Different surgeries are being done to improve the appearance of a specific area of the body. From face lifting to liposuction to hair grafting, the list is non-exhaustive. In essence, life has become easier with advanced science and technological application in the medical field. Surgeries no longer have to do with the internal organs of the body.
People have different issues when it comes to appearance; some are external and can be fixed with good hair or clothing. Others may be a deficiency of a part of the body, such as bad body shape, broken teeth or bad dentition, or even alopecia. This article seeks to answer the last problem (Alopecia), simply the loss of hair. There are different procedures for restoring hair growth and various surgical procedures: the Stem Cell Hair Transplant. It is important to note that hair loss can occur in men and women, young and old alike. Congratulations! You do not need to be ashamed any longer. You can quickly sign up for a hair transplant. On the other hand, you may have concluded doing just that but indecisive about the appropriate procedure.
Hair transplantation may be divided into two categories – traditional hair transplant or stem cell hair transplant. This article deals with the latter.
There are several myths and facts about stem cell hair transplant, but firstly, what is stem cell hair transplant, and how is it different from the traditional procedure. Stem cell hair transplantation is a procedure that involves removing a portion of a skin sample taken and from which hair follicular units are gotten. After the follicles have been harvested, they are replicated separately in a laboratory and implanted in the affected scalp. It is different from the traditional method, where lots of hair is grafted from one part to another, and it is preferable because hair growth is promoted in the donor area and the recipient site.
Hair transplant is a procedure, but the addition of stem cells modifies the definition. The cell refers to those that reveal the possibility of developing to various cell groups or divisions. They can repair body tissues by replicating; they replace damaged tissues with new divided ones.
If you are interested in this kind of surgery, you must learn about the procedure, healing process, possible side effects, costs, and success rate.
The Procedure
Why should you be concerned with the procedure? I think the issue speaks for itself. Surgeries are delicate procedures, and any occurrence of defect due to negligence or other factors may be without treatment or even cause more defects. Hair transplantation does not involve any more risk than those involved with other procedures. The following are pre-preparation processes:
- Do not smoke for at least three weeks preceding the procedure.
- Avoid blood thinners for two weeks immediately preceding the hair transplant.
- Avoid caffeine or alcohol for at least a week before the operation
- Complete necessary procedure and prescription as directed by the prospective clinic.
The procedure is carried out after the pre-preparation process. The method involves using some punch biopsy for the extraction of stem cells from a particular person. A punch biopsy is a separate procedure performed with a circular blade instrument that is rotated to enter the skin to eliminate a tissue sample usually cylindrical in shape. There is also a tool called Centrifuge that is used to separate tissues from stem cells. The machine leaves the cell suspension, which is injected into the affected scalp.
Stem cell hair transplant is still a research subject, and therefore, different teams still conduct investigations on the subject. Nonetheless, the procedures differ depending on the person. It depends on a new hair growth experiment conducted in a laboratory with a skin sample from that person.
The procedure is performed in-house on an outpatient basis. It involves liposuction through the removal of fat cells from a person’s hip or abdomen. This process is exceptional, and in this case, the stem cells are extracted from fats. It may take up to three hours to inject the fats.
The healing process
This process refers to the recovery phase. The reaction may be different depending on the patient. The healing process can take months to show results, but immediate effects leave after a week. There is no specific timeframe for the procedure, but certain precautions must be taken; for instance, you may be advised to stay away from strenuous exercise. Also, you may experience scarring in areas where fats have been removed.
Possible Side Effects
Every procedure comes with one effect or the other. However, the side effects of stem cell operation are not definite. Also, the side effects are similar to those applying to typical surgeries. For instance, you may be at risk of bleeding or getting infected. Infection occurs at sample extraction, primarily where quacks perform the operation or the cosmetologist is not diligent in his work.
Although complications may be rare, there is a slight risk of damaging the arteries or nerves under the affected area. The difficulties that may occur from punch biopsy are similar to those experienced after liposuction.
Costs
Depending on the hair loss rate and the causes, the cost may be up to $10,000. Other costs of operation may also add up. Currently, there is no fixed price, and the subject has not yet materialized or fully explored.
Success Rate
Initially, the stem cell transplant procedure was rare and primarily existed in theory. Hence, only a few procedures have been carried out regarding the subject but research has proven that it looks good. It also encourages hair growth within few weeks of operation. Some clinics may provide guarantee while others may not, especially when the FDA does not approve them.
Conclusion
It is essential to note the laws guiding the procedure in a country. A country’s FDA (Food and Drug Administration) releases reports on the safety or danger of food or drug products or medical procedures from time to time. Hence, it is essential to note the approval regulations of the agency. In the end, stem cell hair transplantation can cure various conditions include Male-pattern baldness, female-pattern baldness, hair follicles destruction, etc.
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