Hair restoration is by far the most popular cosmetic procedure for men and the most effective permanent solution to male pattern baldness. Unfortunately, many hair loss sufferers want to keep their procedures a secret.
This need for confidentiality has resulted in a new technique called 'long hair transplantation' or 'celebrity hair transplantation'. In this article, we'll be explaining the process and benefits of this procedure.
What Is Long Hair Transplant Surgery?
Traditionally, hair transplant patients were required to shave their head before surgery. Patients are instructed to shave their head, so the physician can accurately implant follicular units into the balding areas.
Having a shaved head makes it easier to implant, but also reduces the risk of causing damage to any of the surrounding hair follicles. Long hair transplantation is a relatively new technique that allows patients to keep their hair long without needing to shave.
However, shaving the donor area is still required for Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), a small number of surgeons can extract follicular unit grafts with long hair. Prospective patients must be cognizant of the limitations with long hair transplantation because the number of grafts that can be extracted is significantly reduced.
Long Hair Transplantation Process
The process may vary slightly from clinic to clinic, but the basics remain the same. The back and sides of the scalp (donor area) are partially or completely shaved, depending on the clinic. After the follicular units have been excised from the donor area they are transplanted into the recipient site.
This process is tedious and requires meticulous attention to detail on the surgeons part. The surgeon will carefully place the follicular units in between the long hair. Long-hair will camouflage the transplanted follicular units completely without any detectability.
Benefits of Long Hair Transplantation
The benefits include little to no discomfort, no need to shave or change hairstyles, and no visible signs of surgery. Moreover, patients can resume their daily routines and work without any disruption. This surgical technique is ideal for any who wants to keep their hair transplant a secret from co-workers and even their family.
Long Hair Transplantation Disadvantages
Unfortunately, there are some limitations and disadvantages associated with long hair transplantation. The biggest disadvantage is the limited number of grafts that can be harvested and transplanted in one session.
This procedure is ideal for patients with a minimal amount of hair loss that require a small number of grafts. Patients with extensive hair loss will require several sessions and the cost will be substantially higher than conventional FUE.
Conclusion
Long hair transplantation is an excellent choice for patients who require a small number of grafts and need to return to their daily routines as soon as possible. Patients who require a large number of grafts are better off sticking with conventional FUE or FUSS because more grafts can be harvested and transplanted in one session.
Also, there is a chance that the surgeon may damage surrounding hair follicles, which would cause some shock loss. However, this is dependent on the surgical skill, so it is crucial to choose a competent and qualified hair transplant surgeon.