for a minimum of a week or more depending on the doctor’s advice.

Final Thoughts

Hair transplants have been safely performed in the United States for more than 50 years. Like any surgical procedure, you need to follow the doctor’s instructions to have the most successful outcome.