As you continue to celebrate more birthdays, it can be both a blessing and a disadvantage. Hair loss affects a significant percentage of adults, even those in their youthful years. As if hair loss isn’t frustrating enough, in some cases, it fails to regrow, or the regrowth becomes too slow. Some people have complained of trying out numerous hair loss medications that backfire furiously. But what if we told you, there is a surer way to redeem your hair through hair restoration or transplant?
We know you have multiple questions running through your mind, and you’ve probably scheduled an appointment with a cosmetic surgeon. Here are some questions to help you cover the ground when inquiring about hair restoration.
Are you a certified hair restoration surgeon?
It’s important to be guided by the right professional through this exciting yet scary journey. Don’t be afraid to ask if your prospective cosmetic surgeon has all the relevant qualifications, training, and experience to make the hair transplant successful and safe. The surgeon must be registered with the board responsible for certifying cosmetic surgeons. Confirm by inquiring for valid papers and certifications that guarantee you are working with the right professional and avoid interacting with quacks.
Am I an ideal candidate for hair restoration surgery?
After certifying that your prospective surgeon is qualified for the job, your surgeon should assess if you are the perfect candidate for the procedure. Typically, hair restoration is best suited to anyone who has suffered some degree of hair loss and would love to rectify it. Nonetheless, suitability favors certain factors such as age, the health of the donor region, degree of hair loss, and expectations of the procedure. Should your surgeon find that you aren’t an ideal candidate for hair transplant, Jeffrey Epstein MD, FACS may be able to recommend other remedies to help restore your hair or slow its loss.
What are my options if I decide to go with hair restoration surgery?
There are two main methods of hair restoration: Follicular Unit Extraction and Follicular Unit Transplant. The FUT method entails taking a strip of skin that contains live hair follicles from a donor region and planting it on the region suffering from hair loss. On the other hand, the FUE method entails harvesting individual hair follicles from the donor region and transplanting them into small incisions made in the recipient site.
Both methods are known to yield desirable results. The best option for you depends significantly on your desires, needs, and the advice offered by your surgeon from a professional view.
How long does it take for hair restoration to yield visible results?
Hair transplant results aren’t instant, contrary to many people’s thoughts and expectations. It takes an average of three to four months to see visible results. In some cases, you may need a repeat procedure for desired results. It’s vital to ensure that your expectations of the hair restoration procedure are managed before signing up for the surgery.
How long do the results last?
This is probably the largest concern among many interested parties looking into hair transplants as a way to redeem lost hair. There is no definite answer to this question as the longevity of the results depend on the following factors:
- Your age.
- Aggressiveness of your hair loss.
- Quality of post-surgery care.
While most surgeons hope for long-lasting results, a small percentage of patients may suffer pattern baldness and thinning that requires revision hair transplant to rectify the unexpected hair loss. Nonetheless, with proper care and good health, transplanted hair can last a lifetime.
I have come across the term shock loss in hair restoration. What does it mean?
Shock loss entails the period where you experience hair loss after hair transplant surgery. During surgery, your scalp will be subjected to shock and trauma that it reacts through shedding hair as an act of response. Don’t worry; this is normal. Shock loss is typically temporary, and you should expect hair regrowth.
How do I prepare for surgery?
Like any other surgical procedure, hair transplants are invasive and revolve around creating incisions on the scalp where follicles are inserted and plucking of the follicles from the donor sites. You need to be prepared for the surgical procedure. Your cosmetic surgeon will provide a few instructions in preparation for the hair restoration surgery. He or she may restrict alcohol intake, following the procedure. You may be advised to take supplements to boost your immunity and help with the healing process. You are also advised to avoid applying styling products or cutting your hair.
Here is a comprehensive guide if you want to check the cost of a hair transplant.
How long does the surgery take and what should I expect during recovery?
Typically, hair restorations take several hours to complete depending on the degree of hair loss and the complexity of the procedure. FUE surgeries usually take longer as it involves individual harvesting and planting of the follicles. You may require a few sessions to complete the transplant, each session taking about four hours.
On recovery, invasive procedures require downtime to help you rest. Your surgeon will prescribe some pain medication to help you rest better. It takes a couple of weeks for the incisions made on your scalp to heal. With medication and proper dressing of the wounds, you should be ready to resume regular schedules within three to seven days after surgery.
Do you have more questions that need to be settled before signing up for hair restoration? Your prospective surgeon should guide you through this exciting journey. In the meantime, these above-discussed questions should give you some layout on what to expect during your appointment. Best of luck!
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.