Hair Transplantation

What is Hair Transplantation?

Hair Transplantation is a procedure where hair follicles are transplanted from one site on the body e.g. neckline or back of the head to balded or balding areas on the head (scalp). Hair Transplantation is a widely used procedure both by men and women to restore their hair loss due to aging, hereditary trait or hormonal imbalance. Hair Transplantation is performed surgically and has been found to be an effective and permanent method of hair restoration.

Where can I get Hair Transplantation?

Country	Cost with MedSolution
France	$3,676 (inquire)
India	$2,793 (inquire)

Cost of procedure performed in the US: starting at $3,084.

All prices are in US dollars and include the cost of the procedure and minimum hospital stay. Estimates and minimum hospital stay will vary depending upon individual needs and requirements.

Some useful terms to remember -

• Mini Hair Grafts or Micro Hair Grafts - In Mini Hair Graft, 2 hairs are grafted along with the skin containing the hair follicles.
• Macro Hair Grafts - In Macro Hair Grafts, 3 - 6 hairs are grafted along with the skin containing the hair follicles.
• Follicular Units - A follicular unit consists of 1 - 4 hair follicles. A follicular unit may contain fine hairs that are not visible to the naked eye, sebaceous glands, a small muscle, tiny nerves and blood vessels, and a fine band of collagen that surrounds the follicular unit.

How does Hair Transplantation work?

A 'donor area' is identified on the head. This donor area is usually part of the scalp on the back and side of the head where hair follicles are genetically programmed to grow permanently. A small section of tissue containing the hair follicles, sebaceous glands, a small part of muscle with blood vessels and nerves is removed and is carefully dissected out under a microscope into Macro Hair Grafts and Follicular Units. These Macro Hair Grafts and Follicular Units are strategically and precisely placed on bald areas and areas where hair has started to thin out. Single follicle units are placed especially in the frontal zone to give a soft look. Initially all the hair that have been transplanted will fall off. After 4 - 6 weeks of Hair Transplantation, the transplanted hair will re-grow like normal hair.

Who is an ideal candidate for Hair Transplantation?

This procedure is not just for men, women can also benefit from Hair Transplantation. If you are a man above 25 yrs. of age who has male pattern baldness due to hair loss or if you are a woman who is experiencing localized thinning of hair around your temples and on top of your head, then you are an ideal candidate for Hair Transplantation.

What does the procedure for Hair Transplantation involve?

The procedure for Hair Transplantation requires a surgeon with excellent skills and manual dexterity. Hair Transplantation is performed under local anesthesia with some sedation, in a doctor's office as an outpatient procedure and may take from 4 - 8 hours, depending on the extent of area being treated. Your doctor will mark the area of the new hairline, small areas of hair along with the underlying skin and hair follicles are removed from the hair bearing areas of the scalp and are dissected and divided into tiny segments. Tiny incisions or openings are made on the bald areas on the scalp where these hair segments are transplanted (grafted). These hair continue to grow as they are genetically programmed to grow for life. The 'donor site' is usually concealed with the surrounding hair, is closed with fine stitches which heal quickly with minimal tell tale scarring. The hair grafts may contain 2 - 25 hairs, depending on the method being used. Newer and better techniques for Hair Transplantation are becoming available that reduce the healing time and discomfort, can be customized according to each patients needs and give a better, more natural look. Hair Transplantation can be done in a single session or it may require multiple sessions. A typical Hair Transplantation session may involve 750 to 1,500 grafts, and sometimes more.

How do I prepare pre-operatively before Hair Transplantation?

A pre-operative assessment before Hair Transplantation will be performed by your surgeon one week prior to the procedure. Make sure to inform your doctor about your health condition, any prescription or non-prescription medications including vitamin, mineral or herbal supplements that you might be taking. You doctor will assess the extent of the Hair Transplantation procedure and the time it will take, depending on the bald or balding area that needs to be treated. You will be instructed to quit smoking at least 2 weeks before the Hair Transplantation procedure to prevent complications like delayed healing or incomplete healing. There is no hospitalization necessary, you will be instructed to come to the clinic on the morning of the Hair Transplantation procedure.

What is the recovery like after Hair Transplantation?

You may or may not have bandages around your head after Hair Transplantation. You will be allowed to go home the same after a couple of hours. Initially, there will be some discomfort, crusting or scabbing which can last about one week. Shampoo your hair gently and protect them from dust and sun. Your doctor will remove your stitches after about 10 days. All the transplanted hair will fall off and will recede into a dormant phase after Hair Transplantation for about 2 - 3 months and then start to grow again. These hair will gradually thicken and strengthen in about one year.

What is the outcome of Hair Transplantation?

Chances are, your Hair Transplantation will last you a lifetime. Like all Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery procedures, the outcome of Hair Transplantation depends on how realistic your expectations are. Men are more commonly satisfied with the results. Several variations in Hair Transplantation techniques are used worldwide. The success of Hair Transplantation involves the physicians artistry and aptitude to practically apply these newer techniques to the benefit of their patients. The procedure of Hair Transplantation is permanent although, your new hair will not be of the same density, it will certainly be better than no hair at all.

B . R . A . N . D . of Hair Transplantation

Benefits of Hair Transplantation

• Hair Transplantation is a permanent procedure which not only restores your hair, it also gives you a youthful and vigorous look that will boost up your self confidence tremendously. Hair Transplantation gives you natural results, you can comb and style your hair whatever way you want. Since the hair have just been relocated from one spot on the scalp to the other, they will continue to grow and blend in with the surrounding hair in a natural way.

Risks of Hair Transplantation

• Significant scarring of the donor area
• Infection
• Numbness, bruising and swelling around the donor or recipient sites
• Discomfort or pain following Hair Transplantation
• Failure of transplanted hair to grow

Alternatives to Hair Transplantation

• Hair pieces, wigs - These are methods used to mask balding areas on the scalp. They look unnatural and can move out of place unexpectedly causing embarrassment.
• Rogaine - Rogaine is a non-prescription medicine applied to the scalp which is claimed to promote hair growth.
• Propecia - Propecia is a pill form of medication that is claimed to promote hair growth.
• Bio-Matrix Process - In this procedure, a matrix of transparent, crisscrossing human hair is used to cover the area of thinning hair. These will blend with your hair and you can comb it which ever way you like it.
• Scalp Reduction Surgery - Scalp reduction surgery involves cutting out bald skin from the top of the head and stretching the hairy sides up over the crown.
• Laser Hair Restoration - Laser Hair Restoration is no longer a preferred Hair Transplantation technique as it tends to produce more bleeding and the transplanted hair does not grow as well.

Now or Never

• Hair Transplantation when performed by experienced doctors can give a natural look and nobody will be able to detect that you have had Hair Transplantation surgery. Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation technique is the 'Gold Standard' in hair restoration techniques used world wide. This technique can restore your hair so naturally that even you hair stylist would not know the difference.

Decision to have Hair Transplantation

• If you are ready to look good and feel your best, then Hair Transplantation awaits you. Hair Transplantation is a permanent solution for hair loss that may actually be less expensive than other treatments when factored in over-time.