Although some adapt very well to it, baldness can sometimes be the origin of many complexes in other men. In fact, hair is an integral part of our physical identity, the way we represent ourselves. It is a way of asserting oneself, of expressing one’s personality. Hair loss can lead to a significant loss of self-confidence…
So if you too, the thought of ending up without a hair on the pebble gives you cold sweats, you may have considered hair implants. But what should we think about it? We give you a topo in this article…
What are hair implants?
Hair implants initially consist of extracting hair follicles (grafts) from the crown, that is, from the back of the skull. Indeed, it is an area where the hair never falls out because it is not sensitive to the hormone testosterone. The hair grafts are then reimplanted in the bald areas, generally towards the front of the skull, at the level of the forehead or tonsure. But breathe guys… All this is done under anesthesia!
What are the different hair transplant techniques?
There are mainly two hair transplant techniques.
The so-called “strip” technique
During this technique, the surgeon takes a strip of scalp approximately one centimeter high and twenty centimeters wide, depending on the extent of the bald area to be covered. Once removed, the strip is dissected to extract the follicular grafts. These are then relocated to the bald areas. The sampling area will be closed with suture thread, which will have the disadvantage of leaving a fine scar behind the head. The duration of the intervention is 4 to 5 hours.
The so-called “FUE” technique
The FUE ( Follicular Unit Extraction ) technique consists of taking the grafts directly “one by one” from the crown area. Extraction can be done manually or by using a small cookie cutter. The grafts are then reimplanted in the bald areas. For this technique, the duration of the intervention will be one day, but it will have the advantage of not leaving a scar.
However, like the previous one, this technique has a drawback… that of causing a reduction in capillary density at the level of the crown, since during hair removal the root of the hair is removed, which therefore will never grow again. This technique also requires you to shave your head beforehand so that the surgeon can extract the grafts.
Hair implants, are they painful?
As seen above, hair transplantation is performed under anesthesia (generally local) to avoid pain for the patient. Therefore, it is possible to feel some discomfort during the injection of anesthetic into the scalp. If you have a phobia of needles, be aware that some surgeons offer needle-free anesthesia techniques. Then, some pain may appear during hair regrowth, in the weeks after the procedure. But of course, it all depends on the sensitivity of each one.
How is the hair growth going?
After surgery, it’s time to reap what you’ve sown. In short, it’s time to grow your new hair back! During the first three weeks, it is possible to feel some discomfort in the skull such as itching or swelling. Don’t panic, the surgeon will prescribe pain medication anyway. Scabs will also appear in the recipient area. They must fall alone. Regrowth begins, but between the third week and two months after the operation, you will notice a loss of the transplanted hair. Don’t worry, it’s part of the process! It is only from two months after the intervention that the new growth really begins and gradually continues in the following months. Regrowth comes to an end ten to fourteen months after the operation.
How long do hair implants last?
Hair implants are permanent! This means that they no longer come out of your skull once placed. And yes, remember that the grafts are taken from the crown area, at the back of the skull, where the hair is not sensitive to variations in testosterone. And once replanted, this hair retains its genetic memory. So that you can enjoy your hair implants without worrying about the passage of time….
How much is it ?
To pay for hair implants, it will be necessary to plan a certain budget. The price varies according to the surgeon, the technique used and the number of grafts implanted depending on the extent of the baldness. In France, for the strip technique, it will cost on average between €5,000 and €6,000 and for the FUE technique between €6,000 and €8,000.
If you are still hesitating to start, you can now opt for a natural technique by trying Indian powders…
