Olympic Diver Peter Waterfield Goes for Hair Transplant
Celebrities getting a hair transplant or going for cosmetic surgery is nothing new. But what is new is that they are openly declaring having undergone such a procedure. The most recent news is that of British Olympic diver Peter Waterfield aged 31.
Having to contend with baldness problems at a young age he shaved his head. But soon realized that his Cockney accent and shaved head made people think that he was a thug. To give himself an image makeover the best solution offered to him was getting a hair transplant.
The 4,200 individual hair transplanted from the back of his scalp to the front of his head did cover his bald patch and softened his image also. He is eagerly waiting for the hair to grow and give a better look.
Peter the Commonwealth Games medalist went for the Follicle Unit Extraction procedure under the care of Dr.Asim Shahmalak. The procedure involved removal and transplant of 1,500 grafts to his hairline. Another 1,000 were transplanted to increase coverage on the top of the scalp.
He has to wait for a year for the transplanted hair to really grow and cover his head. This will give confidence to more men to undergo this procedure. A steady rise of 25 percent has been witnessed in men going for hair transplant in the last five years. Further with more celebrities going public about their experiences and fast advancement in technology more people will willingly go for similar safe procedures.
Dr. Shahmalak has done hair transplant procedures on other celebrities like Dr. Christian Jessen from Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies and the model and TV presenter Calum Best.
He explains that there are seven categories of male pattern baldness which ranges from category one which indicates no hair loss up to seven which indicates total hair loss. Peter fell in the 5A category as he suffered substantial hair loss due to his family history.
The result of the hair transplant procedure was successful in bringing back a full crop of hair as well as helping Peter regain his youthful looks, feeling and self-esteem.
Medications can halt hair loss but do not promote regrowth of lost hair, leaving hair transplantation as the most effective method to regain hair. The procedure also goes undetected and is permanent lasting for the rest of the patient’s life.
Peter Waterfield went for Follicular Unit Extraction which is more expensive than strip harvesting where hairs follicles are removed and transplanted individually and is hence more time consuming. This method is preferred by men as there is no scarring and lets them maintain their hair short. The healing process takes approximately 5-7 days which is enough for redness, swelling and scarring to disappear leaving no mark.
Peter concludes, “I am so glad that I had it done, I feel so much more confident now. I am really looking forward to being able to grow my hair for the first time since I was a teenager and present a new image of myself to the world.”
Hairfear
Frequently asked questions about hair transplant procedures
How much does a hair transplant cost?
Hair transplants can vary in price based off of the area in the world that you are interested in getting a hair transplant as well as the size of the area where you may need a hair transplant. Experienced doctors in the United States will often charge some of the highest prices for a hair transplant worldwide and this is why so many travelers make the move to other parts the world like Turkey, India, Thailand, Mexico...etc for their hair transplants.
Will a hair transplant hurt?
Although hair transplants may look like a particularly
unpleasant or painful experience is actually very little discomfort involved
with the surgery itself. Hair transplants are always done under an anesthetic so there's absolutely zero pain during the treatment itself. Many people actually relate the process as being very similar to going to the dentist for filling or root canal. Mild pain can persist over the course of postop treatment but he generally just resumes for a few days.
Who can deliver the best surgery?
It's usually best to consider working with surgeons who have and IAHRS certification or international alliance of hair restoration surgeons recognition. IAHRS can often deliver recommendations for the best surgeons in each particular area.
Is this scarring noticeable?
Any type of hair transplant will require the use of incisions throughout the scalp. There can also sometimes be a small scar from the donor area towards the back of the scalp. Asking to look at photos of the surgeon's previous work will help you to see roughly how bad the scarring could be. In most cases an experienced professional can limit the look of scarring and noticeable marks from the surgery.
How long does it take for the hair to grow?
In most cases hair growth will start within eight months and you can start to see a full effect from the hair transplant after a full year. The initial signs of growth can usually start between 3 to 4 months after the surgery.
Are the results permanent?
The hair follicles that are transplanted are generally the ones which are genetically resistant against the symptoms of baldness. As long as you receive hair loss treatment later in your life after the symptoms of balding have started to subside, you can have a better chance at permanent results.
While everyone know you've had surgery?
If you want to limit the chance that people may find out about your surgery it's important to give at least three weeks of healing as the surgical area will be affected and red just after surgery. After around a month of healing it can look far less noticeable. You could consider wearing a hat while time passes or opting for some extra time off if possible.
How long should I rest after surgery?
It's recommended to rest for at least a few days after surgery so that your body can recover. Trenton to over exert yourself and limit sexual activity, running in the gym for around 10 days after surgery.
Is it possible to lose more hair as a result of surgery?
There is always a chance of shock loss which happens when the hair is weak and miniaturizing after the surgery. As long as the surgeon is choosing the correct hair follicles and performing the surgery well it's possible to minimize the chance of this happening however.
Will I need another hair transplant?
The need for another transplant really depends on the individual. With a solid foundation surgery and working to potentially bolster results with drug therapy, you can improve the stability of the hair that was transplanted as well as prevent further loss. Getting a hair transplant early
on in your 20s or early on in life could lead to needing long-term transplants as hair loss can be progressive.
