For men (and even women) who have lost their hair (or are losing their hair) hair transplant surgery is a permanent solution. Its benefits are many, and the procedure has a low rate of complications.
What Hair Transplant Surgery Entails
Per Web MD, hair transplant surgery is a process where hair follicles are moved from an area with a lot of hair and transplanted to an area with baldness or hair that is thinning. This is done by using a punch graft (a tube-like instrument) or a scalpel to remove the hair and the follicles. The hair and follicles are then inserted into tiny holes or slits in the bald or thin areas of the scalp. Per Men’s Health, the surgery is performed under local anesthesia and takes around five hours to complete.
This surgery can involve single strands of hair, multiple strands of hair, or long and thin strips of several (between 30 and 40) strands. The goal of hair transplant surgery is to produce hair that looks completely natural. In the majority of cases, several surgeries are needed to get satisfying results. These are usually spaced apart to give the hair time to develop healthy blood circulation.
Complications from Hair Transplant Surgery
After hair transplantation surgery, the newly planted hair may fall out. While some people assume this is a complication, it is actually part of the process: new hair will re-grow in the transplanted hair follicle. However, this can take some time. The actual complications involved with this surgery include death of the hair follicles (if this happens, new hair will not be able to grow); hair that has a patchy pattern, resulting in an unnatural look; excessive bleeding; scarring; and infection.
To minimize the risk of complications, people should not undergo hair transplantation surgery unless they are in good health. Many clinics will want their patients to undergo testing to assure good health prior to any surgical measures.
The Cost of Hair Transplantation Surgery
The cost of hair transplantation surgery varies depending on many factors. Two of these are the amount of surgeries that are required before the transplant is considered complete and the clinic of choice. Because it is largely considered an elective procedure, hair transplantation is not likely to be covered by major health insurance carriers. On average, the cost of surgery is $5,000.
The Benefits of Hair Transplantation Surgery
There are many benefits to hair transplantation surgery, benefits that can be considered physical, emotional, and financial. The physical and emotional benefits often go hand in hand: men whose hair has been restored tend to feel more confident and better about themselves. This can inspire them to take better care of themselves, leading them to do things like eat healthier, work harder, and relax more.
On a financial level, the cost of hair restoration may involve a lot of upfront costs, but the finances can balance out in the long run. This is because hair transplantation is a permanent solution to hair loss. This means that it can save people from spending money (and wasting time) on other solutions. With hair transplantation surgery, there is no need to spend money on creams, powders, pills, or potions. All the money saved can help recoup some of the surgical costs.
Mike Lawrence is a freelance writer based in Houston, TX. Houston residents are encouraged to look into hair transplants in Houston from a reputable source like hairrestorationhouston.com.
Image credit goes to ushairtransplant.