Losing hair is a universally painful experience. Men and women across all age groups can suffer from hair loss due to various reasons. For many people, home remedies for reducing thinning hair and medication don’t work. This is where hair transplantation comes in!
Here’s a closer look at how a hair transplant works, different methods, and more:
What is a Hair Transplant?
A hair transplant is a surgical procedure, during which hair is extracted from one part of your scalp (donor area) and inserted into the thinning or bald spots (recipient area). It is also known as hair restoration or hair replacement.
The donor area is generally the back or sides of the head because the hair there is less resistant to balding. Once transplanted, the grafts continue to naturally grow in their new location, giving a natural look.
Are You a Good Candidate?
Not everyone experiencing hair loss can be a good candidate for a hair transplant. You are a good candidate if you:
- Have pattern baldness. It means you still have areas of thick hair growth on your scalp.
- Are in good health. This is important for quick healing and reducing the risk of complications.
- Have realistic expectations. Remember that a hair transplant can’t replicate or bring back your teenage hairline. It can only restore density and improve appearance.
Common Hair Transplantation Methods
If you qualify for a hair transplant, here are three hair transplants Melbourne methods you should know:
Follicular unit transplantation: FUT involves removing a strip of scalp containing hair follicles from a donor site. The strip is dissected into individual follicular units before being transplanted into thinning or balding areas.
FUT has a high graft yield, but it can leave a linear scar in the donor area.
Follicular unit extraction: FUE is the process of extracting individual hair follicles directly from the donor area and transplanting them into recipient areas using small incisions. The extractions are minimally invasive, so they generally heal on their own.
Direct hair implantation: DHI is similar to FUE with one key difference: Surgeons use a specialised pen called a Choi Implanter Pen to implant the follicles directly into the scalp. DHI ensures high precision as the surgeon can control the depth, angle, and direction of each implanted hair. It also leaves no scarring or stitches.
Results and Recovery
When you get a hair transplant from a reputable clinic, the recovery is quick and straightforward. You will see swelling, redness, or small scabs in the first few days. All of this fades within a week.
The transplanted hair also sheds after the first few weeks of transplantation. This is totally normal and is useful for making way for new growth.
It can take a few months up to a year to see the full results of any hair transplant. You might also need several touch-ups to achieve a fuller, natural-looking appearance. Taking care of the healing grafts and following the surgeon’s advice is necessary for achieving ideal results.
