Hair loss is gaining ground in America. Up to 85% of men and 40% of women experience thinning hair. This may involve a receding hairline, or this may involve going bald in patches of skin.
Yet there are many solutions to hair loss. Hair implants are a bold and effective solution.
But what exactly are they? What are the procedures that surgeons perform? What are some side effects that a person may experience?
Answer these questions and you can have a fuller head of hair without discomfort in little time. Here is your quick guide.
The Purpose of Hair Implants
Hair implants are a person’s own hair. One part of their head may be bald, while another part has short hair on it. A surgeon takes some hair and puts it over the bald area.
Hair implants are versatile. You can receive one if you are balding due to old age or a medical condition. You can also receive one if you lost some hair due to an accident, including after a burn.
If you have absolutely no hair, you cannot receive an implant. Some people with a skin condition or who are not fit for surgery may not receive an implant. But they can receive a wig or another solution.
You cannot receive a hair transplant from someone else. And this also applies to beard transplants. You may be able to find wigs that contain other people’s hairs in them. But you cannot have a surgeon graft someone else’s hair onto your head.
You may have heard of the term, “hair plugs.” This is an outdated term that some people used to describe hair implants. You may hear the term today, but few doctors use it.
Follicular Unit Transplantation
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) involves moving strips of hair from one part of the head to another. Some surgeons refer to it as “follicular unit strip surgery,” which indicates how strips of hair are used.
The procedure begins with the person receiving a sedative. Their surgeon then removes a piece of skin from the person’s scalp. The strip may vary in length, though most are a few inches long.
The surgeon may divide the strip into several small pieces. In some cases, they may split the strip up based on individual hairs. They may do this to cover several small bald patches.
They will then insert small holes into the individual’s scalp. Once they make these holes, they insert the hairs into them.
The procedure as a whole takes very little time. A person may remain awake during it, though they experience little pain. After the surgeon inserts the hair, they can cover the surgical areas with bandages and the person can heal.
Individuals who need a lot of implants may receive multiple FUT procedures. Surgeons will space these procedures out over several days. They can do a marathon session, but that can pose some complications.
Follicular Unit Extraction
Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is a simpler procedure. It involves small amounts of hair that a surgeon inserts into select areas of the scalp. It can also help with baldness elsewhere on the body, especially on the arms and legs.
You can opt for either procedure. Organizations like Budapest Implants can perform both. The costs of both procedures are comparable, though FUE may be less expensive because it involves less surgery.
The surgeon shaves hair off the individual’s head. This usually occurs along the back of the head.
The surgeon then removes individual follicles from the person’s scalp. This lets them insert small holes into the skin and place the hairs inside. They wrap the incisions with bandages so the person can begin to heal.
Someone with a significant amount of baldness can receive multiple FUE procedures. Each of these procedures may last a couple of hours at once.
They may receive one procedure every day for a week or so. This gives plenty of time for hair to grow and skin to heal.
Side Effects and Recovery
The side effects of hair implants are limited. The most common one is scarring, though the scars are hard to see. They may appear to be small dots or abrasions on the top of the head.
A person may experience crusty skin around their surgical sites. The skin may fill with pus, which can cause swelling.
On rare occasions, an individual can experience inflammation in their hair follicles. This can result in red skin, pain, and a hot sensation. The person may lose feeling in or around their surgical sites, especially when they lie down.
Infections are possible. A person with implants should inspect their surgical sites for any discoloration or pain. If they notice signs of infection, they should go to their doctor right away.
Someone can take Advil and pain-killing medications to manage their discomfort. But they should be mindful of their dosages. Taking too much medication after surgery can have its own set of complications.
It may take some time to notice the positive signs of implants. Hair may take several weeks to grow. The new hair may have a different length or color than the old hair.
Find Your Full Head of Hair
Hair implants are simple yet profound. They resolve a number of hair loss problems, including a receding hairline.
Follicular unit transplantation involves moving patches of skin. This can create a fuller head of hair that avoids the appearance of hair plugs.
Follicular unit extraction moves small amounts of hair. This can resolve small bald patches on the head or elsewhere on the body. Both have risks of side effects, including infections.
Once you have your hair, you can improve other parts of your look. Find out how by following our coverage.
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