Why is Hair Loss Happening?

Hair loss can be a result of poor health, an unhealthy diet, as well as an unhealthy lifestyle and stress.

Causes can be hormonal (pregnancy, menopause, thyroid disorders), medical (autoimmune diseases, scalp skin diseases), as well as physical and emotional traumas, lack of nutrients in the body (e.g., anemia), and the use of certain therapies (in cancer patients).

Hair loss can be irreversible due to disorders such as male or female pattern baldness that are genetically conditioned.

Although this fact may seem frightening at first glance, hair transplantation has become one of the fundamental methods in aesthetic surgery. Before we delve into the transplantation itself and focus on hair grafting, let's go back to where it all began.

Who First Performed Hair Transplantation?

In a time when aesthetic surgery was not particularly popular, Germans and Japanese took the first step in this direction, way back in 1882 in Bavaria. A medical student, under the guidance of his mentor, Professor Dom Unger, successfully transplanted hair from one part of the scalp to another. Professor Unger was optimistic and stated that baldness would be a thing of the past, and the future would be all about hair transplantation.

The cost of this experiment was high, but it could not be measured against its success. However, during the Industrial Revolution, when more was invested in machines and less in people, this idea did not fully take off.

In the 1950s in the United States, the idea of hair transplantation revived, and over time, more advanced methods were introduced as aesthetic surgery progressed.

What Are the Conditions for Hair Transplantation?

Hair transplantation is recommended for alopecia, i.e., intense and severe hair loss, which does not look the same in everyone. Differences manifest in the extent, localization, and intensity of hair loss.

It most commonly occurs under the influence of genetic factors, but also factors such as hormonal imbalance, diabetes, fungal infections, and anemias. Hair transplantation is the only permanent solution for alopecia, but not every case of hair loss requires transplantation.

Based on several stages of hair loss, it can be easily determined whether you are a candidate for hair transplantation. It is best to consult with a professional who will be able to assess whether you meet the conditions for this intervention.

What does the Hair Transplantation Method Look Like?

Hair transplantation is performed using the most advanced FUE method.

It is carried out in three phases:

1. Extraction of grafts: The follicular unit is encompassed and separated from the surrounding tissue using a specially designed knife, after which it is carefully extracted. The follicle is preserved in a special solution until the moment it is transplanted. The essential specificity of this method is that the follicular unit is separated as a whole, not hair by hair.
2. Creating incisions with a micro-saw where the grafts will later be transplanted.
3. Implanting the graft into each incision at a specific angle and depth.
4. The procedure usually takes several hours, depending on the size of the treated area. Hair transplantation using the FUE method leaves minimal, barely noticeable scars. The result of the intervention is permanent, achieving a natural look that every patient desires.

Is Hair Transplantation Painful?

Since it is still a surgical intervention, it is expected that you will feel slight pain, both at the site where the hair is taken and where it is transplanted. After the surgery, slight swelling is possible, but it should disappear within a few days. The doctor will prescribe appropriate analgesics, so the whole experience will be less unpleasant. It is emphasized that the sensation of pain is individual, and some people may experience only slight discomfort during and after the intervention.

Recovery After Hair Transplantation

Postoperative care involves strictly adhering to the doctor's advice and taking the prescribed medications. If hair transplantation is performed in the hairline region, you need to make a cold compress from small ice cubes that you will place on your forehead for three to four days.

To ensure good quality sleep and a faster recovery, sleep on your back with an elevation of several pillows. If you feel slight pain or numbness in the region during the night, don't worry, the pain itself will decrease over the next few days of postoperative recovery.

It is mandatory to come for a medical check-up the day after the intervention. Six to nine months later, you will notice the final results and undoubtedly be satisfied.

By choosing the best hair transplantation clinic, you will ensure that the recovery phase after transplantation is as short as possible.

How Much Does Hair Transplantation Cost?

The cost is mentioned as one of the most crucial factors in deciding whether to undergo this method. Although the cost of hair transplantation is slightly higher than other alternative methods, keep in mind that it is a long-term investment that will change not only your description but also your quality of life.

Aesthetic surgery clinics that offer a professional approach, expertise, and advice from doctors will help you, in the easiest way possible, to cope with this seemingly unsolvable problem and change your life fundamentally.