The Benefits and Risks of a Hair Transplant

The Benefits and Risks of a Hair Transplant

A hair transplant is a surgical procedure that moves healthy full-size vigorously growing hair from one part of your scalp (the “donor area”) to the bald or thinning parts. It is performed by dermatologists (healthcare providers specializing in the skin) or plastic surgeons. Hair transplants are usually for people who are experiencing genetic hair loss or alopecia areata (an autoimmune condition that attacks hair follicles).부산모발이식

A well-performed hair transplant can give you the full head of hair you want and restore your confidence. It is permanent, and unlike other hair loss treatments, it will not wear off. But because a hair transplant is surgery, it is not without risks. The best way to understand the benefits and risks of a hair transplant is to discuss your expectations with a surgeon before you decide to get one.

The first breakthrough in hair restoration came in the 1930s with groundbreaking work by a Japanese doctor, Dr. Okuda, who developed a technique to help burn victims and others with scalp injuries. He extracted round sections of hair-bearing scalp and implanted them into damaged areas, where they took root and over time grew new hair. His approach was the foundation for modern hair transplantation techniques.

However, he used too large a piece of scalp to extract and graft, creating a doll-like look that gave him a reputation for bad results. A more refined technique was developed by another dermatologist in 1952, but his method also fell short of the ideal. It involved removing strips of the scalp and dissecting them into a series of tiny grafts that could be placed in the hairless area. This became known as the strip excision technique and is still used today, although there are other methods as well.

With current transplant techniques, doctors use a smaller and more precise method called follicular unit extraction or FUE. The surgeon makes hundreds or even thousands of pin-prick-like holes in the donor site, and then extracts single follicle units for transplant. This allows the doctor to create a natural-looking transplant that looks like your own growing hair.

Because of its superior appearance and permanence, a hair transplant is a popular treatment for men and women experiencing baldness or hair loss. The National Institutes of Health cites that most transplanted hair will survive and grow for the rest of your life.

During the healing process, your surgeon may ask you to avoid any activity that will cause stress or pull on the hair transplanted follicles. After a few days, you can resume most activities, but your doctor will likely tell you not to shampoo until any non-dissolvable stitches have been removed. Generally, you should wash your hair gently by hand and avoid using products with alcohol, which can affect the healing of your transplant.

Your surgeon may recommend that you wear your hair in a loose ponytail or braid. Once the transplanted follicles have settled, your doctor will remove any stitches and your scalp should begin to heal within about 10 days. After a few weeks, you will see that the transplanted hair has started to grow. Your hair will continue to thicken and grow throughout the year, but it can take up to 12 months before you see the final results.청담모바로의원