Essentials to Know Before Getting a Hair Transplant

Hair = confidence booster. It is a universal phenomenon. Short, long, blonde, or dark, being able to flaunt healthy hair is everyone’s dream.

That is why hair loss is a major concern for people worldwide, irrespective of its root cause.

While there are many over-the-counter medications with science-backed ingredients known to trigger hair growth, nothing proves to be a solid remedy for extreme cases. This is where a medical intervention becomes a lifesaver.

Hair transplant surgery is a promising solution to combat the issue of hair loss today. Here we delve into everything you need to know about the procedure, including what to expect, your eligibility, cost, and side effects.

What Is a Hair Transplant?

In simple terms, a hair transplant is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed on specific areas of baldness or hair loss on the head. It can be done using several methods and essentially aims to restore lost hair. Advanced methods of transplant typically offer lasting results that allow patients to enjoy a healthy head of hair for a long time.

Well-equipped hair transplant clinics in London usually use two types of surgical procedures for transplant- Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). While FUT is a traditional technique, FUE undertakes a modern approach and is more common today. Regardless, both methods are highly effective in restoring areas of baldness in men and women.

Zestige is one of the most reliable teams of medical professionals offering FUE hair transplants in London. With state-of-the-art equipment and surgeons specialised in complex hair procedures, we are a fully-equipped clinic with a proven track record of successful stories to our credit. In fact, our clientele boasts many Premier League Footballers, English cricketers, and famous athletes.

What Does a Typical Transplant Procedure Entail?

A hair transplant surgery essentially involves the removal of hair follicles from a donor area and planting them in the recipient area. While FUT, the traditional method involves removing a linear strip of skin and subsequently transplanting the hair follicles from the strip, FUE involves removing individual hair follicles from the donor area and fixing them in the recipient area. The planted hair follicles will then grow naturally in the new area, resulting in a renewed patch of hair.

All hair transplant procedures are performed under local anesthesia and the results are permanent, as the hair is programmed to grow naturally in the surgery site, just like original hair.

Eligibility Criteria

Most individuals are technically eligible to undergo a hair transplant, however, the treatment is designed to give the best results for people above the age of 25, when hair loss typically completes a pattern. For younger individuals, the pattern may not be as apparent as hair loss may continue in the future, leading to uneven hair growth.

But, this is not always the case. For detailed eligibility checks, it is always best to consult with your surgeon.

In addition to age, smoking is another factor affecting eligibility. Smokers are typically required to stop smoking for at least 2 weeks before the surgery.

Is the Procedure Painful?

The procedure is performed only under local anesthesia, nevertheless, a certain level of discomfort is to be expected. Most transplant surgeons however ensure to take adequate measures to ease the discomfort and induce faster recovery. The overall experience depends on the skills and expertise of the surgeon along with the kind of equipment used.

As a general rule, it is always advised to check and ensure complete hygiene in the operating room.

The better the quality of the hair transplant clinic in London that you choose, the better your experience.

Results and Recovery

A typical FUE hair transplant surgery takes 6 to 8 hours to be completed. Full-blown results will only start becoming visible around 12 months after surgery, as hair takes time to grow naturally. The new hair is also expected to shed initially and will start growing again in a few months. Hence, it is important to be patient with the results, and not expect instant miracles. The good news is that the results are lifelong.

Post-op Care

It is important to follow aftercare instructions religiously for a speedy recovery from the surgery and the best results in hair growth. Your hair transplant clinic in London will give you a printed set of instructions and demos on how to wash and condition your hair post-operation. They will also prescribe medications for recovery if needed. Post-op recommendations are usually quite easy to follow and do not involve complicated steps.

Side Effects

As a hair transplant is a surgical procedure, it does have potential side effects, the most common ones of which are swelling, redness, itching, and a bit of pain in and around the transplant site. However, these physical side effects can be resolved effectively within a few days of the operation.

Scarring is another possible side effect, but once again, it is temporary and will completely disappear within 8 to 10 months of recovery.

Other than these, hair transplant surgeries are safe and are not known to have any permanent side effects at all.

Cost of the Treatment

The cost of your procedure depends heavily on the extent of treatment required and the clinic you choose. Your doctor will provide an estimate before starting to help you be prepared.

At Zestige, we use the Norwood Scale to assess the extent of hair loss and the subsequent number of grafts required to estimate your cost. On average, your hair transplant cost in the UK can range between £2000 and £15,000 depending on the area and number of grafts. We also provide flexible payment plans to help you better manage the costs and achieve the look you always dreamed of.

Wrapping Up

A hair transplant is one of the best modern solutions for hair loss today. With the exception of a few cases like genetics, it is known to be highly effective for almost all types of hair loss such as pattern baldness. If you are considering getting a transplant, go through this list of essentials to know what to expect and to be better prepared for your journey towards confidence.

Get in touch with Zestige’s hair experts for a free consultation and a no-obligation estimate.