Hair loss, shedding, balding, or a receding hairline can significantly impact one’s self-image and lower overall quality of life. While people battling hair loss may search online for “hair transplant,” there are many myths to sort through, and some may end up avoiding the treatment due to misinformation.
Below we will investigate some of the most common misconceptions about hair transplantation and supply you with facts so you can make the best determination for whether the procedure might help you achieve your hair replacement goals.
MYTH 1: Hair Transplants Provide Instant Results
Because hair grows in cycles and goes through three distinct stages (anagen, catagen, telogen,) hair transplant results take time to emerge. After surgery, it may take 6-9 months to begin seeing consistent scalp repopulation. Some of the newly transplanted hair may even fall out. This is natural, as it mimics the normal process of hair growth and shedding that occurs in everyday life. Over time, hair will begin to flourish from the anchored roots and will appear highly natural, blending in seamlessly with your existing hair.
MYTH 2: A Hair Transplant is Painful
Hair transplant procedures are performed using local anesthesia, so you will not feel any discomfort or pain during your sessions. Afterward, you may experience minor tenderness as the anesthetic wears off, but this can be well-controlled with prescription pain medications. In any case, side effects will dissipate within 2-3 days. With the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method of hair transplantation, the donor hair extraction process makes punches of only 0.7-0.8 mm. These incisions heal extremely quickly over a few days.
MYTH 3: Hair Transplants Are Only for Men
Many people falsely believe that hair restoration is exclusively for men. In reality, both FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) and FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) are appropriate for all genders. Women tend to experience a general thinning of the hair all over the scalp, while men usually face bald patches on the front or the sides of the head. Those with male or female pattern baldness are typically the best candidates for treatment since they have the most significant hair loss.
MYTH 4: Hair Transplants Are Only for the Wealthy
In regards to hair transplant misconceptions, most people believe that hair transplants are only an option for the wealthy and powerful. This simply is not the case. (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE) are among some of the more inexpensive hair transplant treatments that deliver strong results.
It is also worth mentioning that, since the results of hair transplant operations are nearly permanent, the cost of the treatment is usually a one-time expense. Thus, hair transplant surgery is a cost-effective option, especially for people who are spending an exorbitant amount of money on short-term solutions for hair loss.
MYTH 5: Hair Transplant Results Are Only Temporary
The most noteworthy benefit of hair transplant treatments is that, unlike other cosmetic treatments, the results are almost permanent and long-lasting. It is true that “newly transplanted” hair will start to shed around the 5-7 week mark following hair transplant surgery. However, this is a totally natural occurrence and passes quickly. In the following 5-6 weeks, new hair will begin to grow out of the implanted grafts, leaving the patient with a revitalized look and reinvigorated self-confidence.
MYTH 6: Hair Transplants Only Work for Younger People
Another misconception amongst the general public is that hair transplants only work for younger people. The truth is that anyone between the ages of 25 and 70 is eligible for a hair transplant, regardless of their gender. The patient’s age has no bearing on the efficacy of the treatment.
Young people in their early twenties are usually not considered to be good candidates for hair transplant surgery. This is simply due to the fact that younger people’s hair loss patterns are not entirely predictable.
Patients in their early 20s may want to consider a preliminary transplant to increase the density of the hairline. Once they reach their 30s, they’ll have a better idea of whether their hair loss was temporary or part of a long-term process.
MYTH 7: Hair Transplant Results Look Unnatural
Hair restoration treatments are always carried out with the goal of achieving a natural appearance. Receiving a hair transplant under the guidance of a knowledgeable and experienced surgeon ensures that the patient will never have to worry about their scalp’s appearance again.
Everything from the placement of the follicles to the angle of the hair grafts is checked thoroughly by the surgeon to ensure that the newly transplanted hair looks natural. Those who have had hair transplant surgery are free to wear their hair in any style they like and can wash it any way they want.
What is the Takeaway?
Overall, hair transplants are an incredibly effective method for increasing hair density on the scalp and restoring the hairline. The misconceptions that exist around hair transplants are merely evidence of the lack of knowledge most people have regarding this powerful treatment. When carried out by a skilled physician, a hair transplant can yield life-changing outcomes.
