What To Expect When Getting A Hair Transplant

What is a hair transplant?

A hair transplant is a medical procedure in which the hair from the back and side is transplanted to the areas expPHE Plant, Water RO Planteriencing baldness. Before the procedure, doctors assess the stage of baldness to determine which treatment is necessary and which transplant would be more effective. The process is painless, a local anesthesia is administered to the patient and then the procedure begins. This step is used to make sure the patient is comfortable throughout this time. The most common treatments used for transplants are follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplant (FUT). These procedures are performed by expert surgeons and usually take 5-6 hours to get done. Hair transplants in India have been going on since the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Factors that contribute to hair loss

One needs a hair transplant when there is permanent hair loss. There are many reasons why a hair transplant is needed. Let’s dive into some of them. 

• Genetic predisposition

Genetics is one of the most common reasons; if hair loss runs in the family, the individual is more likely to experience it as well. 

• Lack of healthy diet

A poor diet that lacks essential nutrients such as minerals and vitamins weakens hair follicles and leads to increased hair fall. Maintaining a balanced diet rich in iron, biotin, and omega-three fatty acids is crucial for healthy hair growth.

• Stress and depression

These two factors are also among the leading reasons for hair loss in today’s fast-paced world. High-stress levels disrupt the natural hair growth cycle, causing excessive shedding in both men and women. Practicing relaxation techniques, doing regular exercises, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the stress related to hair loss.

What is a hair transplant used for

• Male pattern baldness

The procedure can be opted for by men who experience male pattern baldness, a good donor area that lies on the back of the head. This procedure helps restore hair in bald areas, providing a natural and permanent solution to hair loss. 

• Women with thinning areas

Similarly, women who have hair thinning and maintain a good donor area can also undergo hair transplantation. Unlike men, women often face thinning instead of complete baldness, so hair transplants are done to add density to the affected areas. 

Reasons to not opt for hair transplants

• A hair transplant is not beneficial for people who face hair loss due to treatments like chemotherapy as this is permanent hair loss, and hair grows back later. 

• People with insufficient donor areas are not recommended to go for hair transplants as the success of treatment is based on the availability of follicles on the back of the head. 

• Individuals who have keloid scars should not get hair transplants as they can make the scalp itchy, painful and uncomfortable afterwards. 

What happens during the procedure

• Surgeons numb the area with the use of local anaesthesia as the first step before proceeding with the next step. This ensures that the patient does not feel pain or discomfort throughout the process. Once the anaesthesia takes effect, the surgeon moves forward. The painless process is one of the factors contributing to more people opting for it and hair transplant in India has become significantly more common.

• The next step is called the strip method, in which the skin of the hair is removed from the donor area, the back of the scalp, where the hair growth is tense.

• In the next step, the strip taken from the donor area is divided into some grafts and those grafts are placed where the baldness is. 

• The final step is to stitch the area from where the skin with hair was taken. The surgeon carefully closes the donor site with stitching, ensuring minimal scarring.

What happens after the hair transplant is done

After the treatment is done, it is normal for the scalp to feel tender. Some patients may need to wear bandages afterwards, or some anti-inflammatory drugs can be prescribed by a surgeon to cure discomfort, pain or swelling right after the transplant. 

Cost

The hair transplant cost in India varies between 25,000–2,65,000 rupees depending on several factors, such as the number of grafts required and the technique used. 

Conclusion 

If someone is experiencing significant hair loss, there are many clinics and surgeons who they can consult for expert advice and treatment.