In checking for available hair loss treatments, a person suffering from one will definitely come across with hair transplant. And yes, having a hair transplant is the probably the best option available given that it provides permanent and satisfactory results. But as part of the process, it would be best to know the right questions to ask a hair transplant surgeon during consultation. Here are the 10 important questions to ask:
What is the cause of the hair loss?
Asking the cause of the hair loss is very crucial, as the clinic and surgeon must determine the root cause of the problem before recommending hair transplant as the perfect solution for the patient. It is important that the surgeon addresses this part first, and not just to oversell the benefits of the surgery
How many follicular grafts do you need?
The surgeon must determine how many grafts are needed in the procedure, as this will determine the cost of the procedure. Once it’s determined, the pricing part of the consultation is the next step. The results are based on how many grafts are transplanted, so beware of clinics that will bargain incentives by offering less grafts at a lower price. Clinics doing less grafts in one session to lower the price is not pushing for the best interest of the patient.
How many sessions will it take to achieve the results you want?
A patient must have a clearer and more realistic view of the results of a transplant several months after a session. So if the clinic does not provide the complete details to help the patient understand, then the clinic is not the right one for you.
How long has the surgeon been practicing in business?
Many hair transplant clinics claim that they’re experts on the hair transplant procedure field, but only a few can really be considered as “experts”. The number of procedures a surgeon had done, the techniques and specialties a surgeon have must be stated during the consultation to make sure you’re in safe hand.
How many technicians will assist the surgeon and what are the team’s credentials?
Hair transplant surgeons usually have technicians to assist during the procedure but the number of technicians who will assist depends on the number of grafts needed. Same as the credibility of the surgeon, the technician’s expertise background should also be discussed since they’re also part of the procedure.
Am I too young for a hair transplant?
Each hair loss case should be evaluated individually, given there are several age-related factors that play a part in a patient’s hair loss case and this can affect a hair transplant procedure. The surgeon’s main consideration must be the current degree of hair loss and the future implications of the hair loss patterns. The clinic’s goal is to prevent further hair loss on younger patients, and monitoring the patient’s hair loss over a period of time helps determine when’s the best time to conduct a hair transplant to restore the lost hair.
How much does a hair transplant cost?
As previously mentioned, the cost of the transplant depends on the number of grafts needed for the session. A patient must also know that he may be required to have more than one session to completely restore hair. In general, the more hair transplanted, the better the outcome, the higher the cost.
Should I still use any hair loss medication in addition to the transplant?
Depending on the hair loss case and age, some patients are advised to take hair loss medications to hold pre-existing hair for as long as possible, by slowing the rhythm and rate of hair loss.
Do I have to completely shave my hair prior the procedure?
On an FUE hair transplant procedure, shaving hair is usually not mandatory. Keeping hair longer can actually help cover up the surgery nicely.
Can my hair loss be reversed or stopped?
Hair loss can be completely stopped in some cases. But this depends on the cause of the hair loss and if the evaluation is done early enough. Early intervention provides a better result. The surgeon needs to measure the degree of hair loss in various areas of the scalp and check the percentage of hairs that are in the resting phase of the hair growth cycle.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the transplant process. The consultation with the surgeon helps you decide whether or not you want to push through with a hair transplant. This is also the best time to establish trust with your hair transplant surgeon.