What to Expect From a Hair Transplant Procedure
Going into any procedure can be intimidating, and this includes a hair transplant. Palo Alto patients will feel better about proceeding with their treatment if they know exactly what to expect. Understanding the steps of the procedure, as well as knowing what to expect after their hair transplant will contribute greatly to their comfort level before the procedure.
The Step-by-Step Guide: What to Expect During a Hair Transplant Procedure
This is what will happen during a typical hair transplant procedure in Palo Alto.
1. The doctor, a nurse, or an assistant will thoroughly clean the patient’s scalp.
2. The doctor will inject the patient with a numbing agent so that they don’t experience any pain during the procedure.
3. Prior to the procedure, the doctor will discuss which procedure will be best for the patient’s needs. There are two types of procedures: FUSS, or follicular unit strip surgery, and FUE, or follicular unit extraction.
In a FUSS procedure, the doctor will remove a strip of skin, approximately six to ten inches long. This will be used to create grafts. The doctor will suture the area and the patient’s hair will cover the area.
In a FUE procedure, the doctor shaves a section of the patient’s scalp. Then, they remove individual hair follicles one-by-one. The area that is shaved is covered by the patient’s other hair. This type of procedure results in small dots where the follicle used to be; this is just a part of the healing process.
4. Tiny holes will be created in the scalp so that the grafts or individual hair follicles can be placed; this is referred to as “planting.” The doctor will have assistance at this point.
5. The procedure will take four to eight hours depending on the needs of the patient.
Post-Op: What Is Common After the Procedure and Symptoms to Watch For
This is what patients can expect after they’ve received a hair transplant in Palo Alto.
1. Scalp sensitivity is normal. While minor, this is still a surgical procedure and tenderness is perfectly normal.
2. Bandages will be placed over the surgical sites. These will likely need to be worn for up to a week.
3. The doctor might provide their patient with pain medication, an anti-inflammatory drug, and antibiotics.
4. Patients will need to take at least two days off of work for recovery; sometimes recovery can take up to a week.
5. The transplanted hair will fall out within a few weeks. After a couple of months, though, patients will begin to notice new hair growth. Total hair re-growth can take nine to twelve months.
Ignorance Isn’t Bliss: Patients Gain Peace of Mind by Knowing What to Expect
There’s an old saying that implies that people are better off not knowing certain things. This is definitely not the case with medical and/or cosmetic procedures, including hair transplants. The more knowledge a patient has, the more peace of mind they’ll experience. Patients are calmer going into a procedure when they know exactly what to expect.
Going into any procedure can be intimidating, and this includes a hair transplant. Palo Alto patients will feel better about proceeding with their treatment if they know exactly what to expect. Understanding the steps of the procedure, as well as knowing what to expect after their hair transplant will contribute greatly to their comfort level before the procedure.
The Step-by-Step Guide: What to Expect During a Hair Transplant Procedure
This is what will happen during a typical hair transplant procedure in Palo Alto.
1. The doctor, a nurse, or an assistant will thoroughly clean the patient’s scalp.
2. The doctor will inject the patient with a numbing agent so that they don’t experience any pain during the procedure.
3. Prior to the procedure, the doctor will discuss which procedure will be best for the patient’s needs. There are two types of procedures: FUSS, or follicular unit strip surgery, and FUE, or follicular unit extraction.
In a FUSS procedure, the doctor will remove a strip of skin, approximately six to ten inches long. This will be used to create grafts. The doctor will suture the area and the patient’s hair will cover the area.
In a FUE procedure, the doctor shaves a section of the patient’s scalp. Then, they remove individual hair follicles one-by-one. The area that is shaved is covered by the patient’s other hair. This type of procedure results in small dots where the follicle used to be; this is just a part of the healing process.
4. Tiny holes will be created in the scalp so that the grafts or individual hair follicles can be placed; this is referred to as “planting.” The doctor will have assistance at this point.
5. The procedure will take four to eight hours depending on the needs of the patient.
Post-Op: What Is Common After the Procedure and Symptoms to Watch For
This is what patients can expect after they’ve received a hair transplant in Palo Alto.
1. Scalp sensitivity is normal. While minor, this is still a surgical procedure and tenderness is perfectly normal.
2. Bandages will be placed over the surgical sites. These will likely need to be worn for up to a week.
3. The doctor might provide their patient with pain medication, an anti-inflammatory drug, and antibiotics.
4. Patients will need to take at least two days off of work for recovery; sometimes recovery can take up to a week.
5. The transplanted hair will fall out within a few weeks. After a couple of months, though, patients will begin to notice new hair growth. Total hair re-growth can take nine to twelve months.
Ignorance Isn’t Bliss: Patients Gain Peace of Mind by Knowing What to Expect
There’s an old saying that implies that people are better off not knowing certain things. This is definitely not the case with medical and/or cosmetic procedures, including hair transplants. The more knowledge a patient has, the more peace of mind they’ll experience. Patients are calmer going into a procedure when they know exactly what to expect.
