Hair Transplant Myths and Facts: What You Need to Know
Are you thinking about getting a hair transplant? Before you look into surgeons and hair transplant clinics, get your facts straight. The internet is brimming with “experts” spreading misinformation and myths about the procedure and its results.
Clearing your doubts and having correct information is the only way to achieve your hair transplant goals. Don’t know where to begin? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a short guide busting four of the most common hair transplant myths:
Anyone Can Get a Hair Transplant
If a hair transplant clinic claims to offer transplant solutions for everyone, something’s amiss. Despite medical advancements, not everyone suffering from hair loss is a good hair transplant candidate.
Several factors impact your eligibility and chances of success. First, a surgeon will diagnose the cause of your hair loss. Those with male or female pattern baldness are eligible for hair restoration surgery. In most cases, hair loss from trauma, burns, or some immune disorders may also be eligible if the cause is resolved.
Your hair loss should also be stable, meaning it should have progressed for at least two years. You also need healthy, genetically resistant hair at the back or sides of your head, also known as the donor areas. While there is no age limit, an ideal candidate is at least 25 years old.
Lastly, you should be in good general health and not have certain chronic conditions, such as severe diabetes or autoimmune diseases.
Find a reputable hair transplant Sydney clinic that performs in-depth consultations to determine whether you’re an ideal transplant candidate.
You Will Get Instant Results
This myth makes people set unrealistic expectations.
In reality, the results of a hair transplant take time to emerge. After surgery, it might take 6 to 18 months to see the full results, depending on the type of transplant you’ve undergone.
Hair grows in cycles, and in most cases, the newly transplanted hair falls out. Over time, hair growth accelerates, with strands becoming thicker and stronger. You can expect natural-looking results and full coverage 12 to 18 months after the surgery.
Hair Transplant is Painful
The idea that a hair transplant is painful makes it super intimidating. The truth is that hair transplants are performed under local anesthesia, which means your scalp is numb and you should not feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure.
Some people feel a slight sting from the injections, but it isn’t necessarily painful. After the procedure, you might experience temporary soreness, tightness, or tenderness. This can be managed with some over-the-counter pain medications.
The Results Are Temporary
Unlike other cosmetic treatments, hair restoration surgeries promise long-lasting and permanent results. It involves implanting hair follicles from the back and sides of your scalp, which are generally resistant to the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and hair loss. These follicles have the ability to grow hair over a lifetime.
That said, remember that the newly transplanted hair often falls out before growing back again. This is completely normal, and even necessary to ensure thicker and stronger hair growth.