Transplant hair loss|Hair loss treatment

The turban-like bandage is left on overnight and removed the next day by the patient at home. 

The affected areas are gently cleansed with a sterile solution, such as hydrogen peroxide. 

Surprisingly little discomfort is felt after the procedure.  Painkillers, however, may be prescribed, to be available if needed.

The hair may be combed the day after the procedure, but great care must be taken to avoid accidently hooking and dislodging the grafts. 

Two days later, the hair can be rinsed and after 3 to 4 days, gently shampooed. 

Care must be taken not to dislodge the grafts during the first 2 weeks.  After this period of time they cannot be pulled out.  

The sutures at the donor site are removed after 7 days.

After 2 weeks the crusts overlying each graft are carefully removed.  Progress is reviewed after 3 months in transplant hair loss.

What can be expected as time passes?

A small scab forms over each graft.  The scabs are sloughed within 1 to 2 weeks and the area is pink for a couple of months.

In the recipient area, the transplanted hair goes into “shock” and falls out within 2 to 8 weeks after the surgery. 

In about 3 months new hair begins to grow and continues to grow at its normal rate of about half an inch per month..

Hair care treatments and the donor site gradually heals to a fine white line and is easily camouflaged with the hair in the area in transplant hair loss.   

How long will transplanted hair last?

The transplanted hair will grow for as long as the hair of the donor site from which it has been harvested.  In most cases it will last a lifetime.

Hair care treatments and as time passes most individuals continue to lose their hair.  Therefore further transplants are usually required.

Is there a minimum or maximum time period that is allowed between individual sessions?

Minimum time intervals depend on the number of the grafts that can be harvested from the donor site and transplanted to the area of baldness, the extent of the baldness, as well as on each individual’s circumstances. 

The shorter the time interval the more rapidly the hair transplant is completed. Usually sessions are performed at 3 to 4 month intervals if the same area is being transplanted. 

If different areas are being treated the time interval may be much shorter.  There is no maximum interval between sessions.

When there is a large area of baldness, is it possible to cover the entire area?

Hair care treatments and this is dependent on the size of the donor area.  Generally, when there is extensive baldness, a scalp reduction may be performed to decrease the area of baldness to a manageable size. 

Subsequently, grafting is done to camouflage the scalp reduction scar and to fill in the remaining areas of baldness. 

The end result may give the appearance of thinned hair rather than absent hair.

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