Do you consider getting a hair transplant procedure but not quite sure yet? Contemplating any type of surgery, whether it is cosmetic or not is a big decision. There are usually some type of safety concerns. Big and small, surgery has a bad “ring” to it for some people. As a result, many people put off surgical procedures for long periods of time. Frequently, to their detriment. However, many surgeries are best done earlier than later. The same is true for hair transplants.
If you’re going to consider getting a hair transplant, it’s because other methods addressing hair loss haven’t worked for you. Perhaps you have tried temporary cosmetic methods to conceal your hair loss. Perhaps you’ve tried home remedies that promise increased hair growth, or even medication. Unhappy with the results that other hair restoration products have offered? It’s time to consider getting a hair transplant.
Suffering From Hair Loss?
Hair loss is often something that comes on gradually. Not everyone just dumps a pile of hair off their head one day in the shower. At least, not unless you’re suffering from a severe illness or you’ve recently had bariatric surgery. Frequently, by the time you notice it’s happening, you may already be unhappy with the thin appearance of your hair. Maybe you’ve noticed that your hairline has receded. That your part has gotten wider. Maybe you’re noticing less hair at the very crown of the head. Either way, this experience may leave you feeling a little self-conscious about your personal appearance.
Spray & Powder Concealers
Some of our customers have tried hair concealers and powders as a way to reduce the appearance of lost hair. There are several different formulations of products, many of which can be used by both men and women. Some products such as DermMatch are similar to a typical makeup compact. A shade that resembles your natural hair color is applied to the thinning area, reducing the appearance of thinning hair.
Other products require multiple steps. For example, Toppik Hair fibers come with three products. These include a spray applicator, a tool for creating a natural hairline, and a setting spray. While cosmetic products such as these can be a great temporary solution if you have a special event to go to, or want to reduce the appearance of hair loss in photos, it is only a temporary solution. All of these products wash out with shampoo. After all, that’s the point. They’re temporary short-term solutions. While some are moisture-resistant, most are not suitable for activities such as swimming.
Styling Your Thinning Hair
Additionally, one can hide some hair loss through hairstyling, disguising thinning or balding areas by styling hair on the sides and back of the head to cover them. Unfortunately, overstyling of hair, harsh hair products, and too much heat styling can cause additional damage to the hair, or irritate the scalp. This only intensifies the amount of hair that is falling out, or the hair that does grow tends to be dry, brittle, and easily prone to breakage.
Wearing the hair pulled tight in a ponytail, or using clip-in hair extensions may seem like a good solution to disguising thinning hair, but beware. Tight hairstyles and heavy weaves that pull on the hair at the root can encourage increased hair fall as well. This is known as traction alopecia and occurs over time if too much stress is placed on the hair follicle. In most cases, it can be corrected by employing gentler styling methods.
Home Remedies for Hair Restoration
Topical home remedies such as massaging the scalp with essential oils like peppermint or cinnamon is a popular solution that you’re likely to see on a lot of Pinterest boards. There is some evidence that these essential oils can stimulate circulation to the scalp and the hair follicles, increasing growth. However, remedies like these are largely preventative, and cannot regrow hair that has been lost due to overproduction of DHT, for example. This practice can also be a bit messy and time-consuming to incorporate into your regular hygiene routine.
Minoxidil for Hair Restoration
Minoxidil, commercially known as Rogaine, is a topical product that comes in the form of both a spray and a foam. It comes in both 2% and 5% concentrations. Rogaine has been shown to increase hair density and reduce the amount of hair that is lost. It will not restore hair that has stopped growing altogether. It is also not a permanent solution. As soon as you stop using minoxidil regularly, you are likely to lose any hair that regrew while you were using it. Minoxidil is not safe if you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Finasteride for Hair Restoration
Finasteride or Propecia is a prescription medication that has been clinically shown to increase hair growth and prevent further hair loss. Using Finasteride can take at least 3 months before you will start seeing a change in your hair growth. Most patients that take finasteride can expect to see noticeable improvements within a year of treatment. Finasteride will only slow hair loss, and will only work so long as you are taking the medication. If you discontinue use, you can expect to start losing any hair that grew back within a year’s time. If this doesn’t seem appealing, you may want to consider getting a hair transplant to regrow your lost hair.
Furthermore, Finasteride has some fairly undesirable side effects for some men. These include loss of libido, difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, and other sexual problems. This has to do with the way finasteride interacts with the hormones, blocking the production of male hormones that contribute to male pattern hair loss. Other side effects include swelling of the lips and face, depression, and changes in the breasts. The side effects of Finasteride, compounded with the cost of prescriptions over time make one pause when considering whether it is their best option.
Consider Getting A Hair Transplant
When it comes to finding a permanent hair loss solution, hair transplantation is the only permanent solution that will restore your natural hair. If you’re not in the mood to spend the rest of your life taking drugs, applying creams, and trying out old wives’ tales, consider getting a hair transplant.
There are two types of hair transplantation procedures that we perform: Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). Both of these procedures involve the harvesting of follicular grafts from the back of the head, where the hair tends to be thicker and transplanting the grafts into the area that is thinning or balding. The transplanted grafts take a few months to establish themselves, but within a year you will see noticeable new growth at the transplant site.
FUE Vs. FUT Transplant Procedures
FUE and FUT differ in terms of the technique that is used to harvest the follicular grafts. FUT is performed by removing a small section of the scalp in a horizontal strip, in order to harvest the follicular grafts. This is why FUT is sometimes known as strip harvesting. FUE is performed by extracting the follicular grafts individually. The grafts are removed from the back of the head in a natural pattern that is evenly dispersed throughout the donor area.
Both of these procedures are effective in treating the most common causes of hair loss such as male pattern baldness, traction alopecia, and hair loss due to injury or burns. The procedure that is most appropriate for you will depend on several factors including the severity of your hair loss, budget, and preference of how you wear your hair. With FUT you do not need to cut the hair around the donor site, so you can continue to wear your hair long to hide the incision at the donor site. With FUE, the entire donor area will need to be shaved in order for the grafts to be harvested. If you don’t want to lose any hair length then this might not be the best procedure for you.
Schedule a Complimentary Hair Transplant Consultation
To learn more about hair transplants and whether or not you are a suitable candidate for this procedure, schedule a complimentary consultation. We’re happy to meet with you in person, or we can conduct your consultation virtually. During your call or visit, we can discuss your history of hair loss, evaluate its current status, and discuss what methods you have previously employed in the service of hair restoration. We are confident that we can empower you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision as you consider getting a hair transplant.
SUFFERING FROM HAIR LOSS?
Best Hair Transplant is the best place to schedule your hair transplant in Los Angeles. We’ve helped both men and women regrow their lost hair. But don’t take our word for it. We suggest learning as much as possible about hair restoration. Do so prior to making a decision on how to address your hair loss. Not every procedure is right for everyone.
At Best Hair Transplant, we’re proud of our results and happy to provide hair restoration services. Additionally, we’re proud to make hair transplants affordable and help you save money on a variety of hair transplants.
To ensure your ease of mind, you can view our customer recommendations HERE. Furthermore, you can also see our Google reviews and Yelp reviews. We can’t wait to help you start restoring your lost hair.
Best Hair Transplant
1970 S. Prospect Ave., Suite 2
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(213) 403-0455
References:
- https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698016.html
- https://www.dermmatch.com/how-it-works/
- https://www.scalpny.com/blog/fue-vs-fut/#:~:text=The%20primary%20difference%20between%20FUT,extracted%20directly%20from%20the%20scalp.
- https://www.toppik.com/
