The idea of hair transplants is appealing to anyone dealing with significant hair loss or thinning hair. Yet, it can also sound daunting because it is a surgical procedure in high-end hair transplant clinics. It helps to know exactly what you are signing up for. So, what should you expect from the FUE hair transplant process? Are you prepared to go through the procedure and all the prep and aftercare?
Before we go over the process of getting a hair transplant with this FUE method, we need to go over some pros and cons. This will give you a better idea of whether this is the right approach for you. If you are happy to proceed, you can contact a local clinic and set up your first consultation.
Hair transplants have become highly accessible for people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds. Whatever your reason for thinning hair or whatever the state of the situation, a transplant may be able to help. There are even some transplant services for eyelashes. The transplant means that you can get real hair growing in areas where it is thinning. This permanent and realistic solution could be more appealing than a micropigmentation solution that only gives the impression of a fuller head of hair. The results can lead to a big increase in self-confidence as you get to style real hair and regain some of your youth.
It is also important to remember that there are some significant drawbacks here. A hair transplant is the most invasive option because it involves a surgical procedure with incisions and anesthetic. It also costs a lot more money to go through this sort of process than a micropigmentation procedure. Then there is the amount of care and consideration before and after the procedure. You can’t just go in one afternoon and expect to get a new head of hair with no sacrifices or consequences. With that in mind, let’s look at the full procedure and what to expect.
The more you know about the FUE hair transplant process, the better. You can go into the consultations and appointments more informed about the nature of this invasive solution and what you need to do. The following guidelines give a good indication of what to expect and come from mittalhairclinic.com. This is one of the leading hair transplant clinics in London. You should talk to your surgeon about all these steps to make sure you follow their requirements for a smooth and efficient process.
It all starts with the preparation before you go under the knife. There will be a lot of medical prep before the procedure to make sure you are in good health and able to undergo the surgery on the chosen day. While it all may seem excessive when laid out like this, it’s best to comply to avoid complications. You should avoid anti-inflammatory medication for 14 days. There will be other medications and supplements on the list too, so check with your clinic. They may also ask for a recent ECG for those over 45. From there, you should refrain from using any hair regrowth treatments for a week, and abstain from alcohol and tobacco.
Next comes all the morning prep. You need to shower and wash your hair so it is in the best condition possible for the surgery. Make sure to towel dry the hair, and don’t use any additional products or extensions. The hair must be completely natural. Eat a light breakfast with no coffee. Also, try and wear loose clothing that won’t interfere with the transplant when getting dressed after the process. Then it’s time to head to the appointment and get those hair transplanted!
The surgery is a two-step process and starts with collecting the donor hair. The procedure requires a local anesthetic to numb the scalp and allow for easy extraction and transplantation, but it’s pretty simple. The surgeon will go to an area of hair that is thicker and healthier and pick out individual strands in a broad and natural pattern. These harvested hairs are then ready for a new home.
The surgeon will then make a series of small incisions into the scalp in the thinning area with a microneedle. This provides an anchor point where they can easily graft the hairs into place. They will work hair by hair, putting them all in the perfect position, until you have the result you need.
Once it is all over and the surgeon is happy, you are free to go home. This is when you need to be careful with the aftercare. The anesthetic should completely wear off after 3-4 hours. You will receive medication to limit swelling and infection. It is best to avoid touching the hair or sweating too much for a little while to help the scalp heal. Use the right type of shampoo, as advised, for two weeks to avoid any unwanted chemicals getting into the new hair and irritating the scalp.
These rules on the aftercare following a hair transplant give you an idea of what to expect after going in for surgery. However, it is important to prepare yourself for the full healing process. There will be some redness and possible tenderness around the implantation sites, but nothing excessive. Don’t worry because this should ease in a few days. The most startling part for those who are unprepared is the regrowth process. The transplanted hair will fall out within a few weeks due to thermal shock. This isn’t a sign of the transplant failing. Instead, it is the hair follicles making way for fresh new growth. Existing hair may also shed and regrow. So it may look worse for a short time before it gets significantly better. With that said, you also need to prepare yourself for the fact that not all hair transplants work. There are cases where the hair follicles receiving the donor hair simply aren’t healthy enough to take the new hair and grow fresh strands.
The most important takeaway here is that you need to work with skilled and professional surgeons at respected hair transplant clinics. This invasive and precise procedure needs patience and an understanding of how to create a natural look with minimal side effects. Set up an appointment with a specialist in hair transplants, tell them what you are looking for, and see how they can make a difference.