Is The Hair Transplant For You: Exploring The Pros and Cons
Androgenetic alopecia is a condition that plagues over 60% of men and 50% of women worldwide. For most of us, our hair is one of the most important facets of our self-identity, so what should we do when we notice thinning or balding areas on our scalp?
A hair transplant is by far the only permanent solution to tackling hair loss by harvesting healthy hair follicles (micrografts) and implanting them in areas that need it. Since these hair follicles are genetically resistant to the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – this means that the transplanted hair is designed to continue growing and won’t be impacted by the progressive effects of androgenetic alopecia.
Through careful surgical planning by an experienced aesthetic doctor with a keen artistic eye and attention to detail, studies have shown that a hair transplant is a highly successful procedure, with success rates reaching as high as 99%.
The two key techniques that are employed today are the FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) and FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction). To help you make an informed decision if a hair transplant is the best option for you, here are some pros and cons to consider.
Pro #1: Natural-looking, permanent results.
The first transplant was done in 1939 in Japan and involved the transplantation of large tufts of hair that looked unnatural and “pluggy”. Thankfully, hair transplants have since evolved and techniques like the FUE hair transplant offers very natural-looking and beautiful results.
Important to note is that a hair transplant (specifically FUE) is a highly manual and tedious process. Engaging the support of a doctor who is not only experienced in conducting the surgery and possesses a deep knowledge of hair anatomy will always give you better results. This is because the doctor will be able to determine the most effective angle, location and distribution of the transplanted hairs so that it blends naturally with the rest of your hairs – so much that it is hard to notice that you had a procedure done!
A hair transplant is a good option for those who don’t want to rely on medications for the rest of their life or have not been seeing any results at all. Working with a highly trained doctor that will take into account the long-term pattern of your hair loss is also key to designing a suitable hairline that will look just as good 10 or 20 years later.
Pro #2: Guaranteed results and minimal side effects with a competent doctor.
As with any other surgical procedure, there are risks of infection, bleeding, scarring and numbness at the scalp. However, by following the post-aftercare as recommended by your doctor, the recovery time should be a breeze and you will be able to return to your daily activities within 10 days to three weeks.
There are plenty of patients who are worried about scarring, and that is a completely normal thing to be worried about. However, the FUE hair transplant is unlike the FUT hair procedure – it does not result in noticeable scarring. Little maintenance is also required after the initial healing process.
A standard FUE hair transplant procedure would involve anywhere from 800 to 2,000 grafts that would take approximately 10 hours to complete. Do take note that something called “shock loss” will occur during the healing period – this is where your transplanted hair will naturally fall out due to the trauma of transplantation. However, these hairs will eventually grow out. It will take roughly 9-12 months to achieve maximal hair thickness.
Con #1: Longer recovery times and downtime.
At our aesthetic clinic, we will apply local anaesthesia before the surgery to keep the procedure comfortable. Adding complementary treatments such as Regenera Activa or taking oral medications such as minoxidil can stimulate hair regrowth and healing.
Compared to other traditional therapies such as laser treatments or topical and oral medications, a hair transplant will require a longer downtime which may make it unsuitable for patients with busy schedules and wish to return to their activities immediately. This is why we offer the No Downtime FUE hair transplant.
Con #2: Hair transplants are going to be more costly than other medications.
The number of hair grafts that you need is completely different from someone else doing the same – factors such as the type of hair you have, the size of the transplant area, the quality and thickness of your hair and colour will determine the price of your hair transplant.
A hair transplant cost around $4-$7 for approximately 1,500 grafts. However, given that the hair transplant is a permanent solution, it may be more cost-effective in the long run as compared to a lifetime treatment of topical and oral medications.
Advantages of getting a hair transplant @ The Clifford Clinic
With the right team on hand, you will be able to enjoy a unique hairline that is designed just for you. Every clinic offers their own set of advantages, and we are proud to say that our team of technicians perform hair transplants every day of the week.
Employing operative techniques that have been continuously refined and improved over the years to ensure excellent graft survival rates, our doctors are also able to optimise your procedure with the use of thin micro-tips, special implanting solutions and can even perform mega-sessions for patients who desire better coverage (dependent on suitability).
It can take years for a surgeon and team of technicians to become perfectly comfortable with a technique, and one thing to remember is that a hair transplant is not a miracle treatment. Patience and commitment are required to reap the best results, and you will still need to take a proactive approach to protect your remaining hair.
If you have gone through the list and decided that the hair transplant might not be for you and your lifestyle, fret not! We also offer a range of therapies that are FDA-approved such as Regenera Activa – an ideal treatment that is good for those with mild-to-moderate hair loss and the 1927nm Thulium Fraxel laser to nourish hair follicles and boost regrowth.
The best way to figure out the treatment option for you is to consult an aesthetic doctor who has a keen interest in hair restoration and is dedicated to giving you transformative results – our doctors have years of experience performing not just hair transplants but also acne treatment and acne scar removal – contact us to book an appointment today!