The Pros And Cons Of A Hair Transplant

Mane Considerations: The Pros And Cons Of A Hair Transplant

Hair transplants are surgical procedures that involve transplanting hair from one part of the body to another. They are most commonly used to treat bald patches or thinning hair on the head (usually using hair follicles from the back or side of the head).

If you’re experiencing hair thinning or pattern balding, you may have considered undergoing a hair transplant. But is it truly a good solution for you? This post delves into the pros and cons. 

The Pros

It’s a permanent solution

One of the biggest perks of a hair transplant is the fact that it is a permanent solution. The only other certain way to add hair to a balding area is to wear a wig or hairpiece. Wigs and hairpieces can move and slip if not properly secured, and you can’t sleep with them on. Glue-in and sew-in wigs are an option, but these only last a maximum of 8 weeks before having to be re-fitted. A hair transplant is often for life – once the hair follicles have been transplanted and the area has healed, you’ll be able to enjoy a full head of hair day and night, and usually no further treatments will be required. 

It’s an effective option

A hair transplant provides more certainty of hair regrowth than other hair loss solutions like minoxidil or red light therapy. Most hair loss procedures are successful – while results vary depending on the clinic and where the hair is taken from, research shows that 90% of hair grafts tend to survive. Topical minoxidil was found to only promote hair regrowth in 36% of patients in one study, while 37% of patients found red light therapy to be successful in a separate study. 

It looks natural

Another benefit of a hair transplant is that it looks natural when healed. With a wig, there can often be a concern about whether it looks convincing or not. Hair transplants are unlikely to create these doubts because the hair follicles are placed directly into the scalp, and so the hair behaves naturally as if it’s always been there. 

It’s easy to maintain

Maintaining transplanted hair is just like maintaining regular hair. You do have to be careful as it is healing – your doctor may recommend using a gentle shampoo, sleeping with your head elevated and avoiding any activity that makes you sweat. However, after it is healed you can freely comb it and wash it with any shampoo you desire. It’s not like having to maintain a wig, which requires proper storage and using wig-specific shampoos. 

There are a variety of methods to choose from

There are a few different types of hair transplant including FUT (follicular unit transplantation) and FUE (follicular unit extraction). Hairs can also be taken from a variety of different places. These different methods of hair transplant are suited to different types of hair loss. This gives patients a lot of choice as to how they want their surgery carried out. 

The Cons

It can be costly

Hair transplants sadly aren’t available on the NHS. You have to pay for them out of your own pocket – and they’re not cheap. On average, a hair transplant procedure in the UK costs between £10,000 and £30,000. The cost depends on the type of transplant operation you choose, the extent of the hair loss and the reputation of the clinic. 

There are surgical risks

All operations come with surgical risks. This is something that you do need to consider before you get a hair transplant. One of the most common risks is infection – which can happen if the area is not kept clean during recovery or if scabs are disturbed. A bad infection could result in the graft being unsuccessful and will need to be controlled to stop it spreading. There is also a risk of scarring and permanent damage. Some pain, itchiness and swelling may occur directly after the operation – but this usually subsides in a couple weeks. Choosing a highly-rated clinic and carefully following post-op advice may prevent complications. 

There is a recovery period

A hair transplant does not have instant results. The scalp typically takes 2 weeks to heal. During this time, you’ll likely need to take time off work and refrain from certain activities that may cause sweating or aggravate the scalp. You may initially experience some additional hair loss in the transplanted area. However, the hair should grow back over the next few months, and after a year and a half the hair will be thick and healthy. All in all, a successful hair transplant requires patience, and you may have to be prepared for your hair to look worse, before it looks better again. 

It’s not suitable for all candidates

While there are different hair transplant procedures available for different types of hair loss, a hair transplant may still not be possible for some candidates. For example, it is usually impractical to get a hair transplant if you have diffuse alopecia or alopecia areata. When it comes to large bald areas, some candidates may also be limited by their budget and available donor follicles. The best way to determine if you are a suitable candidate is to book an appointment with a clinic – they will be honest with you as to whether it is likely to be successful.

It’s not 100% effective

Hair transplants do have a high success rate, but they don’t work 100% of the time. You could undergo the procedure only to experience no hair regrowth in the transplanted area. This could be incredibly frustrating – especially considering the cost of the procedure. The quality of the clinic you choose and the level of aftercare you put in can greatly affect the success of the operation. 

Conclusion

Hair transplants have a high success rate and will leave you with permanent natural-looking hair. However, they can cost a lot of money and there is a risk of complications. It is important to take time to choose a top rated clinic and follow recovery instructions to increase the chance of a successful procedure.