Frequently asked questions
Is Follicular Unit Transplantation permanent? Does it really work?
Transplanted hair behaves in a similar way to the hair where it was taken from. It will last a lifetime for most people, or at least into old age when the procedure is done correctly. We simply re-distribute existing permanent hair to your thinning areas. Sometimes in old age, one may experience hair thinning throughout the donor area. If this happens then the transplanted hair will follow suit.
Yes. Carefully and skillfully performed Follicular Unit Hair Transplants look very natural, and with single hair follicular unit grafts a natural-looking irregular hairline is attainable. It is almost impossible for a lay person or even a hairdresser to detect (see video examples).
No. Hair transplants are performed under local anaesthetic and donor and recipient sites are totally frozen and de-sensitised. You will experience a discomfort when the anaesthetic is initially applied. During the hair transplant procedure, you may choose to watch TV or a DVD, listen to the radio or music, read a book or you may want to take a nap. Some patients experience some discomfort one to three days after the operation, but that is easily controlled with supplied medication.
Does Follicular Unit Transplantation leave scars?
The art of a hair transplant is to conceal the art. When performed by skilled surgeons, Follicular Unit Hair Transplants will only be detected by thorough expert medical examination. The donor site, however, will have a very fine scar completely hidden by your hair. The technique of trichophytic donor closure is now rendering donor scars extremely difficult to detect, even with no covering hair. Having said that, we would not recommend shaving the back of the head, because healing and scarring can vary from person to person.
Will I need time off work after my surgery?
This mainly depends on whether you have sufficient hair to disguise the work. For some people, little or no time off work is required. However, if you do not have sufficient hair to cover, or if you are very concerned about anyone knowing, then it’s probably best to have your surgery just before a week’s holiday. You will be able to wear a hat immediately after surgery. The sun will not damage your grafts, but as your scalp will still be numb you need to wear a hat to avoid burning your scalp.
Are there any bandages after the procedure?
No. There is no need for bandages after modern hair transplantation.
When will I notice any growth from my new hair?
New hair growth will only break through skin at three to four months after the procedure. However, it will take at least six to eight months for the new hair to make any significant cosmetic difference to your appearance. Sometimes, a result may take longer to show when working with scars OR filling in a previously transplanted area. Hair continues to mature for over 12 months after surgery.
Can anybody have a Follicular Unit Transplant?
Yes, except for hemophilliacs and people with significant or relevant medical conditions. Sometimes, while physically you can have a transplant, the surgeon may advise against it for a variety of reasons, including your young age, future hair loss considerations, high expectations, etc.
How long will it take before I achieve what I’m looking for?
Our hair transplants will generally restore 25-35% of the original density in the treated area of the scalp after one operation. To achieve reasonable density, most people will require one to two procedures per bald area. The state of the rest of your hair will also be considered in determining how much density is suitable. The aim is to achieve a natural balance and style.
There is no upper age limit if a person is in good health. Lower age limit is very much dependant on the degree of hair loss. Generally speaking, it is very unwise to consider hair transplant surgery if you’re less than 25 years of age, at a very early stage of hair loss and have a family history of advanced hair loss.
Not when compared to alternative treatments. Of course there is a cost involved, but because you will ultimately be growing your own hair back there will be no ongoing treatment costs required, making hair transplants much more cost effective.
Remember, there are no other expenses involved afterwards with no lotions or chemicals to buy, no wigs or hairpieces to be continually maintained serviced and replaced. So, in the long run, hair transplants are not only the most natural solution but they can also be the cheapest. Although a rough estimate of cost can be given from good photos, the cost in detail can only be worked out after examining your scalp and assessing your hair loss at consultation with one of the doctors.
Will I regain a full head of hair?
Not literally. We are only redistributing your existing permanent hair to your thin or bald areas, we are not creating new hair. Having said that, in expert hands the limited donor hair available can be used to create the illusion of a lot more hair in people with significant hair loss. In extensive baldness, the most important achievement will be to restore frontal scalp hair and the hairline to create a frame around the face. This will improve how you look to yourself and to others.
No. Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation is minor cosmetic surgery and one of the safest and most popular procedures performed today. Our clinic environment provides you with skilled and experienced surgical and nursing staff and hospital standard equipment.
OK, I want to go ahead but how do I choose the right doctor or clinic?
The following guidelines can help:
- Ask to see people who have had hair transplant surgery at the clinic in question, and by the particular surgeon who will operate on you.
- Full time specialist doctors in this field are more likely to have gained experience to develop their technique. Make sure your surgeon has dedicated the whole, or at least the majority, of his practice to hair loss and hair transplant surgery. We highly recommend you only consider clinics wholly-owned by the surgeons. This should ensure that medical advice and decisions are not influenced by sales or businessmen.
- Make sure your hair surgeon is up-to-date on the latest technology. Ask your surgeon if he/she regularly attends international meetings and seminars as part of his/her continuing education. At www.ishrs.org, it lists the number of ISHRS meetings attended by each member doctor. Continuing Medical Education (CME), is a statement of the doctor’s commitment to the field and to the patient’s benefit by learning from peers. CME is also a compulsory requirement for all licencing boards and authorities of medicine.
- Find out if the premises and the doctor are registered and, if so, their standing with the Healthcare Commission England’s healthcare watchdog. It is illegal to operate, or give medical advice by anyone in the UK without proper registration with the Healthcare Commission.
- Check your doctor’s registration status with the General Medical Council (GMC). It is illegal for a doctor to operate, or even offer consultations in the UK, without being licenced by the GMC.
- Know what’s out there and visit, or talk, to a few clinics. Many places claim the best and latest treatments, but after browsing this website and other information you should be able to ask all the right and detailed questions.
- Use the internet wisely. Although the internet is unregulated and contains a lot of hype, it can also serve as a valuable resource when reviewing independent websites. As well as our own website, enter the words ’bessam farjo’ or ‘nilofer farjo’ in any search engine to find numerous references to our work.
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Hair Transplant Blog
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