BEFORE HAIR TRANSPLANT

The patient will have a consultation with the surgeon ahead of the procedure, to establish an appropriate donor site and discuss the procedure.

HOW IS IT PERFORMED

The scalp is first cleaned and the donor site where the hair is being harvested from, will be injected with an anesthetic to numb the area before the extraction.

There are 2 different techniques which can be used for the extraction of the donor hair. The hair can be taken in strips, and this technique is known as strip harvesting, which is also known as FUT harvesting (follicle unit transplantation), or it can be taken follicle by follicle, which is known as FUE (follicle unit extraction), both of which involve using a hollow needle.

The donor site is often at the back of the head, and any scarring from the incision can be concealed with hair.

These hairs are usually clipped to 1 to 2 mm in length, and implanted into the recipient site. Once the transplantation is complete, the area may be dressed with a surgical dressing which will need to be kept in place for 1-2 days.

At the recipient site it can sometimes take 4 to 6 months for the hairs to come through, and patients may have to wait up to one year to see the full effects of the transplant.

Anesthesia Local anesthetic.

Procedure duration The Hair Transplant takes 4 to 12 hours.

The procedure is time consuming, and a large number of transplants may take 8 hours or more. Sometimes, an extra appointment will be necessary.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER HAIR TRANSPLANT

Post procedure care Patients will normally go back to their hotel after the transplant, and should rest with the head slightly raised. The doctor may recommend special shampoo to clean the head. Patients may experience itching.

The first transplanted hairs may fall out gradually over the first few weeks, and this shouldn't be a cause for concern. Over time, new hairs should grow from the transplanted follicles.

Possible discomfort There is only minor discomfort associated with this procedure. Most patients are comfortable with over-the-counter painkillers for the first day after surgery.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HAIR TRANSPLANT

Not recommended for
Diffuse pattern female balding
Alopecia areata (spot baldness)
If there is insufficient hair at donor site