Hair loss is a condition that many people face around the world. Some many methods and treatments claim they are effective but that’s not the case a lot of the times. From herbal shampoos and vitamins to minimally invasive procedures such as microdermabrasion and surgeries such as the hair transplant procedure. Hair transplant is a way for men and women to treat hair loss (including male pattern hair loss) and regain some of their confidence back.
The procedure itself is rather complex and if you’re interested in trying it you should read this article. We’ve covered everything about hair transplant in Singapore – from details about the procedure to the cost. We hope this article is interesting and helpful!
Table of Contents
What is a hair transplant?
A hair transplant is a hair restoration procedure in which existing healthy hair follicles are transplanted to the parts of the scalp and head where it is sparser. It’s one of the most effective hairs loss treatment methods. There a lot of factors that may require this intervention but probably the most common is when the scalp doesn’t respond to other hair loss treatment methods. It’s often used for male pattern baldness. The procedure of hair transplantation is evolving all the time and in recent years it has become a desired and popular aesthetic procedure. Singapore is no exception to this trend and there are many specialists and equipment available making hair loss treatments and hair restoration procedures as accessible for everyone as possible.
What methods are used?
There are two basic types of methods being used in hair transplant techniques and methods.
The first method is called FUT – the transplant of the follicular unit. In this technology, an elliptical piece is cut from the donor area between the ears using a scalpel. The piece is then sewn tightly.
A downside to this method is that it leaves scars on the back of the neck. With the newer method, called FUE hair transplant, such problems are left to a minimum. As the roots are removed in a special ratio, the thinning of the hair will be invisible. FUE stands for follicular unit extraction.
The FUE hair transplant method is more convenient for both the patient and the operating team. This is minimally invasive so there is no risk of scars on the head and scalp, the patient experiences much less pain, no bleeding, and most importantly – the parts from which the hair is taken for transplantation, recover much faster. Hair follicles are taken from the area not affected by baldness (donor area). It is usually between the two ears, above the neck. At the discretion of specialists, there are cases in which the follicular unit extraction is done from different parts of the body. Eyebrows and beards can be grafted by the same method.
How does the planning work?
Important details such as the number of hair grafts to be implanted, the places where they will be transplanted, the number of sessions, the blood tests that will be needed, the need for help from another doctor, the position of the hairline, the places where the single, double and triple grafts will be implanted – all this is determined in the planning phase. It is then necessary to take pictures of the patient from different sides for the photo archive, to draw a plan for the distribution of the hair grafts on the scalp and to take pictures again. The successful planning phase provides comfort during the operation for both the patient and the medical team.
Can anyone get hair transplantation in Singapore?
The most important thing about hair transplant procedures in Singapore is that you as a patient should be approved by a specialist. After a hair analysis done at the appropriate clinic, the patient may be prescribed a different method. The hair transplant procedure must be performed in the operating room of the hospital by an expert and an operating team. You will be informed that you may be refused this procedure if your medical examination and hair analysis show that you are not suitable for such an intervention. Medical treatments for hair loss such as hair mesotherapy, thermotherapy, and home care products are generally recommended for such patients. Sometimes, according to the list of recommendations, a medical shampoo suitable to the patient’s case is prescribed.
Can hair transplants be done on women?
A hair transplant can be done on women. One in ten patients who undergo a hair transplant is a woman. Today, through a special method, which is applied for the first time in the world, hair transplant surgery can be performed on patients without cutting their hair using the FUE hair transplant method.
What happens during the procedure?
Initially, the transplant was performed with a pen-like device, which is placed in the skin at the depth of the hair root and the follicular unit is removed. If the patient needs 2000 grafts, for example, this procedure will be performed 2000 times. As this takes a long time, the procedure is now done by a robotic system.
The only difference between the motorized hair transplant method and the old hair transplant method is that the medical person does not remove the follicular units manually. The basic principle is the same, but the new method saves time. Its also called robotic hair transplant.
Through the follicular motor, the grafts can be taken from closer places or taken from more than one area. Moreover, with the follicular motor, the risk of graft damage is significantly lower and the integrity of the follicular unit is better preserved.
For all these reasons, the follicular motor allows hair transplant to be performed much more comfortably. There are no risks of leaving scars, the patient feels almost no pain, no bleeding. The parts from which the grafts are taken recover very quickly. Simply put, follicular units are extracted from the back of the head, where the hairs are genetically set so that they do not fall out. A robotic system extracts hairs, transplanting about 2,500 to 3,000 grafts in approximately 1 hour.
The single ones are placed in the front line of the hair, and the double and triple ones – in the back part, with the opening of fewer channels. The required amount is an extremely important part of planning a hair transplant procedure. It depends on the achievement of the desired result that meets the patient’s expectations. It is performed based on a mathematical principle.
All patients are examined by an anesthesiologist before surgery and monitored by him during the entire procedure. In order not to feel pain, patients are given a local anaesthetic.
The number of channels must be equal to the number of hair grafts to be implanted. The angle of hair growth should be carefully examined when opening the channels so that the hair looks as natural as possible. That is why the canals need to be opened by an aesthetic specialist. This process, during which the patient can listen to music or watch television, took approximately 1 hour, during which about 2,500-3,000 units are transplanted.
This is the final stage of the hair transplant surgery, when the roots removed in the first phase are implanted in the canals opened in the second phase. The grafts are placed in a container with a special liquid, where they will be stored in a sterile environment. When implanting grafts, it is extremely important to follow their order so that the patient’s hair can look as natural as possible. Grafts are grouped into those with one, two, and three hairs. It is necessary to place the single grafts in the front line of the hair, the double and triple grafts are placed in the back with the opening of fewer channels.
This is the natural look of any hair. As the channels are narrower and the grafts are single in the front line of the hair, it is necessary to perform the implantation there very carefully. The team must be formed by specialists so that the implantation is done quickly, without any contact with the grafts, as the goal is to be placed immediately with their removal from the sterile environment. All details such as the exact place to hold the graft and the angle of the hand when placing it are extremely important.
What’s the FUE hair transplant recovery process like?
You won’t need to stay at the hospital after the FUE hair transplant procedure is done. The area where the tissue is removed is covered with a special liquid silicone, so no bandages are needed. The patient can go outside safely without any aesthetic concerns. The donor area from where the hair follicles were extracted and the area where the grafts are implanted are covered with a special cap until the patient reaches home. There you must remove this cap so as not to put pressure on the head and scalp and so that the wounds can heal faster. It is also very important that the patient stays at home on the day of the operation and the next day. It is recommended that you don’t do any strenuous activity.
You must lie on your back and make sure that the areas where the hair is transplanted do not touch anything. It’s a good idea that someone stays with you for the first night and make sure you maintain the proper position of the head. It is also good to get a special pillow to support the neck. You should not lie on your side or face. After the first wash, he will be able to sleep much more comfortably and freely. 7 to 10 days after the operation you will be able to sleep more peacefully.
Your doctor will suggest that the first hair wash is under medical supervision. Hair should be washed no earlier than 24 hours after the procedure or up to 72 hours after the operation. In the areas where the hair is implanted, apply a softening lotion, which is left to act for 20-45 minutes. After washing it, a special medical shampoo is applied to the whole hair. This process must be done very carefully, only with your fingertips. Then the hair should be dried very gently, without rubbing, with a paper towel. It is preferable to clean the area from which the grafts were taken with an ampoule of rifampicin or an antiseptic solution in the first 3 days. No care is required for the donor area in the following days. The hair should be washed every day for the first 15 days, then you can return to the usual frequency of washing your hair. The shampoo used is medical and prescribed by a doctor.
What about the results?
First and foremost, it is best not to cut your hair in the first 2 weeks after surgery. The hair can then be cut with scissors or a razor. After 60 days, the hair can be cut as you wish. However, it is good to go to a hairdresser who is familiar with hair transplantation and has experience. You’ll notice the first results from your hair growth 90 days after transplantation. After approximately 8-10 months, you’ll see full results and your new hair. You must have realistic expectations about the results. Sometimes the results are not always the best. That would depend on the surgeon or sometimes because the results can’t be predicted all the time. But under ideal conditions, only 3% of grafts do not grow and you’ll get the results you want.
How many sessions would I need?
People with severe baldness problems may need more than one session – two or even three. In this case, it is good to wait for 8 months. Of course, if you wish, you can undergo two hair transplant sessions in a row, but you should know that the number of grafts that can be implanted in the second session is smaller. If the first day is implanted 2000, then on the second they will be about 1000. If you wait 8 months, in the second hair transplant session the grafts can reach 1800, which means about 1500 hairs more.
Cost for hair transplant in Singapore
The hair transplant cost in Singapore is not the most affordable thing. We have to prepare you for that. The cost for hair transplant in Singapore may vary depending on the type of method they use, your surgeon’s fee (anesthesiologist fee too), medications, and shampoos you might get prescribed. Other factors that might contribute to the final cost is the number of grafts you’re going to get. For example, 2000 grafts hair transplant in Singapore cost may be around 10,000$. That being said, the most common price in Singapore is around 8000$ to 12,000$. Affordable hair transplant treatment is not something you should expect to find if you want quality, as this is an elective and cosmetic procedure. Hair restoration and fighting hair loss are no exception – if you want the best possible results and to have a healthy and good looking scalp, it’s better to invest more into the hair transplants.
Final Thoughts
Hair loss is certainly a thing that can destroy one’s self-esteem. A lot of us have dealt with hair loss due to hormonal changes or stress but a lot of people have permanent hair loss that can be treated with medical attention only. There a lot of options for hair loss treatment and hair replacement in Singapore including non-invasive and invasive methods. If you decide to go undergo a hair transplant procedure in Singapore then it’s important to know what to expect. Singapore is a place with amazing doctors and professionals so you have a lot of options. An FUE hair transplant is probably the most effective method to fix severe hair loss. We hope that this article was helpful and you’re going to make an informed decision about your hair transplant in Singapore.