Hair Transplant Surgery
What is hair transplant surgery?
Hair transplantation is a surgical technique that removes hair follicles from one part of the body, called the ‘donor site’, to a bald or balding part of the body known as the ‘recipient site’. The technique can treat male baldness.
Since hair naturally grows in groupings of one to four hairs, current techniques harvest and transplant hair “follicular units” in their natural clusters. Thus modern hair transplantation can achieve a natural appearance by mimicking original hair orientation. This hair transplant procedure is called follicular unit transplantation (FUT). Donor hair can be harvested in two different ways: strip harvesting, and follicular unit extraction (FUE).
In this minimally invasive procedure, grafts containing hair follicles that are genetically resistant to balding (like the back of the head) are transplanted to the bald scalp. Hair transplantation can also be used to restore eyelashes, eyebrows, beard hair, chest hair, pubic hair and to fill in scars caused by accidents or surgery such as face-lifts and previous hair transplants.
Hair transplantation differs from skin grafting in that grafts contain almost all of the epidermis and dermis surrounding the hair follicle, and many tiny grafts are transplanted rather than a single strip of skin.
Is it right for me?
Hair transplant surgery can help men and women who suffer from balding. Or people who have been affected by trauma. You will need to have your situation assessed by a medical practitioner who specialises in hair transplants to ensure you are in safe hands and are being provided with the latest and most reliable surgical options.
Potential complications
Hair transplant patients need to be aware there is a range of complications that can present following the procedure. These includes:
- bleeding
- infection
- swelling of the scalp
- bruising around the eyes
- a crust that forms on the areas of the scalp where hair was removed or implanted
- numbness or lack of sensation on the treated areas of the scalp
- itching
- inflammation or infection of the hair follicles, which is known as folliculitis
- shock loss, or sudden but typically temporary loss of the transplanted hair
- unnatural-looking tufts of hair.
All surgery comes with some degree of risk. For example, bleeding and infection are possible. Your surgeon will fully explain potential complications during the consultation process and commit to supporting you during recovery.
By seeking out the services of a member of ASAPS for your surgery, means your surgery will take place in an accredited facility. This means the facility meets the required standards of sterilisation and infection control. In Australia, these are the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NS & QHS Standards).
SURGERY & RECOVERY
During surgery
Your time in surgery may vary according to your needs and the specifics of the procedures being performed. Your surgeon will explain everything to you during consultation.
Recovery
One of the most important reasons for choosing a Specialist Plastic Surgeon is that they will be by your side throughout the recovery process, ready to reassure and support you at every stage. Ask your surgeon what recovery will involve for you.
