Your Hair Transplant Questions Answered
Your Hair Transplant Questions Answered
Frequently Asked Questions
Hair transplant results usually start to become noticeable beginning about 3 months after both the FUT hair transplants and FUE hair transplant procedures. The results will continue to fill in and become stronger and more visible between 6-9 months. Most hair transplant procedures are fully grown in about 12 months ago your surgery. In some cases it can take up to 12-18 months before you see your final hair transplant surgery results.
Full recovery from your hair transplant surgery takes approximately 1 to 2 weeks. 2 weeks after your hair transplant surgery, you can expect to look like you did prior to your hair transplant surgery as you wait for your new hairs to grow in. Most hair transplant patients can return to work within a few days following their surgery. Many hair transplant patients can return to normal daily activities within 14 days following their hair transplant surgery.
There are no stringent age regulations or guidelines to how old you need to be to have a hair transplant. In most cases, patients under the age of 25 years old are not ideal candidates because their hair loss patterns are still not very well defined. During your consultation, your hair transplant surgeon will determines in you a candidate. The recommendation for most patients, especially younger hair transplants candidates would be to use FDA approved Minoxidil and Propecia to help slow down or stop your hair loss. These options to help manage your hair loss will be reviewed during your consultation.
If you smoke or vape nicotine, you will need to stop smoking/vaping 2 days before and 7 days after the procedure. Smoking/vaping reduces your blood flow and can effect your hair transplant results negatively. Hair transplant patients should also refrain from drinking alcohol the day before, and a few days following their hair transplant surgery.
Most medications which are needed for chronic conditions, should not be stopped before the procedure. However, during consultation, you should let the doctor know any specific medications you take on a regular basis. Never stop taking any medications unless your hair transplant surgeon advises you accordingly. You will need to stop taking Aspirin and Aspirin like medications at least 7 days before your FUE hair transplant or FUT hair transplant procedure. In some cases, if you have preexisting medical conditions, a medical clearance may be required prior to having your hair restoration surgery performed.
Hair transplants can be used to minimize or eliminate scars produced by other cosmetic procedures, trauma, old plugs, and previous hair transplant procedures. The most common scars we transplant into are facelift scars. Brow lift scars are also great candidates and can also be made less visible through the use of hair transplants. Ask your hair transplant surgeon during your hair loss consultation if you are a candidate for these procedures.
A follicular unit is the natural grouping on hairs as they grow on your scalp. These naturally occurring groups contain between of 1 to 4 hairs. These groupings are called follicular units. Follicular units contain nerves, small muscle, sebaceous glands, and occasional fine vellus hairs. Follicular unit hair transplantation is considered the gold standard in hair transplants surgery.
It is important to establish whether or not you are a suitable candidate for a hair transplant procedure. During your consultation, your hair transplant surgeon will review your expectation to ensure your expectations match what is achievable . Your hair transplant surgeon will explain the different hair restoration techniques (FUT and FUE) and what realistic goals you can expect from each one, and why. Most hair transplant patients will expect to have more than one hair transplant procedure in their lifetime to either add additional density to an area already transplanted or add hair grafts to a different area of your scalp not addressed in your initial hair transplant procedure.
Most hair transplant patients will be able to resume work within a few days after their hair transplant surgery. Work or activities that rub or place excessive pressure on the donor area and recipient area will need to be avoided for several days. Light exercise and cardio can be resumed after 3 to 4 days. You can resume your normal routine within a few weeks.
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) are two different techniques of hair transplant surgery. While both aim to restore hair in individuals with hair loss, there are several key differences between the two procedures.
FUE involves removing individual hair follicles from the donor site (typically the back of the head) using a small punch-like tool. These follicles are then implanted into the recipient area, where hair loss has occurred. This technique typically yields less visible scarring and has a shorter recovery time compared to FUT.
On the other hand, FUT involves removing a strip of hair-bearing skin from the donor site, which is then dissected into individual follicular units before being transplanted into the recipient site. This technique often requires stitches and leaves a linear scar on the scalp, which can be noticeable if a person wears their hair short.
Proponents of FUE argue that it is a less invasive procedure with a quicker recovery time and fewer complications. They also claim that it is suitable for individuals who only require a small number of hair follicles to be transplanted.
On the other hand, advocates of FUT argue that it can yield better results in terms of hair growth and density compared to FUE. They also claim that it is more efficient and less time-consuming, as it can transplant a larger number of hair follicles in a single session.
In conclusion, both FUE and FUT hair transplant techniques have their benefits and drawbacks. The best option for an individual depends on their specific needs, goals, and personal preferences. It is recommended that patients consult with a qualified hair transplant surgeon to determine which option is best for them.
Male hair loss or baldness is often caused by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors.
The most common form of male hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, which is caused by a genetic sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that shrinks hair follicles and eventually causes them to stop producing hair.
Other factors that can contribute to male hair loss include:
– Age: As men age, their hair follicles become smaller and produce thinner, shorter hair strands.
– Hormonal imbalances: Fluctuations in hormones, such as an overproduction of testosterone or an underproduction of thyroid hormone, can contribute to hair loss.
– Medical conditions: Conditions like scalp infections, autoimmune disorders, and certain medications can cause hair loss.
– Stress: Prolonged stress can contribute to hair loss by causing hair follicles to go into a resting phase.
– Nutritional deficiencies: A lack of certain nutrients like iron, vitamin D, and B vitamins can contribute to hair loss.
– Environmental factors: Exposure to toxins and environmental pollutants can damage hair follicles and lead to hair loss.
Hair transplant procedures are performed under local anesthesia, which means the patient will not feel any pain during the procedure. Some discomfort or a mild degree of pain can be experienced for a few days after the procedure, but it can be managed with painkillers prescribed by the doctor. The level of discomfort may vary from person to person, but the latest techniques have made hair transplant procedures much less painful than before.
You may be a candidate for a hair restoration procedure if you have bald spots, thinning hair, or receding hairline due to genetics, age, or medical conditions such as alopecia. You will need to have enough healthy hair on your donor site (typically the back of the head) that can be used for transplantation.
It is important to consult with a hair restoration specialist or surgeon to determine your candidacy for the procedure. They will evaluate your scalp, hair loss pattern, and medical history to recommend the best treatment option for you. They may also advise on the number of grafts needed and potential outcomes of the procedure based on your expectations.
The duration of a hair transplant procedure can vary based on the extent of hair loss, the number of grafts to be transplanted, and the method used for the transplant -FUE or FUT. On average, a hair transplant procedure can take around 4 to 8 hours or even longer in some cases.
In FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method, individual hair follicles are removed from the donor area, and it can take several hours to extract the required number of follicles. In FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) method, a strip of scalp containing hair is removed and then prepared for transplantation, which can also take several hours.
The surgeon may need to make several small recipient site incisions in the hairline or balding area to transplant the hair grafts, and the duration of this process can depend on the complexity of the situation. After the procedure, the patient may need to rest for some time, and additional appointments may be required to remove the sutures (FUT only) and for follow-up examinations.
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