Hair Transplantation Guide All Explained

Are you planning to get a hair transplantation soon? Then you are on the right website, because we have explained hair transplantation in detail.

You may wonder why people choose hair transplantation? Quite simply, to restore hair growth and regain their self-confidence. Hair loss is a problem suffered by many people around the world, men and women, with a higher percentage of men.

Read on to learn more about hair transplant procedures, the types, preparation, results and what you should do to get the results of the procedure.

What is a Hair Transplant Procedure? 

Hair transplantation is a minimally invasive procedure in which healthy hair grafts are taken from the donor area to the recipient area to promote hair growth. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and lasts 6 to 8 hours

What is The Donor Area? 

The donor area is the part of the scalp that contains healthy hair grafts. One hair transplant consists of 1 to 4 hairs. Usually, the donor area is located at the back of the head or on the sides.

What is The Aecipient Area? 

The recipient area is the part of the head affected by hair loss. The problematic area is usually the hairline and the crown.

What Are Hair Transplantation Techniques? 

The first method of hair transplantation was FUT, which stands for Follicular Unit Transplant technique. It is a method in which the doctor removes a strip of hair-bearing skin, from which the hair grafts are then taken under a microscope. The implantation is performed through incisions in the recipient area, into which the extracted hair grafts are individually implanted. The FUT technique is no longer preferred today because it leaves a permanent large linear scar on the back of the head and is considered an invasive procedure that carries higher risks. The results of the FUT technique are not satisfactory and also look unnatural. That is why fewer and fewer people are asking for FUT hair transplantation, because no one wants to live forever with a scar on the back of the head and strange results.

The second technique is FUE hair transplantation. FUE stands for Follicular Units Extraction and is based on the extraction of hair grafts directly from the scalp. These extracted hair grafts are kept in a physiological solution until the recipient area is prepared for implantation. This technique doesn't leave large scars and is a minimally invasive procedure. The results of FUT hair transplantation are satisfactory and the risk of infection is very low. The sapphire FUE hair transplant procedure is just like FUE hair transplant, but differs in the type of blades used to open the incisions in the recipient area. The sapphire blades are sharper and smoother, resulting in perfect cuts with the right depth.

DHI Hair Transplant or direct hair implantation is a method that uses an advanced medical device called Choi Implanter Pen. The use of this medical device makes implantation easier because no incisions are required and the extracted hair grafts are implanted directly between the existing hair. The extraction is performed in the same way as in FUE.

Do All These Techniques Need The Head to be Shaved? 

The donor area must be shaved during hair transplantation to have a better view of the hair grafts. However, for the recipient area, shaving is required in all techniques, but in DHI, implantation can be done directly without shaving.

How to Prepare Before a Hair Transplant Procedure? 

After choosing the right clinic and a trusted surgeon, you need to prepare for the procedure by not drinking alcohol or smoking 14 days before the procedure, not taking blood thinning medications, and not exposing your scalp to direct sunlight to avoid sunburn. You need to know that the hair transplant procedure must be performed on a healthy scalp. From the psychological point of view, you should know that the results will be visible only after a certain period of time and that you need patience and discipline during this procedure.

How is The Hair Transplant Procedure Performed? 

After the blood tests and other examinations have been performed, the surgeon begins shaving the donor area and anesthetizes it. Once the donor area is anesthetized, manual harvesting of the hair grafts begins. The harvested grafts are stored in a solution to protect them from damage until the recipient area is ready to receive the harvested hair grafts. The recipient area is prepared by shaving and then injecting a local anesthetic. Once the area is anesthetized, incisions are made with regular blades or sapphire blades so that the hair grafts can be implanted. If the DHI technique is used, neither shaving nor making incisions is necessary.

What Should The Patient do After a Hair Transplant Procedure? 

Following the doctor’s instructions after a hair transplant is key to achieving the desired results. If you do not follow the doctor’s instructions, your newly implanted hair grafts will be damaged and may eventually die. If the newly implanted hair grafts are damaged or even die, there will be no results at all! To avoid this, make sure you sleep with your head elevated and do not consume alcoholic beverages or cigarettes for at least two weeks after the procedure, as they prolong the healing period and delay the results. Also, make sure that you do not sweat or engage in intense sports for the first few weeks.

How Should The Patient Wash The Scalp After a Hair Transplant Procedure? 

After the hair transplant, the scalp must be kept dry for 48 hours, and then the first washing is done with the products prescribed by the doctor. Using lukewarm water with low pressure and tapping technique, the patient must wash the scalp for 10 days in a row. After the 10th day, the scabs must be removed to allow hair growth. The scab is removed by applying some pressure to the scalp and gently scrubbing it until the scab is completely removed. If the scab is not removed, the hair will not be able to grow towards the surface of the skin, but will curl downwards and cause infections, ingrown hairs and pimples. No chemical hair products are allowed on the scalp, and for six months, the patient must use the products prescribed by his doctor only.