6 Things to Consider Before You Engage a Hair Transplant Surgeon

1. Consider Other Hair Restoration Options First

This is not to discourage you against getting a hair transplant, but prudence dictates that you seek other less invasive options first before heading to surgery. It’s not a decision that should be taken lightly because it involves limited resources (your hair) and permanent results. Therefore, it pays to consider treatments that involve lesser risks but are also proven to be effective. 

Your options include: 

• Hair loss supplements
• Hair loss medications
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
• Regenera Activa 

In your efforts to find a solution, seek professional help for sound clinical advice and to make a well-informed decision. These treatments come with special instructions and considerations of their own, so they must be entered with caution. 

2. You Must Have Realistic Expectations

Another good precaution to have in cosmetic surgery are practicable expectations. Those that are not grounded on reality are bound for disappointment. This is true for both non-invasive and surgical hair loss treatments. 

Even if you set your sights on hair transplant surgery and have done your homework, it may be possible that your current hair loss status will not make you a suitable candidate. Being able to understand this means that you have a realistic grasp of the situation. 

Having a reasonable outlook also means that you understand the limitations of hair transplant surgery. This includes the fact that:  

• there is no such thing as perfection
• things will look worse before it gets better
• it will take months before the final results are achieved
• even though results may give you a confidence boost, it will not change your life
• you need to maintain the results

If you keep things in perspective, you will be objectively pleased with the outcome, otherwise, this can be a frustrating pursuit.

3. Consider the Risks Involved

While it’s easy for us to focus on the benefits, it’s equally important to be aware of the risks involved as they are inherent in any surgical treatment, hence they should be part of your decision-making process.

These are the risks involved with surgical hair restoration:

• bleeding
• swelling of the scalp
• itching
• infection
• bruising around the eyes
• numbness or lack of sensation on the treated areas of the scalp
• shock loss (sudden but typically temporary loss of the transplanted hair)
• unnatural-looking tufts of hair

 Mulling over what could happen when things go awry will help you make an objective decision. Even if some of these are minor side effects, these are still important points for discussion in a consultation. These will help you decide on the surgery and plan for a successful treatment. 

4. Procedure Options

Surgical hair restoration has gone a long way in terms of results. This treatment approach has far improved as a result of the different techniques available to you. Instead of just implanting hair grafts to look like doll’s hair, we now have refined versions in Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).

These are important considerations because both vary in their level of invasiveness, cost, downtime, and risks. 

In Singapore today, there are even specialised versions besides the traditional shaved technique. There are partially-shaved and non-shaved FUE alternatives which are designed to improve the overall aesthetics. However, the desired results are possible when it’s done by someone with the training, skills, and experience.

5. Cost of a Hair Transplant Surgery

As with any procedure, the amount you pay will depend on the extent of work done. In a hair transplant, the cost will not be the same for everyone because it’s based on each patient’s case. So, don’t expect to get a price right off the bat. A consultation must always precede the final tally of your expected fee because good service is one that is customised to your needs.

Hair transplant surgery can be costly, but worth it, if you want quality. The cost will depend on the type of approach used, the number of follicles needed (determined on a per graft basis), surgeon’s fee, return check-ups, and medications. Price is a critical consideration because desperation shouldn’t drive you to settle for cheaper services.

6. The Skill and Experience of a Surgeon

Before you even engage a surgeon, thorough research is necessary to check out your options. It’s not enough to know that one can do surgery, you must look closely to ensure that the person your enlisting has the credentials to do the job.

You can look into things like:

• Specialisation in hair restoration
• The length of time they are in practice as a hair transplant surgeon
• The number of hair transplant procedures they’ve performed
• What board certifications/credentials they have

This information can be obtained online, and you can ask further details later on when you finally get into an in-person consultation. 

Ensure that you make objective steps when you commit to a surgery that can provide you with long-term changes. Once you gathered the necessary details needed to make an informed decision, then let’s talk. Book a consultation at the Dr Tyng Tan Aesthetics and Hair Clinic today.