Usually, a hair transplant is designed to be permanent and rarely do people need them redone. After the healing process is complete, the transplanted follicles begin to grow hair that will fill the bald areas of the scalp. This is hair that will continue to grow naturally as you age. In most cases, a hair transplant will last a lifetime because healthy hair follicles are implanted in thin or bald areas.
Before undergoing any hair transplant procedure, it's important to understand that there will be permanent scarring. Finding an experienced provider who knows how to create a sustainable, natural-looking hair transplant design is essential to being satisfied with the results. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is one of the most popular methods for hair transplants and does not leave a long linear scar since the procedure does not involve removing a strip of tissue from the donor site.
Patients are advised to stop smoking and avoid using anticoagulants, beta-blockers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or antidepressants for the two weeks before a hair transplant. Additionally, some surgeons recommend taking minoxidil the month before the procedure. During FUE procedures, the surgeon uses a micro punch device to transplant healthy hair follicles from the donor site (usually the back and sides of the head) to the target areas.
The longevity of hair follicles after FUT is still being debated; there are no studies that document the lifespan of transplanted follicles. However, many patients will get the results they're looking for after a hair transplant, and the implanted hair will continue to grow throughout their lives.
