Hair Transplant

What Is Hair Loss, and Who Needs a Hair Transplant?

Humans shed 50-100 strands of hair in a day as a part of a natural cycle. Hair loss is typically considered when a person loses excess hair strands and does not regrow them on a regular basis. Some people experience temporary hair loss, usually due to nutrient deficiency or an ongoing disease condition. However, certain situations cause permanent hair loss. They are:

• Autoimmune conditions like Alopecia areata, where the body's immune system attacks healthy hair follicles.
• Male pattern baldness, also called androgenic alopecia, caused by genetic or hormonal factors and is characterized by a thinning or receding hairline on the crown. 
• Trauma, burns, or injuries.
• Scalp inflammation in conditions like lichen planopilaris, lupus, and morphea.

A hair transplant procedure provides natural-looking results for pattern baldness in men and women. However, there are specific criteria a doctor would consider to qualify a person before performing a hair transplant surgery. To be a suitable candidate, one needs to,

• Be in good health condition.
• Have enough donor hair on the back of the scalp.
• Quit smoking, as tobacco can cause complications after the hair transplant surgery.  
• Have already tried other non-surgical hair loss treatments and have failed. 
• Definitely have realistic expectations of the outcomes.

Benefits of Getting Hair Transplant Surgery

A hair transplant surgery can answer the hair loss problems of common pattern baldness in men and women. Here are the benefits of getting a hair transplant.

• Natural-looking results: A hair transplant typically involves transferring a person’s own hair follicles. Hence, they blend effortlessly with the existing hair, and it is hard to detect the undergone procedure. 
• Results for a lifetime: The transplanted hair follicles follow the natural cycle of growth and development. Hence, the hair transplant results are permanent and last for a lifetime. 
• Scar-free results: Advanced hair transplant techniques are minimally invasive and do not yield long, awkward-looking scars. 
• Easy recovery: A hair transplant procedure is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The incisions or channels heal off easily, resulting in a quick recovery. 

Choosing an overseas hair transplant offers a plethora of benefits. The following section is of help in this regard.

How Does a Hair Transplant Abroad Help?

In case you are finding it difficult to weigh the choice of an abroad hair transplant, here are the benefits listed for you. Although the decision is a personal choice, knowing the benefits helps you make an informed decision tailored to your needs.

Cost-Effectiveness

Hair transplant surgery in countries like the United States or Canada can cost you a fortune. However, hair transplant costs in countries like Turkey, Mexico, Thailand, and India are far more affordable than in most developed nations. Hair transplant clinics in the States charge $6-$10. Conversely, in countries like Turkey, it costs you between $1-$3.

Quality Treatment 

Many countries abroad offer advanced hair transplant methods that are no less than in your home country. Reputed hair transplant clinics in medical tourism destinations employ cutting-edge technology to yield better results. Besides, they are accredited by international bodies like JCI, implying their commitment to quality and safety standards. Further, thanks to the global universities offering quality education. Hair transplant doctors abroad at renowned clinics are highly qualified from prestigious universities, and many of them hold international certifications. The results they present are equal to those in your home country.

Patient Service

Foreign patients find it challenging to find food, accommodation, and local transport. To help this, many abroad hair transplant clinics are committed to serving international patients by offering all-inclusive prices on exclusive amenities. They provide luxury stays, VIP transfers from the airport, and a shuttle service between the clinic and the hotel. Besides food and accommodation, language is a concern for overseas treatment. Choosing reputed clinics abroad can help deal with communication hassles by offering language translator services.

Flexibility of Diagnosis, Treatment Plan, and Post-Op Care

Traveling to a hair transplant clinic for an initial consultation isn't always practical. Fortunately, hair transplant centers abroad often provide online consultations. They also allow you to schedule appointments at your convenience. One common concern with seeking treatment abroad is the fear of inadequate aftercare. However, many hair restoration clinics abroad have addressed this issue by offering comprehensive follow-up solutions, ensuring that you won't need to travel extensively for post-treatment visits. This makes the process of getting a hair transplant internationally a more feasible and less daunting option.

Vacation Experience

A hair transplant isn’t a major surgical procedure with extended periods of hospitalization. It will be carried out using minimally invasive methods. By opting for destinations like Turkey, India, and Thailand, you can enjoy a fun-filled vacation.   It's a win-win situation, benefiting from both high-quality medical care and attractive tourist experiences.

Types of Hair Transplant Methods

Thanks to medical technology advancements, hair transplant techniques have greatly improved, offering even better outcomes than before. Here are some of the widely adopted methods of hair transplantation.

Follicular Unit Transplantation

In short, this method is also called the FUT hair transplantation technique. The hair transplant surgeon will cut a thin, long strip from the back of the scalp. They will close the incision using sutures. Further, the surgeon will harvest the individual follicular grafts from this strip and implant them into the recipient areas. The grafts grow into regular hair strands over a period of time. However, this method yields a linear scar on the donor area. 

Follicular Unit Extraction

This method is also known as FUE hair transplantation. Hair transplant experts will harvest individual grafts from the donor area on the scalp. They use a micro punch to harvest the individual grafts or scalp pieces holding 1-4 hairs. They will place them in the saline solution to avoid drying. The prolific hair grafts will be selected meticulously and transplanted into the recipient area by making small channels using a metal blade. Implantation will be done in an appropriate direction and angle for best results. This method does not involve tissue strip removal or sutures and, hence, does not leave long visible scars. However, the scars appear as tiny, white dots after the skin heals.

Sapphire FUE

The Sapphire FUE is a variant of the standard FUE hair transplant. Hair follicle extraction follows the same as standard FUE. However, the implantation uses a special V-shaped sapphire blade made from the precious sapphire stone. The unique V-shape on the blade makes relatively closer and smaller microchannels with optimal capillary density. Typically, the smaller size allows them to heal quickly. And the scars are hard to notice as the hair grows.

Manual FUE

Manual FUE hair transplants are another variant of the standard FUE method. They differ in the graft extraction procedure, where skilled hair transplant specialists extract individual grafts manually. They avoid the electric micro punch used in standard FUE to minimize non-viable graft harvesting. The extraction and implantation of grafts follow a manual process, increasing the time required for the procedure.

Direct Hair Implantation 

This method, in short, is called the DHI method. The hair transplant specialist will use the Choi implant pen for the DHI hair transplant. This unique tool allows graft extraction and implantation in a single step. The aim is to minimize the transit time between graft extraction and implantation. Typically, hair grafts may dry when plucked from the donor area. This can result in non-viability and graft loss. To avoid this, the Choi implant pen makes graft extraction and implantation in a single, immediate step.  

Hair Transplant Procedure 

Hair transplantation follows a typical protocol, which begins with an initial consultation.

• Initial consultation: Your hair transplantation begins with an initial consultation where the hair transplant specialist will understand your hair loss pattern, medical, and hair loss history. Further, they will elaborate on the treatment plan. They will advise you to quit smoking or stop using any ongoing blood thinner medication for a brief period.
• Hair transplant surgery: Your hair transplant will be performed under local anesthesia by numbing the scalp, and you will awake during the procedure. The team of hair transplant specialists will carry out the extraction and implantation based on the chosen method. After the procedure, they will cover the scalp using gauze and bandages. 
• Post-procedure recovery: Following the hair transplant surgery, you will have the first wash for the new grafts. During discharge, your surgeon will elaborate on the post-op instructions. This includes aftercare tips and handling any discomfort. You will also receive an aftercare kit. The new implants will start to grow within 3-4 months, and you can expect final results by 12 months after hair transplant surgery. 

Choosing Envoy Health for a Hair Transplant 

Envoy Health is on a mission to make health and aesthetic solutions accessible to everyone. You can effortlessly locate and connect with the best healthcare professionals internationally. You don’t have to worry about making travel arrangements for your hair transplant surgery. Our platform provides you with personalized assistance for your hair transplant trip. You can compare different providers and gain competitive prices on your hair restoration with Envoy Health. 

We partnered with world-class clinics to offer the best hair transplants. Check out the details of Dr. Cinik's Hair Transplant Clinic and Smile Hair Clinic, Turkey, as well as real patient reviews. 

Summarizing It for You!

Hair loss is an increasing concern for the younger generation and is common in both men and women. A hair transplant or hair restoration is a permanent solution for those who have failed with other non-surgical hair loss treatment options. Choosing hair transplant treatment abroad is a budget-friendly approach if you are aiming for effective results. Envoy Health offers access to the top hair transplant specialists with the choice of teleconsultation. Compare the competitive prices offered on a range of hair transplant treatments at reputed hair transplant clinics with Envoy Health. Just by signing up with Envoy Health, you get personalized assistance throughout your hair transplant trip.  

Are you ready for a life-changing transformation? Take your first steps towards the youthful look you always dreamt of with Envoy Health by your side. Sign up now and let us guide you through the journey!