How Is Hair Transplantation Performed?

How Is Hair Transplantation Performed?

Hair transplantation is a procedure performed to address hair loss, which is a common issue in both men and women and significantly impacts the psychological well-being of individuals experiencing hair loss. The number of patients seeking treatment for hair loss increases every year. Hair transplantation involves the transfer of hair follicles from areas with denser hair growth to areas that have become bald due to hair loss. The procedure is a minor surgical intervention performed after the targeted areas have been locally anesthetized.

Who Can Undergo Hair Transplantation?

Hair transplantation is most commonly performed by experts in cases of hair loss caused by hormonal factors, known as androgenetic alopecia. In this condition, a hormone called dihydrotestosterone plays a critical role. Individuals experiencing significant hair loss often exhibit an excessive sensitivity to this hormone in the affected areas. In men, even though a significant portion of the hair may be lost, the hair follicles located at the back of the head are not sensitive to dihydrotestosterone, and therefore, they do not experience hair loss. Hair transplantation typically involves the transfer of hair follicles from the back of the head to the bald areas. As a result, the transplanted hair becomes resistant to hormonal effects, reducing the risk of further hair loss due to hormonal factors.

Hair loss can also occur due to rare incidents such as injury, burns, or previous surgeries. Certain skin conditions can also be responsible for permanent hair loss. One of the most common conditions is alopecia areata, also known as “circular hair loss,” which causes patchy hair loss. Other underlying causes of permanent hair loss include long-term hypothyroidism, untreated fungal infections of the scalp, and other diseases affecting the scalp, such as psoriasis.

How is Hair Transplantation Done?

Hair transplantation is essentially a procedure where hair follicles, along with their roots, are taken from one area of the scalp with hair and transplanted to a bald or thinning area. There are various techniques developed for this procedure, and the approach can vary depending on the preferred technique, from the method of extraction to the donor area chosen. In some cases, the hair follicles are harvested only from the scalp, while in other applications, hair from the chest or back area can be preferred. For the procedure to be successful, it is crucial to properly harvest the hair follicles and transplant them to the desired areas with great precision.

Before the procedure, local anesthesia is applied to the areas where the transplantation will take place, and various imaging techniques may be used to better identify the hair follicles. In some cases, the application area may need to be shaved. Nowadays, micro-motor devices are commonly used for extracting hair follicles. These devices have tips with a thickness of approximately 0.7 mm and allow for the complete preservation of the follicle and the tissue surrounding the root during extraction. The extracted grafts, which are called follicular units, are carefully preserved under suitable conditions, and after the extraction process is completed, each graft is meticulously placed in the recipient area. In some applications, a process called channel opening may be necessary before placing the hair follicle. Channel opening involves minimal tissue damage in the application area, and therefore, it may require dressing and special care after the procedure. One of the newest hair transplantation methods, called Direct Hair Implantation (DHI), is performed rapidly and safely without the need for procedures like channel opening. DHI has many advantages compared to other methods and is one of the most commonly used techniques nowadays.

Hair Transplantation Using the Individual’s Own Hair Follicles

This is the most commonly performed treatment method, and depending on the condition of the hair, the hair follicles are extracted individually from the back of the head (FUE method) or from a strip of tissue (FUT method) and transplanted to the bald areas.

Scalp Micropigmentation

This method is not actually a hair transplantation technique. It involves mimicking the hair follicles and structures by injecting color pigment into the bald areas. It provides good cosmetic results, especially in cases of localized hair loss like alopecia areata. Scalp micropigmentation can also be performed as an additional treatment procedure after hair transplantation.

PRP Hair Treatment

This method involves injecting the individual’s own blood into the areas affected by hair loss. The blood, taken from the individual’s arm, undergoes certain processes using a specialized centrifuge device. This technique yields a serum rich in growth factors. PRP treatment can be used as a solution for hair loss or to enhance the growth rate of transplanted hair follicles after hair transplantation. Post-transplant PRP treatment helps achieve better hair transplantation results.

How Should Hair Care Be Done After Hair Transplantation?

To ensure the well-being of the transplanted hair follicles:

• Avoid activities that cause sweating on the scalp in the first few days as sweat can damage the transplanted hair follicles.
• During the initial days, sleep in a position that prevents rubbing the transplanted areas against the pillow.
• Do not wash the hair for the first two days.
• After the third day, hair care and washing should be done with shampoos that have the appropriate pH, following the recommendations of your doctor.