Hair loss can cause anxiety or self-consciousness, especially if you're young it’s started happening suddenly.
And it's more common than you think. Hair loss affects 6.5 million men in the UK alone, and it's not just men who suffer: the NHS suggests 40% of women aged 70 or over experience female pattern baldness.
If you're someone who has experienced hair loss, the thought of getting a hair transplant may have crossed your mind. You're not alone. Many men and women choose to get a hair transplant when they begin experiencing thinning hair or balding, and the results can be life-changing.
Hair restoration is a permanent procedure, so it can be helpful to know whether the surgery is worth it before making your decision. That's why we've taken a deeper dive into the benefits (spoiler: there are a lot!).
1.Increased confidence
Experiencing baldness or thinning hair can knock your self-esteem. Although hair loss is certainly nothing to be embarrassed about, it may cause feelings of insecurity and could be causing you social anxiety.
A transplant can increase hair volume and density to create a more youthful appearance, giving you a real confidence boost. And this newfound self-esteem will show in how you express yourself to others, whether in social situations or professionally.
If your hair loss is really getting you down, or you feel as though your mental health is affected by it, it’s best to speak to a doctor or mental health professional to discuss possible solutions.
Take a look at our guide to learn more about how hair transplants improve your confidence.
2.It’s low maintenance
Although wigs and extensions can be great for covering up hair thinning or bald patches, they can be extremely high maintenance. You’ll probably need to visit a stylist or hairdresser regularly to manage the upkeep. That’s far from ideal if you have a busy lifestyle with little time to spare.
Although you’ll need to pay special attention to your surgeon’s advice in the first few weeks after your procedure to encourage a speedy recovery, hair transplants offer a low-maintenance solution to hair loss without the hassle. That means no more trips to the hairdressers to refit your extensions or wash your wig unless you’re going to give your luscious locks a trim!
3.It can last forever
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transfer (FUT) hair transplant methods offer a permanent solution to hair loss. Although some people may need two procedures to achieve their desired results, your newly transplanted hairs should continue to grow for a lifetime once completed!
Don't worry if you notice some hair loss in the first few weeks; you may be experiencing something called “shock loss”. This is an entirely normal part of the hair growth cycle following the trauma of surgery. New hair follicles should begin to emerge within three months of the transplant.
Getting your transplant from a reputable clinic like FUE Clinics is extremely important to ensure hair transplant longevity. Good surgeons will have your best interest in mind and will only advise you to go ahead with the procedure if you are a suitable candidate. Inexperienced surgeons might perform the surgery anyway — even without accurately evaluating the donor site — which could result in transplant failure or your hair falling out months later.
4.The results are natural
Unlike wigs or extensions, which may not exactly match the texture and colour of your natural hair, hair transplant results look incredibly natural, resembling the look of the original hair. Besides — the newly planted hair is actually your own hair, just moved from a different area!
12 to 18 months after surgery, you’ll be able to style and treat your transplanted hair as you would any hair.
FUE transplants work by taking individual follicular units from the healthy donor area of the head with a micro punch and placing them into tiny incisions in balding areas of the scalp. However, FUT involves removing a thin strip of skin from the back of the head and taking follicular units from it before placing them into incisions in the recipient area. Although both methods create natural results, FUT produces a linear scar on the back of the head, but it will only be noticeable if you have very short hair.
To learn more, read our guide on what to expect from your hair transplant.
5.It’s cost-efficient
While other treatments for pattern baldness, like minoxidil and finasteride, are proven to improve hair growth, buying these regularly can be expensive. And they often don’t work as effectively as a transplant. Wigs, extensions, and other medications can also be surprisingly costly, especially when you consider how much a lifetime of maintenance will set you back.
Hair transplantation is a more cost-effective option, as it only usually requires a one-off payment for the surgery. Once the procedure is done and your new hair has grown, you won’t have to pay for the upkeep.
Choose FUE Clinics for your hair transplant
It’s clear that a hair transplant can have highly satisfying results. If you’re considering undergoing the procedure, our expert surgeons are here to help you understand the process and whether you are an eligible candidate.
Read our FAQ section to learn more, or contact us today to book a hair transplant appointment for a free, no-obligation consultation.