Although today’s hair transplant technology have come along way, it is crucial to get it right the first time around, and try to make sure a corrective hair transplant will not be needed. Though hair transplant standards have been raised significantly, it is still possible to get a less than successful hair transplant, and there are a few mistakes that need to be identified. Because getting another hair transplant to fix the first one is an exhausting, frustrating experience that must be avoided at all cost.
Perhaps one of the most common mistakes a hair transplant doctor can make is to attempt to cover an area when there is not enough hair to do so. The doctor needs to make sure that the patient has enough hair that can be transplanted to the balding areas. The area from where the hair is taken is referred to as the donor supply, and is of utmost importance. A low donor supply will not allow for sufficient coverage and can leave important areas too thin. Enough hair must be reserved for future surgeries, as they might be needed if balding continues. Also, spreading the grafts out too far apart doesn’t provide enough coverage and will result in an unnatural look.
Scalp tightness is another problem that some doctors fail to identify. A tight scalp will limit the total amount of donor hair that can be transplanted. Also, taking out a donor strip that is too wide or placing the donor incision too low puts stress on the patients scalp and can result in a more obvious scar. In addition to complicating future hair transplants, the scar itself can become a cosmetic problem.
A hair transplant doctor trying to save time may use a multi-bladed knife for collecting donor tissue. However, using a multi bladed knife can cause unnecessary damage and should be avoided.
Dry or injured grafts are not optimal in the hair transplant process. Grafts are delicate and prone to injury and must be handled with care, as well as be kept in a special solution until they are transplanted into the receiving area of the scalp.
Angling the hair in the wrong direction is a mistake that will undoubtedly look unnatural. In order for the transplant to look natural, the patient’s own hair direction must be closely followed. Placing the hairline too low or too broad is another mistake. Proper placement is just as important with today’s refined hair transplant methods.
It is also important not to get surgeries that are too close in time, as this will not allow a clear view of the final result.
Though most hair transplant doctors do not use the older methods anymore, it is still important not to assume that any doctor can give you the natural hair transplant you are looking for. Find a skilled, experienced surgeon who uses the FUE method (follicular unit extraction) and you are more likely to have a successful outcome.
Photo via OECD
