Undergoing hair loss is normal, especially as you get older. However, this does not mean it’s not an insecurity for many. A newfound procedure, though, may be a solution for some wanting to grow their hair back.
Hair Transplants
It’s sometimes difficult to understand what a hair transplant really is. Though it’s seemingly like your average surgery, what is the process exactly? According to Bosley Hair Transplant,
“A hair transplant is a procedure that involves transplanting hair follicles from one area of the head (the ‘donor area’) to the thinning area (the ‘recipient area’).
Recently, hair transplants have been the new star in the procedural world as a method people have capitalized on to erase their insecurities. After receiving such a procedure, some can be seen taking to the internet and social media. These people often show the immediate results of their hair transplants and track their hair growth progress following the surgery.
Paying for the Treatment
Similar to most surgeries, hair transplants can be expensive. In the United States, the price of a hair transplant can range from $4000 to $15000 (Kopelman Hair Restoration). With the price range being this high, it makes the procedure less available to most.
Other than the initial cost of surgery, there are other fees people may overlook. People are also charged for
“anesthesia fees, geographical location, possible medication during recovery, pre and post-op appointments and surgeon’s experience and fee” (Care Credit).
Why do People Invest
Hair loss can be a sensitive topic. Whether due to aging, medical conditions, or scarring, the experience can cause a major loss in self-confidence. This is why the procedure is appealing to most; it allows for a newfound sense of confidence.
In a vulnerable post on TikTok, Owen Unruh shared his journey with his hair transplant. One of his videos was captioned,
“Today marks the 1 year since I got my hair transplant…best decision I could’ve made for myself. The hair regrowth and maintenance is a lifelong journey and I still have a ways to go to get it how I want but I’m very grateful for what I have right now, especially when I remember how little I had before.”
For Unruh and many more, getting a hair transplant is more than a surgery, but also a second chance.
A big concern with surgeries like these are if the results will appear natural. However, it appears that this is not a problem when it comes to hair transplants. Hair transplants take hair follicles from the patient’s own body. This leads to a natural-looking appearance of hair growth.
Results
Unlike other forms of plastic surgery in which results are immediate, hair transplants do not offer the same swift transformation.
Hair transplants mimic the cycle of natural hair growth. The success of the surgery is dependent on the transported hair follicles. Since they have to go through a normal hair growth cycle, it can take time to see a change.
The full results of a hair transplant surgery can take as long as 12 to 18 months. Due to this, people who receive hair transplants must require patience. The results may not be instantaneous, but they can be worth the wait.
What do you think about hair transplants? Let us know @VALLEYmag
