Androgenetic alopecia, more commonly known as male-pattern baldness, accounts for more than 95% of hair loss in men. This is a very common condition in men, as two-thirds of American males will experience some degree of hair loss or thinning hair by the age of 35.
Hair transplant surgery is an option for men who suffer from male-pattern baldness. However, this is a procedure that can be very costly and comes with some risks. There are many things to consider before agreeing to undergo this type of procedure.
The Procedure
Hair transplant surgery involves removing hair follicles and hair from an area with plenty of hair to an area of the scalp that has thinning or baldness. The goal is to create a natural, dense look on the top of the head. The procedure itself requires hair follicles to be removed using a scalpel or a tube-like instrument called a punch graft. Hair follicles are usually removed from the backs and sides of the head, since these areas are usually not affected by male-pattern baldness. The harvested hair follicles are then transplanted into tiny slits or holes in the bald areas of the scalp. Usually, achieving maximum coverage will require multiple surgeries.
After Surgery
Your scalp will probably be sore after surgery, and you may need to take pain medication for a few days. You also might need to take antibiotics to reduce your risk of infection and anti-inflammatory medications to minimize swelling. It is normal for hair to fall out after it is transplanted, but new hair will grow in the transplanted follicles, though it might take a little bit of time before you can see this growth. Usually, patients will see about 60% new hair growth six to nine months after surgery. Most people need more than one surgery to accomplish this, though. Complete healing between surgeries usually takes several months, so undergoing multiple surgeries can be a long process.
Side Effects and Risks
Side effects after hair transplant surgery are usually minor and will typically clear up after a few weeks. They can include:
- Infection
- Bruising around the eyes
- Bleeding
- Swelling of the scalp
- Folliculitis (infection or inflammation of the hair follicles)
- Crust forming on the areas of the scalp where the hair was removed or implanted
- Shock loss (sudden loss of transplanted hair that is usually temporary)
- Itching
- Numbness or lack of sensation on the treated areas of the scalp
- Unnatural-looking tufts of hair
Long-term Outlook
The density of the transplanted hair after surgery will depend on several things, such as how loose your scalp is, the density of the follicles in the transplanted area, how much natural curl your hair has, and the quality or caliber of the hair. It is typical for hair to continue to grow in the transplanted areas permanently after surgery.
Your doctor might recommend that you also take certain medications that can help boost hair growth, such as propecia or minoxidil. These medications will promote hair growth, as well as prevent or slow future hair loss. There is also low-level laser therapy that can stop future hair loss as well. This is recommended because if you don’t take these precautions, you might continue to experience hair loss in the untreated areas of your scalp.
