FUE Hair Transplantation
Hair transplantation is a serious procedure that must be performed with utmost care, with a professional approach, and with an expert team. For this reason, it is very important to ask every detail you have about hair transplantation and get competent answers.
Hair transplantation can be called hair follicle transplantation. Hair transplantation is the process of transplanting hair follicles taken from the areas where the hair is dense (nape and side parts) to the empty areas where the hair is sparse.
Hair transplantation operation is a highly preferred permanent method as it gives natural and healthy hair results. Various situations that may occur in people due to hair loss, such as alienation from psychological and social life, are eliminated by hair transplantation.
Causes of Hair Loss
When we examine the causes of hair loss, we encounter many factors, causes and triggers. Hair loss, which has become one of the most common problems today, can occur due to genetic predisposition, unhealthy diet, chronic diseases, excessive hair styling practices and many triggering reasons. We can examine hair loss problems under the headings of male pattern hair loss and female pattern hair loss.
Androgenetic alopecia, that is, male pattern hair loss, is observed in the early twenties and progresses rapidly, resulting in hair loss, especially in the crown area and front strip of the head, within a few years. The causes of male pattern hair loss are related to genetic background.
Female pattern hair loss is an extremely common condition, occurring in one in every 10 women in the world population. Again, there may be a genetic history underlying it or different factors trigger it. It is possible to obtain modern and effective results by performing hair transplantation in this type of hair loss, which becomes thinner, lifeless and shows itself especially at the hair parting line.
Regardless of the cause of hair loss, the underlying problem should be investigated and if it can be determined that the trigger is caused by a treatable cause, reasonable treatment should first be performed and then hair transplantation should be considered. If there are hormonal diseases, vitamin, mineral or any substance deficiency in the body, the best option would be to treat the hair loss problem at the disease level.
Donor Area Selection in Hair Transplantation
In hair transplantation, identifying healthy and transferable hair follicles is one of the most important issues. For this, first of all, during the examination, the donor area, that is, where the roots will be taken, is determined. Hair follicles that are suitable for transportation are mostly taken from the nape area. If the desired efficiency is not achieved in this area, the beard, chin area and finally the back, shoulder, leg or chest area are examined. Identifying the donor area is one of the most critical points for correct planning in the process.
In patients with severe baldness, the nape donor area is first examined. If there are not enough healthy hair follicles on the nape of the neck, the beard area is examined. If the patient suffering from baldness will not be disturbed by the thinning of the beard area, the donor area is actually an area where the most efficient and highly qualified feedback is received and where compatibility problems are minimal. Since the breast donor area is an area where different yields are obtained, each type of hair follicle is different and therefore the yield varies, it would be appropriate to perform test transplantation first. The last donor area examined is the back and leg area. Collection is made from these areas, such as the chest area, where hair follicles of different structures are located, without forcing the patient, considering his/her comfort, and choosing the most qualified and available ones.
Hair Transplantation Methods
During the examination, after the donor area is identified, it is decided which method will be used. Today, hair transplantation is performed in two different ways: FUT Technique and FUE Technique.
Both techniques provide live hair follicle transplantation and do not require general anesthesia. The difference between them is the way the hair is removed.
1-FUE : It is the process of taking the follicles one by one from the hairy area between the two ears or from the alternative areas we just mentioned, using special caps with a diameter of 0.70 – 0.80 and 0.90 mm, specific to the person’s hair follicles, with the help of a micromotor. The biggest advantages are that no scalpel is used in the donor area, no stitches are placed in this area, and there is no visible scar left at the points where the roots are taken. With the FUE method, more roots (grafts) can be removed and it makes it possible to have thicker and more natural hair. It provides the opportunity to harvest 3000-4000 follicles (grafts) from a person with an average hair density.
2-FUT ( Follicular Unit Transplantation ):It is the process of removing the scalp between the two ears as a thin strip and separating the roots (graft) under a microscope. With the development of the FUE technique, this technique is no longer used or is less preferred. The reason for this is that it leaves a scar in the donor area and the desired amount of root cannot be removed. In this technique, a scalpel is used and stitches are placed in the area where the roots are taken, and the scar becomes visible after the hair is shaved short. After hair transplantation, the transplanted hair will never fall out again. The most important thing to remember before and after hair transplantation is that every patient is special and all evaluations should be made specifically for the patient. Since the procedure is performed in a hospital environment under local anesthesia, you can easily return to your normal life within a few days. We do not use the FUT technique in our Estetik International clinics because we prefer innovative hair transplantation techniques and we attach great importance to the comfort of our patients.
Hair Transplantation Stages
Hair transplantation stages are one of the primary issues that everyone who has baldness problems is curious about. Knowing what the patient who decides to undergo the application will encounter increases his confidence in the application and makes him feel psychologically ready for hair transplantation. You can get help from our expert who will perform the procedure and ask any questions you want.
Hair Transplantation Before Operation
Before the hair transplantation operation, you need to make some preparations at home, that is, before coming to the clinic. On the morning of the day of your hair transplantation operation, some preparations will be made for you in the clinic before the procedure.
Preparations Before Coming to the Clinic
- Make the preparations that your doctor asks you to do at home and stop taking any medications that may cause side effects that he or she will tell you 1 week before the hair transplantation procedure.
- Start using vitamins B and E as recommended by your doctor.
- You can accelerate the blood circulation of the area by massaging the donor area and the transplantation area 2 days before the operation.
- If you are going to have your hair cut before hair transplantation, be sure to contact your doctor.
- Take a bath the night before the operation, cleanse your hair of dirt and rinse it very well.
- Avoid active, tiring and stressful activities and sports before the operation, and come to the clinic well-rested.
- Come to our clinic with a comfortable, breathable, cotton hat that you can use after the procedure.
Before Hair Transplant Operation
Your doctor re-checks the planning he made during the examination and takes you to the clinic room where the hair transplantation will be performed. In order to relax at this stage, you can ask him any questions you may have. Before the operation, your pictures are taken by a medical photographer and hair transplantation begins.
Hair Transplant Operation
Hair transplantation operation generally follows this order:
- First, the identified donor area is prepared.
- Then, the area where the hair follicles taken from the donor area will be transferred, that is, the area where the transplantation will be made, is prepared.
- Hair follicles to be transplanted are prepared
- Finally, hair transplantation is performed and hair follicles are placed in new areas.
After the photo is taken, a drawing is made on your scalp and the area is limited. Local and regional anesthesia is performed so that you do not feel any pain. Meanwhile, you can read a book, watch TV and even sleep.
Since the donor area is one of the most valuable treasures of a patient suffering from baldness, your doctor performs the hair follicles carefully without damaging them. A break is taken after a period of time that varies depending on the degree of baldness and the number of hair follicles taken.
Hair transplantation begins immediately after the break. The density of transplantation is determined according to the hairline, the characteristics of the hair taken, the age of the patient, and the shape of the head and face. Healthy hair follicles taken from the donor area are transplanted to the area where they will be placed with reasonable inclinations.
One of the most important stages of the operation, the transplantation process by giving the direction and angle, is extremely important so that the patient does not look like a grass man when his hair grows. At this point, the aesthetic foresight and professionalism of the hair transplant doctor come into play. The donor area is bandaged and the procedure is completed.
Hair Transplantation After Operation
After hair transplantation, you can immediately go home, drive and continue your daily life. There may be a very slight edema the day after the procedure. There is usually no pain. Your doctor will explain to you in detail what needs to be done after hair transplantation. It is extremely important that you pay attention to all the recommendations in order to have an effective result of the successful operation.
- It is extremely important that the area remains sterile after hair transplantation. For this reason, make sure your pillow is clean. For a more relaxed and comfortable sleep, you can position yourself on your back at a 45-degree angle.
- Follow the medication, cream, shampoo and instructions recommended by your doctor. You can take your bath after 24 hours, following the recommended instructions.
Hair Growth After Hair Transplant Operation
After the hair transplantation operation, the so-called “shock shedding” phase of the transplanted hair occurs at the end of the 2nd week. New healthy hair begins to grow within 2 months following this loss. After the 8th month, almost all of the hair transplanted will grow back healthy and thick. As we just said, within a week or two after the transplant, the phase we call “SHOCK POSSESSION” occurs. After this sudden loss, healthy hair begins to grow within two months, and at the end of eight months, it is observed that the newly transplanted hair has grown almost completely in a very healthy way. If the preferred method is organic hair transplantation, it is possible to have much more productive and healthy hair.
The most important thing to know is whether the hair can be fed after transplantation. If your hair is not nourished in a healthy way, it is inevitable that it will fall out again. We recommend that you get information from our doctors for detailed information on this subject. Contact us now and let our experts answer all your questions.
After Hair Transplantation
First Night
- The recipient, that is, the area where the hair transplantation was performed, and the donor, that is, the donor area from which the hair was taken, may appear to be point irritated. It is very normal, since hair transplantation was performed, both areas were intervened.
- In the donor area, it will heal within 2-3 days and you will see small red holes where the grafts were planted.
- Pain is very rare after FUE procedures. If present, it usually improves with mild painkillers.
- Do not touch the receiving area the first night. Do not wash on the first night.
- Cover your head outdoors with the hat or headband we provided for you.
- We recommend sleeping with your head elevated to avoid rubbing or removing any grafts in your sleep
- Placing 3 or 4 pillows to elevate your upper body while sleeping will help you achieve the proper elevated angle.
- Avoid alcohol the night of the procedure.
- You may interact with the medications prescribed to you or those given during the procedure and experience problems.
1.Day
- At Estetik International hair transplantation center, we usually provide postoperative hair washing on the first day if your doctor deems it appropriate.
- After washing your hair, your doctor will tell you the special shampoo or other equipment you should use for the next 4 or 5 days and explain how to use it.
- Redness or pinkish discoloration in the recipient and donor area begins to fade. At the end of the first 5 days, these problems that you observe in this area will gradually begin to disappear.
- During your appointment with us, you should learn how to wash your hair. After your first hair wash, you do not need to wash your hair again that day at home.
- With your doctor’s approval, you can continue washing with the method we will show you on the second day after hair transplantation.
Days 2 and 4
- Mild tenderness or pinkish discoloration or even crusting may occur in the recipient and donor areas. This will continue throughout the first week and gradually fade.
- Swelling on the forehead and around the eyes may start in 2 and 3 days and usually reach its peak on the 4th day and will subside after that, do not worry.
- Generally, your doctor will tell you the medications and devices to be taken for the first few days to minimize swelling.
- Avoid touching the transplanted area and it is your responsibility to protect it. Touching the grafts, even accidentally, may cause them discomfort while they are adjusting to their new homes, so we recommend that you be as protected as possible during this process.
- Avoid long-term sun exposure. Sunburn can affect the pigmentation of the skin and also damage the transplanted hair.
- Elevate your upper body during sleep to reduce swelling in your forehead.
- Talk to your doctor about exercising after the procedure and follow his advice. Do not wipe your forehead, because your grafts should not move in the first 4 days.
Day 5 and 7
- You can wash your hair as recommended and explained by your doctor. If you experience a different and unexpected situation, be sure to call your doctor, do not hesitate to call.
- Starting from the 5th day, some symptoms such as itching and slight burning may be signs of recovery. If you experience unbearable itching and burning, you can ask your doctor to recommend a medication or scalp moisturizer for it.
- With your doctor’s approval, you can continue all your physical activities and sports after the first 5 days.
2. and 3. Months
- The transplanted hair begins to grow as thin hair and becomes longer and thicker over the next few months.
- Some patients may experience what is called shock loss, that is, loss of existing hair in the area. You can consult your doctor regarding the issue, who can help your hair in this process. Wash your scalp and hair as you normally do. Avoid long-term sun exposure.
4-6. Months
- During these months, the newly developed hair becomes longer and thicker and begins to grow fuller. All of your newly transplanted hair strands have started to grow, but they have not yet reached their final thickness or length.
- If you need to go out under the sun, you can use soft hats and an umbrella to cover your head. It is possible to use sunscreen with a high protection factor by consulting your doctor.
6-12. Months
- The transplanted hair continues to grow and its strands become thicker and longer, so you can shape your hair the way you want and create new styles. You will see the textural change in your hair strands at this stage.
12-18. Months
- The final appearance of hair transplantation appears at this stage. We congratulate you on changing your life. Enjoy your new hair!
- We also recommend you to review our Organic Hair Transplantation page.
- We hope you have healthy hair for a lifetime.