Hair Transplant Surgery: What You Need to Know
When you think of a hair transplant, you might envision rows of unnatural-looking “hair plugs” that more closely resemble a doll’s head than a natural head of hair. However, hair transplants have come a long, long way since the days of hair plugs. You’ve probably seen people with great hair and never guessed that they had a hair transplant! Many celebrities, including Matthew McConaughey, Elton John, David Beckham, and Mel Gibson, have undergone hair transplant surgery and their results look fantastic.
Hair transplant procedures are more common than you think. In 2014, there were 112,409 hair transplant procedures in the US alone. More men and women are electing for hair transplant surgery than ever before. According to the International Society of Hair Restoration, hair restoration procedures worldwide increased 76% between 2006 and 2014. Women are also undergoing the procedure, making up 15% of hair restoration patients.
Hair transplants aren’t just for your scalp, either. Hair transplants can be used to restore eyelashes, eyebrows, beard hair, or any other area where unwanted hair loss as occurred. In fact, 10.9% of all hair transplant procedures performed treat these non-scalp areas.
Hair transplant results often appear miraculous, but like any cosmetic surgery, there are some risks as well. Are you someone with genetic pattern baldness who is curious about hair transplants? Then read on! In this post we will discuss how the surgery works, the results, the costs, and alternatives.
Hair Transplant Surgery
Unlike other transplant surgeries that involve donor tissue from an outside source, hair for a hair transplant actually comes from your own head! A hair transplant involves a doctor taking hair from an area of your scalp where you have hair (the “donor site”) and placing the healthy follicles in an area where you don’t have hair (the “recipient site”). The procedure takes place in your doctor’s office under localized anesthesia, meaning that you are awake for the surgery. The surgery can take up to 8 hours, so patients are usually provided with entertainment during their surgery like movies or television. You can go on a Netflix binge while you have your hair “done”!
There are two main types of hair transplant procedures: strip harvesting and follicular unit extraction.
Strip Harvesting
During this type of procedure, the surgeon removes a 6 to 10-inch strip of scalp from the back of your head. The surgeon’s team then removes the healthy hair follicles from the strip, which are inserted into recipient site. Because the area where the strip is removed will require stitches, this type of hair transplant has a longer recovery period of 2 weeks.
Follicular Unit Extraction
If strip harvesting sounds too gnarly for you, there’s always follicular unit extraction. During a follicular unit extraction hair transplant, follicles are removed directly from the scalp and placed in the recipient site. This type of hair transplant is more expensive and has a longer operating time, but doesn’t leave a scar and has a shorter recovery time of 7 days.
Your doctor will work with you to decide which type of procedure is right for you. The recovery, which we will discuss next, is basically the same for both types of surgeries.
After the Surgery
The results of your hair transplant won’t be apparent immediately. During the first ten days after the procedure, most of the transplanted hairs will actually fall out. If you have a strip harvesting procedure, you will need to have your stitches removed after a week. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication and give you special bandages and shampoo to give your hair follicles the best chance possible of taking root.
After the transplant hairs fall out, new hairs will start growing from the transplanted follicles and the hair will thicken through the next 6-9 months. If you want to see more immediate results, you can use Toppik Hair Building Fibers to create the illusion of more density while your new hair grows in.
Hair Transplant Surgery Results & Cost
Though it depends on hair color and texture, most patients see positive, though not completely ideal, results. Many patients require a “touch-up” surgery to create more natural-looking results. Also, since a hair transplant does nothing to slow the rate of hair loss, you may need additional hair transplants if you continue to lose hair.
If this is all sounding pretty good to you, you’re probably wondering how much a hair transplant costs! The cost of a hair transplant procedure depends on how much hair you need moved, the quality of the plastic surgeon, and the length of the surgery time. Hair transplant procedures typically cost between $4,000 and $15,000. Considering that many patients need a second procedure, the cost of hair transplants can really add up! Therefore, we have also explored some hair transplant surgery alternatives in case surgery is not in your budget.
Hair Transplant Surgery Alternatives
Hair transplants are not a miracle cure for hair loss. While many patients see dramatic results, they are not for everyone. If you don’t have enough hair for a donor site, a hair transplant is not possible. As with any surgery, there is also the risk of infection and other unintended side effects. And if with such a hefty price tag, they are definitely not in everyone’s budget! If you are looking for fuller hair but not ready to invest in a hair transplant, try the following:
- Toppik Hair Building Fibers are easy to apply and make your hair look fuller instantly. They stay in your hair until your next shampoo and can be used every day.
- Visit your barber and try a new haircut. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out these posts on the hottest haircuts for men with thinning hair and the best fall hair trends for women.
- There are also FDA-approved medications that can reduce your hair loss and help to regrow new hair. Talk to you doctor about Rogaine of Minoxidil.
A few simple tweaks to your hair care and styling routine can create the appearance of a $10,000 hair transplant surgery – and we think that’s a good deal! Whichever method you choose, the most important thing to remember is that inner confidence is more attractive than whatever hair you have.
Stay In the Know
Just in time for Halloween, Toppik employees share some of their most horrific haircuts, colors and stories! Keep reading for some of this creepy tales and learn how to come prepared to your next hair appointment so this doesn’t happen to you…
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Colleen Welsch
Colleen Welsch is a freelance beauty writer and blogger specializing in hair care, hair growth education and beauty.
informative blog thanks for share….
and whats about side effects ??
informative blog
thanks for sharing
Many people are very afraid of the hair transplant and hair restoration surgeries. This post is very useful for the the people who want to go for the hair transplant but afraid of the consequences and results.
thank you for sharing
Nice information! Thanks for sharing such a helpful post
Thanks for sharing this informative article but i want to share my experience with turmeric and for hair loss.
this blog is really helpful for me . Nice blog
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Keep doing what you are doing – for sure i will check out more posts.
nice blog
A motivating discussion is worth comment.
Appreciate it for all your efforts that you have put in this.
Very interesting info.
is it safe or any sideeffects ?
great article This will help many people a lot
this blog helps me alot to motivate myself thanks for sharing
Very Motivational Article You are sharing
Thanks for sharing useful blog your tips is very informative and helpful
thank you for sharing such a beautiful article
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Thanks to share
Want to rid of your thinning hair problems than hair transplant treatment is the best option I must say. I hope you feel. to be relevant for ahead or to the extent.
Want to rid of your thinning hair problems than hair transplant treatment is the best option i must say.
Best option to regrow your hair thanks for such a useful blog
There are two things keep in mind for best hair transplant first is good qualified sergeons and another is expierenced surgeon. Thank you for sharing.
This blog is kinda helpful for me in resolving my routine problem.
i’m facing hair problems nowadays, thanks for sharing such a motivational blog
best hair transplant blog ever thanks for sharing
thanks for sharing hair transplant tips and suggestion your article is all i need to motivate myself
Can women also undergo hair transplant surgery?
This blog is very informative thank you.
Is hair transplant safe and not harmfull?
hair transplant really helps bring back your confidence and it really boosts your self esteem
this blog had the best hair transplant information thank you
thanks for explaining hair transplant for me as I have been wanting to learn more about hair transplants.
good job sharing all this info mate keep up the good work
I was thinking about undergoing hair transplant and this blog has helped me alot
Best blog I have read so far about hair transplant and thanks for this
What an amazing information you are providing thanks for sharing a rich informative blog.
Hair transplant is one of the most desired cosmetic procedures nowadays.
thank you for such value able information.It really helped ,me out thanks for sharing it.
Hair transplant is an effective technique to obtain hair follicles from a donor area. Some topical treatments are there that can thin hair issues. But no such method I have ever found which can be comparable to hair transplant. It’s a permanent remedy for the balding patches. Hair transplant is the only way to say goodbye to baldness. It is a cost-effective hair restoration method and it needs less maintenance after surgery on the affected areas. Consulting a doctor will give you an opportunity to learn more about different types of hair transplant procedures.
Though hair transplant as it is requires the budget but if you have the means for it then why go for it and make the right change for yourself.
I am thinking about getting a hair transplant, so thanks for sharing this. I had no idea that surgery could take up to 8 hours. I’ll be sure to bring something to entertain myself.
Well Hair Transplant or Surgery is the exact opposite thing you might want to experience while encountering Baldness or Hair Loss. One reason is that the Process of Hair Transplantation is costly and as a rule, just a couple has the monetary allowance to have such system and approach the best Hair Transplant Doctors.
Nice post and thanks for sharing. Must consult with our proficient surgeons and get the full details on hair transplant surgery. You can get permanent results hair loss with our center.
There are two things keep in mind for best hair transplant first is good qualified sergeons and another is expierenced surgeon. Thank you for sharing.
Nice information! Thanks for sharing such a great post! If you are suffering from hair loss and want to know how to get rid of your thinning hair problems than hair transplant treatment is the best option for you.
thank you for the step by step tips to do when getting ready for hair transplant.
Wow nice blog post, thanks for sharing. Suffering from hair loss? Want to know how to rid your hair thinning problems forever? Well, in this article, I will share with some useful tips to prevent and regrow your hair effectively. Rest assured that the method that I am discussing does not involve any hair transplants or injections of any sorts. Instead, these solutions I am offering are natural, easy and effective for both men and women.Hair Transplant Istanbul Information
Thanks, for the ultra-useful information, is being shared by yours.Here is some more add-on in this regard.Hope you feel. to be relevant for ahead or to the extent.
HAIR TRANSPLANT OR NOT?
Hair Transplant or Surgery is the last thing you would like to undergo when experiencing Baldness or Hair Loss. One reason is that the Process of Hair Transplantation is expensive and more often than not, only a few has the budget to have such procedure and have access to the best Hair Transplant Doctors.
Some forms of Baldness are reversible with the help of Hair Loss Medicines, but if Hair Loss is due to genetics, these Treatments are more likely to be ineffective thus Hair Transplant is the only solution you think can end your Baldness woes.
Thanks, for the ultra-useful information, is being shared by yours.Here is some more add-on in this regard.Hope you feel. to be relevant for ahead or to the extent.
1 We can only work with what you have
.
2 Your transplanted hair can be treated like normal hair
3 A hair transplant is permanent
4 The cost of a hair transplant
5 There are two different hair transplant procedures
6 A good clinic is very important
We need to understand that a transplant surgery performed to grow hair back on a bald head again is a major medical procedure that needs to be done by an experienced surgeon at a renowned clinic.
Love it!! after giving birth i had and excessive hair lost i really was so sad. But now thanks to toppik i feel very happy when i look myself in the mirror.