Hair Transplantation: How to Find the Surgery That’s Right for Me

Provider: Im Eui-seok Tema Dermatology Clinic

In modern life, hair loss can occur for a variety of reasons, such as irregular lifestyles, stress, and dieting. When hair volume decreases, people may lose confidence, and in severe cases, some may even experience depression. In such cases, it is wise to visit a hospital and get diagnosed.

1. Types of Hair Loss

Hair loss refers to a condition in which hair is abnormally absent in areas where it should normally exist. Losing about 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal, but if you are losing more than that, you may want to suspect hair loss.

The so-called M-shaped hair loss, commonly known as male pattern baldness, is believed to be caused by genetic factors and the secretion of the male hormone androgen, and is also called hereditary androgenetic alopecia. M-shaped hair loss often begins at the forehead and is characterized by gradually spreading over a wider area.

Women often experience crown hair loss, also called female pattern hair loss, which begins in the surrounding area including the whorl and slowly moves downward. Because crown hair loss is not a type of hair loss that occurs in one specific area, it is difficult to check on your own, and many people miss the early stage. Like M-shaped hair loss, crown hair loss is also known to be strongly influenced by genetics and androgens.

Alopecia areata, which has the highest occurrence rate among hair-loss conditions, often appears in coin-sized round patches, and can occur in multiple areas. It is a representative type of hair loss with similar occurrence rates in men and women.

Seborrheic hair loss is caused by a sudden increase in scalp sebum secretion or an imbalance in the distribution of microorganisms. When inflammation of the scalp is severe, hair loss progresses temporarily, and as the inflammation subsides, the hair-loss symptoms also recover.

In addition, there are telogen effluvium, in which hairs in the growth phase prematurely enter the resting phase and fall out early, as well as childhood hair loss.

2. Advantages of Hair Transplantation

Hair transplantation can significantly improve one’s appearance and create a healthier image, so many people consider surgery by searching for terms such as hair transplant for hair loss, male hair transplant, female hair transplant, M-shaped hair transplant, and female hair transplant. Because transplantation surgery must be performed with precision and detail, it takes longer than other procedures. The most important point in autologous hair transplantation is to transplant the follicles quickly into the scalp without damaging them.

This process is a very important stage because it determines the graft survival rate after hair transplantation.

So, what advantages does hair transplantation have compared with other surgeries or procedures?

1. It does not fall out for life.

The follicles used for transplantation are taken from the back and sides of the head, which are not affected by hair loss.

For this reason, once transplanted, they do not fall out again and are maintained for life.

2. It looks natural.

Because your own hair is transplanted and grows, the new hair has the same texture, growth cycle, and characteristics as your existing hair. After the hair-transplant graft survival period, the result can look so natural that it is difficult to tell it was transplanted.

3. There are almost no side effects.

Since your own follicle cells are used rather than someone else’s, another major advantage is that there are almost no side effects. Because no additional care is needed after graft survival, the transplanted hair grows together with the original hair, leading to even more satisfying results.

3. Hair Transplant Surgery Methods (Non-incisional and Incisional)

Incisional hair transplantation generally has a higher graft survival rate than non-incisional hair transplantation, and its advantage is that a large amount of hair can be transplanted. In particular, because the direction of the hair can be checked without shaving the head, it is a suitable surgery for those who expect natural results.

The incisional method leaves a thin thread-like scar on the back of the head after transplantation, and the length of the scar varies depending on the amount of hair transplanted.

Some people are concerned about pain, but because the procedure is performed mostly without pain, the level of discomfort is relatively low. Sutures are also removed around 10 days after surgery, so recovery is relatively quick. In addition, the cost of hair transplantation is lower than with the non-incisional method, making it relatively less burdensome.

Non-incisional hair transplantation has a lower graft survival rate than the incisional method, but because the scar remains only as dot-like marks on the back of the head, it is preferred by people worried about scarring. Another advantage is that because there is no incision, there is no need for suture removal.

The non-incisional method requires shaving part of the back of the head during the procedure, and because it is technically more difficult, the surgery cost is higher than the incisional method. It is recommended for those who want a small-volume hair transplant of about 2,000 grafts or a partial hair transplant.

4. Hair Transplant Surgery Process

Incisional and non-incisional hair transplants are classified according to whether the scalp is incised during surgery.

The incisional method first involves consultation and diagnosis, followed by anesthesia. After that, the follicles are separated through an incision, the area is sutured, and then the transplantation is performed.

Non-incisional hair transplantation skips the incision stage, so the procedure is simpler than the incisional method. After consultation and diagnosis are completed, the follicles are separated, transplanted, and managed afterward.

For both incisional and non-incisional methods, you should think of post-transplant care as part of the surgical process and continue careful management in order to see satisfying results.

5. Precautions After Hair Transplant Surgery

If you have had hair transplant surgery, be sure to follow the six points below.

1. After surgery, a pressure bandage or gauze should be applied to the back of the head.

2. The scabs after surgery will remain on the transplanted area for 10 days to 2 weeks and then fall off on their own, so do not touch them.

3. Shampooing is possible starting 3 days after surgery.

4. Sutures at the back of the head are removed about 10 days later.

5. Swelling of the face or slight bleeding may occur after surgery, but these are temporary, so there is no need to worry.

6. You may feel pain at the back of the head for about 1 to 2 days. If you have pain, please take the prescribed medication.

Various types of hair loss can occur due to stress and irregular lifestyle habits. Depending on the cause and symptoms of hair loss, the area affected, and the stage of progression, it is important to find the hair transplant method that is right for you.

No matter the method, hair transplantation takes at least 6 months to 1 year for new hair to grow from the transplanted follicles and fully settle in. During this period, hair loss may occur in areas that did not receive a transplant. To prevent this, it is important to consistently continue treatments that were applied in the early stages of hair loss, such as mesotherapy around the follicles, Hair Cell S2, and hematopoietic stem cells (PRP). Ongoing care is necessary to continue maintaining thick hair and a stylish hairstyle.

Im Eui-seok Tema Dermatology Clinic continuously adds and replaces premium laser treatment equipment and provides reliable treatment based on extensive clinical experience. We offer customized combination treatments and adhere to the principle of performing only one hair transplant surgery per day.

At Im Eui-seok Tema Dermatology Clinic’s Hair Loss and Hair Transplant Center, a Gangnam hair transplant hospital and Seoul hair transplant hospital, highly skilled specialists and staff separate and perform procedures without damaging the follicles. As a result, we have maximized hair survival and improved graft survival after hair transplantation, allowing us to provide patients with a satisfying experience. If you are concerned about hair loss, we recommend visiting a hair-transplant dermatology clinic or dermatology practice, such as a Gangnam dermatology clinic, Sinsa dermatology clinic, or skin clinic, for consultation.