Hair transplantation

Hair loss in men population has always been a very big problem till hair transplantation was introduced.

The hairs that are transplanted from the back of the head rarely fall out, and the procedure is atraumatic and virtually painless. Besides precise preparation of the hair follicles, correct insertion of them at the correct angle using either micropunch or the slit technique is extremely important. This is the only way to achieve a natural result. Transplantation of patient’s own hair follicles to bald patches and, with the new methods available, results in a natural appearance.

Considerations before operation : the patient’s hair should be allowed to grow as long as possible so that the harvest area can be covered with the remaining hair and is not visible. The patient should not take any anticoagulants.

The procedure is carried out under local anesthesia with lidocaine and adrenaline. The donor area should not be more than 2cm above an imaginary line connecting the tips of the patient’s ears behind the head. Hairs whose follicles are to be dissected late must be shortened. Remaining hairs are left longer. Then a trapezoidal excision is made in the donor site, cutting at the angle of about 45 degrees and parallel to the direction of the hair growth. Then the wound is closed. The next step is follicular unit preparation, during which donor strip is divided into segments and units with 2-4 follicles. The recipient area goes under local anesthesia, too. After that the holes for the donor follicles are made and follicles are transplanted. The effect we want to achieve is “irregular regularity”.

After the operation a loose-fitting hat should be worn. No bandages are necessary. There is no permanent scarring in head area. Infection prophylaxis is given for 3 days. From the third day patient can wash his or her hair with a mild chamomile shampoo. The hair can be washed daily. The hair transplants are fixed securely and firmly. After maximum of 2 weeks all crusts should have disintegrated with washing; crusts delay healing. Rough manipulation should be avoided, particularly in the first postoperative week, as there is a risk of postoperative bleeding. The patient can be professionally and socially active again 1 week after the operation. After 6 weeks vasodilating hair lotion should be used.