For many people, their hair is their best physical trait. It takes great effort to maintain one’s hair and make it healthy and beautiful. However, for others—nearly 80 million Americans—hair loss is a significant issue plaguing them. (1)
Luckily, if you’re experiencing the same condition, you don’t need to rely on wigs alone. A hair transplant is a viable and permanent solution to regaining a full head of hair. There’s more than one option you can choose from, too.
Interested in getting a whole head of hair again? Read on to learn the options available so you can choose which one works best for you.
How Do Hair Transplants Work?
During a hair transplant session, the surgeon transfers healthy hair follicles from a donor area on your scalp, typically the sides or back, to the recipient area experiencing hair loss. These donor hair follicles are genetically resistant to balding. So, you can expect the transplanted hair to continue growing throughout your life.
Due to the complexities of a hair transplant procedure, look for a credible hair transplant surgeon. For instance, if you’re in Florida, experts specializing in hair transplant in Tampa are a good option you can look into. They offer affordable surgical procedures and even non-surgical hair restoration choices.
Licensed plastic surgeons can treat hair-related issues like receding hairlines and androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness, through hair replacement surgery. Rest assured that you’ll experience new hair growth with the help of expert hands.
Benefits and Considerations of Hair Transplants
Before fully committing to hair transplants, it helps to understand its benefits and considerations overall. It could be a life-changing procedure, especially for people who’ve dealt with hair loss for years. So, you must know what to expect, no matter your chosen technique.
Benefits
First, hair transplants offer permanent hair growth in recipient areas. They’re a long-term solution for hair loss, reducing the need to wear wigs and extensions in public.
Second, it improves self-esteem and confidence. After you regain your hair, you’ll soon find no need to hide your scalp under hats or hoodies anymore. Just remember to practice proper hair care afterward to achieve vibrant and healthy hair.
The last benefit is a natural-looking result with proper planning. Your ‘new’ hair actually comes from your own natural hair follicles. Once it reaches a certain length, it won’t look like synthetic hair strands were applied to your scalp.
Considerations
Hair transplants are investments. The cost will vary depending on the chosen technique, the number of grafts needed, and the surgeon’s experience. In most cases, hair transplant surgery costs could range between $4,000 and $15,000. (2)
You should also consider the potential risks and side effects. Some people might have an allergic reaction to the anesthesia, which may require initial advice and clearance from an allergist. Post-surgery, others may get an infection, scarring, or slow hair regrowth in the operated area. Discuss these risks thoroughly with your surgeon long before the procedure.
Unveiling the Techniques: FUT vs. FUE
Now, on to the types of surgical hair restoration techniques you’ll encounter. Surgeons will suggest one of these two main options:
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
During FUT procedure, a thin strip of your scalp containing healthy hair follicles will be removed. Your surgeon will then separate this strip into smaller groups or units of hair. They’ll transplant these natural hair groupings onto the tiny recipient areas your surgeon marked on your scalp.
Benefits of FUT
One of the perks of FUT procedures is the ease of hair grafting and the larger number of grafts the surgeon can retrieve in just one session. This could potentially mean lower costs per graft.
Drawbacks of FUT
FUT procedures often leave a visible linear scar at the donor site. Recovery time may also be longer compared to the other option, though it varies per person.
If you prefer shorter sessions and cheaper treatments and don’t mind the scarring, FUT may be the ideal hair transplantation procedure for you.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
FUE hair transplant takes a different approach. Instead of removing a strip of scalp and separating it further, individual follicular units are extracted from the donor area using a specialized tool. These extracted units will then be transplanted into the recipient sites.
Benefits of FUE
Unlike FUT, FUE results in minimal scarring, which is virtually undetectable with shorter hairstyles. Post-procedure recovery is also generally much quicker since only hair follicle units, not parts of the scalp, are extracted.
Drawbacks of FUE
FUE is a more time-consuming hair restoration procedure, making it more expensive per graft. Also, one study suggests FUE hair grafts have lower survival rates—around only 53.9% surviving—compared to FUT grafts’ 85.2% survival rate. (3)
If you have time and money, an FUE procedure could be the option to restore your hair and prevent future hair loss.
Choosing the Right Hair Transplant
How do you choose the right hair transplant procedure? Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:
- Type and severity of hair loss: The extent of your hair loss and your desired outcome will influence the technique chosen.
- Quality and availability of donor hair: The quality and quantity of healthy donor hair follicles on your scalp will determine your suitability for both FUT and FUE.
- Scalp laxity: This refers to the looseness of your scalp skin. Adequate scalp laxity is necessary to accommodate the transplanted hair follicles.
- Desired outcome and density: Discuss your desired hair density and aesthetic goals with your hair transplant surgeon.
- Cost and recovery time tolerance: Both FUT and FUE have different associated costs and recovery times. Consider your budget and time constraints.
Considering these factors will help you choose the right hair transplant. Moreover, ask a licensed plastic surgeon for additional information and advice to help narrow down your choices.
Importance of Consulting a Qualified Hair Transplant Surgeon
Hair restoration surgery is delicate, so it’s necessary to have it performed by a qualified surgeon. To have favorable post-surgery results, look for a clinic with certified hair transplant specialists. Reading clinic reviews with before-and-after photos can also help you assess the surgeon’s experience.
Remember, an experienced surgeon will assess your individual needs and address any questions or concerns you may have about the different procedures and possible risks. And if you still need help deciding, they could recommend an option based on the information they’ll receive from their assessment.
Conclusion
Life’s not over when you have hair loss. Hair transplant options like FUT and FUE can give you another shot at having thick and healthy hair. But make sure a qualified surgeon performs the procedure.
Choose the technique that’s best for you. If you need help choosing, don’t hesitate to ask your surgeon for personalized advice. Eventually, you’ll regain your crowning glory and be proud of it.
References
1. “The Last Strand: Let’s Talk About Hair Loss,” Source: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/03/31/business/hair-loss-treatments.html
2. “How Much Does a Hair Transplant Cost?” Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/cost-of-hair-transplant
3. “Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Hair Transplant: Curves Ahead,” Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6795649/
