Men and Women Hair Loss Transplant
Though there are a variety of products on the market today for those losing hair, there is no tried and true cure for andogenetic alopecia. This condition is also called male patterned baldness, despite the fact that this condition can affect females as well. Many people have also expressed frustration with the products that are available to treat this condition. These tend to be costly and may or may not provide a permanent solution to hair loss. Others don’t even attempt to provide a solution. Instead, they seek to camouflage the problem using unrealistic hair pieces or sprays. Understandably, this can be somewhat annoying to those desiring the look and texture of their natural hair.
Hair transplants are a permanent and serious solution to hair loss and hair thinning. However, it isn’t advisable to get a hair transplant unless you have considered all of your options. One of the reasons hair transplants have received such a bum rap is because they are extremely costly and do not always work. Of course, there are also complications that can arise from this surgery, just as there would be from any procedure.
While the procedure has changed and evolved over the years, a traditional hair transplant involves grafting skin from an area on a person’s body where hair follicles are prevalent to an area where there are currently no follicles and no new growth. These new grafts are placed in a somewhat erratic pattern to mimic the look and assumed growth of the original hair. Most of these operations are fairly routine and require only minimal anesthesia. Hair transplants are usually done at an outpatient facility. Bandages and dressings are generally part of recovery and will allow for drainage. Patients are released fairly quickly to recover at home, and their care will be followed up under supervision of their surgeon or personal physician.
One of the drawbacks to hair transplants has been the cost. These procedures can often cost many thousands of dollars and are rarely covered by health insurance. In addition, there is a chance that the operation will not take. This means that the hair follicles that were grafted may not survive the procedure. This can be extremely disappointing after spending so much money on the procedure and the time recovering.
There are a few side effects from a hair transplant surgery that those considering it should be aware of. Numbness may occur in the areas of the grafts following surgery. This numb sensation may last several weeks or even a couple of months. Though this isn’t uncommon, it’s always important to keep your doctor informed. This sensation should eventually cease. Infection is another possible side effect. Your doctor should check at each visit for signs of infection or scarring. These are both common side effects not only of hair transplant surgery, but of almost any surgical procedure. Usually, your surgeon or doctor will give you directions on how to care for the affected areas post-operatively to prevent these complications. It’s important that you discuss any concerns about side effects with your doctor prior to surgery.