.
What is Hair Transplantation?
Hair transplantation is the process of surgically placing healthy hair follicles that are resistant to hair loss into the empty space caused by irreversible damage to the hair follicles due to hair loss. The follicles that are resistant to hair loss are taken from the area between the two ears, which we call the donor area, and if possible from the beard and body parts under local anesthesia, and placed in the empty area that appears to be empty with the help of special surgical forceps or with the help of special pens. Hair transplantation is also an effective method to cover scar tissues in areas such as beard, eyebrow, chest or scalp. Hair transplantation is a daily operation lasting approximately 4-6 hours and performed under local anesthesia.
After trichological analysis, planning is made according to the condition of the hair follicles. Then, the operation area is anesthetized with local anesthesia. Then, healthy follicles are selected, extracted and collected in special solutions. This stage takes about 1-1.5 hours. The second stage in classical Fue is the preparation of small pores, which we call channels, where the hair will be placed in the hair loss area. It takes about 40 minutes - 90 minutes. The third stage is the placement of the roots in the canals. It takes approximately 2-3 hours. Although hair transplantation is seen as a cosmetic procedure, since it is actually a minor surgical operation, all medications and supportive treatments, all existing acute and chronic diseases should be reported to the physician.
History of hair transplantation
Hair transplantation operations first started with trials in Japan in the 1930s and although the results of successful transplants were seen in the 1950s in the USA, it started to show rapid development towards the end of the 1980s with the three-dimensional examination of the scalp and the FUT method, in which the follicles can be removed in the form of a strip-shaped skin graft, and then the FUE method, in which the follicles can be removed one by one. After FUE, follicular unit extraction, took its place in the literature in 2002, robotic hair transplantation based on FUE has been practiced since 2007. We, hair transplant surgeons, are still pursuing new researches and developing new devices in order for these techniques to give results close to natural.
Hair Transplantation Methods
FUT (Follicular Unit Transfer):In this method, under local anesthesia, a strip-shaped graft is taken from the scalp and the roots are separated under a microscope, then placed in the area with hair loss under local anesthesia, according to the determined hairline and placement plan. Although the FUE method is more preferred in recent years, in some special cases, the FUT method is still performed with or without the FUE method. It can be preferred in people with insufficient donor area or in minor surgeries for retouching.
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction):Since the early 2000s, this method has replaced the FUT method. The fact that the tools used, which we call punches, are more minimal, allows the hair follicles to be taken one by one, and in this way, the scars in the donor area are in the form of dots that are invisible to the naked eye. After the hair analysis, the hairline is determined according to the patient's anatomical structure and age. The operation starts with local anesthesia in the donor area, the roots are selected and taken one by one. Then the area where the roots will be placed is numbed with local anesthesia, then the channels where the roots will be placed are opened in the thickness and natural direction of the hair follicles.
DHI (Direct Hair Implantation): The collection of follicles from the donor area is done with micromotors like classical FUE. Hair follicles are placed on the scalp with special pens called choi. While hair transplantation takes place in three stages in the classical FUE method, this stage is reduced to two in the dhi method. The most important feature of this procedure is that it can be performed without cutting the hair and does not require stitches. A trichological hair analysis of the patient is performed before the procedure. The structure of the patient's hair strands and the hair affected by hair loss are determined. The patient's hairline is planned according to age and hair loss potential. The donor area is anesthetized with the help of local anesthesia. Hair follicles are taken one by one from the nape area. After the tissue removal is finished, the area to be transplanted is anesthetized. The pen is selected according to the hair thickness and placed according to the direction of hair growth. In this way, the transplantation process is completed by preserving the normal hair of the normal person. Since there is no incision, scabbing and healing time is shorter.
Unshaven Hair Transplant: Hair transplantation without shaving is a method applied to people who do not want to cut their hair. Depending on the size of the area to be transplanted, window-shaped or line-shaped areas are selected from the donor area and anesthetized with local anesthesia. The targeted grafts are taken from these areas. The roots are placed in the area with hair loss as planned. Recovery times are the same as in other methods. Since only the hair is not cut, the return to your social environment is faster.
Robotic Hair Transplant: Another valuable development in hair transplantation is robotic surgery. After its use in important surgeries in the health sector, it is possible to say that it exhibits very successful results in hair transplantation operations. In early 2010, robotic hair transplantation started to be applied primarily in America. It is also used successfully in Turkey.
In robotic hair transplantation applications, the donor area and recipient area are calculated completely with smart algorithms, hair follicles are collected automatically, quickly and comfortably with the hair transplantation robot, and then manually transplanted into the channels opened with advanced technology in the area to be transplanted.
So why do we still transplant hair using manual methods?
Like any method, robotic hair transplantation has its handicaps. The dermatology study at Cornell Weill Medical Center in New York, published in the NCBI National Center for Biotechnology Information, stated that this system is not suitable for patients with blond, red or gray hair, because the error rate increases due to color in the robot's identification and removal of grafts, so robotic hair transplantation is more suitable for patients with dark hair (black and brown). Also, the doctor should decide whether this method is suitable for patients with curly hair. On the other hand, hair transplantation is also a prospective artistic work, the patient's muscle anatomy, hair fiber structure, age, physiological state also affect the result of hair transplantation, so the patient's planning should be done by the doctor. Perhaps over time, artificial intelligence technology will be used more and more.
Long Hair FUE (Long Hair Transplant):It is a method in which the hair is not shortened at all in patients with suitable donor area and transplantation area. After the donor area is anesthetized with local anesthesia, the hair follicles are collected with the help of special oscillating micromotors without shaving or shortening the length of the hair. Then they are placed in the transplantation area with the help of manual pliers or choi pliers. Since the transplanted hair is also long, you can continue your social life after the acute state has passed. An important point here is that shock loss can be seen in the transplanted hair (during adaptation) as in all other methods.
Who Can Have Hair Transplantation?
Hair transplantation can be applied to all female / male clients who have completed their growth, are over the age of 20, the hair in the donor area, which we call the donor area, is not affected by hair loss, is numerically and physiologically sufficient, and the hair loss in the recipient area can be treated with the operation.
So who cannot have hair transplantation?
It cannot be done in patients with an acute skin disease of the scalp (infection, lichenplanus, cicatricial alopecia, ringworm ...etc)
It cannot be done in those who are undergoing cancer treatment (it can be done with the permission of the doctor 1 year after the end of oncologic treatment)
It is not performed in those who are congenitally balding and do not have enough hair follicles in the donor area.
In patients with blood diseases such as hemophilia, blood tests must be seen before the operation, and if possible, the recommendations of the follow-up doctor should be taken into consideration. If they are not suitable, they will not be operated.
What are the Causes of Hair Loss?
The most common cause of hair loss is hair loss due to genetic reasons. This type of hair loss, called androgenic alopecia, is mostly seen in men and to a lesser extent in women. Hereditary hair loss starts mostly from the temples and crown in men, while in women, the areas of hair loss are mostly observed in the crown area.
Irregular and inadequate nutrition, inactivity, stress are common causes of hair loss.
Tension and sadness disrupt the health of the whole body and the immune system, causing hair loss.
Irregular thyroid hormones lead to hair loss; hair appears lifeless, dry and pale.
In the postpartum period, menopause and postmenopausal period, hair loss is seen due to fluctuations in hormones, and hair loss stops when the hormonal status stabilizes. Intermittent control and treatment-follow-up is necessary to minimize the effect on the follicles.
Anemia is one of the most common causes of hair loss, especially in women. It is possible to stop hair loss with anemia treatment.
Deficiency of minerals such as iron, zinc and selenium in the body can lead to hair loss. In such cases, mineral supplements can be made to prevent hair loss.
it may be possible to stop it.
Wrong hair care habits are another cause of hair loss. Hair
constant too tight collection, incorrect washing habits, exposing the hair to chemicals and mechanical
Exposure (frequent dyeing, some shampoos, dye, perm, blow-drying), sea water, sun rays, chlorine in pool water are also factors that cause hair loss.
Hair loss, called seasonal hair loss, increases especially in the spring months, more so in the fall.
Hair Transplant Stages to Consider
Hair Transplant Preparation
First of all, it is important to evaluate our patient and plan the most appropriate treatment for him/her. For this reason, we first organize an examination for hair transplantation. In this examination, a detailed trichoscopic evaluation is performed, that is, the adequacy of the hair strands in the nape of your neck, that is, in the donor area where we take the roots, is evaluated, then the area where the hair is sparse is evaluated, and for our clients who are far away, the degree of hair loss is determined by photographs taken from certain angles with online interviews. Some blood test results are evaluated to determine the causes of hair loss. If there is no vitamin, mineral deficiency, hormonal irregularity, we determine our priorities and plan the transplantation area by deciding together with the doctor and the client according to the facial anatomy, age and the amount of hair in the donor area. We visually show our patients the stages of this process, which will take 1 year.
Pre-Hair Transplant Analyzes
The health of the scalp and the quality of the hair follicle are determined, preferably by magnification with a trichoscope. If there is eczema, which we call dermatitis, treatment is organized. If there is an acute infection, the transplantation should be planned after this infective state is resolved. Hair transplantation is a tissue transplantation (even if it is the person's own tissue), so the time when the body can best adapt to the transplanted hair follicle should be determined.
Possible vitamin and mineral deficiencies should be evaluated with blood tests. For example, vitamin B12, vitamin D, biotin, selenium, magnesium, iron, ferritin, HbA1c, thyroid hormones, sex-specific hormone tests in men and women, etc.
Are There Any Things To Be Done Before Hair Transplantation?
There are also things that should be done before hair transplantation as well as after hair transplantation. People who do regular sports are recommended to do their sports more lightly 1 week before hair transplantation. Since sports activities thin the blood and accelerate its flow, they increase the risk of bleeding during and after hair transplantation.
If blood thinning medication is used, it is necessary to interrupt its use in consultation with the doctor who regulates its use or our clinic.
If you have an existing chronic disease or medication that must be used regularly, this information must be notified to our clinic. Your pre-operative use will be arranged by our doctor.
Vitamins and supportive therapies (including protein powders, creatine) should be discontinued 1 week before the hair transplant operation.
Herbal teas and herbal supplements must be stopped 1 week before.
If you drink alcohol regularly, you should definitely stop drinking alcohol 1 week in advance.
Quitting smoking and alcohol (if you consume alcohol socially) for 4-5 days before hair transplantation will also have a great positive effect on the success rate of the operation.
The tests that must be done before hair transplantation are definitely
should not be skipped.
How is Hair Transplantation Procedure Performed?
Hair transplantation operation is an operation of approximately 4-6 hours. During the operation, you will be given a break to eat at the appropriate time interval.
The preparation phase of the operation starts with your photo shoot after you sign your consent forms. You will be informed about the operation and what needs to be done after the operation. Together with your doctor, your hair planning is made, hairline design and the density of the roots and the areas to be transplanted are determined.
You will be taken to the operation room, first of all, your vital signs are evaluated, your vascular access is opened and your blood tests required for the operation are taken, then shortening and shaving is performed according to the type of operation.
Then we move on to the operation.
Phase 1 Collection of hair follicles from the donor area in your nape area
It is performed in a prone position or lying on its side.
This stage begins with numbing the donor area with local anesthesia.
Then the selection and harvesting of the roots is done, which takes 1-2 hours without pain.
Phase 2 The planning that we discussed with our patient before
we go over it and we decide on the final version.
At this stage, our patient is in a sitting position.
First of all, local anesthesia is applied for this area. Then, after this procedure, small canals are opened where the hair follicles will be placed in the area where the transplantation is planned.
This stage takes approximately 1-2 hours. At this stage, we provide you with all kinds of support for your comfort.
Phase 3 At this stage, these canals that we have opened in the first stage
At this stage, you are in a sitting position. This process takes about 2 to 4 hours depending on the number of grafts.
In the DHI method, stages 2 and 3 are done at the same time.
At the end of this, your operation ends with a clean dressing.
erer.
Your doctor will tell you what you need to do on the evening of the operation and afterwards.
what you should and should not do will be explained to you at the end of the operation.
Things to Consider After Hair Transplantation
After the operation, you are recommended to rest after a light meal. If you use your medications prepared by the clinic as described, you will prevent conditions such as pain or edema.
Salty and spicy foods should be avoided especially in the first 3 days after hair transplantation, again a protein-heavy diet and water consumption will accelerate your recovery. You should absolutely avoid smoking, alcohol and caffeine. Smoking and caffeine disrupt the nutrition of the roots, so the survival rate of the transplanted roots decreases. Alcohol, on the other hand, impairs the effectiveness of the medical treatment given after hair transplantation, as well as increasing the possibility of post-operative bleeding. For the first 4-5 days, you should sleep with two pillows or a neck pillow at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Since there will be a feeling of numbness in the operation area for the first 1-2 days, it is important to rest and protect the transplanted area from trauma.
The day after the hair transplantation, your dressing will be renewed or opened. Two days after the operation, your first wash is done and you will be told how you should wash your hair after hair transplantation. You should wash your hair as shown every day, usually for 10-15 days, until you get rid of the crusts.
After the hair transplant treatment, you can return to your daily life. The surgery
doing simple movements immediately afterwards without tilting your head forward, computer
There will be some changes in your scalp during the healing process.
These are very normal. Strenuous activities should be avoided for the first 4-5 days after the operation, small
We also do not recommend lying down all the time. We recommend a high-protein diet.
and drink plenty of water.
In the second week, the crusts formed between 10-15 days fall off.
then you can return to your normal daily activities. Cardio exercises
you can start only in case of perspiration, lightly press the sweat from the planting area
should be taken with movements. After the 10th day, you can swim in the sea.
heavy exercise, direct sun exposure, steam in the first 3 months
Rooms, saunas, swimming pools cleaned with chlorine should be avoided.
From the third week to the end of the first month, the guide at the tips of the roots
The hair strands may fall out, but this is nothing to worry about.
is actually part of its adaptation to its place.
After hair transplantation, we recommend some supportive treatments to accelerate the adaptation of new hair and to ensure faster healing of the operation area. These treatments are organized specifically for you in our clinic to cover 1 year after your hair transplantation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Transplantation (FAQ)
How long does hair transplantation take and how many sessions are required?
Hair transplantation is a 5-6 hour process, 1 or 2 sessions are performed depending on the size of the shedding area and the adequacy of the donor area. Especially male pattern hair loss starts in the 20s and continues until the end of the 40s. Research shows that the earlier a hair loss starts, the more severe it will be, so an individual who starts to lose hair in his 20s can have hair transplantation 2 or sometimes 3 times. In this case, with proper planning and follow-up, the rate of hair loss is minimized and the operation can be performed again.
When will I start to see my hair transplant results?
Saç ekimi sonrasında saçın yeni alana adaptasyonu minimum 2 aydır, yani 2.aydan itibaren saç derisi rengi pembeleşir, adaptasyonunu tamamlayan yeni saç telleri bir tohumun topraktan çıkışı gibi deriden çıkmaya başlar. Dış görünüş olarak pek değişiklik olmaz fakat çıkan teller parmak uçlarıyla hissedilebilir ve hafif bir gölgelenme oluşur. Kişiden kişiye değişmekle birlikte yeni saçların yaklaşık %20-25 ‘i ilk 3 ayda ,%40-50 si ilk 6 ayda,%80’I 9.ayda gelişir. Saç ekiminin sonucu 12 ay sonra tam olarak görülür.Tepe bölgesinin dolaşımı daha az olduğu için tepe bölgesinin sonucu daha geç görürsünüz.
Are there any side effects of hair transplantation?
There will be some changes in your scalp during the healing process. These are very normal.
For example, redness occurs in the early period. As healing continues, crusting, redness, itching, dryness may occur. Again, during the healing process, approximately 15 days after the transplantation, the ends of the transplanted hair may fall out. This is a normal process for the adaptation of the body's newly placed hair. This situation, called shock spillage, is a natural process and sometimes it may be absent. There is nothing to worry about.
In an experienced and well-equipped clinic, your chances of such a complication are very low, and even if there is, the treatment of this condition is organized in the best way. Therefore, post-operative follow-up is also important. The only thing to remember is that you should only plan this procedure in a clinic with the right doctor and team. Only in this way can you get the natural and healthy hair you want.
Can I get a natural look after a hair transplant??
Hair transplant results require naturalness. Therefore, two points are very important.
First, the hair collected from the donor area to be transplanted towards the recipient area
distribution and the second is the correct drawing of the front hairline. We do the hair
we find it unnatural for your line to have lines drawn with a ruler. This is
so creating slight asymmetries to define a natural line is a successful
Another important point in hair transplantation is the patient's facial anatomy.
The volume of the balding area is also important in planning the amount of hair to be transplanted and ensuring naturalness.
Choosing a doctor experienced in hair transplantation is very important. Because your doctor's previous treatment results will be a reference for you. In addition, an experienced doctor will plan a special hair transplant for you. It is not only the technique used in hair transplantation that is important.
Your hair structure, the density and volumetric condition of your strands, the hair in the donor area
frequency and thickness are important. Again, only an experienced doctor can decide in which direction the grafts will be transplanted. The results of hair transplant surgery are definitely more successful and motivating than before. However, it is not a magical intervention.
It is a success based on your existing situation.
Therefore, realistic expectations will also ensure satisfaction with the results.
will increase.
Will I feel pain or discomfort during and after the procedure?
During the procedure, while only local anesthesia is performed, you will feel a pain like an insect bite or bee sting for about 3 minutes for the donor area and 2 minutes for the front part, then these areas become numb and you will not feel pain throughout the operation. We can also help our clients with sedation in this 5 minute process if they wish. Pain is rarely seen after the operation. It is normal to feel a feeling of pressure for the first 2 days rather than pain.
Will my hair continue to fall out after hair transplantation?
Transplanted hair does not fall out. Since the hair transplant operation is also a treatment in which regeneration is triggered, the rate of hair loss remains at a minimum level with good post-operative follow-up. For this reason, hair transplant operation is not just a 1-day procedure, it is a 1-year process that should be performed by a doctor who follows you and organizes your treatment.
Which seasons are more advantageous for hair transplantation?
In fact, hair transplantation does not have a specific season, whether it is summer or winter, the first 5 days should be avoided from traumas outside. Since direct sun exposure is also necessary for our general body health, it should also be avoided after transplantation. Any season that does not affect your social life is the appropriate season for the operation.
Will there be a scar in the hair transplantation area?
In cases where the FUT method is preferred, there will be a stitch mark in the donor area, if it is taken with the FUE method with the tools we call punches of appropriate size, there will be no trace visible to the naked eye from the outside, there will be traces in the form of dots.
Can women have hair transplantation and is the process different?
Hair loss in women may be due to more causes than in men.
First, the underlying cause must be solved. Hair quality in the donor area in women
If it is good and the woman has long hair, the hair can be scraped or
In suitable patients, roots can be harvested without cutting. Again in the designated areas
is placed as in men. Since hair transplantation is done between the hair, after the operation
maintenance requires a little more care. Other than that, the process is the same.
When can secondary transplantation be planned?
The second transplantation can be planned after 1 year. However, if there is a region that has not been treated, for example, sometimes the region that we did not touch in the vertex in the first operation remains, such patients can be treated after the 10th month.
Can we do sports after hair transplantation?
The first week after the operation should be spent in the form of some rest and light walks. After day 10, cardio exercises can be done, but do not stay sweaty for too long at first. If you are working with weights or doing a sport in which you use your own body weight, the neck
You have to do it without contracting your muscles. So lighter weights, more sets, fewer repetitions can be done..
Does new hair grow from the hair removal area?
Hair does not grow from the place where we get hair. Very rarely, hair follicles that are asleep on our head can wake up and grow new hair. This rate is between %1-5.
Is it possible to transplant hair follicles from body parts other than hair?
In addition to hair, hair follicles can be harvested from the beard and chest in suitable patients. However, their lifespan is not as long as hair, so planning is made according to the current condition of the patient and their use in the entire hair transplantation area is not preferred.
What are the foods and supplements that are good for hair?
Cereals such as broccoli and corn containing folic acid, green foods rich in omega 3 such as purslane and red meat rich in iron are beneficial for hair health. Anti-oxidant rich co-enzyme q10, fatty acids such as Omega 3, products rich in amino acids such as lysine with tissue healing properties, especially vitamins such as B12, B5, E, D and Biotin, trace elements such as selenium and zinc also prevent hair loss and nourish the hair.
"The content of this page is for informational purposes only, please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment."