Hair Transplant Aftercare Archives - Cosmedica

Why Do Hair Transplants Fail? 7 Important Facts You Must Know

Cosmedica — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 13:46:29 +0000

Why do hair transplants fail when they do? As exciting as getting a hair transplant is, the truth is that it’s not 100% guaranteed that everything will go as planned. People don’t discuss failed hair transplants as much as successful ones, but they happen occasionally. In this article, we’ll discuss why hair transplants fail and cover essential things you must do to ensure the success of your operation.

How Likely Is It for a Hair Transplant To Fail?

The chances of a hair transplant failing are around 43%, according to an ISHRS study. This study, however, analyses failure based on the patient’s satisfaction and whether hair transplant patients get their expected results. True hair transplant surgery failure is when the transplanted hair follicles fail to grow.

Professional clinics with skilled surgeons usually have a failure rate of less than 2%. Unprofessional clinics, on the other hand, may have up to a 30% failure rate.

Why Do Hair Transplants Fail?

Here are the three most likely reasons:

Inexperienced Surgeon

Some hair transplant surgeons are better skilled in one form of hair transplant than another. For instance, not all surgeons can perform afro hair transplants successfully. Also, most surgeons are only good at Follicular Unit Extraction techniques, and would likely fail at performing transplants with advanced techniques like the DHI.

Poor Post-Surgery Care

Even after a top-class surgeon has done his part, a hair transplant will still fail if the patient isn’t given the necessary post-operation care. Poor post-surgery care will negatively impact the hair transplant result. Dressing the wounds, washing the hair, and applying medication are just a few of the many things a recently-operated hair loss patient should enjoy.

Hair transplant patients also have their part to play in ensuring the transplanted hair doesn’t fail to grow as planned. A good clinic will educate you on the dos and don’ts of a post-surgery lifestyle.

Hair Graft Rejection

Hair graft rejection is rare, but it occurs in some patients. Rejected hair implants will not grow. A disease called LLP (Lichen Planopilaris), which causes the inflammation of the upper part of the hair follicles is usually responsible for rejection.

How Bald Is Too Bald for a Hair Transplant?

Generally, a Norwood scale 7 hair loss patient is considered ineligible for a hair transplant. It all comes down to the availability of hairs in the donor area. If the amount of hair follicles in the donor site (usually the nape of the neck) is sparse, or the hair follicles are too thin, the hair transplant operation may fail.

However, there have been some successful hair transplant operations involving completely bald patients. So it all comes down to the skill and experience of the surgeon and the hair transplant procedure used.

What Percentage of Hair Transplants Are Successful?

The success of a hair transplant is measured by the percentage of transplanted hair that grows back. A transplant is termed successful if the percentage is 80% or higher. The general success rate of hair transplants is 95 – 98%, especially when using the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technique. Top-rated hair transplant surgeons usually have a close to 100% success rate.

How Can I Make My Hair Transplant Successful?

Choose the Best Clinic

Every highly-reputed hair transplant clinic ensures they give patients the best treatments, as their reputation is on the line. These clinics are also well-versed in advanced techniques like the Sapphire DHI method, which increase the success rate of hair transplants. It’s your duty to find out the hard facts about your desired surgeon/clinic and to know what hair transplant methods they use.

Know Your Eligibility

Most hair loss patients don’t know that certain criteria can make them ineligible for hair transplants. If you have insufficient donor hair or any blood-borne illness, you are not eligible for a hair transplant. Even if you somehow bypass these things and get a transplant, you may end up with terrible results. In situations like these, you should seek a different hair restoration method.

Follow Post-Surgery Instructions

Most hair transplant failures aren’t the surgeon’s fault but the patient’s. If you fail to follow every given post operative instructions, you’ll most likely end up with a failed hair restoration surgery. From diet to haircare and sleeping position, everything can impact your final results.

What Does a Failed Hair Transplant Look Like?

A failed hair transplant is one that doesn’t yield the expected results. So if you wanted to cover your bald head, a failed transplant would leave you with a sparsely covered scalp or transplanted hairs that do not grow at all.

However, the degree of failure varies. For some patients, the hair transplant was successful, but the result didn’t meet their expectations. For some others, the hair transplant failed utterly.

A completely failed hair transplant is one where more than 30% of the transplanted grafts do not survive. These cases will typically look like you have grass on your head.

What Are the Rules After a Hair Transplant?

Sometimes, the answer to the question, “Why do hair transplants fail?” is simply the patient’s carelessness. Here are some basic rules every patient must follow after undergoing a hair transplant in Turkey, especially during the first few weeks post-surgery:

Avoid friction to your head (don’t wear caps or head warmers)
Avoid alcohol completely
Avoid any strenuous activity or exercise
Avoid excess sun exposure
Avoid extremely hot or cold showers
Eat a balanced diet
Wash your head exactly as instructed by your surgeon

Frequently Asked Questions

What Can You Do if a Hair Transplant Falls?

In the case a hair transplant fails, you can opt for a second transplant, preferably with another surgeon who uses a more advanced hair transplant procedure. If you find out that you are ineligible for a second transplant, you can try other types of hair restoration methods like low-level laser therapy or Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy.

If these methods still don’t work out, you may opt for wigs or micro-pigmentation to conceal your hair loss condition.

How Long Do Hair Transplants Last?

Hair transplants are permanent. Most transplants will last at least 20 years and, in best cases, for life. However, the newly transplanted hair will fall off about three weeks after surgery; this is part of the growth process. New hairs will typically begin to grow about three months after the transplant and continue for life.

The post Why Do Hair Transplants Fail? 7 Important Facts You Must Know appeared first on Cosmedica.

10 Tips for Wearing a Hat After a Hair Transplant

Cosmedica — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 17:30:00 +0000

If you recently underwent a hair transplant procedure at Cosmedica, you might wonder how to best protect your transplanted hair. You might also ask yourself how to ensure optimal results from your surgery. One key element after a hair transplant is wearing the right type of hat how to wear it properly.

This blog post discusses the importance of wearing a hat in the days following a hair transplant. It also offers tips and recommendations for choosing and wearing a hat during the recovery process.

Why should I cover my head after a hair transplant?

There are several reasons why it is important to cover your head after a hair transplant procedure.

Here are a few key reasons:

To protect your implanted hairs: After a hair transplant, your implanted hairs are still in the delicate phase of recovery. They are more vulnerable to damage. By wearing a hat, you can help to protect your transplanted area from the sun, wind, and other environmental factors that could potentially harm it.
To avoid infection: Wearing a hat can also help to reduce the risk of infection in the donor area (the area from which hair follicles are taken for transplantation). This is especially important if you have undergone a FUE (follicular unit extraction) hair transplant. Indeed, the donor area may be more vulnerable to infection due to the numerous small incisions made during the procedure.
To reduce scarring: Covering your head can also help to reduce the appearance of scarring in the donor area. This is especially important if you have undergone a strip harvesting procedure. This type of hair transplant can result in a larger scar in the donor area. By wearing a hat, you can help to keep the scar covered and reduce the risk of developing keloid scars.

What type of hat should I wear after a hair transplant?

When choosing a hat to wear after a hair transplant, there are a few key factors to consider. Here are some tips for selecting the right type of hat:

Wear a loose hat: It is important to choose a hat that is loose enough. It will allow you to not put too much pressure on your implanted hairs or the donor area. Avoid fitting hats that are too tight or that squeeze your head. Indeed, they can cause discomfort and potentially harm your transplanted grafts. You should, on the contrary, opt for a loose fitting hat.
Choose a soft fabric: Opt for a hat made of soft, breathable fabric to avoid irritation and discomfort on your scalp. This is especially important if you are prone to sensitive skin or if you have a tendency to get dandruff.
Avoid hats with rough or scratchy materials: These hats can potentially irritate your scalp and cause discomfort.
Consider the type of hat: Depending on the type of hair transplant procedure you have undergone, you may want to consider different types of hats. For example, if you have undergone a strip harvesting procedure, you may want to avoid hats that have a tight band or brim. Indeed, they could potentially put pressure on the scar in the donor area. If you have undergone a FUE hair transplant, you may want to avoid hats that have a very tight fit. These ones could potentially irritate the small incisions made during the procedure.

Hats Provided by Cosmedica After a Hair Transplant

At Cosmedica, we understand the importance of protecting your implanted hairs and the donor area after a hair transplant. That’s why we provide a bucket hat for our patients to wear during the recovery process.

Our hats are made of soft, breathable fabric and are designed to be worn comfortably and gently on the scalp. If you have any questions or concerns about wearing a hat post hair transplant, our team of experienced professionals is always here to help.

How should I wear a hat after a hair transplant?

Once you have chosen a hat that is suitable for your hair transplant recovery, it is important to wear it properly. This will prevent damaging your implanted hair or the donor area. Here are some tips for wearing a hat after a hair transplant:

Wear a cap: If you are wearing a cap, make sure to adjust it so that it is not too tight or too loose. You should also make sure that the cap does not cover the donor area or the implanted grafts. Indeed, this could potentially cause irritation or damage.
Avoid wearing a hat too often: While it is important to protect your implanted hairs and the donor area after a hair transplant, it is also important to avoid wearing a hat too often. Overuse of a hat can lead to sweating and irritation on the scalp. This could potentially harm your transplanted hair follicles.
Take breaks from wearing a hat: If you need to wear a hat for an extended period of time, make sure to take breaks and remove the hat every few hours to allow your scalp to breathe. This will help to prevent sweating and irritation on the scalp.
Be gentle when removing and replacing your hat: When removing or replacing your hat, be gentle and avoid tugging or pulling on your hair or the donor area. This will help to prevent any accidental damage to your implanted hair grafts or the donor area.

Conclusion

Wearing a hat after a hair transplant is an important part of the recovery process. By choosing the right type of hat and wearing it properly, you can help to protect your implanted hairs and the donor area, reduce the risk of infection and scarring, and ensure the best possible results from your hair transplant surgery.

If you have any questions or concerns about wearing a hat after your hair transplant in Turkey, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Cosmedica for guidance and support.

FAQ

Why should I cover my head after a hair transplant?

Covering your head after a hair transplant protects your implanted hairs from environmental factors, reduces the risk of infection in the donor area, and helps minimize scarring. Wearing a hat safeguards both the transplanted and donor areas during the delicate recovery phase.

What type of hat should I wear after a hair transplant?

Choose a loose-fitting hat made of soft, breathable fabric to avoid irritation and pressure on the implanted hairs or donor area. Avoid hats with rough materials and tight fits to prevent discomfort and potential damage to the grafts and recovery areas.

How should I wear a hat after a hair transplant?

Ensure the hat is not too tight, cover neither the donor area nor the grafts, and avoid wearing it too often to prevent sweating and irritation. Take breaks and handle the hat gently when removing or placing it back on to protect the delicate hair follicles.

The post 10 Tips for Wearing a Hat After a Hair Transplant appeared first on Cosmedica.

Washing Hair After Hair Transplant: How to do it?

Cosmedica — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 17:42:00 +0000

How should you wash your hair after a hair transplant? Indeed, after a successful hair transplant, it is important to carefully follow the doctor’s instructions for your hair transplant aftercare.

What happens to the scalp after a FUE hair transplantation?

Immediately after the end of the hair restoration procedure, the healing process begins. The transplanted hairs take root. The stitch channels will close as a result of the wound secretions and crust creation. Due to increased cell division and breakdown of fluid in the swollen areas, the minimally invasive injuries heal without visible scarring.

When can I wash my hair after a hair transplant?

Especially directly after the hair transplantation, the scalp reacts particularly sensitively to touch. To avoid hair loss and damaging the hair grafts, one should not touch or wet the scalp with water during the first three days. This is also tho prevent risk of infections.

The first hair care should only take place when the hair roots are sufficiently anchored. Only then is it possible to support the healing process with a hair wash.

How do I wash my hair after a hair transplant?

Your post-operative hair wash routine is important for the healing and hygiene of the scalp. Washing with the lotion and shampoo the clinic has provided you with supports the healing process and the growth of the hair roots. To prevent the wound crusts from becoming too large, you can carefully spray the scalp with still, germ-free mineral water. The water should drain off afterwards.

To avoid damaging the hair follicles, the transplanted areas must not be dried with a cloth in the beginning. Even dabbing could tear the sensitive hair follicles out of their anchorage.

From the third day, the special shampoo mixed with lukewarm water can be sprayed onto the scalp. The spray nozzle should be at a distance of 20 to 30 cm from the scalp. You should only apply shampoo on the recipient area. A special ointment is carefully dabbed on the back of the head in the zone of the donor area.

After the tenth day, you can start washing your hair. First, apply the special lotion. Leave it on for 45 minutes. Rinse off the remains of the lotion carefully with moderately warm water.

Lather the special shampoo in your hands with water and carefully apply it to the scalp. You do not need to leave the shampoo on for several minutes. You can carefully wash your hair.

Rinse the shampoo thoroughly with a gentle lukewarm stream of water. Drying the hair should be done carefully by patting it dry with a soft, clean cloth.

Following this procedure will largely help your hair growth, thus reducing the risk of seeing your hair transplant fail.

If the skin areas are itchy after the procedure, you can spray them with a special moisturising spray, which you can obtain from Dr Levent Acar at Cosmedica Clinic.

How often should I wash my hair after the hair transplant?

The scalp should not come into contact with water for the first three days to not jeopardise the procedure’s success. As the transplanted hair is sensitive to direct sunlight, you should protect it with a wide hat, for example, a fisherman’s hat. One should also not wear tight-fitting caps on the head, as they squeeze the hair roots.

From the fourth day onwards, you must wash your scalp daily for maintenance. The crusts will have fallen off no later than ten days after the procedure. If stubborn crusts are still present, you can soften them gently with water. Now the scalp can breathe again and the healing process continues.

What care products and shampoos should I use?

With a hair transplant in Turkey at the Cosmedica Clinic, the all-inclusive package also includes all the shampoos, lotions and sprays you need to care for the transplanted hair after the procedure. The specialists at the Cosmedica Clinic are available to answer any questions you may have for up to twelve months after the procedure.

FAQ

What happens to the scalp after a FUE hair transplantation?

Immediately post-operation, the healing process starts. Transplanted hairs take root while stitch channels close via wound secretions and crusts. Due to increased cell division and fluid breakdown in swollen areas, these minimally invasive injuries heal without visible scarring, ensuring rapid and effective recovery.

When can I wash my hair after hair transplantation?

Avoid touching or wetting the scalp for the first three days to prevent damage to sensitive hair roots. Initial hair care should commence once the hair roots are sufficiently anchored, allowing you to support the healing process with a gentle hair wash and proper products.

How do I wash my hair after a hair transplantation?

Use clinic-provided lotion and shampoo to support scalp healing. Spray scalp with germ-free mineral water initially; don’t dry with cloth. By the third day, use diluted shampoo spray. After ten days, gently wash with special shampoo and lotion, avoiding dabbing to protect follicles.

How often should I wash my hair after the hair transplant?

Avoid water contact for the first three days. From the fourth day, wash the scalp daily to maintain hygiene and support healing. By day ten, crusts should naturally fall off; if not, soften them gently with water to ensure the scalp can breathe and continue healing.

Which care products and shampoos should I use?

For guaranteed care, use the shampoos, lotions, and sprays included in Cosmedica Clinic’s all-inclusive package. Specialists at the clinic provide comprehensive post-procedure support and are available for any questions you have for up to twelve months after the hair transplant.

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Exercise After Hair Transplant – Is It Allowed?

Cosmedica — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 15:47:27 +0000

A hair transplant in Turkey means better self-confidence. As a sports enthusiast, you naturally want to do something for your physical fitness quickly and resume your usual sporting activities. But can you exercise after a hair transplant surgery?

Can you do sports after a hair transplant?

After the procedure at Cosmedica with Dr Acar, you will be mentally fit the very next day. You can start exercising again just two weeks after the hair transplant. In order not to slow down the healing process, you should take a few things into consideration.

Direct sunlight

After the procedure, the hair follicles are sensitive to the sun. The scalp dries out. UV radiation damages the transplanted hair follicles. Therefore, you should protect your scalp from the sun with loose-fitting caps or hoods for the first few days after the procedure.

When you resume your sport exercises after a hair transplant, you should not wear any headgear because sweat forms increasingly under the tissue, delaying the healing process.

Strenuous exercise

Intense training also leads to increased sweating. The risk of infection increases which delays the healing. You should never wipe off your sweat, but carefully dab it. Indeed, the wiping movements can tear the hair roots that are not yet sufficiently anchored from the scalp.

Follow the doctor’s instructions

Before the hair transplant procedure at the Cosmedica Clinic, Dr Acar will give you information about the necessary aftercare. Care for the scalp with special moisturising sprays and lotions to support blood circulation to the hair follicles. Regular cleansing of the scalp with a mild cleaning lotion will accelerate the growth of the hair follicles.

How long should I wait before doing sports and exercise?

You should not exercise for the first four days after the hair transplant. The hair roots need time to grow firmly and receive sufficient nutrients and oxygen. You can start a light exercise routine two weeks after the procedure. When it comes to strenuous strength training, you should only resume it after at least four weeks.

What sports can I practice after a hair transplant?

In the first weeks after the hair transplant, you should practice only light exercise. Jogging and Nordic walking are no problem. You also need to avoid wearing headgear.

Some types of exercise, such as football, can be risky in some situations. If the jersey is pulled over the head too quickly, the hair roots can be torn out of the recipient area.

Also, the grafts can be damaged by a hard impact of the ball. They die easily after a bruise. Therefore, you should avoid headers should until three months after the hair transplant at the earliest. The hair grafts can also be damaged and die from blows and scratches during fouls.

You should also avoid contact sports during the first three months after your hair transplant to favor a healthy hair growth.

You need to avoid swimming and sunbathing for the first four months. The hair follicles are particularly sensitive to UV radiation from the sun. A wide fisherman’s hat can protect the transplanted hair from the sun.

Salty seawater or chlorinated water in swimming pools will cause the hair follicles to die. Natural water contains germs that increase the risk of infection.

When visiting the gym, make sure you do not lean your head on any equipment. The hair implants are sensitive to pressure. There is a high risk of hair loss when exercising on weight lifting equipment such as the weight bench or leg press. Pilates and yoga exercises can also damage the newly transplanted hair roots through pressure.

What should you pay attention to when exercising after a hair transplant?

At Cosmedica, Dr. Acar uses modern minimally invasive methods for hair transplantation. You will feel fit again immediately, but should still avoid heavy physical exertion in order not to prolong the necessary regeneration time for the hair follicles. Exercises you make after a few weeks should not be too strenuous to avoid sweating. By taking appropriate precautions during sports, a faster recovery can be expected.

FAQ

Can I do sports after a hair transplant?

Yes, you can start exercising two weeks after the hair transplant, but you must take certain precautions. Avoid direct sunlight and strenuous exercise to not impede the healing process. Always follow your doctor’s instructions.

How long should I wait before doing sports and exercise?

You should avoid exercising for the first four days post-transplantation. You can resume light exercise after two weeks, while strenuous strength training should wait at least four weeks to allow hair roots to properly settle.

What sports can I practice after a hair transplant?

Avoid football due to potential graft damage from impacts and jersey pulls. Do not swim or sunbathe for the first four months to protect sensitive hair follicles from UV radiation and water contaminants. Be cautious at the gym to avoid pressure on new implants.

What should you pay attention to when exercising after a hair transplant?

Despite feeling fit soon after the procedure, avoid heavy physical exertion to not prolong the hair follicle’s regeneration time. You should resume exercise gradually and not be too strenuous to prevent excessive sweating and ensure faster recovery.

The post Exercise After Hair Transplant – Is It Allowed? appeared first on Cosmedica.

Alcohol After Hair Transplant

Elisa Chistyukhina — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 17:00:34 +0000

80% of men are affected by genetic hair loss. If the problem is to be permanently eliminated, a hair transplant by Dr. Levent Acar at the Cosmedica Clinic can help. But should you abstain from alcohol before and after the hair transplantation?

The harmful effects of alcohol

Alcohol changes your reactions and your perception of your surroundings. Alcohol enters the bloodstream and the internal organs via the oral and gastric mucosa. The slow degradation takes place in the liver.

In the brain, messenger substances and the processing of electrical nerve impulses are inhibited. The ability to react is slowed down. As alcohol dehydrates the body, the fluid balance is no longer intact. The body temperature continues to drop. Confusion, disorientation and drowsiness increase.

The cell poison alcohol damages the cells of the mucous membrane, the liver becomes fatty. The growth of tumours is promoted. The volume of the brain decreases due to the destruction of brain cells.

Concentration problems occur. The thinned blood can no longer supply the tissue with sufficient oxygen and nutrients. Wound healing is delayed due to the reduced division rate of the cells.

Since blood clotting is also impaired, wounds can only close slowly. The risk of bacteria immigrating is greatly increased.

Is the consumption of alcohol allowed before a hair transplant?

During a hair transplant at Cosmedica Clinic, Dr. Levent Acar applies a local anaesthetic to the scalp to avoid any sensation of pain. Drinking alcohol, be it champagne, wine, beer or other alcoholic beverages, before the hair transplantation will result in the anaesthetic not taking full effect.

You may feel pain during the procedure. In addition, alcohol dilutes the blood. This makes it difficult to dose the local anaesthetic individually. Due to the blood-thinning effect, there is increased bleeding during the procedure.

The heavy bleeding delays the insertion of the hair follicles with the FUE method. The sensitive cells of the hair roots may be separated from the skin for a maximum of six hours. For a smooth procedure, it is important that no heavy bleeding occurs.

If the hair follicles are outside the body for too long, the sensitive cells will be permanently damaged. The growth rate of the transplanted grafts is reduced. The transplanted hairs die and fall out.

Are you allowed to consume alcohol after a hair transplant?

Talk to your doctor about when you are allowed to drink alcoholic beverages again after your hair transplant. Alcohol can lead to further bleeding even after the procedure, it is a stress factor for the body.

The healing of the stitches is delayed. Since the immune system is also affected by alcohol, the risk of infection increases. Alcohol can promote severe, purulent infections in the donor and recipient areas.

The effect of the antibiotic you receive during treatment is significantly reduced by alcohol consumption. It can no longer protect you from infections.

The production of sweat is increased by drinks containing alcohol. The crusts tear or become softened. Redness and swelling persist for a longer period. Visible scars form. The growth of the implanted hairs is made more difficult. Many grafts die and the hair falls out.

Alcohol leads to the increased release of stress hormones. These increase the damage to the remaining hair.

What negative effects does alcohol have on hair transplantation?

Due to the poor supply of nutrients to the tissue, the sensitive cells of the hair roots are damaged. The hair is thin, brittle and weak. Their lifespan is greatly shortened.

Newly transplanted hairs are particularly sensitive. The grafts cannot anchor firmly, and the follicles die. In the worst case, due to the reduced growth rate, the result of the hair transplantation is only sparse, weak hair.

When can you drink alcohol again after a hair transplant?

You should not drink alcohol for at least ten days after the hair transplant. Since alcohol hurts the result of the hair transplant, it is better to abstain from it even longer.

To summarise

Heavy consumption of alcohol promotes stress-related loss of hair. This reduces the chance of having a full head of hair. Therefore, do not drink alcohol before and after the operation. Only in this way can a hair transplant in Turkey by Dr. Levent Acar at the Cosmedica Clinic bring the desired success.

The post Alcohol After Hair Transplant appeared first on Cosmedica.

Hair Shedding After Hair Transplant – Can Transplanted Hair Fall Out?

Elisa Chistyukhina — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Hair shedding after hair transplant surgery can come as a shock to many. If the implanted hairs fall out again after a few weeks one might think that the hair restoration procedure was a failure. Temporary hair loss is completely normal, however.

Nowadays, hair transplantation is no longer an abnormal cosmetic surgery procedure. Cosmedica’s Dr. Levent Acar has already helped many people to improve their quality of life and self-confidence. Because beautiful, full, and healthy hair still stands for success and youthfulness even in today’s enlightened society. This is not the case with thinning hair or bald patches on the head.

After a few weeks, however, many patients are shocked when the freshly transplanted hair suddenly falls out. However, this is no reason to panic, but a completely normal process.

Why does hair shedding occur after a hair transplant?

Hair that has been transplanted using the modern Follicular Unit Extraction or FUE hair transplant technique or the more advanced methods such as the Sapphire DHI method will initially continue to grow after the hair transplant.

However, after about two to four weeks, the freshly transplanted hairs fall out again. Shedding occurs because the hair grafts – regardless of the technique used to transplant them – are briefly cut off from the blood supply, and therefore can’t be provided with nutrients by the body.

There is no reason to panic, though. The hair follicles remain in the scalp and new hair grows again after about 3 months (depending on the predisposition).

Usually, after 9 to 12 months the patient can enjoy full and beautiful head of hair again. However, sometimes this can take up to 18 months. The transplanted hairs have the right genetic information, so they last a lifetime.

When shedding of transplanted hair occurs after the procedure, most people talk about shock loss. However, this is not quite correct, the correct term is “shedding”. Shock loss is something completely different and can occur in the recipient as well as in the donor area.

And by the way: hair does not always fall out a few weeks after a FUE hair transplant. In about 5% of patients, hair continues to grow as if nothing had happened.

Why the patient is an important factor for the success of a hair transplant

A hair transplant can only be successful if the patient is actively putting in some work in its post operative care. In the first days after the procedure, the grafts are still extremely sensitive. Therefore, the scalp should not be touched at all – except when washing the hair – and should also be protected from bumps and blows.

Likewise, all physical exertion should be avoided. If blood pressure or pulse increases, there is a risk that the wounds will start bleeding again and that the freshly transplanted grafts will be washed out right away.

The healing process should be completed after about 15 days. Sauna, solarium, and swimming pool are possible about three weeks after the procedure. Light training is possible after about 20 days.

Dr. Levent Acar gives his patients precise instructions on how to behave after the hair transplant. The team is also available to answer any further questions. The patient’s cooperation is essential to achieve the best possible result.

Hair shedding due to "dense packing" - shock loss in the transplant area

The situation is somewhat different if part of the hair in the recipient area falls out due to so-called dense packing. This occurs when the grafts are placed too close to each other. This can traumatize the surrounding tissue to such an extent that the surrounding hairs also fall out.

Another consequence of dense packing is an extremely unnatural result. The transplanted hairs look shaggy and stand out from the head. This is also called the “doll head effect”.

The risk of shock loss due to dense packing is particularly high when the treating physician and his team are still very inexperienced.

Dr. Levent Acar, owner of Cosmedica Clinic, has decades of professional experience. He also constantly attends education and training courses in order to be able to offer his patients the most modern and innovative methods.

Shock loss in the donor area

Shock loss can have various causes:

Incorrect local anesthesia

Local anesthesia involves injecting saline into the tissue to slightly elevate the scalp. However, if too much solution is injected, increased tissue pressure is created. This in turn prevents the hair roots from being supplied with blood. As a result, the hair falls out.

Traumatized tissue

In addition to the modern and gentle FUE technique, in which the grafts are removed individually, there is also the FUT technique. Here, a narrow strip of skin is taken from the donor area, from which the grafts are later extracted. This can traumatize the surrounding tissue and lead to shock loss.

Too many grafts were taken

Even if the hair in the donor area still grows densely and fully, the number of grafts that can be removed is still limited. If the treating physician nevertheless removes more than is actually possible, shock loss can be a consequence.

FAQ

Why does hair shedding occur after a hair transplant?

Hair shedding after a transplant, using techniques like FUE or Sapphire DHI, is normal due to temporary disruption of blood supply. The transplanted hair falls out, but the follicles remain and new hair grows within 3 months.

What is the difference between "shedding" and "shock loss"?

Shedding refers to the expected hair loss after transplantation, while shock loss is an unintended effect, affecting both the recipient and donor areas, often due to dense packing or improper technique.

How can patients contribute to the success of their hair transplant?

Post-operative care is crucial; patients must avoid touching the scalp, protect it from impact, and refrain from strenuous activities to ensure grafts remain secure, supporting successful healing and hair growth.

What is "dense packing" and how can it affect my transplant?

Dense packing involves placing grafts too closely, which can harm surrounding tissue and cause additional hair loss, leading to an unnatural “doll head” appearance. Experience and technique of the physician are critical to avoid this.

What causes shock loss in the donor area?

Shock loss in the donor area can result from issues like incorrect local anesthesia application, tissue trauma from extraction methods, or over-harvesting grafts, leading to temporary or permanent hair loss in the area.

The post Hair Shedding After Hair Transplant – Can Transplanted Hair Fall Out? appeared first on Cosmedica.

Sleeping After a Hair Transplant

Elisa Chistyukhina — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 09:19:49 +0000

A hair transplantation is a surgical procedure. Unsurprisingly, your scalp will be extremely sensitive for a while afterwards. You need to take great care in the post op period, especially at night.

After a hair transplant, the skin will be reddened and scabbed in the area where the donor hair has been inserted. Furthermore, the leftovers of the local anaesthetic used are expelled by the scalp during the first night after the transplant.

This is a sensitive period. To prevent the wounds in the healing the skin from sticking to the pillow and tearing open, you must adopt a special sleeping position.

What is the right position for sleeping after a hair transplant?

For the first five nights, a headband will prevent more swelling on the forehead or around the eyes. If you experience swelling, you can apply ice to the head, but not to the area which has been operated on. Nothing must touch this area.

A pad, which must be changed every night, catches the remnants of the anaesthetic leaking from the skin. It also prevents the accumulation of moisture on the skin.

After a hair transplant, you need to sleep on your back, facing up. You sleep with your head on a neck pillow to help keep your head elevated in the correct position.

Avoid tossing and turning or sleeping on your stomach. Many people find that sleeping in a recliner is a good way to sleep after a hair transplant, while making sure that their head does not come into contact with any surfaces.

The newly transplanted hair follicles must not come into contact with your pillows, otherwise the hair roots, which are not yet well anchored, may be torn out again. If this happens, not only has the operation been wasted, but permanent scarring may result.

Many clients take a painkiller, if necessary, in order to help them get a decent night’s sleep in this unfamiliar position

After six days, the healing process has partially taken place. You can return to a side sleeping position and no longer necessarily have to lie on your back. To avoid direct contact with the pillow, you should continue to use disposable pads.

You should also continue to use a neck pillow to hold your head in an elevated position. When sleeping after a hair transplant, you should avoid rapid movements or jolts that could damage the hair follicles.

When can you start sleeping in a normal position again?

After around ten days, the scabs begin to fall off the recipient area and donor area. At this point, you no longer have to use the disposable pads.

You may also resume a sleeping position in the prone position. After two weeks, all scabbing should have disappeared. However, your scalp will still be sensitive to shocks, so you should continue to take care.

The healing process

Even though modern DHI and FUE hair transplants (Direct Hair Implantation and Follicular Unit Extraction) are minimally invasive, any surgical procedure is a strain on the body.

It is therefore important to recover after your hair transplant surgery with Dr. Levent Acar and to avoid physical exertion.

Sweaty activities or sporting activities can have a negative influence on the healing process and should therefore be reduced to a minimum for the time being after the procedure or, in the best case, avoided altogether.

This is because the sweat that accumulates on the scalp is a good breeding ground for bacteria. This raises the risk of infection of the hair grafts.

After the transplant, you will go back to the clinic for the first hair washing. After three days, the hair may be washed carefully with lukewarm water.

The scalp should be allowed to dry naturally in the hair, as the heat of a hairdryer causes the hair roots to die. To maintain the elasticity of the wound crusts, a moisturising spray is also applied several times a day.

After a week, you can wash your hair with a mild conditioning shampoo. A special lotion that promotes the growth of the hair roots is applied after shampooing and should be left on for 45 minutes.

For the first two weeks after the procedure, you should avoid consuming alcohol, nicotine and highly spiced foods so that blood flow to the scalp is not affected. Approximately three weeks after the hair restoration by Dr. Levent Acar, the hair will begin to grow vigorously again.

Start your hair transplant journey today. Get a free, individual and no-commitment consultation with the premier hair surgeon in Turkey, Dr. Levent Acar.

The post Sleeping After a Hair Transplant appeared first on Cosmedica.

Hair Transplant Risks: What to Know and How to Avoid Them

Elisa Chistyukhina — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 14:45:28 +0000

Hair transplant surgery is a major decision in your life. Some patients are worried that the side effects of a surgical procedure on their scalp might outweigh the advantages of a permanent solution to hair loss.

All reputable hair transplant clinics should be straightforward with you about the potential risks of their operation. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about hair transplant risks.

FUT hair transplant procedures

With the FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) method, a narrow strip of skin is taken from the donor area, from which the follicular units (grafts) are then extracted. These individual hair follicles are then used to fill in the bald areas. The wound at the back of the head is sutured with a special technique so that a small scar remains, which can be covered by the hair.

If the treating doctor does not master this technique or does so inadequately, there is a risk that a bulging scar can develop at the back of the head, the donor area. In addition, infections and inflammations can occur due to the relatively large wound.

The chances of these problems are low, but are higher than newer methods such as FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) or DHI (Direct Hair Implantation).

FUE and DHI hair transplant procedures

With the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) methods, the grafts are taken individually from the donor area.

The individual hair follicles are then inserted into the recipient area. The wound area – especially in the donor area – is much smaller, which minimises the risk of wound infection.

The FUE method requires very precise, accurate and concentrated work, especially when inserting the grafts into the recipient area. Here, of course, it is also important to achieve a result that is as natural as possible and to observe the direction of growth of the transplanted hairs.

Inexperienced doctors and their teams can have difficulties here. For example, the hairline may look unnatural and unattractive after the transplant.

Dr. Levent Acar from the Cosmedica Clinic in Istanbul has decades of experience in hair transplantation.

What are the risks after a hair transplant?

The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and is minimally invasive. It is usually neaely completely painless.

After the procedure itself, you may feel some tension and/or numbness in the scalp. This should disappear after a few days.

It is also completely normal for the scalp to be swollen after a hair transplant. This is partly due to the local anaesthetic that is injected under the skin and partly due to the wound fluid that accumulates.

The incisions made during the hair transplant can also become infected. To avoid infections, work must be done under sterile conditions. When choosing a clinic for your hair transplant, make sure that the medical standards are impeccable.

Itching after the procedure is similar. Hair can grow inwards, especially with curly or frizzy types of hair, and the healing process can be a little uncomfortable. You can prevent infection by trying not to scratch the itchy areas.

You should expect that the transplanted hairs will fall out shortly after the hair transplantation. The hair follicles must regenerate after the hair transplantation, which can take up to three months. However, the hair will grow normally afterwards.

What can I do to minimise the risk?

Of course, as a patient you can do a lot to minimise the risks of a hair transplant.

Do not approach the procedure with false expectations: Even with a hair transplant, there are certain limits, for example, regarding the fullness of the hair. If you already had relatively thin hair before the procedure, you will not get a lion’s mane.

In a hair transplant, the hair is merely redistributed from the donor area to the recipient area to fill in bald spots. The more hair the surgeon can remove from this area, the better the result.

Dr. Levent Acar of Cosmedica Clinic and his team advise each client and patient thoroughly and also explain what is feasible and what is not.

Choosing a clinic

Whether you want to have the procedure done in the UK or abroad, like in Turkey, thorough research is necessary.

What are the reviews on Google, hair transplant forums, and the like, and are there any testimonials? What about the hygiene standards? The Cosmedica Clinic is JCI (Joint Commission International) certified – this is the gold standard in aesthetic medicine.

If you follow your doctor’s instructions exactly, there should be practically no negative side effects after a hair transplant. In the initial period after the procedure, you should take care of yourself and your scalp as much as possible to achieve an optimal result.

Contact Dr. Acar at Cosmedica Clinic and get a free, no commitment and personally-tailored hair consultation.

The post Hair Transplant Risks: What to Know and How to Avoid Them appeared first on Cosmedica.

Hair Transplant Success Rate

Elisa Chistyukhina — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 10:58:33 +0000

For patients considering a hair transplant, perhaps the key thing that worries them the most is whether their hair restoration will actually work. Nobody wants to spend thousands of pounds on hair grafts which later fall out.

In general, hair transplantation is a procedure that offers a good chance of success. However, there is a lot of variation between the different types of hair transplants, the different clinics, and the surgeons that there are to choose from. Some patients find this choice overwhelming and don’t know what to expect.

Follicular Unit Extraction FUE – tried and tested technique

The most widespread hair transplant technique used today is FUE, or Follicular Unit Extraction. This involves taking donor hair follicles from the donor area, usually at the back of the head. These are known as hair grafts.

The hair grafts are then transplanted into the recipient area which is suffering from hair loss. For the most common types of hair loss such as genetic hair loss in men, this is most commonly on the crown area of the scalp and at the front of the hairline.

Success rates for a FUE hair transplant vary wildly. At the bottom end of the market, where a clinic cuts costs and uses unqualified staff, the survival rate for individual hair grafts can be less than 50%. There are also more likely to be side effects such as infection, which further damage the chances of hair grafts succeeding.

A reputable hair clinic offering FUE will usually have a hair graft survival rate of around 60-70%. This is considered to be the industry standard.

There is a similar success rate for an older hair transplant technique, Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). However, this technique often leaves scarring in the donor area so it is falling out of use amongst the most modern hair clinics.

Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) is an offshoot of FUE. It offers a higher hair graft survival rate as the hair grafts are protected during transplantation by a specially designed implanter pen.

DHI is typically used when fine-detailed work is required, such as when constructing a convincing natural-looking hairline. As individual hairs are important to achieving a natural look, the increased survival rate is important to the effect desired.

Sapphire DHI – the best just got better

Cosmedica Clinic in Istanbul has pioneered Sapphire DHI, which offers the highest graft survival rate of any treatment in the world. Hair grafts transplanted using Sapphire DHI have a survival rate of over 99%. No other technique comes close.

How has Dr. Levent Acar, the developer of this technology, achieved this? Through a combination of the most advanced technologies in the hair transplant industry. Firstly, he uses operating tools made of the precious stone sapphire. These are sharper and finer than traditional steel and make finer incisions, reducing wounding and infection and reducing the chance of damaging hair grafts.

Then, using a special implanter pen, the hair grafts are afforded 360-degree protection during the transplant. This means that none of them are damaged during moving and they all thrive.

For patients interested in the specifics of Sapphire DHI, more information is available here.

How you can help your hair transplant success rate

It is important to remember that the operation is not the culmination of a hair transplant process. Patients need to take steps to guarantee a successful hair transplant.

Firstly, patients need to follow exactly the instructions given by the hair surgeon. This usually means avoiding direct sunlight on the scalp, being very careful with washing hair, and avoiding contact between the head and other objects.

For more detail on how to help guarantee the success of a hair transplant, check out this blog post.

Newly transplanted hair will fall out a few weeks after the operation. This is nothing to worry about. The hair grafts are simply re-establishing themselves in their new environment. Full hair growth is usually achieved between 6 and 12 months after the operation.

Next steps

No clinic can 100% guarantee success in hair transplant surgery, as this depends on the physiology of individual patients. However, Sapphire DHI offers the best survival rates of any technology on the market.

Amazingly, although Sapphire DHI is the most advanced hair restoration surgery in the world, it is also very cost-effective. This is because Cosmedica Clinic is based in Istanbul, the most competitive and advanced place for hair surgery in the world. Sapphire DHI with Dr. Levent Acar is cheaper than an FUE or FUT operation in other countries but offers a greater chance of success.

Get a free, no-commitment hair consultation at Cosmedica Clinic.

The post Hair Transplant Success Rate appeared first on Cosmedica.

Understanding Hair Transplant Pain: Causes and Solutions

Cosmedica — Wed, 19 May 2021 08:57:16 +0000

Embarking on the journey of hair transplant procedures, a pertinent question arises: Do hair transplant hurt? Let’s delve into the nuances of hair transplant pain, exploring its causes and innovative solutions. Discover how the Comfort In system promises a virtually pain-free experience, paving the way for a seamless hair restoration adventure.

Is a hair transplant painful?

Hair transplant surgery is, after all, a surgical procedure. Therefore, you would expect there to be at least a degree of pain during the operation. However, the most modern operations can be pain free with the innovative Comfort In system. This makes a hair transplant pain free.

Pain during the hair transplant operation

Throughout the procedure, there are three stages which might result in slightly unpleasant to acute pain, depending on person:

During the follicular unit extraction from the donor region
During the insertion of the grafts in the recipient region
During the injection of a local anaesthetic

To keep the entire hair transplant process as painless as possible, the best clinics will use the Comfort In system. A local anesthetic is injected into the scalp without a needle. This prevents the pain of an injection. and during the procedure the anaesthetic acts directly where the pain would otherwise occur.

The Comfort In pressure injector uses pressure to push the painkiller through the tissue of the epidermis. In this way it goes straight to the nerve endings and anesthetises them reliably.

The unpleasant feeling of pressure, which many people are familiar with from the dentist, does not occur with the pressure injector. This is because as soon as the anesthetic comes into contact with the skin, it is already having an effect. It immediately distributes in the tissue, making it a more effective way of alleviating this slight discomfort.

Anesthetised in this way, the patient experiences the procedure completely without pain. Both the removal of the follicular units from the donor region, and the implantation with a hollow needle into the recipient region, are thus completely painless.

Some patients even do without the local anesthetic and describe the pain as comparable to slowly pulling out a small tuft of hair.

Pain after hair transplantation

When the anesthetic wears off, there may be a little post operative pain. Some patients describe this as like the pain of a graze, or after you have mildly cut yourself. In fact, hair transplantation is a not very invasive procedure that does not go deeper than the skin. Therefore, one would not expect serious pain.

If the pain becomes too uncomfortable, a mild painkiller can easily alleviate it.
Older transplantation methods, like follicular unit transplantation (FUT), often caused pain in the donor area, feeling as if the skin was overly stretched. However, modern FUE hair transplant and DHI methods, such as Sapphire FUE and Sapphire DHI, eliminate this issue by transplanting individual hair follicles without removing skin strips, thereby avoiding pain.

In most cases, patients describe the sensation after the local anaesthetic has worn off as a tingling sensation.

The surgical procedure largely irritates nerve endings, causing this sensation. However, for most people this is a mild and short term experience.

Pain during healing

If the irritated scalp is handled carefully, there should be no pain during healing. The initial healing phrase lasts roughly 14 days.

In rare cases, scratching or excessive touching of the procedure sites can cause irritation of the skin. This can be somewhat painful.

Direct exposure to sunlight in the first weeks after surgery can also cause painful skin irritation.

Contact with impure substances or dirty fingernails can allow pathogens and germs to enter the healing wounds and lead to a painful infection. Inflammatory processes during infection can lead to redness and a burning sensation in the operated areas or form itchy or painful pimples.

To prevent pain due to irritation or infection, the affected skin areas should only come into contact with clean fabrics during the healing phase. For example, pillowcases and head coverings should always be freshly washed.

Appropriate ointments can help against itching and bacteria, which are recommended to patients by Cosmedica Hair Clinic according to their individual needs.

An allergic reaction during the healing phase can also lead to a painful rash. This can be prevented with suitable ointments or hypoallergenic fabric covers and headgear if the patient is prone to allergies.

Pain after the healing phase and during shedding

During shedding, when the hair follicles enter the resting phase after transplantation and shed the transplanted hair, itching of the scalp may occur.

Scratching can cause skin irritation or infection, which can also be painful. Simply rinsing off any hair that falls out with lukewarm water can avoid this. Cream or ointment can further reduce skin irritations.

A pain-free hair solution to hair loss

If you follow instructions carefully, the entire procedure, from the anesthetic to the new head of hair, is completely painless. Almost none of our patients feel any pain.

Pain can occur in rare cases, even in these situations it is very rarely serious, and is a short-term symptom.

If you feel uncomfortable or unsure, please feel free to contact us at any time. If you have any known allergies or intolerances to the painkiller or to any of the ingredients in the recommended care products, please let us know. We will be happy to recommend a hypoallergenic alternative.

FAQ

Is hair transplant painful?

No, modern techniques like Comfort In ensure a comfortable experience, minimizing discomfort during the procedure and enhancing patient satisfaction. With advanced technology, pain during hair transplants is largely avoided.

What causes pain during hair transplant?

Pain may arise from anesthesia injections and surgical processes, although techniques strive to reduce discomfort significantly through innovations like Comfort In, which ensures a pain-free experience.

Is there pain after hair transplantation?

Some individuals may experience mild discomfort post-surgery, typically manageable with mild pain relievers to facilitate a smoother recovery process and ensure patient comfort.

Can pain occur during healing?

Yes, discomfort from scratching or infection may emerge, emphasizing the importance of adhering to proper post-operative care and hygiene practices to alleviate any discomfort effectively and promote optimal healing.

How about pain during shedding?

Itching during the shedding phase is common, yet controllable. Following post-operative care instructions diligently and utilizing soothing creams can effectively manage any discomfort experienced during this phase, ensuring a more comfortable recovery journey for the patient.

The post Understanding Hair Transplant Pain: Causes and Solutions appeared first on Cosmedica.