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Suggest Advantages Of Hair Transplant For Severe Hair Loss

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Posted on Thu, 12 Jun 2014
Question: Hi. I am experiencing hair fall for more than a decade now. Have tried Minoxidil for a while - couldn't see any benefit and discontinued. I want to take guidance on best way forward and pros and cons of procedures such as Hair Transplant and PRP
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Androgenetic alopecia treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic

I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have understood it.

Hair transplantation is broadly achieved by removing grafts from the back (occipital area) of the scalp which are more resistant to hormonal changes, and placing them in areas of scanty growth or baldness.

There are two methods to remove the grafts

-Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and
-Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

In FUT method, a strip of scalp is cut out from the back of the head and is dissected into individual grafts

FUE method of hair transplantation involves taking the individual follicular units/grafts from the back of the head one by one by cutting around it through a punch machine and removing them.

Advantages of FUT method:

-Larger areas of baldness can be covered in fewer sittings.

-The resection rate (the grafts that get cut and therefore damaged, whilst removing) may be lesser providing superior results.

Advantages of FUE method:

-This method does not involve taking an entire strip of scalp from the back of the head like in strip surgery, there are no cuts or stitches

-The recovery time is much quicker with the patient often returning to work the next day itself.

-There is no linear scar.

Post surgery care

Swelling of the scalp, face is common for a few days. You will be on antibiotics, steroids, painkillers for a few days and will be asked to use Minoxidil and or Finasteride.

The grafts are wetted with saline repeatedly for a few days after the transplant. Hair is washed with a diluted shampoo the next day in a specific manner without disturbing the grafts. They will eventually fall out after two weeks and the new growth will be seen anywhere between three to six months.

In FUT method, post-op wound care of the scar is important and the sutures are removed after a week.

The person is below 25 years of age and with ongoing hair fall.



PRP therapy:

Platelet rich plasma, an autologous concentration of human platelets in a small volume of plasma has a higher platelet concentration (4-7 times) above the baseline. It is obtained from the patient's own blood after processing in an automated centrifuge and it is injected subcutaneously into the area of alopecia.

The beneficial effects of PRP in Androgenetic Alopecia can be attributed to various platelet-derived growth factors causing improvement in the function of hair follicle and promotion of hair growth.

Advantages: It is safe, cheap, and non-allergic and it appears to be a useful adjuvant in the management of AGA.

The PRP treatment is indicated in cases of male AGA, XXXXXXX – Norwood grades I-V.

To get satisfactory results, 2 - 3 treatments should be performed at intervals of 3-4 months. You need to use Minoxidil and finasteride along with PRP.

If you want to choose between PRP and Hair transplant, then you should go for Hair transplant. As for a transplant...definitely a solid option!

However, as I mentioned before, if your hair fall is still progressing then it is better to go for PRP first because hair transplant is not done for an evolving androgenetic alopecia because while you may get new hair growth from transplanted hairs your may develop bald patches/hair thinning elsewhere, as your alopecia would still be evolving.

Hope this helps.

regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (21 hours later)
Dear Dr. Kakkar,

Thanks for your prompt feedback. Could you please suggest me a few doctors/clinics where I can get PRP treatment and or HT done? I am interested to explore PRP as a treatment first before directly going for HT. I have a very modest budget.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Hair loss treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

From the user's location I could see that you are located in XXXXXXX

You can visit "Dr. XXXXXXX Rodrigues", MD Dermatology at XXXXXXX Hospital, XXXXXXX (Address: No.71/1, Millers Road, Vasanth XXXXXXX Opposite To St Annes College, Next To XXXXXXX Motors, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX 560052).

regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

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Suggest Advantages Of Hair Transplant For Severe Hair Loss

Brief Answer: Androgenetic alopecia treatment Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have understood it. Hair transplantation is broadly achieved by removing grafts from the back (occipital area) of the scalp which are more resistant to hormonal changes, and placing them in areas of scanty growth or baldness. There are two methods to remove the grafts -Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and -Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) In FUT method, a strip of scalp is cut out from the back of the head and is dissected into individual grafts FUE method of hair transplantation involves taking the individual follicular units/grafts from the back of the head one by one by cutting around it through a punch machine and removing them. Advantages of FUT method: -Larger areas of baldness can be covered in fewer sittings. -The resection rate (the grafts that get cut and therefore damaged, whilst removing) may be lesser providing superior results. Advantages of FUE method: -This method does not involve taking an entire strip of scalp from the back of the head like in strip surgery, there are no cuts or stitches -The recovery time is much quicker with the patient often returning to work the next day itself. -There is no linear scar. Post surgery care Swelling of the scalp, face is common for a few days. You will be on antibiotics, steroids, painkillers for a few days and will be asked to use Minoxidil and or Finasteride. The grafts are wetted with saline repeatedly for a few days after the transplant. Hair is washed with a diluted shampoo the next day in a specific manner without disturbing the grafts. They will eventually fall out after two weeks and the new growth will be seen anywhere between three to six months. In FUT method, post-op wound care of the scar is important and the sutures are removed after a week. The person is below 25 years of age and with ongoing hair fall. PRP therapy: Platelet rich plasma, an autologous concentration of human platelets in a small volume of plasma has a higher platelet concentration (4-7 times) above the baseline. It is obtained from the patient's own blood after processing in an automated centrifuge and it is injected subcutaneously into the area of alopecia. The beneficial effects of PRP in Androgenetic Alopecia can be attributed to various platelet-derived growth factors causing improvement in the function of hair follicle and promotion of hair growth. Advantages: It is safe, cheap, and non-allergic and it appears to be a useful adjuvant in the management of AGA. The PRP treatment is indicated in cases of male AGA, XXXXXXX – Norwood grades I-V. To get satisfactory results, 2 - 3 treatments should be performed at intervals of 3-4 months. You need to use Minoxidil and finasteride along with PRP. If you want to choose between PRP and Hair transplant, then you should go for Hair transplant. As for a transplant...definitely a solid option! However, as I mentioned before, if your hair fall is still progressing then it is better to go for PRP first because hair transplant is not done for an evolving androgenetic alopecia because while you may get new hair growth from transplanted hairs your may develop bald patches/hair thinning elsewhere, as your alopecia would still be evolving. Hope this helps. regards