The Ultimate Guide To Hair Transplants

Struggling hair loss can be both mentally and emotionally draining. Numerous people pinpoint their hair as their most important feature, constructing their entire confidence and self-esteem on its appearance. Thus, once its appearance starts becoming faulty, it is simple for confidence levels to ramshackle.

Although it can be scary, the situation of thinning and hair loss is not necessarily the big problem. The issue can be resolved by a simple procedure – one hair transplant in Tirana, Albania at Advanced Hair Clinic.

Hair transplant surgery is based thoroughly on taking healthy hair follicles from the donor site (generally in the back of the head) and transferring them to the recipient site, where the thinning is most visible. It is a quick and easy procedure that brings back the natural hair appearance and aids in feeling confident once again. Nevertheless, if you want the procedure to be done correctly, it is in your best interest to do it in Albania.

What is a hair transplant?

In plain English, hair transplantation is the surgical procedure during which hair is moved from an area of the body, namely the donor site, to the bald area on the head, or anywhere where hair is missing. Usually, the donor site is the back of the head. 

Hair transplantation is so preferred by the masses because it looks aesthetically pleasing and it is a permanent solution to hair loss.

Why Do We Get Hair Loss?

Hair falling a little bit is part of normal life, part of the growth cycle. It is common logic that while new hair grows, old hair is pushed out. Often, hair fall might occur more frequently due to stress or bad hair care habits, but in such instances, little changes in routine or products can fix the issue fairly soon. Occasionally though, the hair loss happens so quickly and promptly that those small changes are not enough to reverse it.

Both hair thinning and baldness happen for a variety of reasons. In 95% of the instances, it happens because of age, hormonal changes, or genetics. Other times it can be because of an unhealthy lifestyle or even stress. Baldness can also occur due to medications, such as certain antidepressants, or blood pressure medications, or even by medical conditions and reasons like alopecia or chemotherapy.

Alopecia on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease that drives hair to fall out, usually in chunks. It happens whenever the immune system starts attacking the hair follicles and the amount of hair loss differs from one individual to another. Alopecia can also come as a result of nutritional deficiencies, hormonal causes, or hereditary factors.

Why Get Hair Transplants?

As previously stated, thinning hair or hair loss impacts an individual’s head in more than one way. It makes people feel more insecure and self-conscious. It sways the way they act and behave. In such circumstances, the best alternative would be to seek for a more permanent solution, cue hair transplants.

A long time back, people used to make use of wigs or hair plugs as a cover to thinning hair or baldness. However, they were quite noticeable and looked very unnatural. Which in turn made people more self-conscious. Then, hair transplants were developed. Nowadays they are so naturally-looking that even hairdressers are unable to tell the difference.

Needless to say, hair transplants are not just natural compared to hair wigs, but they are also more durable. Furthermore, hair transplantation is much cheaperthan putting on a wig. Wigs require a lot of attention, replacement and maintenance, while hair transplants once attached to the scalp, even if they fall out, new hair will grow in their place.

Different types of hair transplants

If you are into hair restoration, you should know that there are two main different kinds of hair transplant surgeries: FUT and FUE. The best method for you will be decided by your preferences and your hair loss.

Follicular unit transplantation (FUT)

Despite being one of the old methods of hair transplantation, FUT is still a very common procedure. It revolves around removing a strip of the scalp using an incision, usually from the back of the head. The size of the strip varies between 15 to 5 centimeters and the open wound is closed thanks to stitches.

The strip taken from the scalp is then divided into smaller pieces, namely grafts, which will be transplanted as new hair afterward. The amount of hair these grafts contain varies, with some containing as little as one hair and others containing three or more. Next, small holes are made into the scalp and the hair is manually inserted from the grafts into the puncture holes. Once fully completed, the surgical area is covered using bandages or gauze.

The number of grafts received depends entirely on the hair type, size of the transplant region, the hair quality, and sometimes even the color.

Follicular unit extraction (FUE)

Since it is a less invasive method and leaves fewer scars compared to FUT, FUE method is more common. Also adding the fact that the recovery period is much faster and the results are of better quality, especially since it is a method less likely to damage the follicles.

The procedure begins with shaving off the hair on the back of the head and individual follicles being taken out of the skin on the scalp with a precise micro punch instrument. Naturally, there will be apparent small dots on the head where the follicles were removed following the surgery. Similar to FUT, there will be small incisions made in the scalp and the hair follicles will be grafted into them prior to bandaging the site.

Yet again, the number of grafts needed is established by a number of factors and it will directly affect the cost of the hair transplant. Due to the better outcomes it offers, the higher grade of success, and the lack of scarring, FUE is generally much more costly than FUT.

Eligibility for a hair transplant

Lamentably, a hair transplant isn’t the right solution for everybody, meaning not everyone is a suitable candidate. The features of your hair and scalp, alongside your age and the hair loss caused, will further play a role in your suitability for a hair transplant. The prime candidate will be befitting of the following criteria:

• Having had hair loss coming as a result of male or female pattern baldness for at least five years- reaching beyond class 3 on the Norwood Scale.
• Setting realistic expectations and understanding that hair loss might continue after surgery, despite the fact that prescription medication might be taken to reduce or diminish it.
• Having a stabilized hair loss pattern and wanting to restore hair to look much younger, mainly those who have struggled for years.
• Suffering from hair loss as a result of trauma or cosmetic procedures and burns. For instance, blemishing from facelifts can be the cause of hair loss.

People who suffer from diffuse patterned alopecia, low hair density, a disease donor region, or even a lack of funds and patience, unfortunately, are not eligible for a hair transplant. You can find more about what makes you a suitable candidate for a hair transplant here.

Effectiveness of hair transplants

On the whole, hair transplants have been and will always be more successful when compared to over-the-counter hair restoration products. Yet, some elements should be taken into account.

• The volume of the transplanted hair that will completely grow back in around 3 to 4 months can be from 10 to 80 percent.
• Similar to normal hair, transplanted hair can become thinner with time passing by.
• Individuals who have dormant hair follicles, meaning sacs that do contain hair but aren’t capable of growing it, could have much less efficient outcomes.

Albeit, hair transplants are very efficacious treatments, they aren’t for everyone. Considering nearly all transplants are conducted on existing hair, they might not work for people who have:

• Prevailing baldness or thinning.
• Hair loss comes as a result of medications or chemotherapy.
• Thick scalp coming as a result of injuries.

Nevertheless, if you make a suitable candidate for a hair transplant and you decide on a good surgeon and an estimable clinic, the outcomes and the costs will be awfully beneficial.

Recovering from a hair transplant

Recovery from a hair transplant is very quick and it doesn't take much time, meaning individuals who have undergone a hair transplant are able to get back to work within 2 to 3 days. It should however be noted that within the first two weeks following the surgery, everything should be done slowly and carefully, especially in regard to the transplant area. The grafts won’t be secure, meaning they will be at risk of infection and damage.

Some of the aftercare tips that should be thoroughly followed after the procedure include:

• Abstain from touching the graft within the first days. Bandages can only be removed from 2 to 5 days following the surgery.
• Begin cleansing your hair carefully using a mild shampoo after seven days.
• On the 10th to 14th day proceed with the removal of any dissolvable stitching.
• Abstain from combing and brushing the new grafts for about 3 weeks.
• Brace yourself for the falling out of transplanted hair after a few weeks, and be mindful that they will grow back after about 3 to 6 months.
• Expect the full outcomes of the surgery 12 to 18 months following the intervention.

You should additionally abstain from exercising for at least seven days and absolutely avoid strenuous activity for about a month. Do not wear hats or shirts and pullover jackets, until your surgeon recommends the contrary. You will be provided with a detailed list of guidelines to follow after the procedure to make sure that you get the best outcomes from your hair transplant surgery.

Medications

Pain and soreness after the surgery are very usual, the reason why you will be given medication to deal with them. Some of the most commonly used medications include:

• Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen
• Medications to prevent infections like antibiotics
• Medications to relieve swelling like anti-inflammatories or oral steroids
• Medications that stimulate hair growth

Risks and side effects

Similar to any other treatment, there are risks and side effects to be expected following hair transplantation. Among which:

• Sore, tight, or swollen scalp for a couple of days
• Scabbing that is temporary in the surgical area
• Many tiny scars or one single big scar varying on the procedure

Some of the most common side effects you should keep tabs on and have a conversation with your doctor over the fact that they do not get better or get worse over time include:

• Indications of infection, which include redness, pain, or pus
• Bleeding
• Pus or crust circa the surgical area
• Hair follicles’ inflammation
• Sensation loss nearby the surgical region
• Unmatching hair with the surrounding hair
• Indications of balding and hair loss

The surgeon should discuss with you the probability of going through the above states and approaches to be used for treatment. To check the recovery process, you will also have follow-up appointments.

Advanced Hair Clinic is here to help

If in search of an estimable clinic that has remodeled the path healthcare providers choose to deliver precision, then Advanced Hair Clinic is the right place for you. The continuous care and the outcomes go beyond expectations and are truly something to depend on as a patient. Our skilled and knowledgeable surgeons address a broad spectrum of issues that are the cause behind hair loss..

We are equipped with state-of-the-art technology that can aid in restoring hair in every area where your hair is thinning or fully missing. We are here to provide you with permanent results and bring not only your hair but also your confidence back.