Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure performed by expert plastic surgeons under local anesthesia. Successful hair transplants are permanent solutions to thinning or balding problems.
Generally, hair follicles taken from the nape area, which is determined as donor, are transplanted to the targeted area. Hair transplantation takes 4-5 hours. The patient can continue his/her normal life 2 days after the treatment.
Red crusts are seen after the treatment. After 8-10 days, the crusts disappear and the transplanted hair falls out. New hair begins to grow after about 3 months and the hair density in the transplanted area continues to increase for up to 1 year.
Since the hair follicles taken from the areas determined as donor are more resistant to shedding, the possibility of permanent loss is much lower. Previous hair that already exists in the transplanted area may fall out spontaneously. If the hair density decreases enough to make the new hairline area clear, an additional treatment will be required.
Some systemic, physiological and chronic diseases prevent hair transplantation. Patients with kidney, liver, heart failure, patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and patients who are deemed unsuitable by the physician cannot undergo hair transplantation. Hair transplantation can be performed if physical development is complete and there is no disease that prevents hair transplantation.
Hair strands have a life cycle that varies between 4-6 years. This cycle continues with growth, resting, shedding and the production of new hair from hair follicles to replace the shed hair.
Hair loss, which is usually seen in men due to hormone, genetic and age factors, can also be seen in women, albeit to a lesser extent. Hair loss can be seen in all age groups, including children, for different reasons.
In men, the hormone testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the enzyme 5 alpha reductase. DHT is held by receptors in the hair follicles and causes the hair follicles to disappear over time.
Not all hair loss is permanent. When the cells responsible for hair production around the hair follicle die for different reasons, the hair first becomes thinner, then stops growing and finally falls out permanently. Hormone problems, genetic factors, skin and internal diseases, dental caries, inadequate and improper nutrition, pregnancy, childbirth and chemotherapy processes, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, anemia due to iron deficiency, stress, depression, medicine use, seasonal changes are among the causes of hair loss.
While hair transplants performed at a young age may require 2 or 3 more treatment sessions, a single session may be sufficient depending on the patient’s condition in hair transplants over the age of 40. There is no obvious scarring in the donor area and the area where hair transplantation is performed. For healthy hair, balanced and adequate nutrition, attention to vitamin and mineral values, regular sleep hours, smoking and alcohol consumption should be reduced.
