Nowadays, hair loss and hair thinning is common problem for both men and women. It can be caused by hormonal changes, medical conditions, or scalp trauma. Some people with hair loss look for the best hair transplant for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons.

Hair transplants are used to restore hair to areas of the scalp that have been reduced or stopped. It is an effective treatment for various hair loss conditions, but hair transplants do not prevent further hair loss. One may require follow-up hair transplants for long term results.

In this article, we’ll look at when to get a hair transplant, the success rates of various types of hair transplants, as well as how long they last.

When to go for a Hair Transplant Surgery?

When one should go for a hair transplant surgery depends on the level of baldness. The Norwood scale is used to measure the level of baldness. It is divided into seven levels. The severity and pattern of hair loss are measured at each level.

• Level 1: There is no substantial hair loss or receding hairline.
• Level 2: The hairline around the temples is receding slightly. An adult or mature hairline is another name for this level.
• Level 3: The first major signs of baldness develop. The hairline reduces a lot, forming an M, U, or V shape near the temple. The area is either hairless or has less hair. In level 3 vertex, The hairline remains at stage 2, but the top of the scalp has substantial hair loss.
• Level 4: It has a more severe hairline recession than level 2 and has sparse or no hair on the vertex. A band of hair joins the remaining hair on the sides of the scalp, separating the two areas of hair loss.
• Level 5: The two areas of hair loss are greater than in level 4. They’re still separated, but there’s a narrower and sparser strip of hair between them.
• Level 6: The balding patches at the temples and the balding area at the vertex come together in this stage. The top of the head has a strip of hair that is gone or less.
• Level 7: Only a ring of hair around the sides of the head remains in level 7, the most severe level of hair loss. Under this level, the hair is less with no thickness.

A hair transplant is recommended when a person reaches level 3 hair loss. If one has level 1 or level 2 hair loss, they can go for medications to control or stop their hair from falling.

Different Techniques of Hair Transplant.

A surgeon takes follicles from dense areas of hair, such as the back of the head, during a hair transplant. This area is known as the donor site. The surgeon will implant the follicles into microscopic incisions in the affected scalp area.

The procedure can be performed for different areas facing hair loss, like beard transplant, eyebrow, and eyelash hair transplants.

There are different types of hair transplant techniques:

• Follicular unit extraction (FUE)

Under FUE hair transplant, the surgeon will extract follicles from the donor area with a tiny punch tool. Although there will still be some scarring after this surgery, it will be less apparent, and stitches are generally not required.

• DHI hair transplant

DHI hair transplantation is a cutting-edge hair transplant process that involves removing follicles from the donor area with implanter pens and then implanting them one by one into the recipient area. Most hair transplant clinics use modern Choi Pen technology to deliver the finest possible DHI hair transplant.

The Choi Pen is a specialized tool for implanting hair follicles into the scalp after they have been extracted from the donor location. The implanter features a hollow needle connected to a tube with a plunger on one end and looks like a pen. The needle’s thickness is between 0.5 and 1.5mm. The Choi Pen’s precision produces a more natural result and boosts the follicle’s chance of survival once implanted.

Which Hair Transplant Technique to Choose?

All techniques are useful, but they can produce distinct results in some circumstances.

According to 2019 research, FUE needs more skill and takes longer but it can give excellent outcomes if the surgeon has extensive experience with the procedure.

DHI hair transplant offers more flexibility than the FUE method. After the donor follicles have been harvested, they can be preserved in a special solution to help them develop further, or they can be transplanted straight into the thinning area, depending on the patient’s specific needs. DHI hair transplant is recommended when the patient has healthy and thick hair in the donor area.

Usually, the donor area is the side or back of the head. Using body hair may be beneficial for people who don’t have thick hair on the back or sides of their heads. Taking donor hair from the chin, back, or chest can also be useful.

Both procedures take several hours and require local anesthesia, depending on how many follicles the surgeon implants. Most people can return home on the same day after the procedure.

Success Rate of Hair Transplant Surgery

The success rate of hair transplant surgery is determined by several factors, including the surgeon’s expertise and experience and the donor hair thickness.

Hair transplantation can increase the hair density. Skin flap surgery, tissue expansion, or scalp reduction procedures may be used to achieve better results.

There are no studies that provide exact success rates for hair transplants. Several minor studies and publications, on the other hand, provide some insight into the usefulness of this treatment.

At an average follow-up of 2.9 years, most people who underwent FUE utilizing body or beard hair mixed with scalp hair were satisfied with the outcomes. The average overall satisfaction score among the 79 participants was 8.3 out of 10.

Studies suggest that PRP therapy improves FUE hair transplant success by combining FUE with platelet-rich plasma. After 6 months, PRP subjects had regrown more than 75% of their hair. Hair density and skin regeneration were faster in the PRP group than in the non-PRP group.

Do Hair Transplants Have a Long-term Effect?

After a successful hair transplant, most people will have thicker natural-looking hair. They may, however, continue to have hair thinning and loss following the treatment, resulting in an unnatural or patchy appearance.

People may need follow-up transplants for longer-lasting effects. Some patients may require a “touch-up” surgery. Filling in any regions that aren’t thick enough or merging the follicles for a more natural look can be accomplished with this process.

A person should follow their surgeon’s post-hair transplant procedure instructions for the best results. They will have a better chance of having a successful hair transplant if they do this.

A person may need to avoid vigorous activities and exercise for several weeks. It’s also possible that they’ll have to wait a few days before shampooing their hair.

The hair transplant surgery may be a viable alternative for those experiencing hair thinning or loss. It may not be a long-term treatment for thinning hair, but it can help people regain their hair density and confidence.