Hair transplant surgery/Hair Transplant Surgery

Restoring the hair you used to have

Hair transplant surgery is an appearance related procedure used to reintroduce hair into an area that is thinning or bald. Thinning hair and hair loss are incredibly common, whether due to male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness, medical treatments or other conditions.

The most common hair-bearing areas for restoring hair into scars are the eyebrows, beards, and scalp as well as pre and post-auricular following a facelift, but it can also be done to other parts of the body as well.

At 152 Harley Street, we offer both donor harvesting techniques – follicular unit excision (FUE) and linear strip excision (often referred to as Strip FUT). Your consultant will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both and will agree with you on the most appropriate method in your case.

Hair transplant surgery

The procedure involves taking hair roots from a ‘donor’ area at the back or sides of the scalp, where the hair generally continues to grow throughout one’s lifetime, and relocating them to the bald or thinning areas at the top of the head.

Follicular Units are the natural groupings of the hairs in their original habitat. This ranges from 1-4 hairs per unit with the average being 2.2. Keeping these Follicular Units intact when transferring them to the recipient site undoubtedly results in better survival of the hairs and a more natural-looking result.

For the hairline, individual hairs are placed, avoiding a particular pattern, but following the direction and angle of your original hair to form a totally natural look.

The result is hair that performs in the same way as the hair you used to have.

This procedure provides a safe and effective solution for those suffering from hair loss.

Having a hair transplant has many benefits. The procedure effectively allows patients to regrow hair in areas which are balding. The treatment allow patients to achieve a natural looking head of hair and regain the confidence they once had prior to balding. Hair transplant surgery is usually seen entirely as aesthetic, but it is very much a reconstructive procedure.

During your hair transplant, you will be under local anaesthetic, so you will not feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. For the first few days after surgery, you are likely to feel some pain and discomfort; however, this can be controlled by painkillers prescribed by your surgeon. The level of discomfort post operatively varies from person to person but is generally minimal if the follicular unit excision method of donor harvesting has been used.

After around three days you should feel well enough to return to work following your hair transplant. The area should be treated with care for the first few weeks as grafts may not be entirely secure. From the day of treatment, it can take three to four months for your new hair to begin to grow, and then it will take many months to gain length and for the follicles to mature in terms of diameter. Due to these two factors, the initial result is usually assessed at about eight months post-procedure, but the final result may not be apparent until a year and a half after the surgery.

Each transplantation surgery is unique to the individual and the time involved takes into account factors such as the area being transplanted, the number of grafts required to be extracted and implanted, as well as the difficulty of the procedure. Hair transplants can take between three to eight hours and sometimes longer.

After your hair transplant, your scalp may feel tight and swollen for a few days post-surgery. There may be some temporary scabbing on the site of the transplant, and there may be some slight scarring.

It is important to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions carefully to ensure proper healing. Most patients can resume their normal activities within a few weeks, but full recovery can take a few months.

Procedure Overview

Cosmetic surgery to reintroduce hair to a thinning or bald patch on the head
Involves replacing hairs by taking hair roots from a ‘donor’ area at the back or sides of the scalp and relocating them to the bald or thinning areas at the top of the head
Procedure performed under local anaesthetic
A typical procedure takes between 4 to 12 hours
After 4 months new hair will start to grow, and this new hair will grow longer and mature for the following 18 months
Medication can be prescribed to help with any pain and discomfort post-surgery
You will have an initial consultation with an expert specialist in this area

Hair transplants can cost anywhere between £3,000 and £10,000 depending on the extent of your hair loss.

The transplanted hair will continue to grow for as long as the hair would have grown in the donor site – and therefore whilst it may not be permanent, in most people the hair will last into old age.

Unfortunately, there is always a chance the transplanted hair will not take and therefore this is not a 100% guaranteed procedure. Hair transplants have a very high success rate of 95-98%.

Hair transplant surgery can provide natural-looking, permanent results – or as long as the hair would have remained in the donor site. The transplanted hairs will initially fall out, but new hair growth should begin in a few months. Over time, the hair density will improve, and the patient will see a full head of thicker hair. It is important to note that hair transplant surgery does not prevent further hair loss in other areas of the scalp.

For the majority of people, one hair transplant will be sufficient however some people may need a second procedure to achieve their desired results.

"Throughout my hair replacement journey Dr. Farjo and his amazing staff have looked after me with incredible care and professionalism. It took me a long time to find a surgeon and team that I felt I could trust entirely. From the outset Dr. Farjo and all the Farjo staff ensured that my expectations were realistic and achievable. This was so different to others I had visited for consultations previously and who had badly damaged my confidence in going ahead. The care before, during and after surgery is so thorough. The Farjo team are kind, professional and highly skilled people with a true passion for what they do. I am so grateful. Yes, the results are amazing and that's critical. But it's the 'start to finish' experience that made my hair replacement such a positive experience. From the first consultation and throughout my transplant 'journey'."

"I can't speak highly enough of the initial appointments, transplant and after-care from Dr Greg Williams and his team at Farjo. I have had 2 transplants with Greg and his team - the second, because the first was so successful, and beyond all of our expectations. Greg is refreshingly honest and tells you how it is which is what you need when deciding whether to go ahead with something as personal as this. It helps that he is also a brilliant surgeon, and supported by a great team. I have always felt very reassured and received answers to all my questions - at any time of day or night."

Hair Transplant Surgery

Hair transplant surgery

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