As more people look for successful hair loss treatments, the number of options available has grown. It caters to a wide range of demands and interests.
The objective of this article is to offer a detailed overview of different hair transplant processes. Understanding these choices can help people achieve the best outcome for their hair transplantation goals.
What is a hair transplant?
A hair transplant is a cosmetic procedure that propagates hair from parts of the scalp with strong growth to thinning or balding areas. This procedure is most commonly used to treat male pattern baldness, although it can also help women with hair thinning and those who have lost hair due to scalp injuries or illnesses.
During hair transplant surgery, hair follicles are removed from the donor area and used to reconstruct the bald region. The donor region is described as the area containing permanent hair roots or the ones resistant to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that can cause hair loss.
Evaluating the various hair transplant procedures is essential for deciding which approach best meets your specifications. Each approach has distinct advantages, limitations, and optimal candidate profiles.
Types of Hair Transplant Techniques
Below, we look at different hair transplantation techniques, giving you a thorough understanding of how each one works and what to expect.
1. Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): Follicular Unit Transplantation is often known as FUT hair transplant. It is a medical procedure that includes the surgical removal of a strip of scalp (with hair), typically from the back or sides of the scalp. It is used for transplantation to a target site. Afterwards, the strip is split into individual follicular units and implanted to the area where serious hair loss is present.
The doctor then uses a microscope to divide the skin into little follicular units. Additionally, in the transplanted area, the doctor creates tiny, single holes. The prepared hair grafts are inserted into the holes created in that spot.
While FUT forms a linear scar along a donor site, it is usually hidden by the hair around it. The key advantage of FUT is the potential for higher graft results. It makes it an excellent alternative for people with advanced hair loss or those who want the most hair coverage in a single session.
Advantages
FUT can have the following advantages:
- Because of the scar from the strip, it is best not to shave your head because long hair will conceal it, whereas FUE requires you to shave your head.
- In general, FUT operations take less time.
- FUE operations are charged per follicle, they are typically less expensive.
- FUT extraction yields the most hair, so if you want additional coverage, this surgery may be right for you
- Operation is painless, and healing is straightforward.
- Long-lasting, natural results
Disadvantages
FUT may also some disadvantages which are as follows:
- FUT operations require a more prolonged recovery time.
- After a FUT treatment, you will need to limit your activities and workouts.
- Strict aftercare policy that must be followed if you wish to reduce scarring.
- It may not be the best choice if your scalp is too loose or tight.
Cost of FUT:
The average price of Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) hair transplants in India may range from INR 25,000 and INR 150,000 each session. It depends on a variety of factors.
The cost per graft might range between INR 20 and INR 180, excluding GST taxes. Factors affecting cost include location, clinic, package options, extraction method, surgeon charge, and disposable costs.
2. Follicular unit excision (FUE): Follicular unit excision (FUE) hair transplant includes removing individual follicular units (natural clusters of hairs with 1-4 hairs each) from the back of the head, as well as the beard and other body parts. They are usually transplanted back into balding areas of the scalp.
FUE harvests these follicular units with tiny punches ranging in size from 0.7 to 1.2 mm. Micro-punches come in three types: manual, motorized, and robotic.
Manual FUE : A doctor uses hand held equipment to harvest individual hair follicles. This method is more adaptable, but takes more time and requires more ability.
Robotic FUE: A physician controls robotic equipment that removes and inserts hair follicles. This approach is beneficial for patients who require a large number of grafts, but it might lead to over-harvesting if not well regulated. It’s also really costly.
Motorized Fue: The Motorised FUE Device is a portable motor that rotates the punch during a hair transplant operation. The motor is normally controlled by a foot paddle and a speed-control panel. Its speed ranges between 1000 and 2000 RPM.
Advantages
FUE has the following advantages which can be useful for choosing the best option:
- There are no stitches or incisions necessary, making the treatment less invasive.
- Tiny, dot-like scars that are almost unnoticeable, allowing for shorter haircuts.
- Less post-procedure discomfort and faster recovery time.
- Offers natural-looking, long-lasting results.
- There are no visible scars, making it suitable for people who like shorter hairstyles.
- Typically linked with decreased discomfort during and after the surgery.
- Effective in treating localized regions of hair loss.
- Saves more donor hair, which is useful for future surgeries.
Disadvantages
FUE has certain disadvantages which are as follows:
- Each follicle is harvested individually, which takes longer than FUT.
- Typically more expensive because it is priced per follicle.
- The donor area is frequently shaved, which may not be ideal for all individuals.
- To achieve the best outcomes, a surgeon with extensive training and expertise is required.
- When compared to FUT, this procedure may not produce as many grafts in a single session.
- The longer the extraction process takes, the longer the surgery will last.
- For severe hair loss, many sessions may be required to get the necessary density.
Cost of FUE:
The price of the FUE procedure varies according to the degree of baldness. The cost ranges from roughly Rs 40,000 to Rs 130,000 each graft. The cost of a FUE hair transplant varies from Rs 25 to Rs 200 per graft, excluding GST taxes.
3. Direct Hair Implantation (DHI): Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) is a technique in which a specialized implanter pen extracts hair follicles from a donor location and re-implants them directly into the scalp. The treatment is a modified variation of FUE hair implantation. It is regarded as more advanced compared to other hair transplant methods.
During a DHI operation, a surgeon extracts hair follicles from a donor location, typically the back or sides of the head. To do so, they use a Choi Implanter pen. The hair follicles are then placed directly into the recipient area, which has experienced hair loss or thinning. The surgery is carried out under local anesthesia and often has a shorter recovery period than other hair transplant treatments.
Advantages
Understanding the advantages of DHI can help understand it better, they are as follows:
- DHI is the direct implantation of hair follicles without the need for incisions or stitches.
- The use of a specialized implantation pen enables for more exact follicle insertion.
- Ensures a natural hairline with proper density.
- Reduces the possibility of damage to existing hair follicles and surrounding tissue.
- In general, the healing process is faster than with other approaches.
- Many patients opt not to shave the donor or recipient region.
- Provides more control over the angle, direction, and depth of implanted hair.
- DHI is a viable alternative for those with diabetes, immunodeficiency, or who use blood thinners. Traditional procedures can cause difficulties.
Disadvantages:
Some things to keep in mind before choosing DHI:
- DHI often costs more than alternative hair transplant techniques.
- The procedure may take longer than other treatments, which could be painful.
- DHI requires an extensive amount of hair follicles for effective implantation, hence it may not be suited for people with a small donor area.
- Incorrect graft placement or bending during implantation might harm and kill hair follicles.
- DHI can only implant 2,500-3,000 follicles and takes longer to improve density per cm sq.
Cost of DHI:
Hair transplants in India can cost anything from Rs. 95 to Rs. 150 per graft or hair, excluding taxes. Each hair graft consists of one to three hair follicles. If the amount of grafts is taken into account, the cost of hair transplant surgery in India for 2000 hair, follicles, or grafts might range between Rs. 1,80,000 and Rs. 2,00,000.
You must pay individually for your prescription, preoperative test, and post-operative treatment. Please be aware that your initial consultation involves a fee
4. ARTAS Robotic Hair Transplant: The ARTAS Robotic Hair Transplant System is a minimally invasive treatment that transplants hair follicles from the back of the head to parts of the scalp that are thinning. The treatment is FDA-approved and physician-assisted. It claims to give permanent, natural-looking results without the pain, stitches, or plugs.
The robot’s high-resolution imaging captures and maps the patient’s scalp. The robotic device uses the photos to generate a 3D model of the scalp. Then, it utilizes its stereoscopic vision technology and AI algorithms to detect and remove hair follicles from the donor site. The robot selects an appropriate recipient spot and inserts the extracted hair follicles.
Advantages
Here is a list of some advantages of this technique:
- ARTAS precisely extracts and implants hair follicles, producing permanent, natural-looking results.
- It is non-invasive, which minimizes linear scarring and promotes rapid recovery.
- It is more effective than traditional hair transplant procedures.
- It involves computerized mapping techniques to choose grafts and obtain better outcomes.
- Patients can resume their normal lives the next day following the treatment.
Disadvantages
Some things to consider before going for this technique:
- ARTAS is only advised for those with straight, dark hair
- It has a higher damage rate compared to other procedures.
- It costs higher per graft compared to other procedures.
- ARTAS may struggle with identifying and extracting fine or curly hair.
Cost of ARTAS Robotic method:
The number of grafts is a key factor of estimating cost. For example, a lesser session of roughly 1000 grafts may cost around Rs.1,20,000, whereas a larger session of 2500 grafts may cost between 2-3 lakhs, with prices varying based on the clinic.
Choosing the proper hair transplant technique essential for getting the desired results. Each approach has distinct advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the various treatments, including FUT, FUE, DHI, and ARTAS, allows people to make informed decisions. With improvements in these treatments, more people can now get natural-looking results while restoring their confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
It normally takes 6 to 12 months to get the full results of a hair transplant. The transplanted hair grows in the same way as natural hair does.
Yes, hair transplant results are typically permanent. Transplanted hair follicles are taken from hair loss-resistant places and keep their properties after being relocated to balding areas.