Over time, many men and women lose their hair, especially on the top of their head. While this is a natural process, it can be distressing, especially if it occurs at a relatively young age. Recent studies suggest that approximately 25% of men who experience balding see the first signs of it before they turn 21. If you’re worried about hair loss, you should consider hair transplant surgery here at Advanced Hair Restoration of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, OK.
The process is relatively straightforward, and your doctors at the clinic have many years of experience helping people of all ages regain their youthful head of hair. However, not everyone is a good candidate for surgery. Today, we will have a closer look at what the requirements are, how you can get started with us, and what other hair therapies we provide to patients who experience balding.
Who Should Get a Hair Transplant in Oklahoma City?
If you have noticed that your hair is not as thick as it once was or you’re starting to experience balding at the top of your head, you should make an appointment with the doctors at your local clinic. The earlier your condition is addressed, the more effective and less invasive the treatment will be. Although we offer several hair restoration methods, the transplant is one of the most successful one.
It is a great option for anyone who has a bald patch at the top of their head but whose hair density is still high on the sides and at the back of the head. When determining whether you are a good candidate for this procedure, your doctor will take several factors into consideration, including the laxity of your scalp, your medical history, and the color and structure of your hair.
You Are Worried About Balding on the Top of Your Head
There are several reasons why people lose their hair over time. Most commonly, hormonal changes that are a result of aging cause balding, but it can also occur after a medical condition or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy. Usually, the area at the top of the head goes bald first, and the hair follicles on the sides and at the back of the head still function well.
People with this kind of hair loss pattern are good candidates for a transplant, while those who have uneven hair loss might not be eligible. But no matter why you’re experiencing balding, you shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to your local clinic because there are several treatments available. At Advanced Clinics, we can help you find the best options and determine whether a transplant is right for you.
You Have Good Hair Density in the Donor Areas
When you get a transplant, hair follicles from the back or sides of your head are removed and placed on top of your head, so your hair has a more even appearance. For this process to be successful, you must have dense, healthy hair that can be transplanted. This is the most important requirement and the reason why we can’t use this method on people with alopecia or other uneven hair loss patterns.
If you’re not sure whether the hair on the sides of your head is suitable, you should book an initial appointment at your clinic to find out. We can examine your head and determine whether the density is high enough for you to be considered. If not, there are other methods, such as PRP hair treatment, which we can try.
Your Scalp Is Lax
Scalp laxity describes how flexible your scalp is. If the skin on your head is very tight, it will be much harder for your doctor to transplant the hair follicles from one location to the next, but if it is loose and flexible, the process is easier. Your hair transplant surgeon in Oklahoma City will check your scalp laxity by manually palpating your head. They will move the scalp vertically as well as horizontally, then let you know whether your donor area is suitable.
The Structure and Color of Your Hair Is Suitable
Although we will consider patients of all skin and hair colors, certain people are likely to see better results than others. Those with very curly hair usually experience the fastest and most drastic change because the curls create more volume than straight hair. Although African American people generally have a lower hair density than white people, the thickness and volume of their hair allows for better results.
Additionally, people whose hair and skin color is similar are usually more satisfied with their results because their baldness is much less visible. Even a low amount of transplanted hair makes a big difference for those patients. During your initial consultation, your doctor can let you know what results you can expect given the structure and color of your hair.
You Are in Good General Health
While a transplant is a straightforward procedure, it is still considered surgery, so not every patient is eligible. Those with severe chronic conditions such as cancer, liver failure, kidney disease, or heart disease are unlikely to be good candidates because the transplant would be too dangerous for them. Similarly, people with an active infection or an open sore on their head should wait until this has cleared up.
You will need to bring your full medical history and a list of the medications you take to the first appointment with your surgeon, so they can determine whether there are any contraindications. Because most transplants only require local anesthesia, the risk isn’t very high, and people with mild health concerns are likely to be eligible.
How Does the Transplant Work?
Now you know whether you might be eligible for a transplant, you might wonder what the procedure is like. There are several transplant methods, and your doctor will discuss them with you and determine the most suitable one. You can expect your surgery to last approximately 4-5 hours, during which time 1500-2000 grafts are transplanted from the back and sides of your head to the top.
A plastic surgery technique is used to close the sutures in your donor area and make sure there are no visible scars. As mentioned, most transplants are performed under local anesthesia, which shortens your recovery time significantly. Your surgeon will speak to you about the number of procedures you need. While some patients see good results after just one treatment, others need several sessions.
Recovery and Results
Recovery from your hair transplant surgery in Oklahoma City will take around two weeks, although you will be able to resume most of your regular activities after just one week. In the days after your procedure, you will need to sleep with your head elevated to speed up healing and prevent any side effects. What’s more, your doctor will give you prescription medication to take, and you should stick to the recommended frequency and dosage.
The results of your surgery are considered permanent since the new hair follicles on the top of your head will remain there indefinitely. However, the operation doesn’t stop the natural aging process, so you might need to come back to the clinic for maintenance appointments.
What Are Other Options?
If you’re not eligible for a transplant, you’re still very young, or you’d like to try a different approach first, you should speak to your doctor at the clinic. We offer several other hair loss treatments, including platelet-rich plasma injections and hormone therapy. Depending on the cause and severity of your condition, either of these options could be a great alternative or supplementary treatment.
Restore the Thick Hair of Your Youth Now
Hair loss can cause a variety of problems for both men and women, including a loss of confidence, reduced quality of life, and mental health challenges. Fortunately, it’s easy to restore hair at your local clinic, especially if you still have good hair density on the sides or at the back of your head, your hair structure and color are suitable, and you are in good general health.
Patients who are worried about balding shouldn’t hesitate to get in touch with the professionals at their local clinic. With hair restoration surgery, we can reverse the damage done, so you can once again enjoy a thick head of hair. Call or email us now at Advanced Hair Restoration of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, OK to find out more about this surgery and to book your initial consultation with our providers.