Hair transplant procedures are relatively simple and easily completed, but that doesn’t mean you should get one without asking the right questions. Having a good understanding of what the procedure entails and what to expect are important so that you aren’t surprised or disappointed by results. Asking your doctor thorough questions about the transplant is the ideal way to make sure you know everything necessary beforehand. Here’s a basic rundown of hair transplants to prepare you for what’s to come.
Process
There are three main procedures to consider for a hair transplant. What you choose depends on the amount of hair you have available to transplant, the speed of the process and the cost. The first procedure involves taking individual hairs from somewhere on the head and transplanting them in bald spots. This process takes more time and money because the doctor has to remove individual hairs. The second procedure takes an entire strip of hair, usually from the back of the head, and the doctor uses those hairs for the transplant. This process is a lot quicker than the first, but it can leave scars on the head where the strip was taken from. Your third option is simply a tattoo that creates the appearance of stubble over balding areas. This can last up to seven years before needing a retouch.
Recovery
Fortunately, recovery from a hair transplant is usually smooth and easy. Many people can go back to work within a few days of the procedure. Some may wait longer because of red marks visible on the back of their head from where the strip was removed. The transplanted hair won’t stay in long, falling out after a few weeks, but that instigates new growth that can be first seen about four months after the procedure. You may have to wait a year to see fully grown hair in the transplant area.
Cost
Since it is for aesthetic purposes, hair transplants are usually not covered by insurance. They can cost as low as $4,000 and as high as $25,000 depending on where you get the transplant and the type of procedure you undergo. You shouldn’t need future procedures, as a transplant usually lasts the rest of a person’s life. However, if regular hair starts to thin, the transplanted hair may follow suit and begin to thin as well. You can ask your hair transplant surgeon, like Dr. Robin Unger, about the likelihood of hair thinning and any suggestions they have to make the transition into your new hair smoother.