Men’s Hair Transplants in 2020

Hair Loss affects tens of millions of people across the country. Specialists have been studying male and female pattern baldness for decades in search of a solution to such a common problem. Still, no treatment has proven to be full-proof. While we may not yet have the technology to develop a permanent solution, men’s hair transplants have proven to be the best option with the most consistent results.

The Truth about Men’s Hair Transplants

Many people shy away from hair transplants for a few reasons, the first reason is false information. For example, a common fear is that hair transplant results do not look natural or that they make your hairline appear fake. Fortunately, modern methods for transplanting hairs or follicles are advanced enough to plot out precisely where the hairs should go based on the patient’s natural growth pattern.

Another reason many avoid hair transplants is that the mention of surgery is intimidating. Surgery is not a wholly comfortable or familiar experience for most people. Still, temporary hair loss solutions are an even greater hassle in the long run. Today’s surgical alternatives are more effective and require less upkeep after the scalp heals, which is usually a quick and unproblematic process. Follicular unit extraction (FUE), one of two types of hair transplant methods, doesn’t even require stitches after the surgical procedure! The other method, follicular unit transplantation (FUT), is also noninvasive and has a short healing period. Regardless of what type of transplant a patient is receiving, the surgical procedure is relatively painless thanks to a local anesthetic.

Finally, the last reason hair transplants are feared is the cost of one or more treatments. Of course, a surgical hair loss solution is more expensive than a temporary alternative at the get-go. But in the grand scheme of things, the cost of upkeep or the repurchasing of worn down products that non-surgical solutions require continue to add up indefinitely. Eventually, the total amount is far greater than the cost of a few hair transplants. About four FUE or FUT treatments are recommended for the most effective results, but more may be needed if the baldness is advanced.

FUE Vs. FUT

While both of these methods are made to solve the same issue, choosing the best option for your needs is essential. One is not necessarily “better” than the other, but FUT is more popular because of its more consistently positive results. This method is considered the “gold standard” by many doctors. A follicular unit transplant is done by removing a long strip of tissue from a part of the scalp that contains viable hair follicles (usually at the back of the head). These “follicular units” are extracted and then transplanted onto balding areas of the scalp. The wound ends are stitched together, leaving a fine linear scar that is invisible under enough hair. The FUT technique is most beneficial for those looking to achieve maximum fullness from the transplanted areas, and the results are permanent.

On the other hand, The FUE method has gained popularity recently due to the introduction of a doctor-operated robotics system used to perform the surgery. A follicular unit extraction is done either manually or by using the ARTAS Robotic Hair Transplant System to harvest individual follicles from a much larger donor area of the scalp. They are extracted by punching out tiny circles of tissue, leaving almost no evidence of the procedure. These viable hair follicles are then transplanted onto the balding area. Because there are no visible scars leftover, FUE is recommended for anyone who wants to keep their hair short. It is also beneficial for those leading an active lifestyle, as the healing process is faster than FUT.