As hair transplants become big business, here’s what you need to know about the risks

Hair loss will affect everyone at some point in their lives. But despite its prevalence, treating baldness is a big deal.

In Europe, for example, there was one 240% increase. interest in hair transplant surgeries between 2010 and 2021 and Turkey has become such popular destination for hair transplant surgery that some staff renamed Turkey Airlines “Turkey Hairlines”.

Hair loss is a normal process. People typically lose 50-100 hairs a day – which are replaced – but like other bodily processes as we age, hair growth slows down.

The sebaceous glands which produces the oil that makes our hair shiny reduce its activity, which makes hair look duller. Some hair follicles will reduce their productivitymaking the hairs finer and some may stop altogetherwhich results in less hair.

Thinning hair and baldness, however, are still scarred and increasing numbers of people opting for hair restoration treatments.

Hair transplantation is classified as a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by it NHS care in the UK. The cost can prove prohibitive for some people who choose to travel to other countries where the procedure can be done they are much cheaper.

While there are many positive reports of people who have had a hair transplant abroad, there are cases where the operation has been carried out by unskilled person and where people unsuitable for hair transplantation have yet been treated.

Hair transplants should always be done by a qualified surgeon – and not everyone is eligible or suitable for a hair transplant.

The most suitable candidates are those with androgenetic alopecia – originally called ‘male pattern baldness’, but affects both sexes. About 10% of women under the age of 40 have some evidence of hair loss, which increases to more than 50% at 70 years. On the contrary, 30-50% of men by the age of 50 have hair loss associated with androgenic alopecia.

Men usually develop an “m” shaped receding hairline known as the Norwood patternwhile women tend to develop wider parting and thinning hair on the crown and front of the scalp. This is known as the Ludwig design.

Treatment options

The initial treatment for hair loss is usually medication. Finasteridea drug that treats benign prostate enlargement and male pattern baldness takes three to six months to show results. However, any benefits are lost within six to 12 months of stopping treatment. Minoxidil, another medicine for the treatment of androgenic alopecia, it has been shown to have benefits for hair loss. But laser light therapy, administered using a special cap, has it turned out mixed results.

If initial treatments prove unsuccessful, patients may opt for a hair transplant. Two techniques are most commonly used: follicular unit transplantation (FUT) – also known as follicular unit strip surgery (FUSS) – and resection of follicular unit (FUE).

Both procedures require the availability of viable hair, usually from other areas of the scalp – usually the hair that runs from the temple to both sides and around the back of the head.

Using the FUT technique, the surgeon removes a 1-1.5 cm wide strip of skin from the back of the scalp. The hairs that support their structures are collected from this strip and inserted into the bald area. The wound where the skin was removed is stitched back together. Usually, the surgeon is careful avoid visible scars.

However, FUE is the most common procedure thanks to its shorter healing time, lower risk of scarring, and the increased number of hair grafts that can be harvested. Sometimes this procedure is marketed as “bladeless” and “scarless” – this is not the case. The follicles are harvested and implanted using sharp blades and scarring has been reported, including hyperinflation- or hypopigmented as well as raised or keloid scars.

Hair raising;

The long-term success of hair transplants varies. Studies report that 90% of recipients have good coverage one year after surgery – but this is decreasing 9% after four years. Many factors can affect hair transplant results, including age, smoking, sun damage to the scalp and diabetes. Following it recovery guidance is necessary and although some clinics advertise ‘painless’ hair transplants, recovery is often uncomfortable and uncomfortable.

An anesthetic may be used during the procedure, but the scalp may be swollen and tender afterwards and there may be significant downtime. Patients are advised to take a fortnight off work and avoid vigorous physical activity, as the grafts are fragile and insecure. It may take ten to 18 months to see the full results of the transplant.

A hair transplant may be a popular option for those concerned about hair loss, but it’s a big decision and shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you’re considering the procedure, do your research to ensure you’re treated by a fully qualified surgeon – and be prepared to follow recovery instructions to the letter to ensure the best results.