For those who are just starting to research hair transplantation… Lesson 101

Hair loss, with its psychological and social dimensions, is a common problem for many women and men around the world. Hair loss treatment; It has a wide range of solutions with drug supplements, surgical applications and natural methods. Hair transplantation technique has become one of the most researched and preferred applications of recent years with the advantage of providing permanent and effective solutions. Hair transplantation is a surgical option applied to compensate for heavy hair loss resulting in hair thinning and baldness. In fact, it is a microsurgery application.

As I said, it is performed by transplanting healthy hair follicles to the bald area by microsurgical methods. The area where the hair-bearing or, in other words, active hair follicles are located, is called the donor area. Generally, the donor area is the back of the head, and the recipient area is the top and front of the head.

Is Hair Transplant Applied in the Treatment of Male Pattern Baldness?

In general, it is thought that hair transplantation is applied in male pattern hair loss. However, this procedure is a valid option not only for the treatment of male pattern hair loss, but also for hair loss and thinning due to various reasons.

Who Can Have Hair Transplantation?

For hair transplantation, first of all, there must be a hair source in the donor area. Although the problem of hair loss can be seen at almost any age for both women and men, complaints are observed more intensely in those over the age of 30. We can list the suitable candidates for hair transplantation as follows:

• People who experience hair loss due to a burn or scalp injury
• Women with thinning and male pattern loss due to various reasons
• Men who experience hair loss at an early age due to androgenetic alopecia (genetic predisposition)

• Men and women who want to relocate the hairline
• Those who have had hair transplantation before and are not satisfied with the result, who need revision hair transplantation

Who is not suitable for hair transplantation?

There are some cases where hair transplantation cannot be applied. We can list the candidates who are not suitable for hair transplantation as follows:

• People who experience hair loss due to reasons such as the use of certain drugs or chemotherapy treatment
• People with fibrous scars in the head area
• People who do not have enough active hair follicles in the donor area to reach the balding area
• People with very widespread hair loss throughout the scalp

Is Hair Transplant an Advantageous Option?

Hair transplantation treatment is an advantageous option in terms of providing an effective and permanent solution for cases where hair loss is intense and hair loss is permanent. The aesthetic benefits it offers to both men and women should not be overlooked.

Although hair transplantation is a surgical procedure, it is safely preferred in terms of not causing any troublesome process to the patients during and after the operation. After the procedure, which can be performed under local anesthesia or sedation, patients experience difficulties that they can tolerate and can be treated on an outpatient basis. It should not be forgotten that the feeling of satisfaction and rising self-confidence experienced with the beginning of the results of the procedure after the hair transplant operation.

What Should You Consider Before Deciding to Have a Hair Transplant?

There are several important issues to consider in the decision-making process:

• Realistic Expectations

The success of hair transplantation is directly proportional to the quality of the hair in the donor area. The thickness and density of the hair in the donor area affect the result of the procedure.

• Cost

The cost of the procedure varies according to the technique used, the extent of hair loss, and the professionalism of the doctor or specialist who will perform the procedure.

• Hair Transplantation Does Not Prevent Hair Loss

Hair transplantation produces solutions for the treatment of hair loss. It does not cure the shedding problem.

• Drugs Used

Regularly used drugs or ongoing treatment processes should be shared with the specialist before the procedure. You may not be a suitable candidate for hair transplantation.

• Doesn’t Provide Instant Results

New hair formation after hair transplantation is a slow process. It should be known that the procedure will not give immediate results.

• Complications And Side Effects

Every surgical procedure carries the possibility of complications and side effects. Although the effects of hair transplant operation are mild and the processes are short, they may vary from person to person. The following complications may occur at the donor or recipient site:

• Bleeding: Although rare, it can be stopped with simple pressure.

• Numbness: There may be numbness in the donor area for up to 18 weeks. It is a temporary situation.
• Infection: It is seen in one in a thousand and can be resolved with antibiotic treatment.
• crusting
• Itching
• Swelling and blisters on the scalp

What should I pay attention to after the hair transplant operation?

The most important thing after hair transplantation is your personal care. You should follow the instructions given by the hair transplant specialist and do your wound care as described. If you have complaints such as pain or bleeding, you should definitely inform your doctor.

Which Techniques Are Used in Hair Transplantation? Which Is More Advantageous?

Hair Transplantation is performed with two different techniques, FUT and FUE. There are two important factors that affect the result of hair transplantation. The first is the density and quality of the hair in the donor area, and the second is the technique of the transfer.

FUT (Folliicular Unit Transplantation) Technique

The FUT technique is performed by removing the scalp from the donor area as a strip and transferring it to the application area. FUT is a method generally preferred by people who experience severe hair loss. This method is almost never used due to its disadvantages. Even if it is done in some foreign countries, the FUE technique is an extremely superior procedure, I can say that FUT is an old technique now.

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) Technique

The FUE technique is performed by taking the hair follicles one by one from the donor area and transferring them to the balding area. FUE is a more advantageous and effortless technique in terms of not cutting the tissues into strips. Most of the hair transplant operations are performed using the FUE technique.