If you’re considering having a hair transplant in Houston, then you probably have a lot of questions regarding hair growth and the timeline for results. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to get the information you need to make the right decision for you. Let’s start by addressing hair regrowth. Many patients wonder if the texture of their hair will change after having transplants. But you really don’t need to worry. Every transplanted follicle is from your own head. So your new hair growth will imitate the way your hair grows at the donation site.
Where Is the Donation Site?
The back of the head is the most common donation site for hair transplants. For women with thinning hair and men affected by male-pattern baldness, the back of the head tends to be the least affected. With more healthy follicles to choose from, the back of your head is the best choice for follicle extraction.
Understanding the Process
There are two primary types of hair transplant: FUT (follicular unit transplantation) and FUE (follicular unit extraction).
- FUT is performed by removing a several-inch strip of scalp from the back of your head. The skin on either side of the removed section is pulled together to cover the incision site. From there, the harvested strip is carefully dissected into very small pieces, which can be transplanted to the balding or thinning area.
- FUE is preferred by many patients because it is the “most current and efficient way to deliver results.” At Hair Specialists Houston, FUE is offered alongside Neograft to give patients the best results possible. FUE is performed by removing individual follicles through a serious of tiny “punch-hole” incisions. Using Neograft makes this process faster and more precise. Thanks to these improvements, a larger percentage of the harvested follicles can be successfully transplanted to the areas that need coverage.
Does Your Hair Texture Change After Transplants?
The texture of your hair is influenced by the:
- Tthickness of each individual strand
- Number of strands per inch
- Growth pattern of your natural hair
As a result, you are likely to notice some minor changes in texture after your transplant due to the shift of follicles from the back of your head to the front.
Other than that, you can expect the transplanted hair follicles to continue producing hair that has the same texture and strand thickness as it did in its original location. Of course, that will take some time. It is totally normal for the transplanted hairs to shed initially before they start to re-grow healthy hair in their new location. After about three to five months, you should start to see the first hairs start to come in. It could take several more months for your results to really show, but it will be worth the wait.
Taking Care of Your New Hair
In order to give yourself the best chance of amazing results, it’s important to listen to your doctor’s post-operative care instructions. If you’ve had hair restoration in Houston, then Dr. Linville will give you clear directions for taking care of your hair after your transplant. In most cases that means keeping your scalp clean and dry for several days. You should also avoid touching your scalp, brushing your hair, or having your hair cut for at least three weeks.
As a result, many hair restoration patients have their hair cut short in preparation for the procedure. Are you worried about what that may entail for you? Then talk to your doctor about the best ways for managing your hair care before and after hair restoration. With years of experience, your doctor will likely have helpful tips to make your initial experience and your recovery much easier.
