Hair transplant

Learn the fundamentals of hair transplant procedures, techniques, and expected outcomes at Liv Hospital.

Hair transplant Overview and Definition

Learn the fundamentals of hair transplant procedures, techniques, and expected outcomes at Liv Hospital.

Hair Operations, or Hair Restoration, is a field focused on treating hair loss, thinning, and baldness using surgical and medical techniques to restore natural hair growth.

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What is Hair Restoration?

Hair Operations, often known as Hair Restoration or Hair Transplant Surgery, is a field of aesthetic medicine focused on correcting hair loss and baldness. This is achieved by moving healthy hair follicles from one area of the scalp to the thinning or bald areas. The procedure uses your own hair, ensuring the restored hair looks completely natural and grows permanently. Hair Restoration falls under the umbrella of plastic or cosmetic surgery.

The term Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is commonly used and refers to the modern technique where individual hair follicle units are removed and implanted.

Full Definition of Hair Operations

Hair Operations are surgical procedures designed to redistribute hair from the donor area (usually the back of the head where hair is resistant to balding) to the recipient area (where hair loss has occurred). The procedure is micro-surgical and minimally invasive. The primary goal is to provide a dense, natural hairline and cover bald spots effectively.

The procedure is highly effective because the relocated hair retains the genetic characteristics of its original site, meaning it is immune to the common cause of balding.

  • Medical Diagnosis & Evaluation:

    • Thorough diagnostic workups to identify the root cause of hair loss (e.g., genetic, hormonal, autoimmune, or nutritional).
    • Advanced scalp and hair analysis, including trichoscopy and blood tests.
    • Differentiating between conditions like androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, and scarring alopecias.
  • Surgical Hair Restoration:

    • Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): A procedure where a strip of scalp is harvested from the donor area to extract hair follicles for transplantation.
    • Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): A minimally invasive technique where individual hair follicles are directly harvested and transplanted, leaving tiny dot scars.
    • Performed by our board-certified surgeons in an accredited surgical facility.
  • Non-Surgical & Medical Treatments:

    • Prescription of FDA-approved medications to slow hair loss and promote regrowth.
    • Topical treatments and therapeutic shampoos.
    • In-office procedures such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy, which uses the patient’s own growth factors to stimulate hair follicles.
    • Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) to improve hair density and strength.
  • Cosmetic Camouflage & Integration:

    • Guidance and services for managing the appearance of hair loss during treatment.
    • This includes expert styling advice, scalp micropigmentation (medical tattooing), and the use of hair pieces or integrations.
  • Psychological Support & Counseling:

    • Recognizing the significant emotional impact of hair loss, our integrated care model includes access to counseling and support resources.
    • We focus on the overall well-being of our patients throughout their treatment journey.
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What Hair Operations Is NOT

HAIR TRANSPLANT
  • It is important to distinguish hair transplant surgery from other related treatments or simple cosmetic fixes.

    • It is NOT a solution for active disease: Hair loss caused by underlying medical issues (like thyroid problems) must be treated medically first.
    • It is NOT a cure for autoimmune disorders: Hair loss from autoimmune conditions like Alopecia Areata may be managed but usually requires ongoing medical treatment, not just surgery.
    • It is NOT the same as hair cloning: Hair cloning is a theoretical method not yet available where follicles are multiplied in a lab. Hair Operations use only existing, healthy hair.
    • It is NOT a major surgery: Modern techniques are minimally invasive, requiring only local anesthesia.
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Main Categories of Hair Loss Treated

HAIR TRANSPLANT
  • The primary reason people seek Hair Operations is androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness), but the procedures are used for several types of hair loss.

    • Male and Female Pattern Baldness (Androgenetic Alopecia): This is the most common condition treated, driven by genetics and hormones.
    • Traumatic Hair Loss: This includes restoring hair lost due to burns, accidents, or previous surgical scars.
    • Traction Alopecia: Hair loss caused by constant pulling or tension, often from tight hairstyles.
    • Eyebrow and Eyelash Restoration: Procedures can be used to transplant hair to restore density in these areas.
    Beard and Moustache Restoration: Used to fill in patchy areas or create a denser look in facial hair.

Related Organ Systems

While the procedure directly involves the skin and integumentary system (hair follicles are part of the skin), the underlying cause of hair loss relates to several body systems.

  • Endocrine System: Hormones, specifically Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), are the main culprit in pattern baldness.
  • Vascular System: The blood supply to the scalp is crucial for the health and survival of the newly transplanted follicles.
  • Immune System: Autoimmune disorders like Alopecia Areata involve the immune system mistakenly attacking hair follicles.
HAIR TRANSPLANT

Importance in Medicine

Hair Operations have gained significant importance in modern aesthetic medicine not just for physical restoration but for improving psychological well-being. Hair loss is frequently linked to reduced self-esteem, anxiety, and social discomfort. Restoring hair can lead to notable improvements in confidence, social life, and mental health for patients. As techniques become more refined and recovery times shorter, it has become a globally accessible and frequently performed elective procedure.

Hair Operations Subspecialty Areas

The field is generally practiced by aesthetic or plastic surgeons but involves specific subspecialty skills and techniques.

  • Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): The most common modern technique, involving the individual extraction of grafts.
  • Direct Hair Implantation (DHI): A variant of FUE using a pen-like tool to implant follicles directly without pre-made channels.
  • Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): An older method where a strip of scalp skin is removed to harvest grafts.
  • Advanced Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP): A non-surgical technique sometimes used alone or in conjunction with surgery to create the illusion of density.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Hair Operations and what does a specialist do?

Hair Operations refers to hair transplant surgery, a procedure that permanently restores hair by moving healthy follicles from the back of the head to bald areas. Specialists, usually plastic or aesthetic surgeons, design the hairline and perform the precise extraction and implantation of the grafts.

The procedures primarily treat male and female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). They are also effective for restoring hair lost due to scarring, burns, or traction.

The main surgical techniques are Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), where individual follicles are extracted, and Direct Hair Implantation (DHI). Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is an older strip-harvesting method.

You should consider the procedure if you have stable, established hair loss or baldness that has not responded well to medical treatments. A consultation with a specialist can confirm if you are a good candidate with sufficient donor hair.

Both FUE and DHI involve extracting individual hair follicles. The key difference is that DHI uses a specialized pen (Choi pen) for immediate implantation, whereas FUE typically involves creating channels first, and then implanting the grafts.

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