Pros and Cons of Hair Transplants and Restorations
Both hair transplants and hair restoration treat hair loss in different ways and can change the way you feel about yourself. So when anyone decides to look into one of these methods to correct their hair loss, depending upon their circumstances, they will typically find either a hair transplant or hair restoration products as being the best option for them.
The following information outlines the benefits and drawbacks of hair transplantation and hair restoration and gives an insight into what the overall process feels like versus how it is viewed scientifically on paper.
What is a Hair Transplant?
A hair transplant is a surgical technique that involves removing healthy hair follicles from areas of the scalp where you have more hair and implanting these follicles into areas where there are fewer hairs. The goal of this procedure is to give a person the ability to grow their own hair. If the procedure is performed correctly, the final results will appear completely natural.
What is Hair Restoration?
Hair restoration encompasses a wider group of treatments. This group includes topical medications, laser therapy, and non-surgical means of preventing further loss, helping to maintain existing hair, or regrowing hair that has thinned. Because there are so many different methods that fall within this category, many patients will choose to explore other methods before having surgery.
Pros of a Hair Transplant
1. Permanent Results
The main reason why many people decide to seek hair transplantation is that they will have permanent results. Once you have completed the initial stages of healing from the hair transplant procedure, your transplanted hair will continue to grow as if it had been growing from the beginning of time. You get it cleaned up, cut down and then you will never think about it again. The permanence of the change is also a key reason most people will choose this route.
2. Seamless Appearance
When a hair transplant is done well, it looks like real hair because it is real hair! In addition, your surgeon will place the hair follicles in a direction that mimics your natural growth pattern; this allows for a very natural integration of your new hair with the rest of your hair as soon as your hair begins to grow in. This is one reason many people find it difficult to think of this route as anything but fulfilling; you are getting back a part of you that was missing.
3. Easy long-term maintenance
Once you have healed, most people go back to doing what they normally did prior to getting the transplant. You will not need to use any special products, nor will you be placed on any kind of ongoing maintenance plan for your new hair; this is one of those benefits that doesn't always get talked about but is quietly advantageous.
4. A lifetime investment
Yes, the initial cost can be daunting; however, you are purchasing something that is going to last you for your entire life, rather than continually paying every month to maintain it. In the long run, this type of investment will work out to be approximately the same amount.
Cons of a Hair Transplant
1. It's still an operation
There is no getting around this point. You will be having a surgical procedure done for a hair transplant; therefore, this is something that you have to be totally comfortable with. Although the risk of complications is low when using a reputable hair transplant clinic, minor discomfort, swelling, and recovery time will be part of the process.
2. Extensive healing journey
The reality of the matter is that you are not going to leave the clinic with a full head of hair. It’s important to remember that your scalp will take time to calm down after having hair restoration treatment. In the initial weeks, you may notice that your scalp looks a little off and may take longer than expected for the results to fully develop, even though many clients return to their normal routine shortly after treatment.
3. Upfront Cost
There’s an initial investment in getting a hair transplant, and while it may feel like a significant expense at first, the ultimate cost will depend on what type of hair restoration solution you choose, as well as what you need based on your needs.
4. Varying Outcomes
Not all individuals will experience the same experience post-hair restoration treatment. Different factors will affect the results of the hair restoration process, such as the type of hair, the density of hair, and the talent level of the doctor performing the hair restoration.
Hair Restoration Pros
1. Non-surgical options available
2. Limited recovery time
You can return to work, participate in exercise and social engagements immediately following your treatments.
3. Variety of hair restoration treatments available
Because everyone’s body responds differently, having many hair restoration treatment options helps you find the best fit for your body.
4. Preventative care option
Hair restoration treatments prevent further hair loss from occurring before it has a chance to become severe.
Hair Restoration Cons
1. Only applicable whilst actively using
Most hair restoration treatments will only work while you are using them; therefore, when you stop, your hair loss will often begin again.
2. Varied Outcomes
The same hair restoration treatment can be used on two separate individuals and yield vastly different outcomes, which may also require some trial and error.
3. Possible negative reactions
Some users may react negatively to topical and oral products and may experience dry scalp and/or irritation; these reactions are usually mild.
4. Ongoing monetary investment
Every hair restoration treatment has an ongoing cost associated with its use, and thus over time the total costs may be considerable.
Choosing the Right Path
Both surgical and non-surgical options are viable solutions, but combining these two approaches often yields the best possible outcome for an individual. The patient’s age, goals, history of hair loss, and comfort level with surgery should all be considered when determining which method will work best for the individual. Having a complete and accurate evaluation of the aforementioned factors makes it much easier to determine how to proceed with hair restoration.
Expert Care with Follicle Clinics
If you are interested in further exploring the best path for you and/or determining if surgical or non-surgical options will suit you best, the experienced staff at Follicle Clinics will help you navigate through your options by educating you about your options, providing an understanding of what a successful outcome may look like, and helping you make a choice that best fits your comfort level with surgical treatments versus non-surgical options.
If you are ready to embark on your own journey of hair restoration, reach out to Follicle Clinics and they will assist you in a supportive and educational manner throughout your journey.