Hair is vital to our personality, and some of us are reluctant to part with what little hair we have left. Now, you’re ready to get a hair transplant in the United Kingdom to solve this issue, but you’re unsure how to get a consultation with a surgeon or even if you’re a proper candidate for the procedure. Follow this guide to determine if a hair transplant is right for you.
What About My Other Options?
Before committing to a hair transplant, you can consider other options. Hair plugs and replacement hair therapy is expensive and should be treated as a last option.
The FDA approves Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (topical minoxidil) to treat pattern baldness. Minoxidil is a topical solution that you rub into the scalp that helps slow hair loss, while finasteride is taken orally and produces a similar result. If you feel these methods won’t work for you, or if you already tried these medications, you may be a candidate for a hair transplant.
What is Hair Transplant Surgery?
Hair transplant surgery involves taking hair from another place on your body and implanting it on the top of your head. You must be a candidate for hair transplant surgery before a surgeon operates on you, which involves a consultation. Understand that this surgery won’t prevent or stop further hair loss, so you’ll only be accepted as a candidate if hair loss is stabilized.
What to Expect from Hair Transplant Surgery
Hair transplant surgery is different for everyone. Regrowth may be slow for you, but quick in another person. Your regrowth is determined by the quality of hair you have in your donor area, but even good quality hair doesn’t guarantee a full head of dense hair. Once it starts growing, transplanted hair is no different than natural hair.
It would be best if you explored different hair transplant techniques before going in for the surgery because the hair that’s relocated to your bald spot is permanent. You can’t go for a trail on a smaller area of your head – you must complete the full procedure.
Hair transplanted on to your bald spot will not fall out, and new hair will continuously appear four months after transplantation. After eight months, about 80% of the hair will emerge, but the hair on the crown will take more time to stabilize.
How to Find the Right Surgeon
Hair transplant surgeons must be licensed doctors on the GMC specialist register to perform Level 1 Invasive Surgical Procedures. They must comply with the GMC’s specialist register and were not practicing in the Independent Healthcare Sector before 2002. Surgeons must also comply with Appraisal and Revalidation and must conduct an annual appraisal to ensure their practice is up-to-date and following the rules.
For more information on surgeon guidelines, read this document.
Consultation and Cost
You must have a pre-procedure consultation and discussion about the hair transplant procedure before the surgeon can operate on you. The surgeon will go over the process in-depth, your reasons for seeking the surgery, and what they can expect after the procedure. If you are the right candidate, the surgeon will ask for a thought psychological assessment.
Before the procedure takes place, your surgeon will discuss pricing terms. The average cost of hair transplant surgery is between £1,000 and £30,000, depending on the extent of hair loss. Finally, you’ll receive a consent form that you must sign before the surgeon can operate on you. They will discuss aftercare with you after the procedure.
