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Month: January 2023

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Strip Excision Versus FUE: What do Hair Transplant Surgeons Recommend?

Strip Excision Versus FUE

Introduction

In hair transplant surgery, there are two main procedures: strip excision (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE). While both techniques have pros and cons, many hair transplant surgeons recommend one over the other based on patient needs. Read on if you’re interested in learning more about these two options.

What is Strip Excision?

Strip excision, also known as Follicular Unit Transplantation or FUT, is a surgical hair transplant procedure. In this method, the surgeon removes a strip of scalp from the back of your head and dissects it into individual follicles. These follicles are then transplanted to your balding areas, where they will continue to grow as normal hair would.

Strip excision can be performed at any stage of balding (i.e., early or late), but it is usually done when male pattern baldness starts to cause significant hair loss in the central portion of the scalp. The surgery is performed with local anesthesia that numbs only the skin, so patients stay awake during this procedure.

Pros of Strip excision are:

  • It has a relatively better growth rate compared to the FUE
  • Less damage is done to the hair follicles during micrographic surgery.
  • The procedure does not require you to shave your head.
  • Usually costs less than Follicular Unit Excision.

Cons of Strip excision are:

  • Leaves a linear scar.
  • Cannot keep the back of your hair very short.
  • You may experience Postoperative pain at night, which may be worse with FUT compared to FUE.

What is FUE?

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a less invasive procedure that involves removing hair follicles from the donor area with a small punch instrument. The resulting wound heals faster, with fewer complications than strip excision.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is the only method used for hairline correction and eyebrow restoration.

In this procedure, the surgeon harvests individual follicular units from the back of your scalp one at a time using tiny punches about one millimeter wide. Because FUE uses such small incisions, you’re left with barely visible scars on your head after surgery; these disappear within six months if you massage them regularly.

PROs of FUE Hair Transplant:

  • FUE uses tiny incisions, so your scarring will be barely visible.
  • You may leave the procedure with slightly less hair than you started, but you’ll still have enough to cover your balding area.
  • Healing time is much faster than other methods, so you’ll be able to go back to work or socialize immediately.

Cons of FUE Hair Transplant

  • Slightly less growth rate compared to FUT (Strip Excision) due to higher transections.
  • The procedure is more expensive than FUT (Strip Excision). You may need multiple sessions to reach the desired coverage area.
  • The procedure takes longer than FUT (Strip Excision) due to the number of follicles that need transplanted.
  • There is also a very slight risk of scarring at the donor site. However, this risk should be minimal if done by an experienced dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

Comparison of the two hair transplant procedures

Strip excision is a surgical procedure that involves removing a patient’s balding scalp and dividing it into long, thin strips. The doctor then transplants hair follicles from these strips to the areas of the head where they are needed.

Follicular unit extraction, or FUE, is similar to strip excision but uses smaller grafts—between 50 and 500, which may result in more natural-looking results with less visible scarring for most patients; some prefer it due to reduced invasiveness. Also, because FUE uses individual grafts instead of strips—less damage is done during surgery than when using a strip excision method.

Recommendation from Hair Transplant Surgeons

Strip excision is the gold standard for hair transplants. However, FUE is a good alternative for patients who want to avoid scars or quickly recover. While FUE is more cost-effective than strip excision, it’s not as invasive and can be used on patients with limited donor areas.

A FUE transplant is also a good option if you have thin hair because the strip technique can damage your donor area by removing large amounts of tissue. However, only individual follicles are extracted from the donor area with FUE, so it’s less likely to cause damage than strip excision.

Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is a less invasive and more precise hair restoration procedure that offers faster recovery time than its counterparts.

In a poll of Hair Transplant Surgeons, we asked which type of surgery they preferred. The majority said their preference was less invasive and more precise FUE procedures.

Here’s why:

  • FUE is a less invasive and more precise hair restoration procedure with a faster recovery. It uses a punch device to extract follicles from the donor area that are then transplanted into balding areas on your scalp. Since it does not require incisions, you can expect to experience little to no scarring after the procedure.
  • This method also makes it easier for hair transplant surgeons to harvest follicles from different parts of your scalp without making any incisions in your head (thus reducing any risks associated with blood loss). The hairs are transplanted individually at their desired location rather than rolled into large swaths of skin before grafting.
  • FUE is the best option for people who want to avoid shaving their heads, wearing hats, or using hair plugs due to male pattern baldness. With FUE, surgeons can also place follicles in areas where they are needed most rather than just placing them randomly throughout your scalp, as would be done with strip excision.

For more information about hair transplant procedures, visit FUE Hair Transplant Maryland. Their extensive experience with the procedure and quick painless results make them the best choice for clients looking to restore their lost hair.

Conclusion

If you’re considering a hair restoration procedure, it’s up to you to decide which method suits your needs. FUE and strip excision have proven results when performed by experienced surgeons on various body parts. Proceeding with surgery with an understanding of the benefits, risks, and alternatives is wise. We hope the above article clarifies these issues for you so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment plan.

Anagen Hair Restoration makes it easy for patients to find the right procedure at a location that works best for them. We make it our goal to ensure that the process of hair restoration is as simple, easy, and convenient for our patients as possible. Whether you’re looking for a NeoGraft hair transplant in Washington DC or a Transgender hair transplant, we help you find the perfect fit. Book your consultation with us or give us a call at (301) 591-6552 today!

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How Long Do Hair Transplants Last? Recovery and Expectations

Introduction

A hair transplant is ideal for getting a new head without waiting for years. In this post, we will talk about how long a hair transplant lasts. We will also talk about how long it will take you to regain normalcy after a procedure and what to expect from your new hair.

What is a hair transplant?

A hair transplant is a surgical procedure in which follicles of healthy, viable hairs are removed from one part of the scalp and placed into an area where hair is thinning. The transplanted hair grows as it would if it had been growing on your scalp for several years, so you’ll have fullness and coverage within months.

The most common type of hair transplant is a Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT), which involves removing individual follicles from the donor area using an electric needle, which allows the doctor to extract each follicle individually.

If you have a significant amount of hair loss, your doctor may recommend a Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) instead. This process involves removing the follicles from your scalp, one by one. The doctor will use a small punch to remove each follicle from the donor area and then transplant them into your balding area.

Another method of hair transplant is called a NeoGraft. This method uses a fine needle to insert individual follicles into the balding area, similar to FUT. The difference is that instead of using an electric needle, the doctor will use a hand-held device that injects the donor hair into your scalp.

Who can benefit from a hair transplant?

A hair transplant may be right for you if you’re experiencing hair thinning or balding. It can help men and women regain the confidence they need to face the world with a full head of hair. Hair transplants are most successful for the following conditions:

  • Traction alopecia. This type of balding is caused by repeated pulling on the hair, like from tight ponytails or braids, and usually affects women.
  • Pattern baldness (or male pattern baldness). Men lose hair in a characteristic pattern that starts at the top of the head and moves toward the back; they also tend to have a receding hairline and thinning temples.
  • Female pattern baldness. Women tend to lose more overall volume than men do. Still, their affected areas tend to be similar in shape to males who experience pattern baldness, with thinning crowns and temple recession being the most common symptoms.
  • Alopecia areata. There is no cure for alopecia areata, though there are methods (medicines and hair transplants) of treating it. This condition causes the loss of hair on the scalp and sometimes elsewhere in a random pattern.
How long do hair transplants last?

Hair transplants are long-term investments, but they do last. The transplanted hair grows and falls the same way as your natural hair, but it will generally be permanent. Many transplanted hairs will fall out within the first year after transplantation because they have not yet been fully integrated into their new environment.

In general, most patients will require a second procedure two to three years after their initial hair restoration procedure if they are still experiencing significant thinning or balding. The average interval between procedures is four to five years.

How long hair transplants last will also depend on the following factors:

  • The quality and type of hair used in the procedure
  • The skill and experience of the physician
  • The patient’s age and genetics
  • The amount of stress placed on the transplanted hairs
  • The quality of care after the procedure, including proper nutrition, exercise, and stress management.

In most cases, hair transplants need to be refreshed every five or ten years because the donor area of your scalp has a limited supply of hair follicles. If repeated surgeries overwork them, no more will grow in that area.

You should choose a doctor for your hair transplant whose work you can see has resulted in successful results with other patients.

What are the risks of having a hair transplant?

One risk associated with having a hair transplant is infection. Your scalp will be open for several days, and you’ll have to take antibiotics to prevent this from happening.

Another risk is scarring, which can occur if there isn’t enough time between procedures done by different doctors. Poor cosmetic outcomes can result if your surgeon needs to understand how to perform the procedure correctly and is using outdated techniques.

You may be sore for a few days in the areas where hair was removed during surgery—but this will not affect any future transplants because those follicles weren’t viable anyway.

Hair transplant recovery time

The recovery time for hair transplant surgery depends on the type of procedure performed, but the average recovery period is a few days to a week. After your treatment, you may experience some swelling and tenderness at the donor site. You should rest for one or two days after your procedure and avoid vigorous physical activity for several days to prevent bruising on or around your scalp. Recovery time also depends on

  • The size of the grafts – Smaller grafts take less time to recover than larger ones.
  •  Body’s healing process – Follow your post-operative instructions to ensure proper healing. You may be able to return to work after two or three days but should avoid strenuous activity for about a week.
What to expect after a hair transplant

Don’t expect miracles. It can take 2–3 months to see results, although some notice them sooner. The results are permanent, but you’ll need to maintain your hair to keep it looking good. If you stop taking care of it, the transplanted hair will fall out again.

It is normal to experience discomfort after a hair transplant, but it should gradually subside within a few days. If your pain persists, you may take over-the-counter pain medication as needed. After the surgical procedure, you can get back to normal activities. Just remember these important points:

  • Don’t wash your hair for 24 hours after the procedure. The new grafts will be swollen during this period, and washing or shampooing could dislodge them.
  • Avoid using hair products, including gels, sprays, and conditioners, until the incisions have healed completely (about a week). You may use talcum powder to keep your scalp dry if needed.
  • Avoid swimming, saunas, and hot tubs.
  • Avoid wearing a hat or scarf over the transplant area for at least two weeks after surgery so that air can circulate each graft and allow it time to heal completely. Even when you cover your head with these items again, try not to press them against one area where there has been an operation, as this could cause damage to any newly transplanted follicles.
  • Shower with a gentle shampoo, prescribed by your doctor.
  • Use a mild conditioner on the transplanted area only. The rest of your hair should be conditioned from root to tip with a moisturizing conditioner that does not contain silicone or parabens, which can clog pores and irritate the scalp, which could cause breakouts of ingrown hairs around the transplanted areas after surgery.
A hair transplant can be effective for people with traction alopecia or pattern baldness.

Hair transplants may be a good option for people who suffer from traction alopecia or pattern baldness. Surgery is often better than wearing wigs or hairpieces; it’s more permanent, too: once you get a transplant, your new hair will grow as long as they are cared for properly.

Traction alopecia is caused by pulling on the hair too hard, such as in tight ponytails or braids. It can cause bald spots to form—but with a traction alopecia hair transplant you can get that natural look back and feel confident again!

Anagen Hair Transplant Washington DC offers the latest techniques and technology to restore your natural look with the most effective hair transplant procedure. Our surgeons are highly experienced in hair restoration surgery and perform these procedures daily.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hair transplants are effective for people with traction alopecia or pattern baldness. Hair transplants are not only a highly effective treatment option, but they also have long-lasting results. This procedure is worth considering if you want to improve your hairline’s appearance without resorting to expensive cosmetic treatments like injections or laser surgery.

For more information about our hair restoration procedures or to schedule a free consultation with one of our doctors, please visit AnagenHairRestoration.com or call (301) 591-6552.