A hair transplant involves relocating existing hair to areas with thinning or no hair. It's a surgical procedure, with two main techniques: FUSS (Follicular Unit Strip Surgery) and FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction).
FUSS involves removing a strip of skin from the donor area, while FUE extracts individual follicles.
Hair transplant costs in Malaysia range from RM5,000 to RM30,000. The procedure carries risks like bleeding, infection, scarring, and folliculitis. Patients should monitor for complications, such as poor hair growth or reopening of incision sites.
For those seeking non-invasive options, Ooosh!™ offers a comprehensive hair regrowth solution with natural, non-invasive treatments, providing customized solutions for scalp health.
What Is A Hair Transplant?
Many of us take our hair for granted, much like good health or youth—until it begins to thin or disappear. For those seeking to restore a fuller head of hair, a hair transplant can be an enticing solution.
This surgical procedure involves relocating existing hair to areas with thinning or no hair. While hair transplants have been performed in the U.S. since the 1950s, advancements in techniques over the years have made the process significantly more refined and effective.
Hairline transplant
A hairline transplant is a specialized type of hair transplant designed to restore a receding hairline. This condition occurs when the hair along the top of the forehead and temples begins to thin or disappear, causing the hairline to shift backward. A receding hairline is often associated with male pattern baldness, the most common cause of hair loss in individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB).
Is a hair transplant permanent?
Hair transplants are intended to provide a permanent solution for hair restoration. Once your doctor confirms it’s safe, you can care for your transplanted hair just like your natural hair—washing, combing, and styling it as usual. However, it’s important to note that some hair grafts may not survive the process, and a small number might shed over time depending on your scalp health.
Are hair transplants painful?
While a hair transplant can be painful, your doctor will administer anesthesia to numb your scalp beforehand. This ensures you remain comfortable throughout the process, even though some minor discomfort may still be experienced.
Types of Hair Transplant Surgeries
There are two main methods for hair transplant procedures, usually performed by dermatologists and plastic surgeons. The process begins with the doctor cleaning your scalp and administering medication to numb the back of your head. The doctor will then choose between two techniques: Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS) or Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).
Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS)
In a FUSS procedure, the surgeon removes a strip of skin, typically 6 to 10 inches long, from the back of your head. They close the area with stitches, and their team carefully divides the strip into 500 to 2,000 grafts, each containing one or a few hairs. The number of grafts depends on your hair type, quality, color, and the size of the transplant area. FUSS is also known as Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT).
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
For FUE, the surgeon shaves a small section of the back of your scalp and extracts hair follicles individually. The area heals with tiny dots that are hidden by your existing hair.
The Transplant Process
Once the hair is harvested, whether through FUSS or FUE, the steps are similar:
1. The surgeon cleans and numbs the area where the hair will be placed.
2. They create tiny slits or holes with a scalpel or needle.
3. Each graft is meticulously placed into the prepared area, often with the assistance of their team.
4. The procedure typically lasts 4-8 hours, depending on the size of the transplant.
5. Additional sessions may be needed in the future if you experience further hair loss or wish to achieve thicker hair.
Pros and Cons of Each Procedure
Here are some pros and cons of each procedure to consider.
Scarring: FUSS leaves a scar on the donor site, where the grafts are harvested. If you wear your hair long, the scar will typically be less noticeable. FUE results in small, dot-like scars that are generally concealed by your hair, making it more suitable for individuals who prefer shorter hairstyles.
Time: FUSS generally takes less time to complete than FUE.
Appearance: Unlike FUE, FUSS does not require shaving the back of the scalp.
Risk: In FUE, there is a risk of damaging hair follicles during extraction. This damage, called transection, will result in the hair follicle not being viable for transplantation.
Cost: FUE is typically more expensive than FUSS due to its labor-intensive nature and the precision required.
How Does a Hair Transplant Work?
A hair transplant involves two main steps: harvesting and implantation.
Harvesting
Implantation
Once enough grafts have been harvested, the surgeon prepares the recipient area. Using a small blade or needle, they create tiny incisions in the bald or thinning area of the scalp. Each graft is meticulously placed into an incision to ensure natural-looking hair growth.
Who Can Get Hair Transplantation?
The ideal candidate for a hair transplant is someone experiencing androgenetic alopecia, the most common type of hair loss.
For individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB), this typically presents as a receding hairline and thinning hair on the crown. Over time, these areas may become bald. For individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB), hair loss usually manifests as thinning on the top of the scalp, but the hairline generally remains intact.
Additionally, successful hair transplantation requires having sufficient healthy hair in donor areas of the scalp to be harvested and replanted in areas with hair loss.
What to Expect from Hair Transplant?
Post-Surgery
After hair transplant surgery, your scalp may feel tender, and your doctor may recommend taking pain medication for a few days. You’ll likely need to wear bandages over the treated areas for a day or two, and your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications to support recovery. Most patients can resume work within 2 to 5 days after the procedure.
Around 2 to 3 weeks post-surgery, the transplanted hair will shed, which is a normal part of the process. New hair growth typically begins within a few months, with most patients seeing approximately 60% of new growth within 6 to 9 months.
Some doctors may recommend using minoxidil (Rogaine) to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss after the procedure, as your hair may continue to fall out or become thinner.
Hair Transplant Cost
The cost of a hair transplant in Malaysia typically ranges from RM5,000 to RM30,000, depending on the extent of hair being transplanted. It’s important to note that most insurance plans do not cover this procedure.
Hair Transplant Side Effects
Like any surgery, hair transplants come with potential side effects, including bleeding, infection, scarring, and the possibility of unnatural-looking hair growth.
When new hair begins to grow, some individuals may experience inflammation or infection of the hair follicles, a condition known as folliculitis. This can usually be treated effectively with antibiotics and warm compresses. Additionally, some people experience "shock loss," where existing hair near the transplant site temporarily falls out. Fortunately, this hair loss is typically not permanent.
Here are some signs that a hair transplant may not have gone as planned:
Limited or poor growth of the transplanted hair
An unnatural or uneven hairline
Noticeable scarring on the scalp
Dead skin tissue on the scalp, a condition known as scalp necrosis
The incision site has reopened
If you've had a hair transplant, contact a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Excessive bleeding
A rash, skin bumps, or cysts, which may indicate an infection
An incision site that has reopened
Skin that appears discolored and crusty
Facial swelling, possibly accompanied by hives or difficulty breathing, which could signal a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
What Are the Alternatives to Hair Transplant?
The good news is, there are alternatives to hair transplant!
Ooosh!™ is a hair regrowth solution and our mission is to deliver sustainable, non-invasive and pain-free solutions for natural hair regrowth, specifically tailored to combat hair loss. To uphold this commitment, our range of hair growth products and supplements is exclusively crafted with 100% natural and botanical ingredients.
Our treatment involves a comprehensive approach to hair regrowth, encompassing consistent treatments at our center. Our method includes utilizing advanced tools like tricho-analyzers, fractional intense equipment, and thermal infrared refining mist. Additionally, we feature our patented Ooosh!™-developed scalp masks, expert consultations, customized nutritional supplements, and an emphasis on adopting a healthy lifestyle. We prioritize education to enhance knowledge and build a well-informed community.
Since our founding in Singapore in 2009, Ooosh!™ has been offering safe, natural, and non-invasive hair growth solutions worldwide. With branches in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, we’ve expanded our offerings beyond hair loss to address a range of scalp issues. We are proud to have built a global community of satisfied customers, providing both hope and tangible results.
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