Your permanent hair loss deserves a solution that is permanent. For many, that means hair transplant surgery which can deliver a satisfying, long-lasting result. By talking to a qualified hair restoration specialist like those at the Moore Hair Clinic in St. Louis, Missouri, they can discuss with you your needs, risks, and eligibility for hair restoration surgery.
Hair Transplant Types
A hair transplant is a procedure to help those with baldness. Existing hair is moved from donor area(s) to areas with thinning or no hair. There are two methods that are used for hair transplants. Follicular unit transplant (FUT) and Follicular unit extraction hair transplant (FUE). Both procedures are outpatient and they are typically conducted in the doctor’s office.
With the Follicular unit transplant, a surgeon will remove a strip of your scalp usually from the back of the patient’s head, called the donor area, which in most cases leaves a visible scar line, limiting your choice of hair styles going forward. The hair remaining in the donor area, however, will cover the sutures or staples used to close the incision, and will cover the scar line when the scalp is healed. The strip that is removed is divided into hundreds or even thousands of tiny hair grafts. Each graft contains a few hairs which are then transplanted into small slits or holes in the desired area.
The follicular unit extraction hair transplant method involves taking hair follicles, one by one from the donor area. FUE grafts are then implanted into the thinning or bald areas of the scalp. The grafts that are harvested are inserted into small slits or holes in the desired areas. After your scalp is fully healed, the remaining hair will cover over the small holes of missing hair from the donor area.
Are Hair Transplants Permanent?
Hair transplants are considered to be a permanent hair loss solution. Hair that is transplanted comes from the back or sides of the patient’s head. This is where the hair genetically is more durable. The hairline design and the hair transplanting of the grafts are planned with the future in mind. Hair loss is a continuous process. You want to have your transplanted hair blend into whatever the future holds. While transplanted hair is permanent, our bodies are still subject to the aging process. The transplanted hair will become finer and will turn gray with time, just like it would if it wasn’t taken from the donor area.
The hairs on the back of our head are much more resistant to balding and will not fall out like the hair on the top of your head. This is great for those who are looking for a hair restoration solution that is permanent. It can cause issues as patients continue to experience hair loss from the surrounding areas post-surgery. If a hair transplant surgery is performed too early, it can look unnatural with the hairs that remain as hairs recede and leave patches of baldness.
Is the Right Choice for You a Hair Transplant?
While hair transplants are a great permanent hair loss treatment, as with any procedure, you should discuss all of your potential hair restoration options and potential outcomes with a qualified hair loss specialist.
At the Moore Hair Transplant Clinic in St. Louis, we consider that a patient considering hair restoration surgery should be at least 30 years of age. At that age, the hair loss pattern is more established. Patients that have hair transplants at a younger age often require revision surgeries to correct the hairline as more hair falls out.
The recovery time for hair transplants is usually short. After a week or so, most patients can go back to their normal activities. The transplanted hairs will shed over time, but this is normal and new hair will grow in its place from the transplanted hair follicles.
