Hair transplant is a comfortable procedure performed as a Day Care procedure, performed under local anesthesia,while the patient may work on his laptop, mobile or simply read a novel. After the numbing effect of the local anesthesia has taken place.
A strip of hair bearing skin is taken from the back of the head. This area is relatively unaffected by the male hormones which are responsible for baldness. The hair bearing strip is separated to single follicular units under magnification. It is to be noted that each follicular unit contains more than 1 follicle. A good team performing hair transplant manages each unit to contain 1-4 hair follicles. On an average each graft or a follicular unit contain 2.5 hair follicles or hair. While the assistants are separating grafts from the strip, the surgeon makes micro slits in the area of the transplant. This step is the most important step since the surgeon decides the density of the transplant, and the direction of the transplanted hair at this stage. The next step is implantation of the grafts into these pre formed slits. This procedure can take 3- 6 hours depending on the number of grafts. Usually these two procedures are done side by side, so the whole process can be expected to last 4-6 hours. For the front of the head about 1500-2000 hair follicle units are required. For a complete coverage, about 6000 units may be required. It is preferable to make a second replacement after 6-8 months.For 1000-1200 grafts, it takes 3 hours, while a 2000-2200 graft session takes 4.5 hours.
Hair transplant for bald areas
This involved hair transplant in areas where there is no hair, and that patch is effectively bald. Extremely satisfying results are obtained in this group.
Hair transplant for density increase
This is more difficult, since any injury to existing hair is to be avoided. Extremely satisfying results are achieved. The instrumentation for this procedure is slightly different.
Pre Procedure Protocol
Patients are required to complete a Consult Form ( ATTACHMENT WITH THE MAIL. – SHOULD OPEN IN A DOWNLOADABLE WINDOW WHEN CLICKED). Any medicines being used, particularly anti diabetics, blood thinner medicines must be revealed.
All patients should do the following tests – Haemoglobin, blood sugar, blood urea, HIV, HbsAg, Anti HCV. For patients above 35yrs, ECG is also advised.
Rationale
The hair is taken from the back portion of the head, which is relatively resistant to action of male hormone responsible for hair loss. Thus this hair persists nearly life long. The hair that is transplanted carries with it the genetic property of its original position, so it resists hair fall.
The techniques for hair transplant are -
Microfollicular hair transplant with Strip procedure.
Follicular hair transplant – extraction of roots one by one Body hair transplant – use of hair from the chest, arms, pubic area, underarms etc.
Refinements
Hair transplant has undergone a number of refinements. In the microfollicular technique, the earlier used punches have given way to use of micrografts. These are follicular units with 1-3 hair follicles, giving a very Natural hair line appearance. The use of fine and delicate instruments like microneedles, micropunches, micro forceps etc have made handling of tissues more delicate and with no damage to hair follicles at all.
Use of microscopes and magnification has allowed larger hair follicle harvesting and better survival of grafts.
Long acting anesthetic agents, allow long term pain relief, allowing the procedure to be more comfortable.
Post Transplant Care
We advise the following medicines and care after a transplant -
Tablet levoflox 750 mg once daily for 5 days.
Tablet ketanov thrice daily for 5 days.
Nupatch 100 mg twice daily for 5 days.
Please keep the head band on for 3 days. The purpose of the head band is to reduce the swelling that occurs in the forehead region.
Head washing is to be started on the 4th day after removing the head band. The washing is to be gentle over the transplanted region, and scrub over the area of the stitches to keep them clean. This needs to be done daily from the 4th – 18 the day
You will notice scabs around each hair follicle, please do not pull them out, they will wash off gradually
No showering is allowed for 3 weeks, have a bath with mug
Baby shampoo is advised for the first 14 days
Stich removal is to be done on Day 14
Please avoid all exercises, gym, exertion and even bending movements for 3 weeks
Please continue all medicines as had been advised to you in the pre procedure preparation form
Avoid smoking and drinks for at least 7 days. Smoking causes hair loss and you are advised to quit smoking to maintain good hair growth. Cigarettes contain nicotine, which is responsible for hair loss
avoid t-shirts and round neck sweaters for 3 weeks
avoid colouring your hair for 3 weeks
restrict the use of helmets to avoid hair loss
Follow up schedule -
You will be asked to review at the clinic at 14 days, 3 months, 4 months and 6 months post procedure.
Please remember that in the initial few weeks ( 2- 6 weeks) the transplanted hair will shed off. PLEASE DO NOT WORRY FOR THIS HAIR LOSS since the roots are firmly in, and hair growth will occur in about 3 months post procedure.
Occasional pimples will occur in the transplanted region. These are not a cause for concern
Numbness in the front and back can persist for 3 weeks or longer, please be assured that this is temporary and will go away on its own
In situations of any problems, please mail us on restoremyhair@gmail.com. In situations of emergencies you can speak with Dr Amit on 9999972949. Please restrict these calls to minimum and for urgent situations, since the doctor may be in a procedure.
Side Effects
Hair transplant has undergone a number of refinements. In the microfollicular technique, the earlier usedThere are no side effects to the procedure. if the patient undergoes the strip technique the scar that is given is usually very fine and invisible through the hair. No complications are expected over the transplanted region. Dandruff and acne must be prevented and actively treated should they develop.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
Follicular unit extraction is a relatively new procedure for hair transplant. This technique involves individual extraction of follicular units rather than the entire strip. This is useful in patients who keep short hair and do not want the scar to show.
The advantages of this procedure are -
Strip is not removed – thus no scar
more comfortable in the initial post op period
very useful for small sessions, touch up procedures, eyebrow, hair line procedures
Disadvantages of this procedure are -
lesser number of grafts can be done in one session – a maximum of 1400-1600 grafts ( equivalent of 4000 follicles) can be done. If requirement is more, then the next session will be done after 3 months
there is about 10 % wastage of grafts since this is a relatively blind procedure of extraction
the hair per graft yield is a little less than in the strip procedure due to transection of some roots in the FUE procedure
The result in both the techniques is almost the same, there is almost no difference in terms of density, distribution and appearance after a transplant in the 2 techniques
Body Hair Transplant (BHT)
Body hair transplant utilizes the FUE technique to perform chest hair transplant, beard transplant, axilla hair transplant, pubic hair transplant. However the density of hair in this region is very poor, and often the grafts contain only 1 or 2 follicles. Further the growth cycle of body hair is very slow, taking more than 6 months to start their growth. Body hair transplant is reserved only if scalp hair is not available.
