Hair loss is among the complaints of people of all age groups due to many reasons. Although hair loss is common in women, baldness, i.e. permanent hair loss, is a more common problem in men. Thanks to the developing technology, there are different methods for the treatment of this condition that disturbs the person. Hair transplantation methods are applied both in the world and in Turkey. Which of these methods is suitable for the patient is analyzed and the treatment process begins. Since the 90s, hair transplantation methods have been progressing rapidly and a more natural appearance is achieved today.
Hair Transplant Techniques
Hair transplantation methods are increasing day by day. There are 2 most known and used methods. In both methods, live hair follicles are transplanted. The applied methods are performed under local anesthesia. The reason why the methods are divided into two is the difference in the way of hair removal. In the first technique, the hair follicle is removed between the two ears and leaves a permanent scar in the form of a line. In the second technique, hair follicles taken from the back of the head are applied to the area to be transplanted and there is no scar. The best hair transplantation method is determined by the hair transplant specialist depending on many reasons such as the rate of hair loss and the location of the donor area.
FUT Technique in Hair Transplantation
Until the early 2000s, the most preferred and applied hair transplantation method was the FUT technique. Afterwards, its usage rate decreased due to the development of technology and the emergence of new methods.
In the FUT technique, which is one of the oldest hair transplantation methods, the hair follicles to be used for transplantation are removed by cutting the existing skin layer from the nape area between the two ears. After the 3 square centimeter skin layer is completely cut and removed, the hair follicles in the area are taken by the nurses and transplanted to the area to be applied. After the procedure is completed, the cut area is sutured. At the end of this technique, which has a longer healing process compared to other methods, a stitch scar remains in the cut area. The advantage of this method is that hair transplantation is faster because the hair follicles are cut and removed en masse. However, it is not preferred as much as before due to the long healing process and scarring.
FUE Technique in Hair Transplantation
For the last 15 years, the most preferred and developed method among hair transplantation methods is the FUE Technique. In the FUE Technique, hair follicles are collected one by one from the nape of the neck. The hair follicles extracted with the help of a micromotor device or manual punch are kept in a cold environment with a special solution. After the area to be transplanted is prepared for the operation, the hair follicles are placed in the area.
Since the hair follicles are placed one by one with the FUE Technique, the procedure time varies depending on the number of hair follicles to be transplanted. Although the procedure time is longer with this method, the faster healing process and no scarring after the operation are among the reasons why it is preferred.
Manual Punch Hair Transplant
Manual Punch Hair Transplantation is actually a variant of the FUE technique. Punch is the name of the tool that collects hair follicles from the donor area. This tool is not electric. It makes small holes around the hair follicles and allows the hair follicles to be collected. Among the hair transplantation methods, it was used especially in the early periods of the FUE technique. However, it was later replaced by Micromotor. Micromotor Hair Transplantation Micromotor Hair Transplantation is a variant of the FUE Technique, just like Manual Punch Hair Transplantation. It is the most preferred method among hair transplantation methods today. The Micromotor Punch is an electronic device that allows for faster collection of hair follicles from the donor area. Thus, hair transplantation takes place faster. Hair follicles can maintain their vitality within the skin, but they rapidly lose their vitality after they leave the head area. For this reason, the percentage of survival is higher in hair follicles collected with Micromotor Punch. This increases the success rate of hair transplantation.
DHI Hair Transplant
Direct Hair Transplant (DHI) method, as the name suggests, is direct hair transplantation. It is one of the newest hair transplantation methods. The DHI method is used together with the FUE technique. Hair follicles collected one by one with the FUE method are transplanted with the DHI method. The difference of this method from the FUE method is that thanks to its special pen, channel opening and hair transplantation are performed at the same time. This shortens the procedure time and increases the success rate. Another advantage of this method is that it allows for dense and frequent transplants. Apart from being applied to areas with complete hair loss, it is also used as a hair thickening method. However, in people with complete hair loss, if there are not enough hair follicles in the donor area, denser transplantation, which has the chance to be applied in this method, will not be realized.
Robotic Hair Transplantation
Robotic hair transplantation ranks second among the newest methods used. In this method, the hair follicle collection and hair transplantation process is performed by a computer. It is the most popular method among hair transplantation methods. It works on the same principle as the FUE hair transplantation method. The only difference is that the procedure is performed by a computer with sensitive arms.
Hyperbaric Hair Transplant
Among the hair transplantation methods, the method used to accelerate the healing process is Hyperbaric Hair Transplantation. Oxygen is utilized in this method. The wound healing power of oxygen ensures easy healing of the holes opened during the hair transplant operation. This method is applied after hair transplantation, not directly during hair transplantation.