Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions about Hair Transplant
Hair transplant is a surgical method used to treat hair loss and balding in both men and women. In this procedure, hair is transplanted from the unaffected area to the affected one. The site from which hair is collected is called the donor site, it is then transplanted to the area where hair loss has been located- called the recipient site.
If you suffer from hair loss yourself, chances are, that you have a lot of queries regarding the whole procedure. It is a life-changing decision and having questions about them is obvious and important as well. Below we have answered the Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions about Hair Transplant that usually crop up in people.
Is a hair transplant procedure permanent?
The first and foremost query about a hair transplant will obviously be about its durability. During a hair transplant surgery, the surgeon takes hair follicles from one area and grafts it in another area where balding or thinning has started taking place. The transplanted hair is resistant to the hormone that boosted your previous hair fall and hence, it will not cease to grow. In this way, the transplant is indeed permanent. Even if the area around transplanted hair follicles doesn't grow anymore, there is no reason why your transplanted hair will also not grow. While results vary from one person to another, the results can be expected to last a long time.
Is hair transplantation safe?
A hair transplant surgery is a safe process, considering that it is performed by a well qualified and experienced surgeon. The only downside of a treatment like this is its varying results in people. It also depends on the physical reaction of the individual along with his healing abilities. Of course, as with any other kind of surgery, it can be different, which means that some people may have negative reactions. The patient is likely to feel some soreness and inflammation at the transplant site for a short period of time, which can also be treated through painkillers. However, the high success rate of hair transplantation all over the world, makes it safe for the majority of patients.
Can I go home after a hair transplant session?
The best thing about getting a hair transplant done is the fact that the procedure takes less time than your wife would take in a hair salon. Jokes apart, you can go home right after you get the surgery. There is no valid reason to restrict you from going back home. So much so, within 10 days, patients should be able to return to their regular hair wash routines and their typical sleeping position and habits. By this point, the soreness reduces and hair grafts and scalp heals sufficiently.
Does this procedure give a new hair look overnight?
Hair transplantation does not give a new hair look overnight as it takes a specific amount of time for the development of hair. It usually takes an extent of 6-8 months and for a head full of hair it requires even more. The growth of hair follows a series of patterns. There is a temporary loss phase after 2-3 weeks of the surgery. The reason for this is nothing to be scared of; the newly transplanted follicles do not get accustomed to the transferred area immediately and go into a state of shock resulting in a minimum amount of hair loss. New hair starts to grow within six months and achieves its fuller state in a year. The maximum it takes is 18 months for the kind of result you expect.
How painful is a hair transplant?
Everyone has a different threshold of pain than others. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the exact level and amount of pain in this procedure.
Hair transplantation is a labour intensive procedure and involves harvesting and extracting individual hair follicles from the donor area and transplanting them to the bald or thinning area of the scalp. Hence, the results immediately after a hard-core surgery like this can look tender and painful. However, the procedure shouldn’t cause any pain as a local anaesthetic is used to numb the scalp area where the surgery is done. Once the area is completely numb, you shouldn’t be able to feel any pain or discomfort. Painkillers and other sedatives are also sometimes given to our patients, to make sure that they don't feel any pain during the surgery. The larger the amount of grafts is, the more it has the chances to cause soreness and pain.
How long does the procedure take?
The time a hair transplant surgery will take depends upon the area of baldness and the grafts required for that specified area. Small sessions where up to 1300 grafts are being grafted may take about 3.5 hours.
An amount of 1300-2000 grafts, which is also as common as the previous one, takes no less than 4 to 5 hours. Large or mega sessions with more than 2000/3000 grafts definitely take more than 5 hours and can get very heavy-duty. It is usually advisable to go for a smaller number of grafts per session so that any reaction doesn't take place and the surgery goes smoothly without any pain for the patient.
Can aged people go for the surgery?
The answer is yes. Hair transplant can actually work better in the aged people. Still, there is no restricted age bar and even youngsters can go for the treatment, depending on the urgency. When you are as young as 21, chances are, your actual hair loss pattern has not even taken its real pace and hence, is unpredictable. Similarly, a balding person in his 50s, the pattern is clearly identifiable making him equally good, if not better, a candidate for the surgery.
Is hair transplantation only for men?
In terms of the effectiveness of the procedure, it works similarly for both men and women, thereby solving this query once and for all. However, there is a common disbelief that only men are affected by a hair loss problem. This is not true. Around 40% of women face problems of hair loss by the age of 40 and choose to go for the surgery. In females, the visible hair loss is in the top area or crown of the head known as Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL). The thinning in women starts with a broadened centre hair part leaving the hairline unaffected. The chances of balding, however, is unlikely because of long hair in women.
How do I find the right surgeon?
No matter what the surgery is, you always want the best for you. A trusted, qualified professional is the way to go for safe results. If you are in Kolkata, you should seek the expertise of Dr V.S Rathore, the best hair transplant surgeon in the city. With an experience of more than 18 years, he has rightfully achieved the position of the best hair transplant doctor. He has successfully performed more than 9000 surgeries including more than 2100 hair transplants.
Is hair transplant affordable for normal people?
The price of surgery depends largely on the number of hair grafts one is going to transplant. In India, the cost is comparatively low because of its popularity and demand. It is generally around Rs. 40,000 to 50,000 in nearly all clinics making it affordable for the working class. Practically, hair transplant surgery is worth every penny as the success rate of the treatment is very high. In fact, you must consider treatment from a trusted clinic even if they charge more. Most hair loss treatment options require constant investments that eventually start to add up, but with a hair transplant, the larger initial cost typically ends up being cheaper in the long run.
At Dr V.S Rathore Clinic- the best hair transplant clinic in Kolkata, we offer great hospitality and treatment within a budget that suits the most of you. We aim to deliver excellent care to our patients so as to provide a homely atmosphere to them. We use the most advanced and ingenious techniques to perform our surgeries with a great team of professionals. We are the first clinic to bring InMode Technology in India, which is the latest technology for Feminine Wellness.