In undergoing any surgical procedure, safety is a prime concern for all patients. For people with hair loss problems, a common question comes to mind: Is hair restoration surgery safe? Admittedly, there has been much success in performing this procedure and restoring lost hair. However, hair transplant has accompanying risks and side effects, both immediate and long-term.
Clearly, knowing is half the battle. As a consumer and hair loss patient, you should be aware of hair restoration risks and its possible short and long-term side effects on your hair and scalp. Doing so gives you, the patient, a clearer picture and a more informed assessment of what you are venturing into. Also, it allows you to make an informed decision on whether or not to undergo hair restoration surgery, as well as the necessary steps you need to ensure a safe and risk-free procedure.
With these in mind, here are 6 ways to ensure that you avoid risk during your hair restoration procedure.
1. Do Your Homework
If you are planning to undergo hair transplant surgery, make sure you have at least an idea of what the practice and procedure involves, how long it takes, and how much it costs. Look into detail at how hair transplant surgery itself will be done. Also, try to look if there are safe hair restoration procedures already applied in practice. Most importantly, read on the possible risks and complications associated with the procedure as well as on possible side effects of the procedure, on both the short- and long-term period.
Prevention of hair restoration risks starts by arming yourself with the right information and having an idea, no matter how vague, regarding hair transplant surgery. Understanding and having an appreciation of the procedure makes you more confident about your decision-making and assures you of safety and security when you go for your hair transplant consultation.
2. Examine Yourself
Now that you know about hair transplantation, it is time to step back and examine yourself. Ask yourself: What lifestyle habits do I have that can affect the amount of risk I will experience during hair restoration?
You must realize that the risks associated with hair restoration are not just confined to the procedure itself. While it is true that surgery will have procedural risks, there are also patient-related risk factors that are equally important to consider. These patient-centered risks comprise mainly of lifestyle habits as well as vices that influence the possibility of complications, mainly in the form of post-operative infection and excessive bleeding.
Take note of your lifestyle habits as well as your vices —mainly smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages — and consider these when you consult. Smoking has been attributed to aggravated hair loss among men and poor post-operative recovery among hair transplant patients.
3. Invest in a Reputable Practitioner
After investigating about the procedure itself and assessing your own lifestyle, find a practitioner in your area that can perform the procedure. When it comes to deciding to undergo hair transplantation, having the means to pay for it is not the only factor you should consider.
In finding a respectable practitioner, look mainly at the doctor’s credentials. Take note of the following considerations when you go for consultation:
- Where and when did he receive his medical degrees?
- Where and when was his license issued?
- How long has he been in practice?
- How many hair transplantation procedures has he worked on?
- What is his overall experience as a medical practitioner?
- Is he also a physician?
- · Does he have a whole-body viewpoint of hair loss and restoration that goes along with his technical skills?
Keeping in mind that hair transplantation involves surgery, it is most imperative that you go to the most qualified hair transplant doctor working for a highly respected clinic. You should invest not only in resources, but take some time to find a competent surgeon, so you have to get your money’s worth in terms of both results and safety.
4. Book Your Consultation at Your Convenience
When you already have chosen your hair transplant surgeon, you can now book an appointment and consult regarding your surgery. Check if your doctor’s clinic offers free consultation and online booking services to ease up your scheduling of appointments.
During consultation, you should clarify first whether you are qualified for the procedure. Tell him/her about your hair loss condition, how long you have had it, or if it runs in your family. This is so he/she can make an assessment whether your hair loss can still be resolved. Ask for the range of hair restoration procedures that can apply based on the findings.
More importantly, confirm the amount of hair transplantation risks involved in the procedure. Completely disclose to him/her your lifestyle habits, vices, and if you are taking some special medication for an illness at the time. This is important so that the consultant can provide an assessment on the possibility of complications during procedure and recommend the necessary preparations before surgery.
Lastly, ask them to provide you with before-and-after photos of previous clients to highlight the impact of the surgeon’s work. Insist that these pictures should have similar lighting, background, and angle so that you can make a better comparison. Having pictures taken in similar conditions will make it easier for you to spot possible discrepancies.
It is definitely important for your consultant to establish rapport with you during consultation. However, it is equally significant for you to clarify your hair loss and the surrounding factors that might affect it in order to avoid risks in your hair restoration procedure.
5. Make Necessary Preparations for Your Procedure
After consultation, based on your assessment, he/she may give you specific instructions on how to prepare for the surgery. Nonetheless, you as the patient should make preparations of your own. Wash your hair before your procedure, but double-check with your doctor which hair care formula would be best to use. Get some good night’s rest. Wear comfortable clothes when you proceed to the clinic and make sure that nothing would be pulled over your head after surgery. Lastly, have someone accompany you to the clinic for the procedure.
Carefully follow these and other instructions that would be prescribed in order to help you prepare for your surgery.
6. Plan Your Arrangements During Post-Procedure
After your surgery, you can arrange for someone to drive you home. Plan to take it easy for a day or two, and give your head some rest after the procedure. Upon your doctor’s request, arrange for further post-operative consultation assistance if you think you’ll need it.
The phenomenon of hair loss has become a significant aesthetic concern for decades, and the growth of hair transplant procedures has been able to mitigate this issue. However, it is equally important to consider preventing the risks and complications it may entail. Today, there are new, more effective and organized methods of ensuring a successful hair restoration surgery. For those who plan to have their hair loss remedied, follow these 6 guidelines to the letter to ensure that the procedure goes smoothly and with less risk.