Types of Hair Transplants

The loss of hair on the scalp of a person can have an impact on both their appearance and their self-image. A full and healthy head of hair is often viewed as giving a person an image that is successful and youthful. In addition, a full hairline can help a person get ahead at work since they might look more youthful than others trying to get the same job or promotion. Patients that have thinning hair often turn to a hair transplant to restore hair in sections of the scalp that is balding or looks thin enough that balding areas might happen at some point in the future. While hair loss is often a normal part of the aging process for men, female hair loss is quite common and can be addressed by a board-certified surgeon that is experienced in performing hair restoration for women in addition to hair restoration for men. In addition to the aging process, the balding or thinning areas on the scalp can also be the result of trauma to the area or a medical condition. If you are not sure how hair transplants work, or the longevity of the results you can expect to see, take a look below at the hair transplant options available to you as you begin your hair restoration journey.

In general, hair restoration surgery is when a surgeon removes hair follicles from the donor area of the scalp, which is located on the sides or the back of the head, in order to move them to the balding or thinning areas of the scalp. Once the follicular units are removed from the donor area of the body, they are then placed in premade incisions that were created by a surgical team. The premade incisions are created in the area of the scalp targeted by the hair restoration surgery. When it comes to a hair transplant, patients have more than one option:

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) – This is a hair transplant surgery that involves the surgeon moving the hair grafts on an individual basis from the donor area. If there is not enough viable donor hair on the scalp, the hair follicles can be moved from others areas of the body to the scalp. The hair grafts are then individually placed in the premade incisions on the scalp and this hair restoration technique does not result in a linear scar after the surgery.
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) – In this hair transplant surgery option, the surgeon removes the hair grafts form the donor area in a natural grouping of one to four hair grafts. The hair grafts are removed in a strip of skin so the patient might experience a linear scar on the scalp. Once the strip of skin is removed, it is then dissected into smaller segments so the surgeon is able to properly place the individual hair follicles in the balding area of the scalp.

Hair Transplant Results

The overall results from a hair transplant depend on a number of factors including how many hair grafts are placed in the balding area, the skill and experience of the hair transplant surgeon and how well the patient follows the post-op instructions they are given by the surgeon.

The rate at which the transplanted hair grows varies per patient but, in general, it takes 12-18 months to see the final results of the procedure. The results of a hair transplant are long-lasting and they should last a lifetime. The hair that is moved from the donor area of the body is resistant to balding which means that you will not need to worry about losing the hair that is transplanted.

Future hair loss can occur on other areas of the scalp where the hair transplant was not performed. If this is the case, you can choose to undergo another hair transplant on the areas of the scalp where the hair loss occurred.

Types of Hair Transplants – Know Your Next Step

Once you have made the decision to have a hair transplant, you need to schedule a consultation appointment with a board-certified doctor that is experienced in providing the type of hair transplant results you hope to achieve. The surgeon will examine your scalp to determine the extent of your hair loss as well as the quality and amount of donor hair you have available on the donor area of the scalp or elsewhere on your body. The doctor will also discuss your desired final results to make sure you have realistic expectations in mind when approaching the procedure. While a hair transplant can provide you with a full and healthy head of hair, it is important to know the extent of the results you can expect to see so you won’t be surprised or disappointed by the final results. Once you have finished the examination with the surgeon and have discussed your hair restoration goals, you will have the necessary information you need to make an informed decision about undergoing a hair transplant surgery.