Hair transplant surgery is a specialised surgical procedure where tiny pieces of scalp and hair are taken from one part of the scalp and ‘transplanted’ to a bald area. It is used to treat male pattern baldness.
What does it involve?
Early
hair transplant procedures involved grafting 15 - 20 hairs at a time to a particular follicle. A new system known as
Follicular Unit Tranplantation (
FUT)allows for the microscopic removal and transplanting of one, two or three hair follicles at a time. The new technology also allows grafts to be placed closer together, so that hair looks denser and more natural after the procedure.
Prior to the procedure, the
hair loss surgeon will explain in detail what the procedure involves. Before the procedure, you may be given a painkiller and in some cases, a mild sedative to help you relax.
The surgeon gives a local anaesthetic injection into the area that is being operated on. Tiny plugs of skin containing one or multiple hair follicles are removed from an area of the scalp where the hair is still present (usually the back and sides).Tiny cuts are made in the balding areas (recipient sites) and the plugs are implanted into the bald sections of the scalp.
Small scabs may form on the scalp at the points from which hair was grafted and transplanted. These usually disappear after about one week. Doctors generally advise taking at least two weeks off work following the procedure and to avoid strenuous activity for at least one week.
Hair growth from the transplant takes 4 - 6 months. Results may last a few years or be permanent.
How long does it take?
Hair transplantation is slow and meticulous and typically takes 4-6 hours. A skilled doctor with a full medical team can transplant about 1,000 grafts in 4 hours.
Sometimes several procedures are needed, depending on the area that needs to be transplanted, the availability of existing hair and the characteristics of the hair. People who have naturally thin hair, for example, may require more sessions than someone born with thick hair. It can take up to 6 months between treatments to allow the graft sites to heal properly and the newly transplanted hair to grow.
Is it painful?
The procedure is done under local anaesthetic so pain should be minimal - some people read a book or watch a movie during surgery. To protect the grafts and prevent bleeding, you should wear a bandage covering the entire head for at least 24 hours. Painkillers can be taken after the procedure to ease any pain or discomfort.
Does it give a natural result?
Advances in technology have vastly improved the results of hair transplants Research shows that using new techniques of hair grafting such asmicrografts (one to two hairs transplanted per follicle) gives the best results.
Because the transplanted tissue is your own, the body accepts it. Transplanted hair normally falls out within 2 weeks of the procedure because the hair follicle enters a dormant phase. New hairs begin to grow shortly afterwards, although significant results usually don’t occur for another 3-5 months. The transplanted hair grows to the same colour, texture and curl as the hair that was lost.
Results can vary from person to person.
Is it safe?
Although relatively uncommon, side-effects can occur. These include:
- Bleeding
- Itching
- Pain
- Infection
- Numbness or tingling
- Scarring
- Swelling
- Reaction to local anaesthetic
Symptoms usually settle within 1-2 weeks of the procedure.
How do I find a hair loss surgeon?
Talk to your doctor and ask for a referral to a specialist in hair transplant surgery. It is important that the procedure is carried out by a doctor who is experienced and accredited in hair transplant surgery.
While some doctors may say that they have been practicing for several years, they may have been performing general surgery as opposed to the highly specific procedure required for hair transplants. Be sure to ask the following questions when selecting a
hair loss surgeon:
- How long have you been performing hair transplant surgery?
- How many actual hair transplants have you performed?
- Do you have patient references?
- Do you have specialised training in hair transplant surgery?
Last Editorial Review: 1/7/2010
