If you’ve been struggling with thinning hair or are losing your hair altogether, it’s likely you’ve pondered hair restoration surgery. Hair transplant surgery is a decades-old procedure that delivers excellent results. Advances in science and technology have allowed hair transplant surgery to be a great option for those who wish to regrow their very own thick, full hair once again.
Not sure what you’re in for when it comes to hair transplant surgery? We’ve put together a guide of frequently asked questions, so you can get a better feel of what you can expect when you choose hair transplant surgery as your treatment option.
What is Involved in Hair Transplant Surgery?
The answer to this frequently asked question really depends on the type of hair transplant surgery you’re receiving. There are two popular types of hair transplant surgery: FUE and FUT.
- FUE- Follicular unit excision (FUE) hair transplant surgery involves individual hair follicles being extracted from the donor area and transplanted into areas of thinning or lost hair. Rather than a strip of hair being taken from the donor area, like with traditional hair transplant surgery, patients are left with small scars about 1 mm around. This is because individual hair follicles are harvested one by one.
- FUT – Follicular unit hair transplant (FUT) surgery involves taking a strip of hair follicles from the donor area and separating the individual hair follicles under a microscope. Those individual hair follicles are then placed into the treatment area or area with thinning or lost hair. The area where the strip of hair follicles is taken from is closed with stitches.
During each of these procedures, the donor and treatment areas will be completely numbed using a local anesthetic, ensuring patients remain as comfortable as possible throughout their treatment.
What is Recovery Like After Hair Transplant Surgery?
Immediately following your hair transplant procedure, your scalp may be sore and tender to the touch. Your hair loss doctor may provide you with pain medication, anti-inflammatory medication, and antibiotics to ensure you remain comfortable and reduce the risk of complications throughout your recovery period. Patients are asked to take a few days off work to fully recover before they return to the office.
Within the first two to three weeks of recovery, you may begin to notice hair falling out of the treatment areas. This is not a cause for concern, rather, it is normal and healthy for this first round of transplanted hair to fall out as it heals. This makes way for new hair to grow in its place. Patients typically start seeing new hair growth about eight to 12 weeks following surgery.
Will I Need More Than One Hair Transplant Procedure?
The answer to this question ultimately depends on your body and the way it reacts to the hair transplant procedure. It’s important to keep in mind that it may take more than one hair transplant procedure to achieve your desired results, especially if your provider recommends multiple treatment sessions to complete your initial hair transplant regimen. The best way to find out how many hair transplant procedures you’ll need to achieve your desired results is to see a hair transplant doctor, like Dr. Robert Niedbalski.
Are the Results of Hair Transplant Surgery Permanent?
Ultimately, yes. Hair transplant surgery is considered to provide patients with permanent results. Many patients who receive hair transplant surgery enjoy the results of their procedure for more than 20 years. However, it’s important to manage your expectations when it comes to your desired results.
Does Hair Transplant Surgery Look Natural?
Yes! Nowadays, it’s hard to tell if a patient received hair transplant surgery at all after they have completely healed and the new hair has grown in. Unlike outdated hair transplant procedures that utilized 4mm “hair plugs,” modern hair transplant surgeries utilize 1mm individual hair follicles to reduce scarring and enhance the natural look of the new hair that grows in the treated areas.
Hair Transplant Surgery in Seattle, WA
Are you interested in hair transplant surgery but aren’t sure who to trust? Come in and see the hair loss professionals at Northwest Hair Restoration. With three convenient locations across Washington state, Dr. Robert Niedbalski and his expert team are proud to offer cutting-edge solutions for hair loss and hair restoration to men and women. If you have any questions about your hair restoration treatment options, we encourage you to give us a call today at (253) 572-2949.To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Niedbalski, please send us an appointment request online.
