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Hair Transplant Surgery Procedures
So it's the big day, the day of your first hair transplant surgery. What would you expect going in to the doctor's office? The steps outlined below are the basically the same for all hair transplants. It's appears a very simple, generally pain free operation all done under local anesthesia.
Step One
During the first step the patient is readied for surgery. The doctor locates a spot to take donor hair from the mid-lower back portion of the head, this is also where hair is generally genetically resistant to balding.
Step Two
In the second step, the area that will be removed from your head is trimmed and prepared. Since this part is cut out, it is more manageable when the hair is not as long.
Step Three
Next you are given a local anesthesia to prepare for the removal of the donor area. The other hair is restrained and the specific donor area is ready to be lifted from your scalp.
Step Four
Now surgery begins. The doctor cuts in, harvesting a horizontal strip of your hair, complete with the scalp and follicles.
Step Five
Once the hair is removed, your donor area is sutured. Basically, part of your scalp has just been taken off, so there is a slit that needs to be sewn back together. And although you are awake there is no pain during any of this.
Step Six
After your donor area is sutured your hair will be combed back over them and they are not visible. They will generally be removed between one and two weeks after the surgery.
Step Seven
Technicians then take your hair under the microscope. It is dissected and prepared into follicular unit grafts that will be placed back into your balding areas.
Step Eight
Another treatment of local anesthesia is given to the recipient area. The hair that is already growing will not need to be removed as the transplants can be specifically placed to any section where it is needed, and not where hair already grows.
Step Nine
Placement of the grafts is the next step in the procedure. They are placed on your head in asymmetrical patterns just like an actual scalp. Tiny incisions are made and the hair is placed directly into them.
Step Ten
The doctors who perform these surgeries are experts, and they place the hair in a density realistic to your original density. Grafts with 1-2 hairs are placed in the front and grafts with 3-4 hairs are placed farther back to give your hair a more realistic and natural appearance.
Step Eleven
Immediately after your surgery you will have small scabs all on the top of your head where the new hair has been placed. The short hair will be stubble like in the beginning but will begin to grow just like your already growing hair. The scabs will generally clear up completely within a week's time.As you can see, the process is relatively simple and side effect free. Depending on how big your balding area is you may require multiple transplant sessions to complete the procedure. Once the final session is complete you should have a full, growing, head of hair. Modern transplants are generally stable and continue to grow long after the surgery. The key to having a successful transplant is to find a hair transplant doctor with the experience and expertise that can provide the services you need in a cost efficient and reliable manner.
A special thanks to The Hair Transplant Network for their pictures and information on the procedure.