The face is the first thing people notice when they see you, and your hair is part of that initial impression. When you start going bald or have noticeably thinning hair, it may take a real toll on your confidence. You may begin to cover it up with a hat or try one of the many treatments touted across the web and television sets. Hair restoration surgery is one option that keeps emerging as a popular route. However, you aren’t sure if it is something you should jump into. Before taking the leap, discover three elements of the procedure from a hair transplant surgeon so you can make a more informed decision.
1. What Happens During Hair Transplant Surgery?
Your most pressing concern may be about the actual procedure itself. Hair restoration surgery involves removing small grafts of skin from other areas of your head where the hair is actively growing. Doing this allows follicles that are still active to spread and do their work in the spots on your head that lack any hair growth. These small grafts are then moved to slits made in the balding areas. The follicles are typically removed from the sides and back of your head. These areas continue to grow hair for the remainder of your life. Thus, you do not have to be concerned that the pieces of skin containing hair will become bald after the surgery.
2. Does the Procedure Work?
Hair transplants can take up to eight hours, and recovery time varies based on the severity of your hair loss. Those people with almost totally baldness may find less success after the procedure than those who have only patches of baldness. The success rate varies, and it may take up to two years for the hair to root and start to grow. As little as 10 percent of the transplanted hair follicles may grow hair, while in the most successful cases, that number jumps to 80 percent.
3. Is Hair Transplant Surgery Safe?
There are some side effects that may happen after the surgery, including things such as:
- Infection
- Scalp pain
- Loss of feeling around grafted areas
- Hair loss
Overall, the procedure is considered to be safe. As with any other surgery, you must get clearance from a doctor to proceed.
Speaking to a hair transplant doctor may be your best way to gather all the insight to make an informed and confident decision. Make an appointment with one near you today.