Hair loss typically occurs in men, but also occurs in women and mostly results in balding at the top of the head, which can sometimes spread across the total scalp. Most people realize there is a decline in the density of their hair growth after they have lost about 40%, but it is a permanent condition, and worsens without the intervention of surgery.
Hair transplantation surgery is the only permanent solution to hair loss and is known to deliver natural growth pattern of your hair. It is performed by harvesting DHT(hormone which inhibits head hair growth) resistant hair from the back of your own scalp (the donor area) and then transplanting it into the balding areas. The implanted hair will grow and stay, because it is unaffected by the factors that cause male pattern baldness (Androgenic Alopecia).
Am I a Candidate for Hair transplant surgery?
Hair transplantation candidates should have some noticeable hair loss with healthy hair growth at the back and sides of the head which is mainly DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) resistant, to serve as donor areas from which grafts and flaps are taken.
Techniques of Hair Transplantation
There are mainly two techniques for hair transplantation currently in use:
- The FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method
- The FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) method.
They differ primarily in the way hair follicles are extracted from the donor area. Factors that are taken into consideration when choosing between the two are scarring, wearing the hair short, hair type, extent of balding, number of grafts needed (more are generally achieved with FUT), age, family history and cost..
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FUE Hair Transplant
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) also known as follicular transfer (FT), is a minimally invasive hair transplantation technique in which follicular unit grafts (hair roots) are individually removed from the patient’s donor area and then individually inserted into the recipient (balding) area in the agreed density and pattern by using a micro-punch device of 0.75 to 1 mm size which leaves tiny dot scars instead of a linear scar, hence no sutures are needed in this instance, therefore heals rapidly with practically no visible scarring.
FUT method of Hair Transplantation
FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation), also known as strip surgery which is today's gold standard hair procedure. Follicular Unit Transplantation is a hair restoration technique in which a strip of skin having small clusters of hairs or follicular units are removed from the donor area of hair (the area in the back and sides of the scalp where hair is more resistant to balding) and inserted into the recipient area (the bald area of your head) as individual follicular units (naturally occurring groups of 1-4 hairs) so that it will look totally natural and be undetectable as a hair transplant . FUT has replaced "mini-grafting" (more than one follicular unit typically in groups of 2 to 8 hairs) which was the dominant surgical hair restoration procedure in the late 1990s, often produced a pluggy, unnatural look.
Downtime and recovery
It is often possible to go back to work within the next day after FUE hair transplant. As it is less invasive, FUE patients tend to recover much quicker, often experiencing no pain at all whereas FUT patients may experience numbness and irritation for days, weeks or months after treatment so with the FUT method, depending on the level of pain and discomfort more down time is usually required.
Dr. Hassan Nurein always recommends that patient should relax for 3 days after surgery to ensure a quick recovery with minimal discomfort or swelling. Swimming or other water submersion activities and all sports activities should be avoided for 10-14 days after surgery.
Patient should not wash the hair for 3 days and the normal gentle showering to the scalp can be resumed on the 7th day after surgery.
Risks and complications
Hair transplantation is an extremely safe outpatient procedure and most of the patients are happy with the results. But there are some minor risks and complications with this surgery just as with any other cosmetic surgery. Among the known risks are postoperative bruising, scarring, and more commonly bleeding and forehead and facial swelling. All of these risks are treatable, considered minor, and do not affect the final results of the procedure.
The common risks and complications with the surgery are as follows:
- Changes in the pigmentation of the skin: There is a risk of hyperpigmentation (darkening) to the skin although this is very rare. In FUE method the surgery leaves many white dotted scars which results in postoperative hypopigmentation appearance that occur due to removal of the hair graft.
- Noticeable scarring: The FUT method leaves linear scar in the donor area which can be concealed easily by normal hair style but it precludes someone from wearing their hair very short while the FUE method leaves tiny round white scars in the donor area which are normally undetectable to the naked eye even when a patient's hair is cropped extremely short.
- Poor/slow hair growth: It may be due to the damage of the transplanted follicles.
- Hair loss in the scar area: This happens particularly on a second surgery if the strip taken is closed with a tight closure from the donor area. FUE method is safe from this risk
- Infection: This is extremely rare as antibiotics are prescribed before and after surgery.
- Poor wound healing: Genetics can play a part in this and some people do heal more quickly than others.
Hair Growth
In both FUE and FUT techniques, the restored hair will grow in the same fashion as one's native hair. Approximately 3-5 months after the procedure new hair begins to grow. Around six months, a patient should notice significant re-growth. Results will vary from one to another and it may take up to twelve months for the hair follicle to grow. The patient’s hair (native and transplanted) will continue to grow naturally.
The Result of Hair transplant
Within 2-3 weeks your transplanted hair will fall out. This is perfectly normal and you will start to notice new growth within a few months. Most patients attain 60% new hair growth six to nine months after surgery but in some cases it may take up to twelve months for the hair follicle to grow. Results will vary from one person to another. The patient’s hair (native and transplanted) will continue to grow naturally will be undetectable as a hair transplant. If you have fine hair you may need several transplant sessions in order to cover your bald area, but even those with thick, curly hair often find they require more than one session.
After surgery your scalp may be very tender and your surgeon will prescribe painkillers to help you deal with any pain, along with anti-inflammatory drugs if required. Your surgeon will dress the treated area and you will need to wear a surgical dressing on your scalp for at least a day or two.
