A hair transplant is an effective and long-lasting surgical method that improves the look of thinning hair by taking hair from others areas of the body and moving it to the areas of the scalp that are thinning or balding. A hair transplant normally uses hair from the back of the scalp, which is also known as the donor area, because this hair is normally resistant to balding. In addition, the hair that is transplanted grows in the same direction as the natural hair that was originally on the scalp. Hair restoration is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures currently performed on both men and women. While many people have heard of a hair transplant, they are not fully aware of what causes hair loss to happen and what happens after a hair transplant. To make the hair transplant process easier to understand, let’s take a look at some of the most common myths surrounding hair transplants.
Common Hair Transplant Myths
- A hair transplant does not have a natural appearance – In the past, hair transplants had a “pluggy” appearance and did not look natural. Thankfully, hair transplant techniques have improved over the years and now provide a look that is natural in appearance and cannot be detected by others.
- Wearing a hat all the time can make you go bald – Wearing a hat on a regular basis can cause a buildup of sweat. In turn, the buildup of sweat can clog the pores and lead to pimples appearing on the skin. One thing that wearing a hair most of the time cannot cause is hair loss. Your hair will not fall out due to wearing a hat all of the time. Anyone that tells you this story might simply be tired of seeing you wear a hair all the time and is trying to get you to try a new look that does not involve a hat.
- Clogged pores can lead to hair loss – Many people think that clogged pores can cause hair from growing on a small or large scale. This is not the case for people that have clogged pores on their scalp. If a pore becomes clogged, the hair will become trapped and it can turn into an ingrown hair. The ingrown hair will result in a pimple. If you have a large amount of clogged pores, the result can be an itchy scalp that can be very annoying. If the scalp is very itchy and causes you to constantly scratch the area, the hair follicles and tissues can become damaged on the scalp. In order to prevent a dry or itchy scalp from occurring, be sure and shampoo your hair as well as exfoliate the scalp on a consistent basis. These simple steps can prevent a dry and itchy scalp which will also prevent any damage to the hair follicles and tissues on the scalp.
- Hair loss can happen if you shampoo too often – When you are taking a shower or bathing in a tub, you might see a good amount of hair start to collect in the drain. This might frighten you and cause you to think that hair loss is starting to happen. Don’t panic! Hair loss while taking a shower or bathing is perfectly normal. The average person will lose about 100 to 200 hairs on a daily basis. The hair is in a constant growth and shedding phase so the average hair loss that is seen on a daily basis is no reason for alarm.
- Donor hair can come from another person – One common misconception about hair transplants is the belief that donor hair can come from another person. This is not the case when doctors are performing a hair restoration procedure. Even though surgeons can transplant organs of the body from one patient to the next, a hair transplant cannot be performed using the hair from another person. The surgeon takes the donor hair from the body of the actual patient. In general, the hair is removed from the back or sides of the scalp of the patient. If you desire a hair transplant but you don’t have enough hair on the back or sides of the scalp to provide the desired density, there is no need to worry. Hair can also be transplanted from other areas of the body to the scalp. Some of the areas where the hair is transplanted from include the chest, arms and beard.
- The hair that is transplanted to the scalp will fall out – The answer to this myth is “a little bit of true and a little bit of false”. The hair on the back of the head is located in the “safe zone” and is resistant to hair loss. This is the reason why doctors normally take the hair that will be transplanted from this region of the head. You should be aware of the fact that the hair starts to go through a shedding phase about 3 to 4 weeks after the hair is transplanted into the balding areas of the scalp. While your hair will start to fall out, this is only a temporary condition and new hair will begin to grow soon after the shedding happens on the scalp. The new hair that grows into the scalp will be permanent.
Schedule a Hair Transplant Consultation to ask about Hair Transplant Myths
If you still have any questions or concerns about having a hair transplant, schedule a consultation appointment with a board-certified surgeon that is experienced in performing hair transplants. The doctor will answer all of your questions about hair transplants and can also show you “before and after” photos of actual patients. Once all of your questions are answered, you can make an informed decision about undergoing a hair transplant.
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