Hair transplantation

Advantage of FUE

• Higher density of hairs could be transplanted
• Every single extracted hair follicle can be transplanted as opposed to only 80% harvested hair transplanted in FUT method
• The recovery from the surgery is considerably quicker than FUT method
• The transplanted hair grows more naturally than from FUT method
• Lesser tendency for keloid formation and post-surgery scars aren’t visible like FUT method
• People with not good donor area could also opt for body and beard hair extraction (BHT- body hair transplant)

HOW IS IT DONE?

In FUT method, the follicles or individual grafts are obtained by dissecting a strip of scalp which is cut usually from the back of the head.

In FUE method , using a specialized skin punch rotary device, individual follicle / grafts are extracted from the donor area one by one. It is done under local anesthesia to make the procedure comfortable for the patient.

Tiny implant sites are created using very fine specialized blades and needles in the balding areas after numbing the area with local anesthetic injections. These grafts are then inserted in the sites on the front of the head or wherever there is hair loss.

Advantage of FUE

• Does not involve taking an entire length of strip of scalp from the back of the head like in strip surgery, there are no cuts or stitches;
• The recovery time is much quicker with the patient often returning to work from next day itself.
• There is no linear scar, Microscopic scars in donor area are almost invisible
• No need to visit surgeon again for stitch removal
• Procedure is suitable for people that want to wear their hair shorter so that the scar is not seen
• Cost per follicle
  AAA – FUE (stem cell) Rs.60/-
  Bio FUE Rs. 50/-
  Conventional FUE – Rs 30/-

Advantage of FUT

• Larger areas of baldness can be covered in fewer sittings
• Resection rate (the grafts that get cut whilst removing) may be lesser providing superior results
• Gold standard in hair transplant andrestoration.
• Ideal for patients who don’t mind cuts, stitches, longer recovery period
• Cost per follicle
  FUT Rs 15/-

What are the Side Effects-

Though hair transplantation has no major side effects, yet there are a few ways in which our body reacts to the transplant.

• Temporary thinning of permanent hair: the transplanted hair will fall out, within 2 to 3 weeks of the transplant.
  This is completely natural and the re-growth starts immediately,within the next 6 to 9 months
• Pain: Pain is usually minimal and most patients are given regular pain control medications is sufficient to keep the patient comfortable post procedure.
• Itching: after the transplant some patient may experience some degree of itching because the scalp is sensitive and it usually lasts for not more than a week. Shampooing regularly can help contain it.
• Mild swelling: though very rare, any incidence of mild swelling of forehead for the initial 1 or 2 days subsides on its own.
• Cysts: Though not more than 2 or 3 mm in size, rarely, some patients experience cyst development due to transplantation of several grafts at a single location. The cysts also like all other symptoms subside on their own within a few weeks only.

CONTRAINDICATIONS (when HT cannot be performed):

• Patient aged less than 25 with ongoing uncontrolled hair fall
• People who wore wigs and have unrealistic expectations to have wig like density from the transplant result. Patient education and setting realistic expectations is the key for a good treatment outcome.
• Undiagnosed hair fall. Proper diagnosis of androgenic alopecia has to be made. If they have burning, itching on scalp or rashes, the conditions like cicatrecial alopecia or alopecia areata and other conditions need to be identified and corrected
• Trichotillomania- some patients with psychological issues pull their hair constantly resulting in loss of hair in patches in certain areas. They have to be counseled and treated accordingly.
• Low density on donor area/back of the head- will not be able to produce enough follicles for transplantation and gives inadequate
• Patients with multiple medical conditions or heart problems, uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, Keloid tendency etc are poor candidate for hair transplant procedure.