Hair transplant surgery clinic Pakistan
Hair transplant (HT) surgery is a technique, in which hair (either individual follicles or strip of scalp/skin) removed from one part of the body, called the donor site, is grafted or implanted to a bald or balding part or areas of limited growth, the recipient site.
Aims and objectives
HT aims to recreate the areas of thinning or balding, by “filling in the gaps” through implantation from other sites, which can be a result of heredity or can be due to hormonal changes, a side-effect of certain medications, illness or trauma e.g., burns and extreme level of emotional stress. In some cases, it can be a result of the combination of multiple factors (multi-factorial). It is a worldwide problem as it can be seen in approximately 35 million men and 21 million women. In men, it is found to be 40% by the age of 35 and this rate increases to 70% by the age of 80 and in women, there is an 80% loss by the age of 60.
Therefore, people undergo transplantation procedure as hair loss can affect a person’s personality and self-esteem. No one can deny the fact that we find a “youthful and healthy-hair look” more attractive and more pleasing. The primary goal of transplant surgery is to get this wish of patients fulfilled.
Method
The transplant surgery requires local and tumescent anaesthesia, comfortable chair for patients, magnification equipment, topical antiseptic and disinfectants, sterilized scalpel, skin retractor, micromotor punch devices, micro-forceps, graft holding solution, cotton tip applicators, sutures, non-adhesive bandages and antibiotic ointment.
The overall method of every hair transplant surgery is the same but the major differences lie between Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). In FUT, the donor site is trimmed and calculated strip length is marked, a local and a tumescent anaesthetic is injected into the dermis, a beveled incision is made parallel to the follicles but not beyond subcutaneous, retraction and removal of excess subcutaneous tissue and grafting the strip precisely will complete the procedure. FUE hair transplant involves shaving of the donor site, anaesthesia administration, removal of individual follicles through incisions and micro punches and grafting them to the recipient site.
Hair transplant surgery- solution of many problems
This technique is used to:
- Manage androgenic alopecia (AGA) – which includes male pattern baldness or MPHL (which predominantly affects the top and front of the scalp and typically presents itself as receding front hairline, as the “bald-spot” at the crown-area or as a combination of both) and Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) that is thinning of hair of the whole scalp.
- Restore eyelashes, eyebrows or hair at any desired site (beard or chest).
- Hide scars caused by accidents or surgery e.g., face-lifts and previous transplants.
Non-surgical techniques vs. surgical
The advancement of science and technology has provided some non-surgical remedies to patients of AGA (androgenic alopecia). These include the use of:
- Minoxidil topical solutions or foams.
- Finasteride (sold under the brand names Proscar and Propecia) and dutasteride (sold under the brand name Avodart).
- Low-level laser light therapy (LLLT).
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
- Adenosine ketoconazole.
- Scalp Micro-pigmentation (SMP).
Despite these remedial techniques, surgical restoration or HT is still recognized as effective, safe, and reliable for patients of AGA.
Indications-who can undergo transplant surgery?
Whether you are eligible for HT? Just consider the following details before you plan a surgical restoration:
- Check for any medical illness (e.g., AGA, etc.). Because after transplantation your residual hair (already present ones) are still at potential risk of thinning and balding. So, diagnosis and treatment of such medical conditions are important.
- Age (HT can be carried out only on patients older than 25 years of their age. Pattern of baldness is less predictable before this age).
- Patients whose scalp donor sites have greater than 80 FUs (Follicular Units) per squared cm are considered excellent candidates and those with less than 40 FUs per squared cm are considered as poor candidates for HT.
- Degree and pattern of baldness (patients having frontal baldness show marked change in appearance while grafting only the scalp vertex is avoided possibly because it may cause a “doughnut” appearance).
- Correct colour contrast (it is preferred that patients with fairer skin tones should be transplanted with light-coloured hair so that the colour contrast considering the skin is less noticeable).
- Presence of sufficient recipient site.
Contraindications
Following are considered to be “red flags” for HT i.e., it is better to avoid transplantation when a patient shows:
- Any psychiatric, psychological or neurological illness
- Donor site miniaturization
- Unusual pattern of baldness
- Excessive shedding
- Inflammation or infection of the scalp
- Scalp scarring
- Burning, pain pruritus of skin or scalp
These are identified by HT surgeons by assessing hair loss history, medical and psychiatric history (for any past psychological, psychiatric or neurological disorder), medical or physical examination and a scalp biopsy of the patient.
Types of HT techniques
Multiple strategies have been identified regarding transplant surgery. Most common surgical methods include:
- Follicular Unit Transplantation – the conventional method, also known as Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS) in which a strip of skin or scalp (donor site) is grafted to the recipient site.
- Follicular unit extraction (FUE) involves plucking individual follicles from one part of the body and implanting them to an area of their diminished volume or density considering their natural direction and growth angle.
- The updated version of FUE is known as Follicular Isolation Technique (FIT).
Which is the most common HT method?
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) is a more common method used nowadays. It has many benefits over FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation). Most important are:
- Unlike FUT, it does not lead to a “hair plug” look.
- It does not leave scars like FUT.
- FUE results in rapid healing and causes minimal pain. Infection or tissue death is rare.
- It is a less invasive, particularly outpatient procedure; the patient can go home after transplantation and there is minimal interruption in daily tasks.
- Transplanted hair typically begins to grow back in about 3-4 months and 10-80% of their growing back is expected.
However, this does not claim that Follicular Unit Transplantation has no advantage at all. It may be preferable to Follicular Unit Extraction:
- It is less time-consuming. However, replacement of “manual punch” with “micromotors” has significantly reduced the extraction time in FUE also.
- It is a cost-effective procedure.
- Offers maximum fullness.
- Ideal for patients requiring multiple grafts.
Thus, one can see according to demand which transplant method to choose. However, it is preferred to seek advice from your HT surgeons.
Common complications and side-effect of HT
You may experience minor problems after transplantation. These include scarring, pain, infections e.g., folliculitis, oedema, itching or swelling, bleeding etc. Normally these problems are not severe and can easily be treated with the help of certain medications like painkillers (analgesics), antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs etc. However, in severe cases, Telogen effluvium may also occur.
Conclusion
Bringing the discussion to a conclusion we must acknowledge that surgical HT is a powerful tool to counter the worldwide problem of both males and females and to restore the youthful appearance of the patients suffering from androgenic alopecia. But this method will bring maximum effectiveness only if proper evaluation of patients and execution of technique is carried out followed by proper precautionary measures taken by the patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get best hair transplant surgery clinic in Lahore Pakistan?
Cosmoderma clinic is the best place where you can get the best baldness surgery in Lahore Pakistan. The reasons are 1- Foreign qualified surgeon 2- Most experienced and skilled surgeon 3- Persistently showing excellent results for the last 21 years.
Who is doing best surgery in Lahore Pakistan?
Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry is doing best procedure and surgery in Lahore Pakistan.
What is the fee / cost in Lahore Pakistan?
The best surgery fee starts from 75000 Pak Rupee to 150,000 Pak rupees.
How to contact the best hair restoration surgeon in Lahore Pakistan?
The best hair surgeon is just one phone call away. You can get FREE consultation & check up by calling +92-333-430-9999