All you need to know about Hair Loss & Hair Transplant

by Ankur S. Technical Writer

Ø What are the causes of Hair Loss? 

·                         Genetic Hair loss (DHT):

It is also known as androgenic alopecia or male pattern hair loss. It is caused due to an over sensitivity of the roots of the hair of some people to the hormone DHT. DHT is a hormone derived from testosterone. Not everyone has the same level of sensitivity to DHT. This tendency to be over sensitive to DHT is usually genetic. 

·                                Traction Alopecia:

It is the hair loss due to excessive pulling of hair in certain hair styles. It is mostly seen in women and in men who wear turbans or tight hats. It results due to tight hairstyles such as ponytails. 

·                                  Due to vitamin deficiency:

A diet lacking in vitamins and proteins can also lead to significant hair loss. It is mostly seen in metropolitan cities where the lifestyle is very fast and there is a prevalence of fast food which lacks vitamins and minerals. 

·                                  Medication: 

Medications used to treat certain diseases such as Typhoid, Cancer, Thyroid disorders and Hypertension can cause a significant increase in hair loss and may even lead to baldness. Hair loss is also sometimes seen in women taking OCP’s due to the hormonal changes it causes. 

·                                   Hard water, Stress & Pollution:

Hard water is also a cause of hair loss. It makes the hair brittle and easy to break. This can even cause balding. Polluted water has the same effect on the hair. Long term stress, both physical and mental, can lead to baldness as well. 

Ø  Treatments available for hair loss problem: 

1.                              Medication or Therapy : 

·       Medication for hair loss includes DHT blockers such as Finepecia and topical solutions i.e Minoxidil containing liquids that can reduce the hair loss in lower grades of balding. It is mostly advisable in Grade I or II of baldness.  

·          Therapies like PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), Laser and Bioptron are the common therapies used to control hair loss. 

2.                             Hair Transplant : 

                   There are two types of transplant procedures: FUT hair transplant   and FUE hair transplant

Ø  What is a Hair Transplant? 

A hair transplant is a shifting of roots from the occipital area (safe donor area) to the balding part of the same scalp by a surgical procedure. It is a painless and minimally invasive procedure and gives a permanent solution to balding. Since it is a day-care procedure you can almost immediately resume your daily routine. The transplanted hair can be trimmed or shaved just like natural hair and no extra precautions or maintenance are needed for transplanted hair.   

• FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant):

A strip of tissues is removed from the safe donor area from which the follicles are extracted. These follicles are then implanted at the recipient area.

The method for this procedure is such that the donor area is given local anaesthesia from which a strip of skin is extracted by the surgeon. The area is then sutured by trichophytic closure technique to minimise the chances of scarring. The strip is then dissected under high power microscopes for the precise removal of the follicles. These follicles are then implanted on to the recipient area. 

• FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction):

In FUE technique individual follicular units are extracted from the scalp by means of punches and then implanted at the recipient area. This procedure is also done under local anaesthesia so the patient does not feel any kind of pain during the procedure.

Ø Why is a Hair Transplant Needed? 

A person suffering from hair loss may feel social or psychological issues in his life. Appearance of a person has always been of prime importance for people. It has always mattered and affected people in their social and professional lives. In previous days, people resorted to wigs or hair patches which gave an unnatural look. It also required a lot of maintenance and was difficult to manage. There were also the chances of the wig slipping from its place causing great embarrassment to the person mostly when attending any social gatherings. The invention of Hair Transplants in the medical field led to the person being able to get natural hair permanently. For one who experiences balding, hair transplant is a boon for him. It can drastically change the appearance and self-confidence of the person. 

Ø Is it a permanent solution?

Yes it is a permanent solution to baldness. Some people may need further maintenance of implanted hair such as Minoxidil to protect them from getting miniaturised. 

Ø  What is the cost of the procedure? 

There is great variation in the cost of the procedure. On an average the cost of hair transplant procedure in Eastern countries such as India is about 75% lower than the cost in countries such as Australia, UK, USA and Canada. The services and results in India are at par with these countries.

Ø Who is eligible to get a Hair Transplant? 

Any person suffering from hair loss problem can get Hair Transplantation done. But there are certain limitations of the procedure which can make a person a good or a bad candidate for the procedure. A Good candidate includes:

·         Person having a Grade of Baldness more than Grade III.

• Men with hereditary balding
• Women suffering from significant hair thinning or patchy hair loss.
• Those suffering from any previous accidental scar such as due to an injury or burns to the scalp.
• When the hair fall is not progressive in nature.

Ø  Who should avoid a hair transplant?

 It should be avoided by:

·         A person of a young age with a hardly receding hair line is not a good candidate for a hair transplant.  

• Those suffering from progressive hair loss with no stable zone yet.
• Those with an insufficient safe donor area.
• Those with a tendency to keloid or scar formation.
• Those who are suffering from hair loss due to medication such as chemotherapy.
• Those suffering from an active auto-immune disorder such as alopecia areata.

 

Ø  Are there any side effects? 

Hair Transplant is a minimally invasive as well as a very safe procedure and does not have any long term side effects. Recovery after most procedures is uneventful. In some cases the patient may temporarily feel slight difficulties such as:

• Dizziness and sleepiness
• Redness of recipient and donor part
• Itching of the scalp
• Tenderness
• Slight pain
• Swelling

 

Hence, if you are suffering from hair loss or have a bald patch on your scalp then you can easily avail Hair transplant services safely with the best surgeon in any part of the world. Getting a Hair Transplant in western countries is a costly affair so many people visit India for their Hair Transplant. All that you need to do is a little research to find the best clinic and surgeon for your Hair Transplantation.

I hope this article will help in solving most of your queries related to Hair Transplantation. If you are still thinking about whether or not you should go for a hair transplant then you can see pictures of other patients who underwent the same and had a life transforming change after the procedure.  

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Created on Oct 31st 2018 07:57. Viewed 201 times.

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