Everything you Must know Before Going for Hair Transplant in India

What is a Hair Transplant?

Hair Transplant is a cosmetic surgical procedure wherein a plastic or a dermatological surgeon transfers hair to an area of the head where you want it. The purpose of the procedure is to fill a balding area or an area with thin hair. Doctors have been practicing these transplants since the 1950s in the U.S., and gradually these procedures have made their way in other regions of the world as well. Nowadays, hair transplantation has become a frequent and common procedure performed in many places.

What is the Need for a Hair Transplant? 

People usually think of getting a hair transplant to bring back, generally, a fuller head of hair. It makes one confident about their looks. Thinning of hair, hair loss problem, losing hair due to an injury, chemotherapy, and medications or balding can be fixed and gotten rid of by this technique as it focusses on restoring hair. The procedure is also used for transplanting hair in eyelashes and eyebrows.

Generally, pattern baldness is the main reason behind the majority of cases of hair loss, a condition resulting mainly due to genetic reasons. There might be other reasons too, some of them are listed as follows:

• Improper diet
• Stressful lifestyle
• Sickness
• Hormonal Imbalance
• Certain medications

Is Hair Transplant the Only Solution for Hair Fall?

If you are not up for a hair transplant and want some alternative methods, then the good news is that you do have other options. There are numerous non-surgical alternatives which include the following:

• Minoxidil (Rogaine): This is a medicine that can be purchased without a prescription and used both by men and women.
• Finasteride (Propecia): These are tablets, helpful in treating pattern baldness (of both male and female) in a period of 3 to 6 months when used regularly.
• Low-level laser therapy: This too can treat hair of both men and women. It promotes hair and strengthens weak hair by stimulating cellular activity.

Are there Different Types of Hair Transplants?

The procedure is a surgical one mainly involving the removal of hair follicles from a site of your body like your face or your legs and planting them on a hairless area. The techniques have surely changed from their first introduction back in the 1950s; the latest procedures aim for permanent hair retention and involve picking up follicular clusters of hair. This is known as Follicular Hair Transplantation (FUT) and can be done via two methods:

1. Strip harvesting:

Strip harvesting involves skin stripping such that properly grown hair is picked up and planted on balding areas. This is the technique used by most  surgeons these days. A slim scar is left on the donor area, which promisingly recovers in two weeks.

2. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE):

Follicular Hair Extraction involves hair clusters with their roots being manually removed and planted at the balding regions. This can be performed in just one sitting but could even take numerous sittings. This is a manual procedure and hence a time-consuming process both for the doctor and the patient. Besides, it is also not quite cost-effective. However, FUE generates natural-looking results and does not leave any mark or scar. The use of robotics has considerably reduced the time taken during this procedure and made it extremely simplified.

Who can benefit from a Hair Transplant?

A hair transplant could be asked for by plenty of people who are suffering from balding problems and wanting to look good, and wanting to build up some self-confidence. People who may want to have a hair transplant can be:

• People with pattern baldness (men mostly).
• People with thinning hairline.
• Someone who has lost hair due to a burn, an accident or some scalp injury.

That being said, it is also necessary to mention that hair transplantation might not be a good option for certain people such as:

• People with a widespread pattern of hair loss throughout their scalp.
• People with not much donor sites (areas from where the hair tissue is picked up) on their scalp.
• People with keloid scars (thick, fibrous scars) formed after an injury or some surgery.
• People who suffer from hair loss problems mainly due to medications or chemotherapy.

If you have been suffering from any of these conditions, then you may need a detailed consultation with your doctor before undergoing the procedure.

What is the Procedure for Hair Transplantation?

• Preparation: The initial step involves removing hair follicles from the back of your head and planting them to your balding areas.
• Trimming donor area: Before the onset of the surgery, the hair of the donor area are trimmed.
• Donor area prepared: After trimming the hair in the donor area, local anesthesia is applied to the region.
• Tissue removal: The tissue in the donor area containing hair which has to be transplanted is removed surgically, and then the donor area is sutured.
• Combing: The patient’s hair is combed over the donor area so that they hide the sutures. After about 10 days from the hair transplant surgery, these sutures are removed.
• Trimming of donor tissue: Surgical technicians then dissect and prepare follicular unit hair grafts using a microscope to view the donor tissue.
• Recipient area prepared: After giving local anesthesia to the patient, the balding recipient area is prepared for surgery. Here, no trimming or removal of hair is needed.
• Incisions made: Follicular Unit Grafts are planted in tiny incisions made in an irregular pattern in the recipient area.
• Placing the grafts: The smallest of the grafts (one and two) are planted in the front of the patient’s hairline, and 3 or 4 (denser than 1 or 2) are placed behind them. Immediately after this surgery, tiny incisions with short-length hairs would be visible to the naked eye on the operated area.
• Closure: These incision marks shall heal naturally and the redness in the recipient area would go away gradually in about a week.

What happens after Hair Transplantation?

Getting a hair transplant might seem like a risky decision to some. What is even more stressful is the period after getting the transplant done. Once you are done with the transplant, you might be very worried, wondering whether the procedure would work or not. Well, here are the answers to all your questions.

So, basically, after a hair transplant surgery, your scalp could feel sore and very tender. You might be prescribed certain medications like the ones given below:

• Pain medication
• Antibiotics (To reduce the risk of any possible infection).
• Anti-inflammatory medicines to lessen the swelling.

Your surgeon might also have you wear bandages over your scalp for a minimum of two days. Most of the patients can go back to feeling normal after a few days (2 to 5 days) of getting the surgery. You should note that the transplanted hair would behave just like your natural hair and so, would shed after two to four weeks of the surgery. This would make way for the roots to start sprouting new hair naturally and this would continue for the rest of your life.

You will see some amount of new hair (about 60%) after about 8 to 12 months of surgery. Many doctors prescribe medicines (like minoxidil/ Rogaine and finasteride/ Propecia) to improve hair regrowth intending to slow down or stop further hair loss.

What are the Complications associated with a Hair Transplant Solution?

There are some minor side effects of the procedure, but they usually clear up within a few weeks. These include:

1. Bleeding
2. Infection
3. Swelling of your scalp
4. Bruising around your eyes
5. Crust formation on the donor or the recipient areas.
6. Itching
7. Numbness on the treated areas.
8. Inflammation of the treated hair follicles, known as folliculitis.
9. Temporary loss of the transplanted hair (shock loss).
10. Unnatural looking new growth of hair.

What can you expect from your Hair Transplantation?

People who have undergone a hair transplant will continue growing hair in the treated regions. The new hair could appear more or less due to the following factors:

1. Scalp laxity (how loose the scalp skin is)
2. The density of follicles in the transplanted zone.
3. Hair quality
4. Hair curling

If you had undergone a low level of laser therapy or did not take medications (for hair regrowth, as prescribed), you could continue experiencing hair loss in the untreated regions of the scalp for some time. You should discuss the outcomes of the procedure with your surgeon so that you undergo the treatment with realistic expectations. Hiring a good surgeon is very necessary, even if it proves to be a little expensive to ensure that you get the best possible results.

What is the Cost of the Treatment?

The basic cost of a hair transplant in India lies in the range of INR 25000 to INR 1,00,000, including an initial consultation fee, but excluding GST, medicine and other requisite postoperative care. India houses over 2000 hair clinics and it costs INR 10 to INR 150 per follicle or graft. The cost of a hair transplant depends on several factors such as the clinic you choose, the type of procedure, the surgeon and the amount of hair you want to be transplanted.

As far as initial treatment costs are considered, many clinics offer various payment or financing plans to make the procedure more accessible and affordable for people.

10 Best Hair Transplant Centers in Delhi NCR

We know that people are quite possessive about their hair, and when it comes to hair transplants, everybody would want to choose the best option available. Here is a list of best hair transplant clinics in and around Gurgaon which will help you choose better:

1. Advanced Hair Studio:

Address: G 16, Sushant Lok Extension 2, Opposite Hongkong Bazaar, Sector 57, Gurgaon (Nearest Metro Station – Sector 56 Rapid Metro Gurgaon)

Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM

Contact: 0124 454 9191

Website: http://www.advancedhairstudioindia.com/

2. DHI India:

Address: 4306, DLF Phase 4, Next to Galleria Market, Gurugram (Nearest Rapid Metro Station DLF Phase-1 Gurgaon)

Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM

Contact: 099103 02888

Website: https://www.medlinks.in/

3. Medlinks:

Address: 4306, DLF Phase 4, Next to Galleria Market, Gurugram (Nearest Rapid Metro Station DLF Phase-1 Gurgaon)

Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM

Contact: 099103 02888

Website: https://www.medlinks.in/

4. Enhance Clinic:

Address: SCO 310, 1st Floor, Sector 29 Near Jaguar Car Showroom Gurgaon (Nearest Rapid Metro Station Iffco Chowk Gurgaon)

Contact: 8826290517, 0124-4235201

Timings: 10:30 AM to 7 PM

Website: https://www.enhanceclinics.in/

5. Delight Clinic:

Address: C-031 B, 3rd floor, Supermart-1, DLF Phase 4, Gurgaon (Nearest Metro Station – Huda City Metro)

Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM

Contact: +91 124 4071 333, 9870248869, 9990411335

6. VIBES:

Address: A 14/24, Ground Floor, DLF Golf Course Road, DLF Phase 1, Gurgaon. (Nearest Metro Station DLF Phase- 1 Raid Metro)

Timings:  8 AM to 8 PM

Contact: 099104 92525

Website: www.vibes.in

7. Berkowits Clinic: 

Address: Plot No- 2, Bougainvillea Marg, Sector 25, DLF Phase 2, Gurgaon

(Nearest Metro Station Sikanderpur)

Timings: 9 AM to 8 PM

Contact: 099996 66609

Website: https://www.berkowits.in/

8. Nair Skin Clinic & Hair Transplant Center: 

Address: SCO No. 20, 2nd Floor, PNB Building Sector 23-A, HUDA Market, Gurgaon

Timings: 9 AM to 1 PM & 4 PM to 7 PM

Contact: 0124 403 4209

Website: http://drnairsskinclinic.in

9. AKS Clinic:

Address: 1070, Block C Rd, Block C, Sushant Lok Phase I, Sector 43, Gurgaon

Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM

Contact: 0124-4239555, 8595300300, 8860755231

Website: http://aksclinic.com/

10. Square Root Hair Transplant & Skin Clinic:

Address: Plot No 3115, Ambedkar Chowk, Near Amity International School, Sector 46, Gurgaon

Timings: 9 AM to 8 PM

Contact: 91-8826045450, 91-1244251454

Website: http://square-root.co.in/

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Hair Transplant?

Advantages of a Hair Transplant

1. Change of Look: The biggest benefit you get is the aesthetic change. You get a head full of hair and zero baldness.
2. Improved self-confidence: Premature hair loss may take away your self-esteem. With a hair transplant surgery, you get the chance to regain your youthful look and regain your lost confidence.
3. Regaining Natural Hair: Hair transplantation mimics the look of your original hair. A completely natural look is created by strategically placing the small follicle grafts on your head. Besides, your hair is being transplanted on you only, so the result looks completely natural.
4. Simple treatment: The steps are simple and the procedure is carried out under the effect of local anesthesia. Hence, the treatment is very safe and does not lead to any serious complications.
5. Proper growth: The implanted hair grows just like the other hair strands on your head and continues to grow throughout your life.

Disadvantages of a Hair Transplant

1. Cost: For some people, the high cost of hair transplant surgery might not be affordable for all.  The procedure may not be financially accessible to all parts of society.
2. Scarring: The surgery could leave minor and unnoticeable scars in the treated areas. There also remains a risk of improper healing of these scars.
3. Shock loss: After fresh transplantation, patients might suffer from a temporary hair loss. The hair will regrow again after a short duration. However, there might a small risk that the transplanted hair might die and fall out without re-growing again.
4. Infection: There remain minor risks like infection or hemorrhaging. Still, these risks are unlikely if the doctor’s instructions are strictly followed. There is also a common problem of nerve damage at the donor areas.

What is the Life of a Hair Transplant?

A hair transplant is a permanent solution. This is one of the main reasons why hair transplantation is deemed as the most effective option for hair restoration. The transplanted shafts are resistant to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for hair loss and hence, remain on the scalp for your entire lifetime.

How Successful is a Hair Transplant?

One of the main reasons for hair transplants being so popular is that they are far more successful than other hair restoration methods. Your hair is transplanted on you and the new hair strands grow naturally after a few months. Even though there are plenty of factors to consider, this procedure has proven to be more successful than all other methods and medicines available in the market.

However since every person has a unique set of characterstics, medical conditions and response towards the procedure, due consultation process with an experienced surgeon should be followed before deciding to go ahead with the procedure.

What is the Hair Transplant trend in Bollywood? 

Hair transplant has become a boon for all those people who are troubled due to balding or hair loss. The Bollywood stars have had tried this treatment much before the general people. Many of the actors have suffered from balding in the past and have tried various methodologies to correct it including hair transplant surgery. Some of the names on the list are Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Himesh Reshammiya, Akshay Kumar, Rohit Shetty, Govinda, Amitabh Bachchan, Kapil Sharma, Vivek Oberoi and many more. Cricketers like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sourav Ganguly, Harsha Bhogle, etc. have also undergone this treatment.

Is it Painful to have a Hair Transplant?

The hair transplantation surgery is performed under the effect of local anesthesia. So, the treatment wouldn’t be painful. However, after the completion of the surgery, there might be some pain and tenderness on the treated sites which would go away in a week or two.

Does Hair Transplant look Natural? 

There is a chance of unnatural looking tufts of hair growing from the treated sites initially, but it would become fine after about 6 to 8 months of surgery. However, since the hair transplant surgery is done with your hair follicles only, you are the donor as well as the recipient. Hence, the hair grows and looks natural just like the other untreated shafts of hair on your scalp.