7 known mistakes in hair transplantation

Dear reader, although hair loss is known to be a problem that occurs especially in men, it is also one of the important problems that are often encountered in women. Since hair loss is a common problem, hair transplantation is a very common procedure nowadays as the only permanent solution to this problem. However, there is serious misinformation about hair transplantation in the society. In order for patients to be aware of the correct information about the hair transplant procedure, in this article, we have researched for you the 7 known mistakes that are known to be true in hair transplantation.

1. Hair transplant surgery is inappropriate in the summer months

One of the most common misconceptions about hair transplantation is that hair transplantation is not possible in the summer months. Hair transplantation procedure can be performed in 4 seasons of the year. However, in order to achieve a successful result after the operation, you should pay special attention to the points to be known and observed by your doctor. To get more detailed information about this, visit our blog post "Hair transplant surgery. Before and after".

2. Hair transplantation can be done only with donor hair follicles taken from the beard or chest

Hair transplantation is the process of taking individual hairs from the area called the donor area and transplanting them to the areas of loss. This area, called the donor area, is basically the area starting from behind the ear and extending towards the neck. This region is called a safe zone. Every individual always has hair in this area. The reason is that the hair in the safe zone is resistant to shedding.

Sometimes, the roots in the donor area may not be enough. In this case, it is possible to take the roots from the chest or beard. The main point is that it is not correct to transplant hair by taking roots only from the beard or chest. These fields may be used for support purposes only. Since body hair is not permanent, the main donor area is considered to be the nape of the neck because the hair follicles in this area are permanent and resistant to shedding.

3. "Sapphire method is better" or "DHI method is better"

There are great manipulations especially with DHI and Sapphire techniques. In addition to the centers that only perform hair transplantation using the DHI method, stating that DHI is the best and newest method, there are also centers that say that Sapphire is the best and only perform operations using the sapphire method. As hair transplant methods, sapphire and DHI methods are used separately and sometimes simultaneously depending on the patient. If we have to look at the main differences between these methods, after removing the roots in the Sapphire method, the canals are first opened with the help of a device made of sapphire material selected according to the thickness and length of the roots, and then the roots are placed in these canals. In the DHI method, the roots taken from the donor area are carefully placed in the area to be transplanted using medical pens. Also, in the operation process using the DHI method, it is possible to transplant hair to the area where long hair is located through DHI pens, without cutting the hair in the local area during hair transplantation.

DHI is especially suitable when a small number of hair transplants are needed in local areas and for hair transplants to take place quickly in narrow areas. Sapphire is a more convenient method in areas where shedding is more obvious and a large number of grafts are needed. It is important to consult with your doctor to determine which method is right for you.

4. There are no risks of side effects in hair transplantation

Hair transplantation is included in the group of minor surgical operations. For this reason, like all surgical procedures, it has potential side effects and risks of complications. This risk may increase depending on whether the hair transplant center is a professional healthcare facility and whether the transplant doctors have enough experience. The most common side effects are infection and necrosis. Infection is a common side effect seen in non-sterile areas. Necrosis is serious damage to cells and vessels in the lower part of the skin as a result of using an inappropriate method. For example, trying to obtain a large number of grafts in a single session, opening many channels and going too deep into the skin can lead to necrosis.

5. Hair transplant without shaving is suitable for everyone

No-shave hair transplants are everyone's dream, especially as it is a huge advantage to get back into social life sooner. But, unfortunately, shaving-free transplantation is not suitable for every patient. The biggest disadvantage of unshaven hair transplantation is that only a limited number of hair follicles can be transplanted in one session. If there are large gaps in the area to be transplanted, the procedure may not be enough for a single session during unshaven transplantation.

6. Any doctor can perform the hair transplant procedure

The biggest problem with hair transplantation in many health centers is that the people performing the operation are not even medical professionals, let alone doctors. One important problem is that in many health centers the initial interviews are done with the doctor, but the procedure is not performed by the doctor. Generally, patients do not consult a doctor when they come for the procedure. Hair transplantation process is carried out by technicians unknown to the patient. This situation creates mistrust between patients and doctors. Patients should know what technique will be used and who will perform the procedure when undergoing surgery. Therefore, it is very important to carry out the procedure from the beginning to the end under the supervision of a doctor.

7. "FUE" method is also a hair transplant method like DHI and Sapphire

One of the most confusing issues in hair transplantation is thinking of the FUE method as a transplant method. In fact, the FUE method is a method of obtaining a hair follicle. In other words, the hair root is removed by the FUE method and implanted by the Sapphire and DHI methods.

Dr. Araz Amirov

Member of the International Association of Dermatologists