7 Things You Need To Know Before A Hair Transplant

If you’re a man who suffers from hair loss, there are a number of hair restoration options to help you enjoy a full head of hair again. Here are 7 items you need to know before undergoing a transplant:

1. Have realistic expectations – Once you make a consultation appointment with a doctor, you’ll be examined to see how much hair loss you have as well as your overall pattern of hair loss. The doctor will examine your donor area to let you know what kind of results you can expect to see from a hair transplant. Realistic expectations are important before having a procedure as unrealistic expectations can cause patients to be disappointed in the actual results.
2. Two main methods – The two main hair transplant methods are FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) and FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction). It’s important to ask your doctor about both methods during your consultation appointment in order to determine which procedure is the best choice to achieve your desired results.
3. You will be awake for the procedure – FUT and FUE procedures are done on an outpatient basis and you can actually watch a movie during the procedure,
4. It is not a quick surgery – Be prepared to spend the day at the doctor’s office during your surgery. A hair transplant is a precise procedure that takes a steady hand and great skill so it can’t be rushed. It can take anywhere from 3 hours to 8 or 9 hours depending on the number of grafts transplanted by the doctor.
5. Don’t expect an exact graft number – Each patient is different and has individual needs when it comes to the placement of grafts. The number of grafts the doctor says you will need during the consultation appointment might be higher simply because of your specific case. Be aware that more grafts might be necessary to achieve the most realistic results possible.
6. Aftercare – You need to exercise caution following your procedure because the grafts require time to fully take root in the scalp. Your surgeon will provide you with proper aftercare instructions in order to maximize your results as well as not harm the grafts during the healing process.
7. The results will not be seen overnight – It will be a little while before you see the final results of your hair transplant procedure. Hair growth happens in cycles and the results will not be immediately visible to you or to the general public. On average, it will take a year or more to achieve, and view, the final results.

- MA