Debunking 3 Common Hair Transplantation Myths

Debunking 3 Common Hair Transplantation Myths

It’s estimated that at least half of all men and women over age 50 experience some form of hair thinning or loss. Hair replacement methods are equally widespread, with no shortage of internet articles purporting to expose the good and bad of each methodology. If you’re struggling to separate fact from fiction when it comes to one of the most established ones – hair transplantation – this article is for you.

Understanding Hair Loss

Hair replacement is a multi-billion dollar business, and for good reason. Hair loss strikes men and women, young and old, for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Hormone changes
  • Traumatic injuries
  • Medications

Many people immediately look to hair transplantation, a process that offers noticeable results. This popular process is also the subject of many myths that can make deciding on surgery harder. Let’s separate some fact from fiction.

Myth 1: FUE Hurts

Contrary to popular belief, there’s very little pain during an FUE hair transplant procedure, which involves transplanting units of hair follicles. You’re numbed through the entire procedure. Afterward, there may be a little mild soreness or tenderness. Luckily this is usually short-lived and relieved with basic pain medicines.

Myth 2: It Has to Be Done When Hair Loss is Early

Many people think that doing a transplant at first sight of hair loss is best for your hair’s growth and your personal self-image. In fact, the trauma from a hair transplant done too early in the course of hair loss can actually accelerate balding. It’s also likely that the gradual addition of hair will go unnoticed and you’re new look won’t yield the reaction you’re after.

Myth 3: A Large Transplant Risks Cutting Hair’s Blood Supply

Many people mistakenly believe that doing too many scalp grafts will result in areas that have no blood supply. That’s not quite true. Blood supply to the scalp is rich, and can support thousands of grafts at once. But it’s important that grafts areas are not too large in size or placed too closely together.

Hair loss is more than a cosmetic issue. Losing one’s hair can impact their self-esteem and self-image in ways that are hard to quantify. If you’re looking to rejuvenate your look with hair replacement, but finding yourself overwhelmed by all the different information out there, you’re not alone. Use the above to get a baseline of knowledge, and contact a hair replacement specialist to learn the next steps.

Resources:

Wikipedia, Hair Treatment

Dr. Robin Unger, Hair Transplant Surgeon NYC