WHAT IS HAIR TRANSPLANTATION?
Today, hair loss is one of the most prevailing cosmetic problems. Although it is thought to be more common in men, it is also a problem for women. It is normal for healthy individuals to lose up to 100 strands of hair per day. In cases where hair loss is more than this figure, assistance should be sought from an expert. Although various medical treatments (PRP, Mesotherapy, etc.) are used to try to reduce hair loss, the only effective and permanent solution for people with intensive hair loss is a hair transplantation operation. Hair transplantation is the only natural and permanent solution to the problem of baldness and thinning caused by hair loss. With this operation, the hair roots in the area between the two ears at the back of the head, which are resistant to genetic shedding, are collected and planted into micro-incisions opened in the required areas.
BASIC STAGES OF HAIR TRANSPLANTATION
1-) COLLECTION OF HAIR FOLLICLES
Initially, the area between the two ears in the back of the head is preferred as the donor site because the hair on this part are the most resistant ones to balding. The hair follicles are collected one by one with a FUE motor after the area has been prepared for the procedure. Each of these follicles called grafts, contains 2-3 strands of hair on average.
2-) OPENING THE MICRO-INCISIONS
Small incisions are made to transplant the individually collected hair follicles to the required area. The size and depth of the micro-incisions should match the graft taken. The angle of these slits should be adjusted precisely to obtain natural appearance.
3-) PLANTING HAIR FOLLICLES
At this last stage the collected follicles are carefully placed into the slits one by one.
THE MOST COMMONLY APPLIED HAIR TRANSPLANTATION TECHNIQUE: FUE
The most common technology in hair transplantation is the FUE technique performed under local anesthesia, where the follicles are collected with the help of a micro-motor. This technique is the basis for all hair transplantation methods. The basic steps are the same in all hair transplantation methods. The follicles are collected, micro-incisions are made and the follicles are planted into these slits. The diversed nomenclature of hair transplantation techniques is stemmed from the variation of devices used during the follicle collection and of the tools used during the slit openning and planting stages.
1-) DHI HAIR TRANSPLANTATION
DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) means “Direct Hair Transplantation”. In this method, after the hair follicles are collected, they are placed directly into the skin with the help of a medical pen called choi without making incisions or opening slits. In other words, slits are opened and planting is carried out simultaneously with this pen. This method shortens the air exposure of the follicles, therefore they are more likely to remain healthy. The healing process is faster with this method. Furthermore, all the hair does not need to be shaved. These are the main reasons for its preference.
2-) SAPPHIRE FUE HAIR TRANSPLANTATION
In this method, the hair follicles are collected with the help of the FUE technique, a micro-motor and special sapphire tips are used instead of metal slits in the micro-incision stage. Thanks to these tips, smaller slits can be opened and the healing process is accelerated.
HAIR TRANSPLANTATION AND POST-PROCESS
Hair transplantation operations take 6-8 hours on average. The pain is minimal, since the procedure is performed under local anesthesia. Another method is sedation. Sedation can be preferred with patients with high concerns and anxiety. After the operation, a special wash is applied to the head for 10 days. Starting on the 15th day after the operation, transplanted hair is shed for 2 months. This shedding is a normal occurrence and fortunately this is a temporary phase. As of the 3rd month hair starts to emerge gradually. The hair completes its emerging between the 9th and 12th months on average.
