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Humans have been subjected to various activities since they evolved from a hunter-gatherer civilization to modern industrial society. As a result of these actions, they have continued to be vulnerable while altering their natural biological makeup in an increasingly dramatic fashion, with hair loss in the hairline being the most noticeable symptom.
There are numerous ways to treat hair loss, including medications, stem cell hair, hair transplant, etc., but in this article, we’ll focus on hair transplant as the hairline restoration method.
Numbers don’t lie
Was it ever brought to your attention that the average person loses between 50 and 100 hairs per day? Which is only going to become more prevalent as we get older, right? On the other hand, age is not the only factor that leads to the loss of hair.
Other factors, such as diseases, medicines, stress, and so on, play a vital role in this problem. And as a result, we are confronted with an unquestionably serious dilemma.
There is also the pursuit of beauty. Our hair inexorably influences our facial expressions, our feeling of beauty, and ultimately our self-esteem. Additionally, the psychological unhappiness that comes with the feeling of growing older, which is amplified by the loss of hair on our heads, is a contributing factor to this problem. As a result, hair transplant is becoming increasingly popular a sought-after cosmetic surgery procedure.
However, before deciding on a hair transplant, you must first learn about the problem, its causes, and the intricacies of the technique used so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not this operation is right for you. For example, the treatment strategy to be employed is highly dependent on the kind and cause of hair loss, thus having a thorough understanding of this will benefit you.
Causes of hair loss
Neither men nor women are exempt from experiencing hair loss, though women are fortunate in that they are less likely to go entirely bald. Female hair thins down all over the head instead, although the hairline does not recede as much as it does with male hair.
Heredity
This form of hair loss, also known as pattern baldness or, in medical terms, androgenic alopecia, is the most common cause of baldness in both men and women. In men, it is called Male pattern baldness, and in women, female pattern baldness. It is caused by an increase in the quantity of DHT present in the body.
Age
Hair’s life cycle is shortened as it grows older, resulting in shorter, finer hair loss. This hair is frequently replaced with new, finer hair in the following month. However, hair growth also slows down as we get older; hence most people experience hair loss.
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata) occurs when the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles (the unit that houses the hair), causing hair loss. Small patches of hair fall out at a time, and they are often imperceptible.
Hair Loss as A Result of Medications
Numerous medications can disrupt the hair cycle and result in hair loss. Examples of such drugs include antibiotics, antifungals, antidepressants, pregnancy pills, anticoagulants, statins, immunosuppressive drugs, cancer drugs for breast and other malignancies, etc.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy often leads to hormonal balances, which influences or causes hair thinning. This type of condition will naturally reverse after the pregnancy.
Other causes include
- Chemo for treatment of cancer
- Stress
- Disease like STI, thyroid, etc.
- Diet
- Haircare applicants etc.
Techniques and procedures in hair transplant
From when it was first practiced in China in the last 1930s to when it became popular in the late 1950s in America, hair transplant has undergone many evolutions and has only become better.
Presently, there are two major modern hair transplant techniques; Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), and both have proven to be effective in treating the problem of hair loss in the hairline.
Follicular Unit Transplant
In follicular unit transplantation (FUT), the following procedures take place;
- Using a surgical knife, the surgeon will remove a strip of scalp skin from the rear part of the head. The incision can be several inches in length.
- Stitches are then used to seal the opening.
- With the aid of a magnifying device and surgical knife, the surgeon divides the scalp into little bits.
- Next, the surgeon will create very small openings on the balded or thinned site, when these graft units will be transplanted into.
- When these portions are implanted, they will aid in developing and growing the hair.
Follicular Unit Extraction
The procedure involved can be summarized into;
- Follicles are removed directly from the rear part of the head using hundreds to thousands of small punch incisions.
- Using an appropriated instrument, such as a sterile needle, the surgeon will create tiny holes or openings along the hairline where these extracted follicles will be transplanted or grafted. The doctor is required to show extreme care when carrying out this procedure, and that is why modern labs use robots for this task.
- Next is the grafting or transplant process. The doctor will then carefully insert the extracted hair into the area he had created the openings.
- And finally, the scalp will be covered for several days following the procedure with gauze or bandages.
Both strategies are successful, but they can provide distinctly different results in various situations. According to the authors of a 2019 research, FUE involves more skill and takes longer to complete than FUSS, but it can give excellent outcomes if the surgeon has a lot of experience with the method.
FAQs
Will the hairline look natural after a transplant?
This is a question usually posed by most people who consider having this procedure performed on them. A hair transplant will not only appear natural, but the hair will also continue to grow regularly following the treatment. This is wonderful news. After undergoing the FUE process, patients can be confident that their scars will be virtually undetectable by others.
Meanwhile, patients will be instructed on specific post-operative precautions to be followed if the desired result is achieved to the greatest extent possible. If you do not follow your surgeon’s recommendations, the outcome may be compromised.
What is the recovery like?
In FUE, the recovery time is shorter. Additionally, keep in mind that you should handle the operated location with the utmost care and attention following either of the two procedures. It is recommended that you refrain from searching for hair for approximately three weeks. Furthermore, you’ll need to refrain from revealing your hair for approximately three days in the same method.
Is there a side effect?
Pain or irritation at the hairline or donor site is almost certain.
Itching and sores are also not uncommon, but they will all progressively heal on their own or with the assistance of prescription meds from a medical practitioner as time passes.
How much does a hair transplant cost?
The Cost of a hair transplantation procedure might range from approximately $4,000 to $15,000.
The following factors may influence final costs:
- The number of grafts to be made, artistic steps to be taken, etc.
- Proximity and availability of the surgeon
- Experience of the surgeon
- Primary and supportive techniques used (e.g., FUE Robotic)
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