Hair Transplantation

It is a surgical process wherein hair follicles are relocated from donor area to bald area or recipient area, resulting in mimicking natural hair growth. Medications help in treatment of hair fall and thinning of hair but when there is bald spot only transplantation will help.

Treatment Cost

Hair Transplantation Price USD 2,000 ( 149,080 Indian Rupee )

No. of Travellers 2

Days in Hospital 1

Days Outside Hospital 5

Total days in India 6

More About Treatment

Types of Hair Transplantation

1. FUSS(Follicular Unit Strip Surgery)

• In this procedure a strip of hair is taken from donor site usually posterior scalp under local anaesthesia
• Graft are dissected from the strip and then harvested into the bald area.
• Will leave a visible scar in the donor area , which can be covered by patients hair
• There will be some pain / tenderness after the procedure .
• The recovery period is slight longer around 15 days as stitches / staples need to be removed

Recommended:Hair Transplant Treatment in India

2. FUE (follicular unit extraction )

• In this method individual follicular units are removed one by one under local anaethesia .
• Recovery period is less than 7 days as usually requires very small punches between 0.6-1mm in diameter so no closing or suturing required
• Painless minimally invasive procedure
• In FUE surgery body hair can also be used for transplant.
• But FUE is time consuming method , single long session or multiple small sessions are required for harvesting the hair follicle into bald area .

Procedure for Hair Transplantation

Before procedure

During initial consultation the physican analyses the patients scalp, understands the expectations of the patient discusses options and advices the best possible approach .

Overall health status of the patient considered before procedure .

You may be interested in:Procedure of Hair transplantation

During procedure

Transplant procedure is a day procedure performed as outpatient .

• The scalp is shampooed and treated with anti bacterial agent prior to harvesting donor scalp
• Donor hair grafts can be extracted by different methods either by removing a single strip of skin and hair (FUSS)or removing the follicles individually (FUE) proper extraction of hair follicle is important to maintain viability.
• After extraction the surgeon prepares the graft, cleans and numbs the recipient area and places each graft .
• The graft are placed according to their densities , the smallest grafts are placed in front and denser are placed behind.
• Depending on the size of transplant the process will take 4-8 hours .
• May involve a single session or more depending on the number of grafts .

After procedure

• The scalp may be tender
• You may have to wear bandage over scalp
• Initially adviced to protect scalp from sun
• Post operative antibiotics are commonly prescribed to prevent wound or graft infections .
• Shampooing is important to prevent scab formation around hair shaft which increase the chances of losing the transplanted hair follicle

Just as in natural hair cycle, within 2-3 weeks the transplanted hair will shed but in a matter of few weeks new hair will begin to grow from transplanted follicles , this hair will continue to thicken and grow normally by 6-9 months .

Tests for Hair loss

It is adviced to consult a Dermatologist , generally male and female pattern hair loss do not require testing , few tests which help to evaluate diffuse hair loss are :

• The pull test –hair pulled from three different areas of scalp , generally less than 3 hair per area , if more than ten then positive test.

• The pluck test- conducted by pulling out hair with roots and then examined. Depending on phase we can interpret if there is hair loss.
• Scalp biopsy-helps differentiate between scarring and other forms.
• Trichoscopy- helps in examination of hair and scalp with help ofdermoscope.

Helpful:Hair removal methods

Diagnosis for Hair Transplantation
It is the treatment of choice where in there are no chances of re- growth of hair , example in conditions like

• Androgenic alopecia
• Eyebrow transplant
• Receding frontal hair line

.

Complications ofHair Transplantation

Hair transplantation is a very safe procedure with no side effects but as with every surgery some risks associated

• Infection

• Bleeding
• Scarring with FUSS transplantation
• Unnatural looking new hair growth
• Some may have inflammation of hair follicles called Folliculitis

Factors affecting cost of Hair Transplantation Surgery

The cost to the patient depends on a variety of factors like

• The hospital, the patient chooses.

• The cost of hair transplantation depends on the number of grafts and type of procedure choosen .FUE procedure is more costlier.
• Fee for the team of doctors.
• Medicines.
• Standard test and diagnostic procedures.
• Cost of the follow –up care required after the procedure.

FAQs

What are the reasons for hair loss?

• Genetic (androgenic alopecia ) is most common type

• Stress , unhealthy life style , trauma to hair
• Hormonal imbalance such as thyroid related , hair loss after child birth
• Autoimmune disease
• Medications including Chemotherapy etc
• Gradual thinning of hair with age

Why should baldness be treated?

Baldness needs to be treated for cosmetic purpose , it causes lack of confidence , low self esteem in patients .

Is Hair transplantation painful procedure ?

No , the procedure is performed under local anaesthesia

There may be mild tenderness after the procedure which can be settled with use of painkillers .

Does Hair Transplantation require hospital stay ?

No , Hair Transplantation is a day procedure .

What is ideal number of graft for Hair Transplantation surgery ?

The number of graft varies depends on the patient and the area size which is being treated, usually average between 1000 to 3000 grafts .

What are the number of grafts that can be transplanted in single session ?

Around 2000-2500 grafts can be transplanted in single session.

How long is the recovery period ?

Most people return to normal work in 2-5 days.

When will the transplanted hair grow ?

Most of people will notice 60 percent hair growth after 6-9 months.

Is Hair transplant procedure permanent or will transplanted hair also fall off ?

Hair transplant is a permanent procedure, it is based on principle of donor dominance , that is it retains the properties of donor area , the area on the back and sides of scalp have permanent hair and will not be affected by hairfall.

What is the nature of hair growth after Hair Transplantation ?

The hair growth is natural after transplant it can be trimmed , colored or made into any hair style .

What is Body Hair Transplant (BHT)

In Body Hair Transplant the grafts are extracted from body part apart from scalp . This is usually done when adequate hair is not available in back of scalp and we desire for good density hair in patients of baldness. In male patients hair from beard area , chest ,axilla and pubic area can be taken for graft. In female patients body hair can be grafted from axilla and pubic area .

How can hair loss be prevented ?

Can be prevented by making lifestyle changes , stress management Having healthy diet including green leafy vegetables , adequate proteins in diet .Hair protection by keeping the scalp clean , regularly conditioning the hair by massaging hair oil.

What factor does the cost of hair transplantation depend upon ?

Hair transplantation cost varies according to the number of grafts transplanted as also according to the procedure choosen , FUE being more costlier .

What is Trichopigmentation ?

Trichopigmentation is micro tattooing of scalp done in order to mimic the appearance of hair , the ink usually lasts for about 2 years after which it needs to be reapplied, , it’s actually a stop gap arrangement. The permanent solution is Hair Transplantation surgery.