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POSTED: 11 Oct 2024

What You Really Need to Know About Hair Transplants

Hair transplants can offer a long-lasting solution to thinning hair and bald spots. They have become far more common in recent years as costs have come down and have multiplied. That being said, they are still that carry real risks. Crucially, they also do not switch off the genetic or behind the hair loss in the first place. As such, a sits at the end of the treatment ladder rather than the start. In this we explore what the involves, the types, the results, the risks, the cost and alternative treatments.

Please note, we are an online skin and hair clinic so we do not offer hair or any surgical . We have written this we people deserve clear, honest about all of their options.

What is a Hair Transplant?

A hair transplant is a surgical that moves hair follicles from one area to another. The follicles come from the back or sides of the scalp. They go into areas that are thinning or bald, such as the crown or hairline. The hair then grows just like the rest of your hair, which is what gives the natural result. It works because of where the donor hair comes from. The at the back and sides of the scalp are to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the that drives hair loss. As such, they keep in their new .

Most people who have a transplant are or , known medically as . The procedure can also help a hairline or generally thinning hair. Less commonly, the same techniques are also useful to restore eyebrows, or . Transplants are best for . They are not for things like causes of hair loss such as where the immune system will to attack any grafted follicles.

What are the Different Types of Hair Transplant?

There are , Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit (FUE). Your will normally one based on the extent of your hair loss. Of course, where possible, they will also accommodate your preferences.

FUT, sometimes called strip harvesting, removes a thin strip of scalp from the back of the head. The then dissects it into individual follicular units of one to four hairs and transplants those into the thinning areas. all the follicles come out at once, it tends to be quicker and can move more grafts in a single session. This suits more advanced Keravive Hair Treatment loss. The main is a long linear scar at the donor site. the hair hides it, although it can show in people who wear their hair very short. Recovery also tends to be a little longer.

FUE instead harvests individual follicles directly from the donor area using tiny punches, typically 0.6mm to 1.0mm across. It leaves no linear scar, which appeals to people who like to keep their hair short. is too, with less discomfort. It is also more precise, as the surgeon can select from a wider donor area for a natural finish. The trade-off is time. each follicle one by one takes longer, and extensive hair loss may need more than one .

How Does a Hair Transplant Work & What Results Can You Expect?

The procedure is normally just under local anaesthetic, so you stay awake. It takes place in a sterile environment, with the surgeon usually assisted by a nurse or physician’s associate. After the follicles, the implants them into tiny incisions in the balding areas. Each one the of your hair so the result blends in. Over the following months the new follicles settle in and grow like normal hair. Results unfold gradually, and it helps to know the rough timeline before you start:

How good that result is depends on the extent of your hair loss, the number of grafts placed and how many of them survive. This is why realistic expectations matter. Often it will not match the density of your youth, but it can still make a real to thinning or bald areas.

What Does the Procedure Involve?

A hair transplant is usually a day case and takes anywhere from 2 to 10 hours, so you should not need to stay . It starts with a consultation. Here a qualified assesses your hair loss, checks your general health and discusses your goals, then decides whether you are a suitable candidate. On the day, the donor and areas are numbed with local . The surgeon then harvests the follicles, either as a strip or one by one, and grafts them into the areas.

Recovery is usually quick, but the early days matter. Your surgeon will give you aftercare instructions to follow closely, which generally cover:

Who is a Good Candidate for a Hair Transplant?

Not everyone with hair loss is for a . Results also vary from person to person even among good candidates. In general it works best when your hair loss is stable, the has plateaued. When loss is still progressing, a can leave gaps as the native hair keeps thinning. That often means further procedures or down the line. A healthy donor area at the back or sides of the scalp too, since this is the source of the resistant . Without enough donor hair, a may simply not be feasible.

Good general health helps, as conditions such as poorly diabetes or disease can interfere with . expectations are just as important. A transplant can thinning areas. However, it coverage rather than teenage density, and it does nothing to the hair you still have.

What are the Risks & Side Effects?

Like any surgery, a hair transplant carries risks, although serious complications are in hands. The main ones to consider carefully include are:

How Much Does a Hair Transplant Cost?

Cost varies widely for hair transplants. It on the technique, the surgeon’s experience, the clinic’s location and the extent of the area needing treatment. In the UK a hair transplant can , with FUE generally pricier than FUT because it is so time-consuming. As a procedure it is not something the the NHS funds unless for cases like burns patients. Private health insurance does not usually cover it either, so you pay .

What are the Alternatives to a Hair Transplant?

Because a transplant does not stop the process, medical treatment is usually the first step rather than the last. It is often alongside or after surgery also to protect both the new and the hairs. In general, getting the medical side right is what makes the difference. A only really becomes worth considering once you are on non-surgical treatment. The main to hair transplants are topical or oral medications such as:

Supporting ingredients like , and are also sometimes added to hair growth to boost the of and . Beyond medication there are also a number of professional treatments that can help stimulate hair growth:

There are also a huge number of supplements that are for hair growth. Correcting a deficiency, such as iron or zinc, can support general hair health. However, taking will not reverse pattern baldness.

For the right candidate, a hair transplant can be a and long-lasting answer to pattern hair loss. This is particularly true when medical alone has not been enough. Even so, it works best as part of a plan rather than a quick fix. The moves hair, but it does not halt the genetic . medical treatment is usually what the result over time. If you are considering one, take time to find a CQC-registered clinic and an experienced . Set realistic and give non-surgical treatment a proper try first.

At City Skin Clinic, we don’t hair or any . We do however offer topical and through our online clinic. Our doctors design bespoke formulas using actives like , , , and where appropriate, tailored to suit your individual needs. To get started, book a or complete our . The towards great skin and hair starts here.

This article is intended for general purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, or treatment. Always a qualified medical provider for any medical or questions you might have.

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SKINCARE 11 March 2024

CULTUREHEALTHSKINCARE 10 July 2023

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