Hair Transplant Results

Are You Eligible for a Good Hair Transplant Result?

This question is the most important question that a person who is deciding on hair transplantation will seek an answer to. You can also reach the answer to this question after your own research. You should also make sure that the doctor you see for hair transplantation gives you correct information on this subject. Remember that the best hair transplantation results will be possible when transplantation is performed on suitable people.

When it comes to a good hair transplant, the following 3 elements must occur.

1. A Large Growth Rate of the Transplanted Grafts: For a successful result, a large growth and extension rate of the transplanted grafts is required.
2. Ideal Hair Density: The number of hair grafts per 1 cm2 should be the ideal number. A sparse looking result will never make the person happy.
3. An Unnatural and Incomprehensible Appearance: At the end of the operation, a natural and incomprehensible hair transplantation result should definitely be expected. Even if all the grafts come out and there is a dense transplant, an artificial-looking result cannot be considered successful. We examined this in detail in our article titled Naturality in Hair Transplantation. Now let’s look at the eligibility criteria for hair transplantation in detail.

11 Criteria Affecting Hair Transplant Results

The result of hair transplantation may vary depending on 11 items. If you aim to get a successful result, it should be decided whether you are suitable for hair transplantation according to these items.

• Items 1-5 are the criteria you need to research before planting.
• Items 6-10 are criteria related to hair transplantation operation.
• Article 11 is the criterion related to post-planting.

1- Familial – Genetic Factors and Age :

Age is an important factor in deciding on hair transplantation. Hair loss rate and donor area status are very important, especially for a young person. The family history of hair loss should definitely be examined. This is very important for a person considering hair transplantation at a young age. Hair loss should be known especially in people with first-degree relatives such as father, older brother, and paternal uncle. For example, a young man aged 20-25 whose father had Norwood 6-7 hair loss is likely to resemble his father in later years. For a good hair transplantation result, family factors and age should definitely be investigated before transplantation. Donor quality may also weaken in older ages and a result below expectations may occur.

2- Cause of Hair Loss and Rate of Hair Loss:

It is not right to decide on hair transplantation without determining the cause of hair loss. The cause of hair loss can sometimes be determined with a few simple questions. Sometimes detailed laboratory tests may be required. For example, in the diagnosis of androgenic hair loss, a decision on hair transplantation can be made easily. However, if there is hair loss due to a metabolic disease such as thyroid (goiter), the necessary tests should be performed. It is not right to decide on hair transplantation before treating thyroid disease. Otherwise, be prepared for the result of unsuccessful hair transplantation. This issue is especially important in the decision stage of kadınlarda hair transplantation.

The rate of hair loss is important in deciding on transplantation. It would be more accurate to evaluate the rate of hair loss together with familial factors and age.

3- Donor Capacity and Donor Quality:

A good hair transplant doctor should first examine the donor areas when examining the person. Then, the area where the transplant is planned should be examined. Hair, beard and other body hair should be examined as the donor area. Hair analysis devices can be helpful in the examinations.

• How many grafts can be taken from the donor area in total without damaging the donor area?
• How many of these grafts are required for the planned operation?
• Will a second or third session of hair transplantation be required in the following years, depending on the rate of hair loss?
• How many grafts will be left for a transplant that will be needed in the future?
• What is the quality of the grafts to be taken?

These questions must be answered before deciding on transplantation. Let’s not forget that the best hair transplantation results can be seen in people with sufficient and suitable donors.

Below you can see a hair transplant result that was done at another center and ended in failure. As you can see in the picture, this person is never a suitable candidate for hair transplantation. The donor area capacity is very weak and numerically insufficient. In addition, the bald area is very large and the number of grafts taken will never be enough to cover the bald area. The best thing for this person would be not to have a hair transplant.

4- Hair Loss Type:

According to Norwood classification, what is your hair loss type. It is useful to know this in advance. You can find the hair loss type by looking at the picture below. In Norwood 6 and 7 types of hair loss, the probability of unsuccessful hair transplantation will also be high.

According to this classification, the width of the hairless area should be determined in cm². When the number of grafts taken is divided by the width of the hairless area, the number of grafts planted in 1 cm² will be found.

Number of grafts per 1 cm² (Average) = Number of Grafts Taken (Number) / Area to be Transplanted (cm²)

This is important for the ideal density of hair transplantation results. In general, 40-50 grafts per square centimeter will be sufficient for a dense result.

5- Personal Information (Chronic Disease, Used Medicines, Allergy History, etc.)

Especially if there are chronic diseases such as hemophilia, heart disease, hypertension and diabetes, these should be reported to the doctor. In addition, the medications you use and any allergic conditions you have should be known. Some blood thinners may prevent hair transplantation. The medications you use may interact with the medications used in hair transplant anesthesia. If there is a condition that prevents hair transplantation, your doctor will inform you. If the transplant is performed despite this, many complications may develop during the transplant. In addition, the result of the hair transplant will not be as you expected.

Hair transplantation results may also vary depending on intraoperative factors. Now let’s review these intraoperative criteria.

6- Experience of the Doctor Who Performed the Transplant:

It is a criterion that directly affects the result of hair transplantation. The experience of the doctor and his team who will perform the transplantation is very important for a successful and natural result. It is beneficial for you to see the results of the place you will decide on before and after hair transplantation in your research. Unfortunately, there is a large group who introduce themselves as hair transplantation specialists, who are not doctors or health personnel. They are running wild in the hair transplantation sector. Opening the channels, placing the roots at the right depth, correct hairline, etc. require technical knowledge. You should be careful against so-called hair transplantation specialists who are not even aware of these. You visit at least 4-5 stores even to buy a shirt and sweater. So before hair transplantation do you do enough research? Instead of fake impressive advertisements, we recommend that you contact places that provide you with scientific and accurate information.

7- Number of Grafts and Hair Transplantation Duration:

The number of grafts to be transplanted and the duration of hair transplantation will directly affect the result. There should be a logical proportion between the number of grafts taken and the area to be transplanted (in square centimeters). In large areas such as Norwood 6-7, a high number of grafts will be required. If the number of grafts is low, spreading them over the entire wide area will create a sparse appearance. A successful result cannot be obtained. It would be logical to place balanced grafts in a narrower area.

The duration of the operation will also be extended depending on the number of grafts transplanted. The survival rate of the grafts will also decrease in the extended period. In our applications, if the number of grafts to be transplanted is more than 2000, we find it appropriate to divide the operation into days. The average duration of an operation for 2000 grafts will be 5-6 hours. If the duration exceeds 5-6 hours, it is definitely beneficial to divide the hair transplant into 2 or 3 days. In our opinion, this is a criterion that must be followed for a successful hair transplant result.

8- Correctly Planned Hairline

For natural hair transplantation results, a properly planned hairline is required. Hairline design is directly related to the person’s age, shedding rate, donor capacity and facial structure. Here, the doctor’s artistic skill will come to the fore. In addition, the directions of the transplanted hair are very important for a natural appearance. The front hairline must consist of single grafts. If a random transplant is done without knowing these, you may encounter a grass man image.

9- Possible Complications Due to Hair Transplantation

In a hair transplant performed without following medical rules, the possibility of unwanted complications is also high. If a transplant is performed without following sterilization rules, complications such as infection and necrosis may also occur after the hair transplant. It is the duty of the doctor performing the transplant to prevent these complications, which directly affect the result of the hair transplant.

There are FUT and FUE method as graft collection methods. The FUT method is no longer applied except in very rare cases. As a transplant method, the canal method and DHI hair transplantation method come to the fore. We prefer the DHI method in our applications. We can say that the DHI method is more advantageous in terms of hair transplantation results.

10- Planting Method:

You had a hair transplant , but there are some recommendations to follow after the transplant. Now let’s examine the factors that affect the results of hair transplantation in the post-operative period.

11- Post-October Recommendations:

After the transplant, your doctor will give you some simple advice. Not following these advice will benefit you for a good hair transplant result. For example, after the hair transplant;

• Washing and Shedding of Scabs: After the transplant, the hair should be washed without damaging the hair roots. If possible, we recommend that you have the first wash done at the center where you had the transplant.
• Sports fitness,
• Alcohol tea coffee
• Time to start work
• Entry time to sea bath sauna
• Sexual intercourse
• Sleep and lying position
• Use of Toppik paint gel etc.
• First haircut after transplantation
• Use of hats and berets
• Itching and redness after transplantation
• Diet etc.

You can easily overcome situations similar to those listed above with simple precautions. We explained these in detail in our article Ekim sonra terim.

When to Get Hair Transplant Results?

The post-operative period is actually the most difficult period for those who have had a hair transplant. To briefly summarize the post-hair transplant period:

• Shock shedding begins in approximately 15-20 days.
• This hair that falls out starts to grow back within 4-5 months. The first hair that grows is weak and lifeless.
• In the 6th month, 50-60% of the transplanted hair should come out. This is the general average. This rate may vary from person to person.
• Tepe region results may be 1-2 months behind the front regions.
• In 7-8 months, the hair begins to thicken and increase in volume.
• At the end of one year, a result of approximately 90-95% is achieved.
• For a 100% result, it is necessary to wait for the 18th month.

Therefore, in order to fully evaluate the before and after hair transplantation images, it is necessary to evaluate the results with month-by-month photographs.

What Should Be Considered in Before and After Hair Transplantation Images?

When evaluating the results of a hair transplant, some objective criteria should be taken into consideration. If we examine these;

• It should be taken with a high-quality, high-resolution photograph.
• Before and after hair transplantation photos should be taken under the same light. If possible, they should be taken at the same time of day in daylight.
• Photos must be taken from the same angle.
• Today, unfortunately, misleading images can be published by manipulating photographs with technological programs such as Photoshop.
• When evaluating the results, the person’s age, type of hair loss, the number of transplanted grafts and the vitality of the donor area hair should be taken into consideration.
• Hair transplant videos containing hair transplant results can provide accurate information compared to photographs.

Let’s Evaluate the Before and After Hair Transplantation Images Step by Step

When evaluating hair transplantation images, it is useful to evaluate not only the transplantation area but also the donor areas where the grafts are taken. Now let’s see the process step by step with images.

Immediately After Hair Transplantation (Day 0): Immediately after the operation, the grafts have a fresher, slightly bloody appearance. According to our experience, a cleaner appearance is achieved in transplants performed with the pen technique.

Day 1-2 and Before and After the First Wash: The most critical period after the operation is the first 48-72 hours. During this period, attention should be paid to possible blows to the head. In our applications, we do the first wash on the first day. Some clinics do the first wash after the 3rd day. Washing should be done twice a day. The donor area starts to heal quickly. There may be a slight edema (swelling) visually starting from the second day. This is a temporary condition. Since serum physiologic is not applied to the scalp in the pen method transplant, no serious edema occurs.

10th Day After Hair Transplantation: The crusts on the skin will disappear in about 8-10 days. The first images make the person smile. The hair looks like it was shaved to number 3. The donor area is completely healed. There is no serious visual deterioration. If the crusts continue after the 12th day, contact the place where you had the procedure.

Shock Loss Period:

The transplanted hair starts to fall out 15 days after the hair transplant. It continues to increase on the 20th day. This is a normal process. This varies from person to person. Shock loss may continue until the 45th-50th day. The rate of shock loss varies from person to person. While some people experience up to 90% -100% loss, others may experience only 5-10%. We have examined this issue in more detail in our article shock loss after hair transplant

1st Month After Hair Transplantation: (30th Day) Shock loss has started and continues. The period before and after hair transplantation is actually one of the most annoying periods. There may be redness in the transplanted area after hair transplantation. This is a situation that is seen more frequently in people with fair skin. And this redness may continue for up to 2-3 months.

3rd Month After Hair Transplantation: The shock loss process is over and the redness has disappeared. During this period, there may be acne on the skin. It is not a situation to be afraid of. However, if there is excessive acne, it would be beneficial to consult your hair transplant doctor. On the 90th day, the hair is slowly getting ready to grow.

4th Month After Hair Transplantation: The transplanted hair starts to grow slowly. At the end of the 4th month, there is approximately 25-30% hair growth. The first hair that grows is weak and thin. The first hair that grows can usually be curly and gradually becomes normal over time.

6th Month After Hair Transplantation: (180th Day) In general, the hair growth rate is between 50-60%. For some people, the majority of the process may be completed even in 6 months.

7th Month End Appearance: On the 210th day, there is both an increase in number and volume in the hair and it begins to thicken. The general growth rate is between 70-80% on average.

Before and After Hair Transplant (1 YEAR)

The average hair growth rate is 95%. The process is largely complete.

18 Months Later: The process is now complete. The 100 percent process has come to an end.

If an excessive amount of grafts are taken from the donor area and a homogeneous take is not made, bad appearance may occur. Therefore, donor capacity should never be exceeded when taking grafts and good planning should be done.

These hair transplantation and post-transplantation stages may not be the same for everyone. You can evaluate what we have written as a general average. For example, in a person with very little shock loss, we can see an average result of 80-90% at the end of the 4th month. Rarely, the expected density may not be there by the end of 12 months, this process may extend up to 18 months.

Evaluation of 5 Candidates in Terms of Hair Transplantation Results

Now, we would like to give you an idea of ​​what kind of results we can get, based on 5 examples of candidates for hair transplantation.

CASE 1:

• 23 year old male university student. Hair is thin and starting to thin. Donor area hair is thin and weak. Hair loss has increased for 1 year. His father is 55 years old and has Norwood 7 hair type hair loss. His uncles also have hair loss problems. He wants a hair transplant and his expectations are very high.
• Having a hair transplant on this young man is nothing more than doing him harm. Probably in a short time, the hair loss type will progress to Norwood 6-7 due to his father. If we transplant hair to the person, he may be happy for a few years. Later, he will again be left with an unhappy life because his own hair will fall out rapidly. The best thing to do is to slow down the rate of hair loss with medical treatment.

CASE 2:

• 37-year-old male, no chronic disease or allergies. He has Norwood 4 type hair loss rate. Total donor capacity 8000 grafts. Donor area hair is strong and thick. Beard grafts are strong. His father has Norwood 6 hair loss. He wants a hair transplant.
• Since the donor area is strong, it is a suitable candidate for hair transplantation. Hair loss problem can be solved with an average of 3500-4000 grafts. Hair loss may continue in the following years. However, since its total capacity is local, a second hair transplantation can be done. Therefore, it is likely to be a successful hair transplantation result.

CASE 3:

• 38 years old housewife, mother of two children. She has widespread thinning of her hair. The hair in the donor area is also very thin and sparse. She has thyroid (goiter) and anemia (iron deficiency anemia) problems.
• A successful hair transplantation result cannot be mentioned for this woman. Because the donor area hair is also weak and prone to shedding due to systemic diseases. The best thing to do is to try medical treatment.

CASE 4:

• 28 year old male Norwood 3 hair loss. Donor area hair is strong and has a total of 6000 graft capacity. Hair loss continues slowly. Beard and chest hair are quite strong. His father and uncle have Norwood 6 hair loss. His expectations are reasonable and he knows that hair loss will continue.
• This person should be told what he/she may encounter in terms of hair loss in 5-10 years. If hair transplantation is performed, a second session will definitely be required in the coming years. Since body and beard hairs are also suitable, hair transplantation can be done. Medical treatment should also be recommended in addition to hair transplantation. In this way, we expect him/her to be happy with the result of hair transplantation. Of course, we assume that he/she accepts the second session transplantation later on.

CASE 5:

• 58 year old male Norwood 6 hair loss. Donor area hair is moderately strong. However, he is on diabetes, hypertension and heart medications. He is also on blood thinners. Donor capacity is between 4000-5000 grafts. He knows that his hair will not be completely covered and wants to have a hair transplant.
• In terms of systemic diseases, internal medicine and cardiology consultation should be requested first. If there is no obstacle to receiving local anesthesia and stopping blood thinners for a certain period of time, hair transplantation can be performed. Since his expectations are not high, we think he will be happy with the result of the hair transplantation.

You can contact us for Dr. Hakan Doğanay‘s hair transplantation results.

As you can see, the results of hair transplantation will not be the same for everyone. If you are deciding on hair transplantation, the first and most important issue is to determine whether you are suitable for the operation.