Will my hair transplant be permanent?
March 31, 2019 | By Dr. Sangay Bhutia (Hair Transplant Specialist in Delhi)
Hair loss is a natural aging process - almost everybody experiences it. However, if you are losing hair prematurely – say in your late twenties or early thirties then it is indeed a cause of concern. You might end up trying all kinds of things – food supplements, natural remedies or topical treatments – perhaps to no effect. Had you been losing hair due to stress or illness – these might have worked. But in case your hair loss is genetic then hair transplant or restoration is the only permanent solution.
Of course you will confront all kinds of questions once you consider a hair restoration procedure. Is the transplant permanent? What is the healing time? What about post transplant care? Will I need to consult the expert on a regular basis? And perhaps a lot more. But before we address any of your questions, lets lay down the basics.
Hair restoration or transplant is a procedure that involves extracting follicles from the donor areas of the head and transplanting them to balding or thinning zones. The donor areas are usually the back and sides of the head, which are resilient to hair fall. These areas are not affected by DHT or dihydrotestosterone, an androgen that gives men their male characteristics and is also a primary reason for pattern baldness.
At present there are two widely used methods of hair restoration used by surgeons – Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). FUT involves removing a strip of scalp from the donor area, dividing it into tiny grafts, each of which contain a few hairs, and then transplanting them into the bald spots.
Whereas FUE involves extracting individual follicles from the donor areas and transplanting them through small slits on to the bald spots. The extraction is done using a specialised instrument, which is about 1 mm wide. FUT and FUE are minimally invasive and almost painless. They have a high rate of success and there are many clinics that offer these services. There are good surgeons and clinics for hair restoration in India that offer both FUE and FUT procedures. The clinics meet international standards and are experienced in treating both locals, and foreign medical tourists.
Apart from the above, you should know that FUE might be done across a few sessions and is contingent upon the state of hair loss. The results depend on the degree of baldness and the availability of donor hair. The recovery time is about a week to ten days and patients are allowed to go home the very same day. After a few weeks of the restoration procedure, the transplanted hair begin to shed. A lot of people who undergo the procedure get worried when the new hair is shedding – but if you are well informed and have spoken to the expert at length, you will know that within three to six months hair from the transplanted follicles start growing and from there on follow the regular growth cycle.
Contrary to what a lot of people think – FUE transplants are permanent and because the grafts have been extracted from parts of the head with permanent hair – they are likely to stay permanent when transplanted.
One of the key things for a successful hair restoration procedure is post transplant care. Intake of foods rich in protein, zinc and iron ensure the health of not just your body but also of the scalp. Moreover, regular exercise allows you to de-stress and helps blood flow. This is extremely important for the health of the transplanted hair. In addition, avoiding alcohol, tobacco and a sedentary lifestyle gives your body the required strength and resilience to absorb and process nourishment and build immunity. Most importantly, regular consultations with the expert helps you address any misgivings about your hair transplant. So if you are in two minds and unable to take a decision – meet the expert, discuss your problem in detail and let them help you restore your natural looks.
