FUT Hair Transplant for a Receding Hairline

When you start losing your hair, one of the first signs is often a receding hairline. It's like the sea on its way to low tide, gradually backing further away from the shoreline.

To others, this may seem unnoticeable at first. But to those affected by it, the initial signs of shedding can be very alarming. This becomes worse when people eventually notice it. Take the great Lebron James for instance, who have become the subject of unforgiving Internet memes for his receding hairline, which he attempts to conceal with a head band. This is why surgical hair restoration to correct a hairline is becoming a popular option today.

Before we go on further about regaining a dwindling hairline, let's understand first the characteristic of hair loss.

When a person loses hair in excessive amounts and taking on a certain pattern as it sheds, this is referred to as male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness. Another term for this is androgenetic alopecia. It is a hormonal reaction that only occurs in those who are predisposed to it. The enzyme 5-alpha reductase turns testosterone, which is actually present in males and females to varying degrees, into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). When there are increased levels of DHT in the blood, it affects certain body parts, and one of the most obvious is the effects it has on the hair. It causes the hair to thin out, shrink and eventually die out or shed.

This change is more pronounced in males, whereas, females tend to experience hair loss in a more diffused pattern and is sometimes caused by severe traction from very tight hairstyles.

A receding hairline eventually grows larger and distorts the proportions of the face. The Norwood Scale for hair loss even described the first sign of baldness as hairline loss 

Weak androgen receptors inherited from either parents cause the scalp hair to be sensitive to DHT, which usually results in the recession of the hairline or thinning of the crown area.

Sometimes, a very clever comb over can temporarily conceals the problem. Others may not succeed with that approach so they go to other convenient options, which are toupees. But for those who want to put their money on a treatment that will give radical results, they go the extra mile for a hair transplant.

Hair Transplant

Hair transplant is a procedure where donor hairs, which are often the patient's own, are extracted carefully from a donor site, then transferred to the balding areas to restore density. This is done by a trained and certified hair transplant surgeon. These practitioners are not only skilled to perform the procedure, but a good one should also have the aesthetic eye to ensure that a patient gets the results that would suit his profile.

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)

This is a type of hair transplant approach, which is also referred to as the “strip method”, because the surgeon removes a piece of the scalp that contains donor grafts.This is taken at the back of the head since this area is usually spared from the damaging effects of DHT. When transferred to the recipient area, the hairs removed their will become more permanent.

FUT is considered as the traditional approach in surgical hair restoration. However, as much as it was able to create successful results, many find the scarring a big problem. But, FUT is able to provide better yield because it protects the hair grafts from transection or damage.

FUT for Receding Hairline

In hair transplant, creating a natural-looking hairline is very critical. It is an essential factor for a visually pleasing balance for the patient's facial features. FUT for hairline recession can guarantee better number of grafts implanted at a much faster span of time.

FUE or follicular unit extraction is another method for correcting a receded hairline, but it does take more time to complete and it has a higher transection rate even though it spares you from the scarring. Since a typical hairline restoration already requires thousands of hair, the maximizing capacity of an FUT procedure can be a more pragmatic option.

A hairline seems to be a small area to be corrected, but these can take up to 20,000 single follicular units or even more. The donor grafts at the back of the head can do more than enough to cover up the recession.  And what makes FUT more promising is that you can lessen the chances of getting that ugly scarring hidden better at the back of the head with a trichophytic closure.

Source: Dr Andrew Kim FUT Hair Transplant Procedure

In terms of price, FUT is cheaper than FUE because it takes less time to finish and involves lesser risks during the process. Surgeons charge by the graft and usually these can be around $6-$12 a piece. This varies for each doctor and region where you have your procedure done.

If the immediate price intimidates you, there are patient financing options that a lot of clinics offer today. Not to say that other methods are poor choices for hairline restoration, but choosing FUT allows you to maximize your limited resources – your hair – for the price you are paying.

Dr Andrew Kim of Australian Institute of Hair Restoration offers you a personal consultation free of charge where you will receive information on your options.

You are welcome to book a free consultation. Just call us on 1300 733 092 or e-mail frontdesk@aihr.com.au

To Shave or Not to Shave - Know the Best Hair Transplant Technique

Patient hairs trimmed up to 2.0mm necessary for FUE procedure
Image Source: www.talizi.ge

Are you tired of losing so much of your hair? 

Are you apprehensive of getting a hair transplant, afraid that people will recognize it? 

Don't you just wish you could keep your procedure to yourself and just reveal it to the world once all is well and avoid the stigma? 

If that is the case, you could very well benefit with an unshaved hair transplant.

This brings us to more questions. How is an unshaved hair transplant done? What are the benefits? What makes it better than the traditional procedure? Let's look take a closer look at how this new procedure differ or maybe more advantageous than the usual approach.

How is a traditional hair transplant done?

For those who may be doing their research for the first time, it would be best that we go into how a traditional hair transplant is done so that you can appreciate the difference.

Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) or Strip Method
Image Source: www.hairtransplantdubai.com

A usual hair transplant is actually divided into two techniques, the FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) and FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction), they are similar in some ways except for one significant step done mainly for aesthetic purposes which I would point out to you later.

FUT is the oldest technique in the book, and it is also the most invasive. The surgery involves the removal of a piece of scalp taken from the back of the head, the usual donor area, which contains the donor hair grafts. Each of the hair follicles are then individually removed by hair technicians using a high-powered microscope as the surgeon sutures the scalp and then prepares the donor site. This technique requires more healing time and creates a scar at the back of the head, which is often an aesthetic concern.

FUE, on the other hand, is a less invasive method as it no longer requires any scalp removal. Instead, the surgeon will only have to remove the hair grafts directly from site and then transfer them to the balded area. The scars are minute and inconspicuous even at close range. It creates a more aesthetically pleasing result, but it also takes more time. In terms of cost, this approach is also more costly since it also requires more skill and expertise to pull off.

FUE Shaved Technique

But what both of these procedures require is that the patient needs to be shaved beforehand. This is done so that the area can be visualized better by the surgeon, and the hair grafts are much easier to remove. Inherently, there is nothing wrong with that since it creates a better ease for the surgeon, which can affect the overall quality of the result. However, patients see this to be a giveaway that they had a hair transplant done – something that most would like to keep to themselves even from friends and family.

To cater to this need, experts developed the unshaved hair transplant. It takes quality aesthetic result to another level. It also allows the patient to resume normal activity without the healing hair transplant result exposed for others to be curious about.

Related: Pre – Hair Transplant Questions and Answers
                 Post – Hair Transplant Questions and Answers

Unshaved hair transplant

Basically, you just take the name and you get what this procedure is about. It means that the hair  will no longer be shaved so that the surgical repair going on will not be so obvious.

It is quite similar to the FUE hair transplant technique; the donors are taken directly at the back of the scalp. However, more careful attention is given to how it is removed since all of the patient's hairs are kept in their original length. The reason is that it can conceal the treatment better, and also it does not create dramatic change in one's hairstyle avoiding any attention to the head.

Which is better?

The unshaved technique is getting more attention today due to how it maintains the patient's usual appearance. It is less invasive and there is very little scarring which can also be well concealed by the surrounding hair. However, it takes an additional 90 minutes to finish because the surgeon has to be extra careful not to damage other hairs, which is common in this type of approach.

In terms of the extent of work that can be done in one session, the traditional approach can have more hair grafts transplanted. In fact, a session can reach up to 2,000 hair grafts. Meanwhile, the unshaven hair transplant can only finish a maximum of 700 hair grafts in a day.

For guys whose lifestyle is mostly on the go and often deals with people, shaving a head for a hair transplant will only make the surgery obvious. This may not be the kind of attention you want, that is why going for the unshaven technique is perfect. But, you also have to consider how much you are bargaining for in terms of the number of grafts and the cost, since the newer procedure is much more expensive than the old approach and a lesser coverage than the usual technique.

It is important to bring your concerns with your surgeon to address any specific needs that should be attended to. The unshaved hair transplant is a relatively new procedure, so if you really want the results it creates, you have to ensure that you approach a surgeon who is trained and skilled to perform it without a hitch. Your money is at stake here, so never settle for second best. Otherwise, not only will you be wasting big bucks, but your very limited hair supply.

If you have more questions about FUE and FUT hair transplant, please contact ESTEEM COSMETIC STUDIO*. 

PH: 1300 378 336
Website: www.esteemstudio.com.au

*They have clinics in Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra. 

Pre – Hair Transplant Questions and Answers

60% of hair loss sufferers said that they would rather have more hair than money or friends. And 30% of them would rather give up sex if it meant they would get their hair back.  ~ StatisticsBrain.com

Hair loss can be a stressful situation especially if you refuse to embrace the bald look.  If you suffer from hair loss, the stigma of "baldness" is one of the first ways that people think of to characterize you. In the mind of the average person, a fuller head of hair represents attractiveness and desirability, both personally and professionally. 

Thus, over the years the demand for surgical hair restoration become stronger than ever despite the economic downturn.  In 2010, International Society of Hair Restoration Survey reported that there were 923, 599 total hair restoration patient worldwide (a  14% increase from 2008).

If you are interested in getting hair transplant, here are the answers to frequently asked questions before getting the surgery.

1. Am I a good candidate for hair transplant?

You will be considered a good hair transplant candidate if you are already losing hair at a very rapid rate and in excessive amount. If you are also genetically predisposed to androgenetic hair loss, then you can try looking into hair transplant surgery. 

2. What is involved in a hair transplant procedure?

A hair transplant surgery involves the removal of donor hairs usually from the back of the scalp and transfer these to the areas that have already gone bald. Hair surgeons employ certain techniques so that results will come out natural-looking (Please watch the video below). 

3. How does the surgeon determine how many grafts a patient will require?

The number of hair implants that a patient is going to need is going to be determined on the bald and thinning areas. Hair texture can also be a determining factor because coarse hair for instance will not need as much harvested hair as fine hairs do.  A single coarse hair is equivalent to three or four fine hairs. This will be done during consultation so that a patient will have an idea of the possible budget that he should prepare for the procedure. 

4. Does the hair transplant surgery hurt? 

The degree of pain that the patient feels during the procedure will be dependent on their pain tolerance. Yes, there will be local anesthetics and other medications that can help relieve or minimize the amount of pain, and these will be given before the surgery and some prescribed for possible painful sensations afterward. It is also true that not everyone may need pain medications after the procedure. 

5. How many procedures are necessary?

The answer would vary depending on the desired goal of each patient. This will also be affected by the degree of hair loss one is experiencing. Usually patients will have two procedures with the second being a follow-up treatment. 

6. Will there be any scarring in hair transplant surgery?

This will depend on the approach used. There are two approaches in hair transplant, and these are FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) and FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction). FUT requires the removal of a strip of scalp, which contains the donor hairs, to be removed. This technique will result to a longitudinal scar that runs across the back of the head. (Please see the video below).

However, there are approaches today that help minimize the hair transplant scar brought by FUT hair transplant technique. Most surgeons use the trycophitic closure technique (TCT). Through the TCT the scars can be concealed well because the hairs can grow right through them. 

7. Are there any risks with hair transplant surgery?

Just like any other invasive procedure, hair transplant surgery also has infection risks. However the chances of this ever occurring are rare. In some cases this may be due to the patient’s failure to follow the surgeon’s post-operative care instructions. Antibiotic medications will be used to prevent or treat infections, and generally this is prescribed by the surgeon as part of the patient’s post-operative medications.

Related: Hair Transplant Risks, Complications and Side Effects

8. How is the hair transplant cost computed?

In some clinics the procedure can be determined according to sessions, while others compute it by the grafts plus other fees involved.

For any other questions, please make an enquiry by visiting our official hair transplant website. Esteem Cosmetic Studio offers payment plan for those who are qualified to avail patient financing. 

5 Reasons Why Patients Choose FUT Hair Transplant Technique (SlideShare.com)

5 Reasons Why Patients Choose FUT Hair Transplant Technique from Andrew Kim