How Long Does Hair Replacement Surgery Last
You can expect a hair transplant to take between four and eight hours. If you are having a large amount of hair transplanted, you may need to return for a few hours the next day.
Most patients remain awake during the entire surgery and need only an anesthetic that makes the scalp numb. Some patients also take a mild sedative to help them relax.
The surgery begins with your dermatologist removing the healthy hairs. To give you natural-looking results, your dermatologist may remove the healthy hairs by either cutting a strip of skin with healthy hairs from your scalp or removing individual hairs.
The second option takes a lot more time but avoids leaving a long, narrow scar on your scalp. This technique can be beneficial if you prefer close-shaven haircuts like buzz cuts.
Before the surgeon can transplant the hairs, technicians need to prep the removed hairs, and the surgeon must get your scalp ready for the transplant.
Depending on the number of hairs to be transplanted, two to three members of the hair transplant team may help place the healthy hairs into the area that needs hair. After transplanting all the hairs, the team will bandage your scalp and provide you with instructions for at-home care.
In this article we will discuss about
- Who is a suitable candidate for a hair transplant?
- How Long Does A Hair Transplant Take To Heal
- Is Hair Transplant Safe
Expectations and Recovery
After the surgery, your scalp may be very tender. You may need to take pain medications for several days. Your surgeon will have you wear bandages over your scalp for at least a day or two. They may also prescribe an antibiotic or an anti-inflammatory drug for you to take for several days. Most people are able to return to work 2 to 5 days after the operation.
Within 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, the transplanted hair will fall out, but you should start to notice new growth within a few months. Most people will see 60% of new hair growth after 6 to 9 months. Some surgeons prescribe the hair-growing drug minoxidil (Rogaine) to improve hair growth after transplantation, but it’s not clear how well it works.
Who is a suitable candidate for a hair transplant?
To be considered for a hair transplant, you need two things:
- Enough healthy hair on your scalp that can be transplanted to the area that needs hair
- The ability to grow hair on the thinning area of your scalp
During a consultation with a dermatologist, you can find out if you have both. A dermatologist will give you a thorough scalp exam.
To find out why you have hair loss, you may also need a blood test. This type of test can check for things going on in your body that may be causing your hair loss. Some patients need a procedure called a scalp biopsy. During the consultation, your dermatologist can quickly and easily collect the necessary information for the scalp biopsy.
Men and women of all races can be good candidates for a hair transplant.
How Long Does A Hair Transplant Take To Heal
The recuperation time is around 10 days, but it takes 8 to 10 weeks to fully heal. In order for the definitive results to emerge in postoperative hair transplantation, 10 months or 1 year must pass.
Is Hair Transplant Safe
A hair transplant is generally a safe procedure, but as with any type of operation, there’s always a small risk of:
- bleeding
- infection
- an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic
Your surgeon should be able to treat these problems quickly.
There’s also a small risk the transplant will not take place, the hair will fall out, or a noticeable scar may form.
Your surgeon should explain how likely these problems are and how they would be treated.
Your hair might continue to thin around the transplant. Your surgeon should plan the design of the transplant to make sure the hair looks natural as time passes.
Understanding the factors that influence the price
Hair repair surgery costs can vary depending on several factors. Let’s take a closer look at the key factors that influence the cost:
1. Type of hair repair surgery
There are different types of hair repair surgeries available, such as hair transplant, scalp reduction, and follicular unit extraction (FUE). Each procedure has its own unique cost structure. Hair transplant surgery, for example, involves transplanting hair follicles from a donor area to the recipient area and is typically more expensive compared to other procedures.
2. Extent of hair loss
The extent of hair loss plays a significant role in determining the cost of hair repair surgery. The more extensive the hair loss, the more grafts or follicles will be required to achieve satisfactory results. Consequently, more grafts will increase the overall cost of the procedure.
3. Geographic location
The cost of hair repair surgery can vary based on the geographic location. In general, major cities and regions with a higher cost of living tend to have higher prices for medical procedures, including hair repair surgeries. Therefore, it’s essential to consider location when estimating the cost.
4. Reputation and expertise of the surgeon
The reputation and expertise of the surgeon performing the hair repair surgery can also impact the cost. Highly skilled and experienced surgeons often charge higher fees due to their track record of successful outcomes. It’s crucial to choose a qualified and reputable surgeon who specializes in hair repair surgery.
5. Additional services and facilities
Some clinics or surgical centers may offer additional services and facilities as part of their hair repair surgery package. These can include post-surgery care, follow-up appointments, or supplementary treatments. While these extras may increase the overall cost, they can contribute to a more comprehensive and satisfactory experience.
6. Clinic or facility fees
The cost also includes the fees charged by the clinic or facility performing the hair repair surgery. High-end clinics with state-of-the-art facilities may charge higher fees compared to smaller clinics. It’s important to consider the clinic’s reputation, amenities, and patient reviews when evaluating the cost.
Conclusion
Hair replacement surgery lasts as long as you want it to last. The number one reason that most people opt for this procedure is because they’ve lost their hair through illness or cancer treatment, which means that they’re not interested in keeping their new hair forever—they just want it to last for a few years until their natural hair grows back again.
