Think hair transplants, and you’re probably thinking of the patchy hair plugs you’ve seen in previous years. But the technology has come a long way in that time. It’s why the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery reported 681,964 hair transplant patients in 2020 [1].
Hair transplants can be expensive, so if you’re throwing big bucks at a procedure, you want to know that it will go the distance.
In this guide, we’re going to discuss the ins and outs of hair transplants and how long you can realistically expect them to last.
What is a hair transplant?
Hair transplants are a procedure that takes donor hairs from other parts of the body and transplants them onto your head using micrografting technology. Essentially, you’re donating your existing hair to restore your luscious locks.
It’s becoming a far more popular procedure than ever, with Straits Research projecting a worldwide market value of USD 8 billion in 2023, and it’s expected to double by 2032 [2].
Unfortunately, your need for a hair transplant is likely to increase as you age, with Aussie men likelier to see the familiar male pattern baldness pattern after age 40.
According to a National Institutes of Health study, if you’re between 40 and 55, you’ve got a 31% chance of being fully bald [3]. If you’re a candidate for hair transplant surgery, you could see visibly long-lasting effects from your hair transplant.
How does hair transplant surgery work?
The hair transplant procedure begins by taking grafts from parts of your body where you’ve already got healthy hair.
Contrary to popular belief, they’re not taken from a hairy back, legs, or arms. Instead, they’ll be taken from the other parts of your hair, such as the back of your scalp.
They're then grafted onto areas where you’re balding or have thinning hair. Once healed, the transplanted hair will grow again.
Some of the conditions hair transplants can treat include:
- Alopecia areata – A type of autoimmune disease that actively attacks your hair follicles. The Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation reports up to 2% of the population suffers from this condition [4].
- Androgenic alopecia – This is the standard pattern baldness most people associate with losing their hair.
- Hormonal imbalances – Certain hormone imbalances can impact hair growth and balding.
- Traumatic injuries – Injuries, such as burns, can destroy your hair follicles and ruin your ability to grow healthy hair.
The best candidates for hair transplants are those in otherwise good health and still have healthy hair on the back of their scalps. Above all, Aussies opting for this procedure must have realistic expectations.
Is hair transplant permanent?
Hair transplants are designed to be permanent. Initially, you may not notice a massive difference, as the skin grafts can take months to heal. It’s not uncommon for transplanted hair to fall out during the first 3 months.
Healing times depend on the person, but it’s estimated that healing can take 6-12 months.
Once the healing process is done, your newly transplanted follicles will start to grow hair, and you’ll gradually see those wide-open spaces on your head fill themselves in.
Do I need more than one hair transplant for hair restoration?
Hair transplantation has varying outcomes based on the person. Some patients require more than one hair transplant throughout their lives, especially if they got a transplant when they were younger.
Depending on the extent of hair loss, your doctor might even tell you right off the bat that you’ll need multiple sessions to get the results you want.
As always, it’s about visiting a reputable clinic and listening to what your doctor recommends.
Plus, some patients with extensive baldness might opt for a transplant in a particular area, like the tops of their domes, before filling out the other parts later.
Factors that affect hair transplant longevity
Well-performed hair transplants on healthy patients can last a lifetime. Some patients need additional transplants if they experience further hair loss, but most people are pleased with the initial results.
Other factors could impact the durability of your transplant, including hair quality, the surgeon, and any underlying medical conditions.
Here’s a rundown of what could play into your transplant’s lifespan:
- Surgeon – Go around the world, and you’ll see plenty of hair transplant clinics, but not all of them are made equal. Spend a few more bucks on a great surgeon and you’ll get naturally better results.
- Donor hair quality – How’s the hair on the back of your head? Making a hair transplant permanent relies on the quality of these follicles.
- Medical conditions – Some people have pre-existing conditions that could influence hair health.
- Lifestyle – Your lifestyle matters. Poor nutrition and too many smokes can hamper healthy hair growth. Getting yourself as fit as a mallee bull is always helpful for preserving what you’ve got.
Don’t forget that following your doctor’s instructions for aftercare, including washing and brushing, is also essential for giving your hair transplant the best shot at success.
Let’s go into the 3 most significant factors impacting your hair transplant.
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) vs. follicular unit extraction (FUE)
FUT and FUE are the two primary transplant options you’ve got for a hair transplant. The primary difference is that FUT harvests a strip of skin full of hair follicles from a donor area, whereas FUT harvests individual hair follicles with a punching machine.
The only difference between these two procedures is the nature of the harvest. The actual implantation technique is the same, whichever procedure you choose. But what do the numbers say?
According to a study into FUT transplants, the results demonstrated promising results in 81% of patients after one year [5].
In contrast, another study showed that 97% of patients were satisfied with their FUE hair transplants [6]. Note that these are only two studies, and the fact is most experts consider them equally effective.
Hair follicle health
Hair follicles must be chosen carefully to ensure the transplanted hairs survive. Surgeons will examine your follicles and choose ones with genetic resistance to balding.
These follicles will be naturally resistant to DHT, which is the chemical compound responsible for male and female pattern baldness.
How long will these hair follicles last in the long term? It’s hard to say because we still don’t have comprehensive evidence either way.
According to a round-up of studies, the longevity of follicles after receiving a FUT transplant is still debated, with the documented life term still largely unknown [7].
Post-operative care after hair transplantation surgery
Post-operative care is as essential to your hair transplant as the procedure itself. Don’t follow doctor’s orders, and the chances are you’ll be right back where you started.
It’s not a quick procedure, and you’re not going to be sporting an afro after a couple of weeks. That’s why there’s so much to be said about having realistic expectations.
After your transplant, you’ll be given a detailed set of instructions for caring for your transplant and ensuring that it holds.
How to care for a hair transplant
Caring for your transplant is much like caring for anything else. Give it the tender loving care it deserves, and you’ll be rewarded. Ignore it and carry on as usual, and that’ll be it.
Here’s a list of what to do to give yourself the highest chance of a successful hair transplant:
- Elevate your head after the procedure and apply ice packs to deal with the swelling.
- Take any recommended medications, as directed.
- Prioritise rest and staying out of the sun during the initial recovery period.
- Follow your team’s instructions for washing your hair and adding other aftercare products. Usually, it means not washing for the first 2 or 3 days.
- Avoid styling tools and harsh haircare products.
- Promote blood circulation and healing by staying off the beers and putting the smokes away.
- Follow a balanced, nutritious diet focusing on protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Your hair transplant team will also provide you with follow-up appointments to monitor the healing process.
Stick to these appointments as early intervention when there are any problems could save your transplant and stop you from going all the way back to the beginning.
Alternative hair loss solutions
Hair transplants aren’t for everybody. Thankfully, science has given us an array of other treatment options for restoring hair bit by bit. Topical and medical treatments are available in Australia for blokes worried about hair loss.
Certain shampoos and conditioners for thinning hair, like Pilot's Hair Growth Shampoo & Conditioner, are designed to lay the groundwork for thicker, healthier, and happier hair follicles.
Pilot also offers clinical hair loss treatment plans. Simply complete an online consultation with a practitioner and they will create a personalised treatment plan just for you, which is then delivered in discreet packaging to your home.
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