What is a hair transplant?

A hair transplant is a surgical procedure that involves extracting hair follicles from one part of the body (usually the back of the scalp) and transplanting them to areas with thinning or no hair. The transplanted hair continues to grow naturally, providing a permanent solution to hair loss.

Hair transplant methods

Currently, the most popular hair transplant methods are FUE and DHI. DHI is a newer technique compared to FUE. However, skilled teams can achieve successful outcomes using either method. Each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses. In our clinic, we carefully assess each patient’s suitability and employ both techniques accordingly.

Main difference between DHI and FUE

The main difference between DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) and FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) lies in the method of hair implantation. DHI involves directly implanting hair follicles into the recipient area using a Choi pen, while FUE requires individual hair follicles to be extracted from the donor area and then transplanted to the recipient site.

We prefer DHI as our primary method due to its ability to deliver more natural-looking results. However, we have observed that some patients achieve successful outcomes by benefiting from both techniques, depending on their hair structure and needs.

1. Blood Collection

We start by collecting a small sample of your blood. This sample is essential for laboratory analysis, as it contains valuable information about the levels of vitamins, minerals, hormones, and other elements in your body.

By examining the blood, we can identify potential factors contributing to your hair loss, like vitamin or mineral deficiencies or thyroid issues. Understanding your overall health is crucial before proceeding with the hair transplantation procedure.

2. Taking Photos

In this stage, we take pictures of your hair from various angles. The purpose is to compare the results after the hair transplant with your hair’s appearance before the procedure. By doing so, we can measure the success of the transplantation. These pictures provide us with valuable visual evidence, helping us monitor and evaluate the progress of your hair growth after the surgery.

3. Hairline Design

During this step, we carefully plan and design the new hairline for your transplantation. The hairline design is a crucial aspect of the procedure as it plays a significant role in achieving a natural and aesthetically pleasing outcome.

Our team of experts considers factors such as your facial features, age, gender, and existing hair pattern while creating the hairline. The goal is to recreate a hairline that complements your overall appearance and blends seamlessly with your existing hair.

4. Hair Shaving

During this step, we perform a full hair shave, not just in the donor area but the entire head. The purpose of a full shave is to provide a clear and unobstructed view of both the donor and recipient areas during the hair transplantation procedure.

By shaving the entire head, we ensure a consistent and even surface for the transplantation process. It allows our surgical team to precisely extract the donor hair and strategically implant the hair follicles into the recipient area, ensuring natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing results.

After the hair transplant, the hair will begin to grow back gradually. The full shave is a temporary step that sets the stage for the successful transplantation and the long-term growth of your transplanted hair.

5. Calculating Grafts

In this step, we determine the number of grafts needed for your hair transplantation. Grafts are small clusters of hair follicles that we extract from the donor area and transplant into the recipient area.

To achieve the desired density and natural appearance, our medical team carefully calculates the number of grafts required based on factors like your hair loss pattern, hair thickness, and the size of the recipient area.

6. Final Health Checks

Before starting the operation, we conduct final health checks, which include measuring your blood pressure and checking other vital signs. These checks ensure that you are in good overall health and fit for the hair transplantation procedure.

We prioritize your safety and well-being throughout the process, and these final health checks are an essential part of our comprehensive approach to delivering a successful and worry-free hair transplant experience.

7. Local Anesthesia

In this step, we administer local anesthesia to ensure your comfort during the hair transplantation procedure. The anesthesia is delivered through injections, and it numbs the specific areas where we will be working.

By using local anesthesia, we aim to minimize any potential discomfort or pain during the operation while keeping you awake and aware. This allows us to perform the hair transplant safely and efficiently, making the experience as pleasant as possible for you.

8. Harvesting

During this step, we use a technique called micro FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) to harvest hair follicles from the donor area. Micro FUE involves extracting individual hair follicles using specialized micro-instruments, making the process minimally invasive.

Once the hair follicles are carefully harvested, we proceed with the graft separation. Each harvested follicle is meticulously separated from the surrounding tissue to create individual grafts. These grafts contain one to a few hair follicles and will be later transplanted into the recipient area.

The harvesting and graft separation process is performed with precision to ensure the highest graft survival rate and optimal results for your hair transplantation.

9. Lunch Break

At this point, we take a lunch break to ensure you have time to relax and enjoy a meal. We’ll ask you what you’d like to eat and place the order for you. During this break, you can move to another room to have your meal in private. If you wish, you can also use this time to catch up with your family or friends over the phone.

The lunch break typically lasts for about 1 hour, giving you ample time to refresh and recharge before we continue with the remaining stages of the hair transplantation process.

Your comfort and well-being are essential to us, and this break allows you to have a pleasant experience throughout the procedure.

10. Transplantation

During this step, we perform the hair transplantation using the DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) method, where we delicately implant individual hair follicles directly into the recipient area.

Depending on each patient’s specific needs, we may also use the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method or combine both techniques to achieve the best results.

Our experienced team works diligently to ensure a smooth and effective process, aiming for excellent and long-lasting outcomes for you.