People get so involved in the daily routine that they start taking a lot of things for granted, be it their youth, their good health, or even their looks - that is until they are gone. For numerous people, a hair transplant can bring back what appears to be a full, better say, a fuller, head of hair.

If hair thinning or balding completely nags you, the hair transplant procedure can be the right approach to gain your confidence back when speaking about your looks. Firstly though, have a conversation with your doctor about what to expect during and after the operation.

What is a hair transplant?

A hair transplant is a surgical treatment that revolves around hair removal from a part of the body with hair to a spot that has thinning hair or hair loss because of balding, surgery, accidents, traumas, etc. The most advanced hair transplant method is not similar in any way to the skin graft, where swatches of skin are removed. Hair follicles are hand-chosen in order to help match the natural hair flawlessly.

What’s so special about micro follicular unit hair transplantation?

It goes without saying that hair grows in naturally occurring units- each follicular unit contains one to five hairs. The most aesthetically pleasing outcomes are only achieved when hair is transplanted based on this naturally occurring unit. Micrografts that are one to two hairs apiece are applied throughout the hairline to give the hair transplantation a naturally-looking appearance. Minigrafts that are three to five hairs each are applied for more density, to fill the voids hiding behind the hairline with thinning or hair or bald. As the hair is harvested in the new location, the natural direction of the follicular unit is followed, adding to the natural outcome. The reverse, the harvesting and transferring of the follicular units without paying much attention provide unnatural results.

Before Surgery

Is a hair transplant procedure painful?

You might be surprised, but there is no severe pain prior to, during, or after a hair transplant procedure. Firstly, prior to the procedure, you will be administered a local anesthetic, so while there might be a little discomfort from the initial injections, the chances of feeling anything other than mild pain from that point onward are slim. By the same token, though there might be a feeling of mild irritation following the operation, it will clear up very quickly due to the saline spray provided by us.

Moreover, any discomfort or pain you might sense after the procedure can be easily erased with the help of over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen.

Will I need time off work?

Our advice is to take one to two weeks off work with the sole purpose of facilitating a full and hassle-free healing process. Though there is a high chance that the healing period is higher than this, still better safe than sorry. Several people decide upon working from home in the following days after the procedure, waiting for any symptom or sign to resolve.

What causes male hair loss/baldness?

Male hair loss is a commonly known side effect of growing old in men and everybody will go through it at some point in their life. About half of men will experience some level of hair loss, by the time they reach 50. Every single hair follicle has a tendency of producing one strand of hair for 2 to 6 years. Following that, the hair will shed and new hair will commence growing from the follicle. Seeing as stem cells are involved in promoting this process, hair loss can start setting in over time as stem cells start losing their efficacy, and a hormone, present in men, termed dihydrotestosterone drives follicles into shrinking and struggling to grow new hair.

Is there anything I can do to improve my hair transplant?

As a general rule, it is of utmost importance to have an open discussion with us, whether in person or on the phone. The explanation behind this is the fact that everybody’s hair loss situation is unique, meaning procedure necessities differ, and so does the answer, it is never the same. Prior to undergoing a hair transplant, there are some medical hair loss treatments you can apply in the months running up to the procedure- such treatments will enhance the quality of the outcomes. To make 100% sure that you are not using any treatment that can have a destructive impact or that you are not spending time or money on products that will not make any difference, the best would be to primarily have an open discussion with us.

Do I need a hair transplant?

Hair loss is different in every individual, meaning, the answer to whether a hair transplant is required or not depends entirely on you. If you are feeling like your self-confidence is no longer at the same level and you are unhappy with the way you look or sense an impact on your socialization, our recommendation would be to contact us as soon as possible for a free booking, no-obligation consultation, so we can have a discussion on your options, your need, and your wants.

Are hair transplants just for your head?

Clearly not. Hair transplants can be a solution to combating hair loss in other areas of the body including the face. People nowadays choose to replace, refill, or create a new beard, mustache, eyebrows, sideburns, and much more.

However, this needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, which is why you should instantly schedule an appointment if you would like to discuss it.

The Procedure

What are the side effects of a hair transplant?

You will notice some tiny scratches and minimal scarring at the back of the neck, where the donor site is, and where the donor follicles are harvested. The scarring, however, is almost invisible, and the scratches have a radius of less than 1 mm. The hair transplant procedure has no additional side effects and the whole procedure is quite non-invasive.

How long does a transplant take?

Considering the fact that most, if not all, of our procedures, take place in a singular day, one single session, you are capable of returning to your day-to-day life as promptly as possible.

Yet, bigger cases may necessitate more than two days.

Will I have to cut my hair short?

To give the surgeons enough space to work on and high accuracy, it is required that you have short hair. Nonetheless, this will be done by us on the day of the procedure so it isn’t necessarily something to worry about. Please make it known to your surgeon, if you wouldn’t like getting a haircut. The assessment is done on a case-to-case basis and if possible, it will be avoided.

Which hair transplant procedure is best for me?

Every individual has their own unique situation and the best hair transplant method for you will be determined by having a thorough initial consultation and an in-detail discussion. Throughout this meeting, you will be given options, alternative solutions, and knowledgeable advice. It is worth noting that in the event that the hair loss is large, a combination of procedures will be applicable.

Aftercare

Will I be left with scarring?

Hair transplants leave extremely minimal scarring that is uncommonly noticeable.

The outcomes are quite naturally-looking and healthy and numerous people won’t be capable of telling the difference between your actual hair and the new transplanted one.

I had a hair transplant recently but my hair has all fallen out again.

Hair falling out again is part of the normal cycle and it is quite critical. The shedding of the transplanted hair happens because of their disturbance. Nevertheless, the stem cells and follicles remain underneath the skin and they start regrowing healthy new hair at the appropriate time.

How long after my hair transplant will I see results?

Approximately two to four months post-operational, the transplanted hair will start pushing through the skin, doing very well at the beginning. This will go underway at different speeds and times leading to a patchy start. Full growth of the transplanted hair can only be expected in a year or so.

Can I go swimming after a hair transplant?

Our advice would be to avoid swimming for two weeks after your hair transplant procedure.

Swimming pools have chlorine, which is damaging when coming into contact with healing wounds or broken skin. Furthermore, even pools that do not contain any chlorine give rise to risks of infections in the healing scalp. This, however, is no longer a problem when the scalp is fully recovered and two weeks have gone by.

Can I go in the sun after a hair transplant?

Seeing as strong direct sunlight can harm the newly transplanted hair follicles, our suggestion would be to avoid any activity sun-related, such as sunbathing, at least for a few weeks until the hair follicles have fully recovered. Taking into account that each case differs from another, it would be best to check with the surgeon on more individualized information.

How long before signs of growth are visible?

Please beware that the signs of growth aren’t instantly visible. Following your procedure, in about 3 to 6 weeks, most of the transplanted hair will start falling out, leaving you with a similar appearance to the one you had prior to undergoing the procedure. While this might be quite disheartening, you will have to keep in mind that this is when the new cycle begins and the real hair growth commences. Hence, the hair follicles will start growing hair again, each at different times and at different speeds. For the full head to balance out it takes a couple of months. Whereas, to achieve healthy, fully, natural hair growth it can take up to one year.

Will the results be permanent?

Affirmative. We at Advanced Hair Clinic make sure that though natural hair loss continues, we transplant hair coming from the back of the scalp where hair loss is very uncommon. Consequently, we guarantee a healthy head of hair for the rest of your life, for all those patients who have undergone a hair transplant procedure.

How long before I can sunbathe?

Our advice would be to avoid extreme direct sunlight for two weeks after the procedure. Even after two weeks, sunburn to the scalp should be avoided until over two months following the operation. Our team recommends bearing this in mind when deciding to book a procedure and undergo a hair transplant before a vacation or before, if possible. Or the least you could do is to keep your scalp hidden or covered throughout your vacations.

When can I drink alcohol again?

Bearing in mind the fact that alcohol can have a high negative impact on the recovery process, it is recommended to refrain from drinking for a week after the procedure.

Who is the best candidate for a hair transplant?

The very prime candidates for hair transplants are men in their 20s and 30s. People at a very early age, generally in their late teens or their early 20s require appropriate counseling seeing as the future pattern of hair loss and baldness have yet to be determined. Additionally, there is also the fact that young people are oftentimes fixated on mending hair loss and they end up getting operated very early for quite small patches, resulting in numerous hair transplants. In our clinical experience, we have seen young men undergoing more than four hair transplants before even turning 22 years old.

What is the cause of swelling after surgery?

Throughout the operation, there will be injected a diluted anesthetic solution in the donor region to numb the area and minimize bleeding. How is that related to the swelling after surgery? Easy. The water, being a component of the solution, might descend down because of gravity and lead to swelling on the second to third day after the operation. This, however, is mild and temporary, lasting for only approximately two days, and it can be avoided by utilizing a tight plaster on the forehead. Furthermore, you can always use ice compresses or take steroids orally.

Will I continue to lose my remaining hair?

You should ultimately keep in mind that a hair transplant does give you new hair in a thinning or balding area, but it does not prevent any future loss of existing hair. Thus, if you are amongst those patients who have a huge amount of hair remaining during the period of surgery, you will need to employ medications to prevent further hair loss. Optionally, you can always choose to undergo a second hair transplant surgery if you are losing further hair.

How long does the operation take?

The time the operation requires is dependent entirely on the region of baldness and the number of grafts necessary.

Hair transplants are arranged as per the following:

• Small sessions: fit for 1300 grafts and would take up to 3 hours and 30 minutes.
• Medium sessions: fit for 1300 to 2000 grafts that would take from 4 to 5 hours.
• Large or mega sessions: fit for more than 2000 grafts per session and logically they do take a longer time, from 5 to 6 hours.

Our expertise team at Advanced Hair Clinic is able to graft up to 3000 grafts in a single session.

What are the post-operative instructions?

On the day of surgery:

• Unwind.
• Listen to your favorite playlist or podcast, or maybe even watch TV.
• Have comfortably digestible food. Abstain from consuming spicy food.
• Take the painkillers following the instructions.
• Abstain from any sudden movement of the head.
• Make use of a soft pillow when sleeping.

The following day, go back to the clinic for the removal of the bandage. Once the bandage is removed, you are allowed to start shampooing the scalp. This will assist in removing the crust within 4 to 5 days.

Is hair transplantation expensive?

It should be borne in mind that any modality used for the treatment of hair loss such as drugs and hair pieces costs a pretty penny. Additionally, you should know that these are only temporary solutions, meaning they will need perennial expenses. The only permanent technique of hair restoration is a hair transplant. The price of any hair transplant varies depending on the area of baldness and the number of grafts necessary. There are also certain other key factors that can affect the cost including:

• The method used: As previously explained, when put side by side, FUT (follicular unit extraction) tends to cost more than mini-micro grafts, while on the other hand, FUE (follicular unit extraction) is more costly than FUT.
• The employment of microscopes.
• The number of grafts put in a session. At the Advanced Hair Clinic, we utilize the most advanced methods and make sure that a large number of grafts are done in a single session.
• The cost also comprises the expenditures of the operation office, nursing, the anesthetist, medications, and drugs used throughout the operation, and of course, the team. The fact that several clinics claim to charge a little and might appear cheap goes unspoken. In such instances, we push you into getting full information and making sure that the proper technique is used and outcomes are assured.

Timeline of a Hair Transplant at Advanced Hair Clinic

Initial Consultation

During the initial consultation, the scalp of the patient is examined. Afterward, their preferences are discussed, alongside their expectations, to give them feedback on whether they are realistic or not. For full coverage, some patients might need more than one procedure, while others might simply need a single session.

Before the Procedure

Starting a few days before the operation, it is advisable that the patients abstain from any drugs or medication that might be the cause of intraoperative bleeding and eventually lead to a poor take of the grafts. It is also advisable to refrain from consuming alcohol and tobacco since they can conduce poor graft survival.

Day of the Procedure

Sedatives and anesthetics are used for hair transplants and they are conducted on an outpatient basis. Prior to the procedure, the scalp is washed thoroughly with a shampoo containing an antibacterial agent. The surgeon will then move hair from an area that contains thick growth to a bald area. Permanent hairs are harvested from the back of the head, otherwise known as the donor site. Please keep in mind that the donor site is not impacted negatively by the removal.

After the Procedure

At the earliest, stitches are removed two weeks after the transplant. In no more than a couple of weeks, you will notice the short hair falling out, those that are from the hair seed, and the donor seed will start growing some new hairs.

New Growth

The new hair starts showing itself only 3 to 5 months following the procedure. At approximately 6 to 9 months, a patient should have been able to attain at least 60% of his or her new growth.

Make An Appointment at Advanced Hair Clinic

We at Advanced Hair Clinic are here for you anytime, open to you scheduling an appointment, round the clock, 7 days a week. If you are more into speaking with someone over the phone, we can always put you through to one of our experts.

FAQS

Is there a nonsurgical method of hair transplantation?

Lamentably there is no nonsurgical technique existing for hair transplantation.

Does hair transplantation really work?

Undoubtedly. As aforementioned hair transplantation involves the extraction of hair follicles from the back of the scalp, namely the donor area, and their harvesting to the bald region, namely the recipient area. Considering that the transferred tissue is not a foreign tissue it does not get rejected by the body. Moreover, the transplanted hair sustains its own features such as curl, color, texture, and growth rate, following transplantation and regrowth. The liveliness of the grafted follicles is retained by the excessive blood supply to the scalp.

Can women undergo hair transplants?

Yes, indeed. Nowadays, women are more and more undergoing the procedure of hair transplants.

Which is the most preferred method of transplantation?

Follicular unit transplantation or FUT is the most commonly selected technique, that is because mini-micro-grafting, though still available at some clinics, is quite inferior to FUT, and punch grafting simply ceased existing. Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is an equally popular alternative, the only drawback to it however it’s its cost when compared to FUT.

After surgery, will I need to visit the clinic again and again?

Nope, there is no point in visiting the clinic again and again as any doubt, inquiry, or question can be answered via phone calls or emails.

How long does it take for the transplanted hair to grow?

On average, the grafted hair starts shedding in the first 2 to 4 weeks. New growth will commence within 3 to 4 months and the length will begin increasing by about 13 cm per month. The complete cosmetic outcome can be awaited in 9 to 10 months.