Hair transplantation is almost the most successful treatment of hair loss that is successfully applied in men and women. In fact, the term hair transplantation is a misnomer (wrong expression); that is, from a medical point of view, the transfer of living tissue to another area is called transplantation.
When we look at the causes of hair loss, there are many reasons. Male pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia) is a type of hair loss that often starts in the 20s, has a family history, and ends mostly in the late 40s. It is seen very rarely in women.
The treatment of patients with hair loss can be evaluated under two main headings: 1. Medical treatment, 2. Surgical treatment.
Surgical treatment, namely hair transplantation, which is the most successful, reliable and predictable method, offers very satisfactory and successful results in good candidates.
Hair transplantation can be done with various techniques. This decision is evident during the examination. The process is done according to which technique you are suitable for. Hair transplantation is performed by taking the hair follicles located on your back of the head that is genetically coded not to shedding and placed on the recipient area. The quantity, quality and density of your donor area are the main factors affecting the success of the hair transplantation process. Among other factors, the thickness and the amount of the hair harvested, the number of hairs in each hair follicle, and the quality of the recipient area can be counted.
Hair Transplantation Techniques
When we look at the historical development, hair transplantation was carried out by cutting the nape. However, nowadays, methods that do not leave scars, do not cut, do not stitch, and are comfortable after the procedure are preferred safely and successfully.
Regardless of which hair transplantation is performed, this procedure is easily performed under local anesthesia. It takes about 6-7 hours and we give a lunch break.
- FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)
- DHI (Direct Hair Implantation)
- DHT (Direct Hair Transplantation)
FUE Method In Hair Transplantation
This technique is the most preferred technique today. Here, your hair follicles are collected one by one from your donor area with special devices called micromotors. Generally, in order not to damage the donor area, 30% of the donor area is collected by skipping neighboring hair. Thus, your donor area is protected and not damaged for the future.
The hair follicles collected in this way are placed one by one into the proposed channels in the recipient area.
DHI Hair Transplantation
This technique is a relatively new technique using the possibilities of modern medicine and technology. Follicle collection is the same as FUE. However, the channel is not opened here. Hair transplantation is carried out to the recipient area one by one with particularly produced hair transplantation pens (Choi pen).
The advantage of this technique over others is that the existing hair follicles in the recipient area are not damaged and bleeding is less. However, experienced teams are maandatory.
DHT Hair Transplantation
Hair collection in this technique, which can be preferred in suitable patients, is similar to the FUE technique. However, the collection process of hair follicles is gradual. Following the collection of some hair follicles, hair follicles are transplanted to the recipient area without delay. This sequence is done several times to complete the hair transplantation process.
Beard Transplantation
Beard transplantation is perhaps the most successful area of hair follicle transfer in properly selected patients.
FUE or DHI methods are preferred as in hair transplantation. As a basic principle, thorough analysis, drawing and setting the correct angulation are the most critical steps in beard transplantation.
One week before the operation, blood thinners such as aspirin, coraspin, alcohol, vitamin E should be avoided. Cigarette consumption should be minimized. A light breakfast can be had on the day of the operation.
Beard transplantation is a procedure performed under local anesthesia. After the numbness occurs, the patient will not feel any pain.
First of all, make sure that the center where you will have beard transplantation is a surgical center licensed by the Ministry of Health and has an operating room, and that there are Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons within the health institution. The operation should only be performed in a sterile environment prepared for this job. The devices used must be the cutting edge.
The process takes 4-8 hours on average. The patient is fully awake during this period.
Long Hair Transplantation
Long hair transplantation surgery is an advanced technique designed to restore longer, naturally appearing hair by transplanting existing hair follicles to thinning or balding areas. From a plastic surgeon’s perspective, this procedure involves harvesting hair follicles from a donor area, typically the back or sides of the scalp, and meticulously implanting them into the recipient area.
Unlike traditional hair transplants, which focus on short hair, long hair transplantation allows for immediate visual improvement by preserving the hair length, providing a more immediate and fuller look. Surgeons carefully plan the placement and direction of the transplanted follicles to achieve a natural appearance and ensure that the transplanted hair blends seamlessly with the existing hair. Post-operative care includes managing the transplanted area to support optimal growth and prevent complications, with patients advised to follow specific instructions to achieve the best results. This technique offers a significant boost in confidence for those seeking a quicker and more dramatic restoration of their hairline and overall hairstyle.
Postoperative Period
After planting, you will be dressed.
Eyebrow hair may fall out approximately 15-20 days after transplantation. This situation differs according to the physiological and biological structures of the patient.
The eyebrows that grow from the third month will begin to show themselves fully, 75% by the sixth month and approximately 95% by the end of a year.
An important feature of eyebrow hair is that it stops growing over time. We explain this as the biology of neighbor-original eyebrow hair. It will be appropriate to shave the eyebrow hair that grows up to this process, which can take a few years.
Supporting & Complementary Treatments
We also benefit from supportive and complementary treatments to increase the success of a hair transplant procedure.
The support treatments we apply vary according to the character of the patient’s biology and the type of hair loss. Frequently PRP, Autologous Tissue Suspension (stem cell) applications, various ready-made cocktail injections and ready-made sprays are among these applications.
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)
Since the growth factors in the thrombocyte that provide coagulation in our blood have many benefits, we have been using this application successfully in hair transplantation.
It has various affirmative effects on hair follicles. New hair formation, reducing hair loss and enhancing the quality of the follicles are the effects that the degraded products from platelets serve.
Autological Tissue Suspension (Stem Cell)
A customized laboratory environment is required for this application. We obtain this suspension from our own fat, often abdominal fat. Our own fat, which is obtained in 10 minutes under sedation, is processed in the laboratory and injected into the hair area after hair transplantation.
Studies have reported that it is much more efficient when combined with PRP. It has been shown that it reduces hair loss, triggers the formation of new hair follicles, and positively affects the transplanted hair follicles. These effects may differ in each patient. It is as important as hair transplantation. In accordance with the instructions, washing your hair as described, using medicines regularly and completely, maintaining communication with the physician and avoiding unauthorized actions (hammam, sauna, hot-tub, sunbathing, hat-helmet use, heavy exercises, etc.) increase surgical success.