Hair transplant is a surgical procedure that involves the extraction of hair follicles from one part of the body (typically the back or sides of the scalp, where hair is more resistant to balding) and transplanting them to an area of the scalp with thinning or no hair. The goal of the procedure is to restore hair growth in areas affected by male pattern baldness or other forms of hair loss.
There are two primary techniques used in hair transplantation:
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): In FUT, a strip of skin containing hair follicles is removed from the donor area, usually from the back or sides of the scalp. The donor area is then stitched closed, leaving a linear scar that can be concealed by surrounding hair. The strip is dissected into individual follicular units under a microscope, and these units are then transplanted into the recipient area where hair growth is desired.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): FUE involves the extraction of individual hair follicles directly from the donor area using a small punch-like instrument. The surgeon makes tiny incisions in the recipient area and inserts the harvested follicles into these incisions. FUE does not leave a linear scar, and instead, small dots are left in the donor area, which typically heal and become less visible over time.
The hair transplant procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia, and patients can go home on the same day. Recovery time varies, but most people can resume normal activities within a week or two after the surgery.
It's essential to choose a qualified and experienced hair transplant surgeon for the procedure, as the success of the transplant and the naturalness of the results depend on the surgeon's skill and expertise. Hair transplantation is not suitable for everyone, and a thorough evaluation by a hair transplant specialist is necessary to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.
Hair transplant is considered a long-term solution to hair loss, but it may take several months for the transplanted hair to grow in fully and for the final results to be evident. Additionally, it's essential to follow post-operative care instructions provided by the surgeon to ensure optimal healing and hair growth.