How are hair transplants performed?
Hair transplantation has addressed this issue in a defined manner and allows the hair to restore. Though hair transplantation is gaining widespread popularity, only a few individuals are aware of its procedure being followed.
What is the process of hair transplantation?
In hair transplantation, hair is taken (mostly from the head) and transferred to the area one doesn't have hair. While most often the hair is taken from the head, it can even be taken from other parts of the body. The area from where the hair needs to be taken out will be first sterilized and numbed by the surgeon. After this, hair transplantation is carried out either by FUT or FUE.
What are the two methods of hair transplant?
FUT and FUE are the two methods of transplant; the selected one will follow soon after the sterilisation process.
1. Follicular unit transplantation (FUT)
In FUT, a piece of skin (usually from the back of the head) will be removed. The strip can range from 6 inches to 10 inches. Upon removal, this scalp area will be closed with stitches. The strip will then be separated into smaller pieces called grafts. Generally, the strip are divided into 2000 grafts, with each containing one hair. The number of grafts will depend on factors like the size of the transplant area, thickness of the hair, type of hair and quality of hair.
2. Follicular unit extraction (FUE)
In FUE, the hair on the back of the head will be shaved off. The individual follicles will then be taken out from this area of the scalp. One can see tiny marks from the place where follicles are removed.
What is the final step of hair transplantation?
Now that the surgeon got the hair follicles or grafts by using either of the above-mentioned methods, he/she will now proceed to transplant it to the area that doesn't have hair or is experiencing balding. This will be done in a process called grafting. For this, tiny holes will be made on the scalp where one needs hair, and the acquired hair will be inserted there into the puncture holes. This surgical site will then be covered with gauze or bandages.
To summarise, hair transplantation is performed by sterilisation and numbing, followed by FUT or FUE, and then by grafting.