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by Op. Dr. Evren Tevfik İşçi
Hair transplant, which is the most effective method to eliminate the issue of baldness which is one of the problems that both women and men have in common, plays an important role in increasing people’s self-confidence and them feeling happier.
It is considered to be the most effective and long-lasting method that can be applied to get back the hair roots that are lost due to various reasons. Hair transplant, which is preferred to permanently resolve baldness that occurs as a result of the loss of the hair roots due to genetic or external factors, is known as a microsurgical intervention that has been performed since the 90’s.
The hair root bundles, which are also known as the follicular unit, are taken from the back of the neck area behind both ears, aka the donor area, and transplanted on the area that is desired to get hair. Ensuring that the transplanted hair looks natural and that no harm is done on the donor area are the most crucial points in hair transplant, a complicated procedure. Therefore, hair transplant operations must be done by experienced doctors and teams who are experts in the field.
What is a Hair Follicle?
The structure which is buried into the fat tissue in the skull, which is surrounded by cells producing hair and which contains the bottom part of the hair is called a hair follicle. As for graft, it is a structure which is extracted from the scalp with the hair follicles and each of which has 1 to 4 hair follicles within. The grafts taken from the donor area within the scope of the hair transplant procedure are prepared for the area where the transplant will be applied. The amount of the grafts needed is determined specific to the patient needing it. The grafts used in the hair transplant operation are usually taken from the area on the back of the neck, and the grafts might vary in terms of their size, shape and number of roots.
Who Gets Hair Transplant?
People with an adequate amount of hair follicles in the back of the neck area behind both ears, that is, the donor area are considered as eligible candidates for the hair transplant procedure. People who do not have enough hair follicles in the donor areas to cover the area where the transplant will be done do not get hair transplant. That is because when the area of the baldness is wider than the amount that can be taken from the donor area, hair transplant is insufficient and a better look is achieved.
What is Shock Loss?
Shock loss can be defined as the temporary loss of the hair strands on the hair follicles transplanted on areas with the hair loss after the hair transplant operation. This natural process which is experienced after every transplant operation should not cause worry and disappointment in people.
Loss after hair transplant, that is, shock loss is usually seen within 1-3 months after the hair transplant operation. Although it might vary from person to person, it is usually complete within 2 weeks. The hair loss that occurs after the hair transplant is a natural and temporary situation. People will start growing new hairs about 1-2 months after the shock loss process is over.
The shock loss process only happens once after the hair transplant procedures. The hair follicles that have been transplanted do not shed again or the hair does not get thin again. The reason why the back of the neck area is used as the donor area in hair transplant procedures is because the hairs in this area have the property of not being affected by the hair loss due to testosterone. Therefore, the hair follicles taken from the back of the neck continue to withstand the loss after the hair transplant process.
Will Everyone Getting a Hair Transplant Experience Shock Loss?
A majority of people getting a hair transplant procedure experience the shock loss process. Shock loss can be seen 10% for some people, and 90% in others. The severity of the loss might vary from person to person, while some people do not get any shock loss at all. Shock loss, which is temporary, should not be taken as a failed hair transplant. On the contrary, it should be considered as the sign of quality and new hair strands will grow.
In order to get through the shock loss process comfortably and to ensure that the new hair strands grow healthily, one should be meticulous about specific points during this process. A healthy diet program with rich nutritional value consumption should be followed in the early period following the operation and throughout the shock loss process. The foods that are consumed are effective in supplementing the vitamins and proteins that both the body and the hairs need. This way, the new hair strands to be produced can be made to have quality and health.
One should make sure not to have the body dehydrated after the hair transplant. Drinking enough water is crucial in terms of ensuring that the transplanted follicles nourish more easily.
The necessary care for the donor area as well as the hair transplant are should be provided after the hair transplant procedure, using the lotions and shampoos recommended by the doctor. Smoking, and alcohol and caffeine consumption which might cause unfavorable circumstances in terms of the hair health should be stopped, at least limited. Smoking, and alcohol and caffeine consumption might negatively affect the results of the operation and cause the follicles which are trying to adapt to their new places to get sensitive.
It is not recommended that the patient gets exhausted and the hair area to sweat after the hair transplant. Heavy exercise should also be avoided for some time as this might cause the sensitive hair follicles to be damaged.
