Is it safe to get a hair transplant

Who doesn’t want to have a healthy mane or luscious locks of hair on their head? But unfortunately, not everyone can have that forever. Hair loss and baldness have been one of the many miseries of humankind. However, the rate of hair loss and pattern baldness has increased significantly in the past few years. The reason behind this is the increased pollution, unhealthy and unnatural food, and harsh chemicals used in hair care products. Every other person is suffering from excessive hair loss and is looking for a hair loss treatment.

One of the most common hair loss treatments that patients want to undergo is hair transplant. Despite its popularity among the masses, still people have doubts about it. When someone is spending a lot of money on a treatment they need to be sure about the outcome. Many people have reservations regarding the safety of a hair transplant. They keep postponing the transplant because they fear the risks associated with the procedure.

In this article, we will discuss in detail whether getting a hair transplant is safe or not.

Hair Transplant Safety

Hair transplant is an in-demand hair loss treatment among men and women. During the procedure, hair follicles are extracted from the donor site (backside of the skull). The extracted follicles are then implanted into the recipient site (any area of the scalp that has thin hair, usually the crown). After a week or so, the transplanted hair sheds, and within a few months, new hair starts to grow.

The first hair transplant was performed in 1952, in the US by a New York-based dermatologist named Dr. Norman Orentreich. Since then, there have been a lot of developments in hair transplantation technology. The entire procedure has evolved into an improved and better version of the initial one. This improvement is not just in terms of tools and techniques but also in terms of safety and comfort. As a result, now people have more confidence in the procedure. 

Ensuring the Safety

Overall the procedure of hair transplant is quite safe. However, some aspects need to be ensured to have a hassle-free experience. Some of these aspects are discussed below:

• Before Hair Transplant

The first thing to do to ensure your safety is finding the right doctor. There are hundreds and thousands of hair transplant surgeons around the globe. However, just because a doctor is highly qualified does not mean he is the right doctor for you. The doctor’s skill and expertise are as important as their manner of dealing with you. If a patient is not comfortable with their doctor, there is a high chance of misunderstandings leading to mishaps. So, make sure your comfort level with the surgeon is developed before the procedure.

The second thing to consider pre-op is following the instructions given by the doctor. Usually, a surgeon prepares the patient before surgery. They give some instructions regarding food, exercise, and other lifestyle choices before the treatment. For instance, you may be asked to quit smoking a month before the treatment or to consume healthier food, etc. So, following these instructions is mandatory for having a smooth procedure and avoiding any inconvenience.

• During Hair Transplant

While you may not be able to do much during the transplant, you can prepare well before the procedure. For instance, you should consider the overall setup of the clinic before finalizing it. If a clinic in unhygienic and dirty, the chances of post-op infection become higher. So, the environment should be clean and hygienic.

Moreover, the behavior of the doctor and the staff should also be considered. While this may not be a hazard but if the staff in uncooperative the treatment can become quite stressful. Therefore, try interacting with the people who will be involved in the treatment to have some idea about their personalities. This will help you stay relaxed during the procedure.

• After Hair Transplant

Aftercare is crucial after a hair transplant. When you leave the facility, your doctor will give you a do’s and don’ts list. Make sure you stick to whatever it says as it will make the recovery period smooth.

This part is mostly on the patient as the surgeon will not be with them to check if they follow the instructions. So, once the surgeon provides the list of instructions, it becomes the patient’s duty to follow them diligently. As a result, the recovery will be smooth and discomfort-free.

Risks Associated with Hair Transplant

Just like any other medical or cosmetic treatment, there are risks associated with hair transplants, as well. Although this hair loss treatment is not 100% risk-free, most of these complications are temporary and usually subside on their own.

Following are some of the most common complications faced by patients of hair transplant:

1. Scarring
2. Infection and Pus Discharge
3. Scalp Pain
4. Inflammation
5. Hypersensitivity

Let’s discuss each risk in detail.

• Scarring

Scarring is an inevitable side effect of a hair transplant. However, the length and intensity of the scar are dependent upon the surgeon’s skill and the selected transplant technique. For instance, in FUT, the scar is linear and its length depends on the size of the strip extracted for hair follicles. However, in FUE, the scars are like little puncture marks as each graft is individually plucked. These scars can be easily concealed under grown hair. Moreover, scalp micropigmentation is also a way of concealing transplant scars.

• Infection and Pus Discharge

The part from where hair follicles were extracted or implanted can get infected after a hair transplant. However, this is only temporary and can be easily treated. The doctors usually provide an aftercare kit that contains some antibiotic creams or gels. Applying some of that cream on the infected area helps to get rid of the infection or pus discharge. Although, if the infection persists even after a few days, then consult your doctor.

• Scalp Pain

Mild pain and discomfort in the scalp are a given side effect of the hair transplant. This generally lasts for about a day or two and then subsides on its own. Your doctor may prescribe you some painkillers to numb the pain.

• Inflammation

Like the infection in hair follicles, inflammation can also occur. This usually happens when the hair starts regrowing. Taking an antibiotic helps with this condition. This condition is much less worrying than the infection and subsides in a few days.

• Hypersensitivity

Patients have reported a hypersensitive scalp and head after a hair transplant. This happens as a result of the needles and follicles extraction. An antibiotic or painkiller prescribed by your surgeon will help you get rid of this condition.

To sum up, just like any other hair loss treatment a hair transplant also has complications associated with it. However, most of them are temporary and eventually subside. Moreover, almost 80% of people who undergo hair transplants have reported positive results. So, if you are looking for a hair transplant in Dubai, call us today and schedule a free consultation session.