Hair Grafting | Hair Transplant for Men or Women
Hair grafting is a suitable alternative for women and men who haven’t found satisfactory results with other hair loss treatment methods. Hair grafting technology has come a long way in recent years, and gone are the days of obvious hair plugs. While many people are worried about the cost of grafting, that has improved over the years as well. Hair transplantation is an ideal option for men and women with thinning hair, temple hair loss, crown loss or bald spots.
How Hair Grafting Works
Follicular Unit Transplanting, or FUT, is a process that borrows healthy hair from the patient’s body (or a donor) and transplants them to hair follicles in balding areas. It provides a very natural look so observers cannot tell that the hair hasn’t naturally grown. Alternatively, men and women can opt for Double Follicular Units (DFU) or Triple Follicular Units (TFU). With these, grafts are placed on the hairline in rows; two rows for DFU and three rows for TFU. FUT often requires one to three sessions, while DFU and TFU is like having several sessions of FUT. Your hair 
transplant specialist may mix these hair graft types up for the lowest cost procedure and best overall results.
How Much Does Hair Grafting Cost
A Follicular Unit Transplant may cost the patient around $7,000 per session (on average). With one to three sessions needed, the actual cost will be between $7,000 and $21,000, depending upon the hair loss and desires of the patient. However, with the Double follicular unit and Triple follicular unit sessions, costs run between $4,000 and $9,000 for hair replacement. The difference with DFU and TU is that patients typically only require one session, saving them thousands of dollars overall.
Harvesting and Transplanting Healthy Hairs for Hair Grafts
The process of hair harvesting, whether a donor is used or the patient’s own healthy hair is used, the hair is taken, follicle and all from the scalp, ideal as minimally invasive as possible. It is then implanted into the patient’s balding areas. The hair continues to grow if it is healthy, so essentially, it’s like giving the patient back his or her ability to grow hair via fresh hair follicles. If taken from the patient, hair is usually harvested from the nape of the neck or an area where female or male pattern baldness doesn’t usually threaten.
Hair Implant Procedure and Pain
Patients will spend time talking to their doctor before the hair restoration surgery. The doctor will determine, based on the level of hair loss, whether patients need one or more sessions of hair grafting. A local anesthetic is used and the patient will typically be placed on antibiotics to prevent an infection. The session can take a few hours, but the patient is made comfortable by all means necessary. The surgeon then removes a small strip from the harvest area and replaces it at the balding area. Pain is kept to a minimum and depending on the means of transplantation, may be very mild.
After Hair Transplant Surgery
After the hair replacement surgery, it is perfectly normal for the new hairs to fall out as the hair follicles adjusts. However, in a few months, they will grow back, healthy and full. The area will 
be bandaged after surgery, and the patient will begin shampooing in a few days. This helps prevent scabs from growing, and keeps the area clean and free from infection. Hair grafting is a permanent solution to hair loss, something patients can’t expect from topical treatments or drugs. Rogaine for hair regrowth and Finasteride for hair loss are lifetime commitments that men who have hair grafting done can move away from.
For men and women who can afford this solution, hair grafting is perhaps the best step to take for those losing hair. While costlier than other methods, it provides permanent hair that is alive and growing. Hair grafting can help individuals take back their self confidence and be happier with their hair.
