Things to Know About Successful FUE Hair Transplantation

Considering how many men in the world struggle with baldness – and that FUE is the preferred treatment for millions, it is worth sharing some information on best practices from both the perspective of the physician and patient.

It is estimated that around 50 million men in the US are bald and that globally, if you consider other regions like Europe, Africa and Asia that around 85% of men have significantly thinning hair by the age of 50. Today, we know a lot more about FUE transplants – the preferred method by most men and their Doctors. This information can be shared so that you avoid the mistakes made by less experience Doctors in the field – as well as appropriate after care.

Let’s start with the basics and then zoom in on the most important issues you need to be aware of:

What Is a FUE Transplantation?

Follicular Unit Extraction is the least invasive method of taking follicular unit grafts that are removed from elsewhere in the patients’ own body (head, chest etc.) to restore hair in areas where you are bald. It is removed from a “donor” site where hair is typically stronger, to ensure the maximum chances of regrowth in “recipient” areas.

Using original hair means there is no need for hair loss medication or undesirable methods – since hair growth will continue in approximately 3 months, leading to natural looking results.

Why Is the FUE Transplant Method so Popular?

There are several reasons. Primarily, it is because it remains the only way to use your own hair without cutting a nasty scar or “strip” in the back of the head – which is a conventional way that FUE seeks to avoid. It also means that you do not have the face the problems associated with using other human hair, such as lace systems – which introduces toxic glues to the body, which is also much more costly over time. The most convenient part is that the initial part of consultation is online via either a video meeting or emails containing patient photos.

Do All Patients Receive a Perfect FUE Transplant Procedure?

This is where it becomes interesting: There are thousands of patients who have been treated successfully in the world, with an abundance of before/after pictures and videos to proof that. However, there are very specific guidelines that both the doctor and patient need to follow, else it can be all in vain.

Your hair is arguably in the most prominent position of all your body – and most will agree that it is therefore not something to “gamble” with. Choosing the best doctor and location for a hair transplant is a critical decision. Yes, indeed it is possible to save cost by travelling to some countries. The fact is that even in Beverley Hills and Harley Street London you may find amateur doctors who operate in a prestigious area – and many of them are in fact eclipsed by more experienced doctors in the “developing world”.

What the Experts Tell Us – Dr. Serkan Aygin:

According to Dr. Serkan Aygin, who is an internationally acclaimed authority on FUE hair transplants, the success of the FUE procedure will depend on several actions. Having helped so many patients from both Europe and Asia, he is well-positioned to advise people on best practice. Today he practices hair transplantation in Turkey. His advise to patients, is that after care is critical to a good outcome.

Apparently, the post-operative procedures include a gradual increase over days and weeks in the products used and pressure applied. Rushing it is not helpful because the grafts will need some time to set. He points out that hygiene is paramount for both the patient and the doctor: “Our clinic is always super clean and sterile – and we advise patients to do everything possible afterwards to keep the area clean from any possible infection, which minimizes the chance for scarring and other undesirable issues that can arise”.

There are also operative procedures to which the patient has no control – which is a matter of choosing the best possible doctor. For example, anyone with insufficient experience, no matter where they are in the world, will not know how deep or how shallow to insert the grafts in the recipient area – and that is crucial. You would therefore want to go with a clinic that performed hundreds of procedures and not just a few. The cleanliness of the facility is also important so that harmful bacteria is not introduced at the time of incision. In mass facilities like the US and UK where the superbug MRSA is present – it is always a concern. Choosing a smaller individual clinic with high standards, statistically reduces the chances of infection.

According to the Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic in Turkey, here is what to expect after the hair transplant in turkey. They have really gone far to understand what patients need, so these days, you can expect to arrive in Turkey for an all-inclusive package with a private transfer from the airport, a hotel and even a dedicated translator to facilitate a smooth experience. This is their official website:

Dr. Aygin and his team in Istanbul

Image credit: https://drserkanaygin.com/

Conclusion:

There is surely a cure for baldness and thousands of men opt for it every day. The location of your FUE hair transplant may be less important than the experience of the doctor performing the procedure. Affordable hair transplants in countries where doctors treat high numbers of patients have one obvious benefit: experience. Flashy neighbourhoods and name-dropping are far less important when making your choice. Yes, methods such as soft sedation will ensure that the procedure is free from any pain – but it is also a matter of following after care guidelines, as this will ultimately ensure the most desirable outcome.