About 70% of men lose their hair as they age and hair thinning is common in women as well, but luckily a hair transplant surgery can help to restore hair in areas with thinning or balding in many cases.
In recent years, hair transplantation technology has advanced to the point where transplants are better and more natural-appearing than ever before. However, there are many things to consider when trying to determine whether this type of surgery is right for you.
Here at Root Hair Institute, we help all types of patients improve their confidence with hair restoration procedures. In this guide, we’ll discuss the main things you need to know so you can start your journey.
Read on to learn more about hair restoration surgery!
What Is Hair Transplant Surgery?
Hair transplants are a relatively well-tolerated cosmetic surgery with generally good outcomes and significant improvement in confidence for many individuals. These surgeries involve removing hair follicles from one area of the head with thicker healthier hair and placing them in another with thinning or balding.
Several types of hair transplant methods exist, all of which can provide great results. When you consult with a professional, they can help you choose a method that suits your needs and goals.
The Benefits
One of the main benefits of getting a hair transplant is being able to restore hair in an area with thinning or balding. Hair transplant surgeries are often done to restore hairlines or fill in areas with thinning.
The recovery period is relatively quick compared to other periods. Recovery is usually 1-2 weeks. However, it is important to discuss the recovery period for your specific case and type of surgery with the performing hair restoration surgeon.
Hair transplants tend to work really well when combined with other types of therapies including medications like finasteride and minoxidil, red light therapy, and growth factor injections.
Another benefit of hair transplant surgeries is that the transplanted hair is often permanent. However, a hair transplant should not be thought of as a end-all be-all permanent solution as a hair transplant will not prevent further hair loss or thicken existing hair. It moves existing hair from one region to another. This is why a discussion of maintenance therapies to help maintain the hair such as the other therapies listed above in addition to hair transplant can be crucial to get the best results especially in those with advanced hair loss or younger age.
The Cost
One of the main challenges that people face with hair transplantation is the cost. Like many cosmetic surgeries, hair transplants can be expensive. However, the cost often depends on the number of follicles being transplanted and the experience of the surgeon.
Many centers such as Root Hair Institute offer financing options to help patients overcome this barrier.
Who Is the Ideal Candidate?
People of all genders can be potentially good candidates. Those with different severities of hair loss can also be potentially good candidates depending on their willingness to take maintenance therapies, amount of quality donor hair, and goals.
Generally transplants are not recommended in those who are very young such as teenagers or those in their early to mid 20s. If surgery is done in younger individuals, it is important to plan for future potential hair loss and not be too aggressive in the surgery to avoid unnatural results in the future as they age.
Generally hair transplants can be potentially appropriate for those with androgenetic alopecia (also called patterned hair loss, male pattern balding, female pattern hair loss, etc), traction alopecia, or scars from trauma, prior surgery, or non-active scalp or hair conditions. Hair transplant is not appropriate for those with active inflammatory types of hair loss or internal conditions causing their hair loss as the transplant will not address the underlying cause and the transplanted hair could also be lost.
Transplants can also be used to help restore hair density in the beard or eyebrow in some cases.
How to Decide If It’s Right for You
While the idea of hair restoration can be appealing, it doesn’t suit everyone. There are several factors to be considered including the following:
Budget
As we’ve mentioned, the cost of hair transplant surgery is significant and should be factored in when making a decision.
Here at Root Hair, we allow patients to finance transplants with monthly payments through Cherry Finacing and through CareCredit.
Desired Results & Effect on Confidence
Another thing to consider is the result you desire and hair loss effect on your confidence. If you don’t feel that your hair loss bothers you, then a hair transplant may not be right for you. Yet, if you feel self-conscious with your hair’s current state, getting one may boost your confidence.
If you have an idea of what you want to achieve, meeting with a professional will help you determine whether your desired results are possible.
Maintenance
Another thing to consider are maintenance therapies such as medications, red light therapy, and growth factor injections. Even though most transplanted hairs will grow in the area permanently, a hair transplant will not prevent the non-transplanted native hair from being lost. Thus, maintenance therapies to help strengthen the existing hair and decrease further loss can be an important part of addressing hair loss comprehensively. It is important to meet with a professional to discuss your maintenance options to determine which may be right for you.
Consider Getting Hair Transplant Surgery Today
Now that you know about the basics of hair transplant surgery, you can decide whether it’s right for you. Keep in mind that you’re the only one who can determine when the time is right, but a professional can guide you through the process.
Schedule a hair loss consultation now to find out how Root Hair can help you achieve the hair of your dreams!