Why are Hair Transplants confined to Hospitals

The hair transplantation technique is a precise and meticulous procedure which involves great skill and experience. Doctors and a few experienced surgeons carefully inspect and insert the hair follicles at a right angle, and they struggle to give a new look and natural appearance. Hair transplants nowadays are strictly confined to Hospitals and the National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued strict guidelines regarding it. As TOI had reported the death of a 35 yr old man, allegedly on account of negligence during the hair transplantation surgery at a local salon in New Delhi. The victim faced a really painful situation during the hair transplantation surgery. He developed a sore scalp and swelling was observed on his face and shoulders. The victim later passed away during treatment. The case proceeded to Delhi High Court. The Delhi high court has directed the State and Central Delhi governments to ensure that such complicated procedures must be strictly followed by specialized professionals or doctors who are experienced as there are risks involved during the transplantation processes. Such practices can turn out to be fatal as it is medical related and medical protocols are framed at the national level. 

As per the recently amended guidelines, hair transplant is conducted in hospitals with facilities for indoor patients. Any daycare clinic performing surgeries should be well connected to nearby hospitals with proper ICU and critical care facilities. 

Hair Transplantation Technique 

A hair transplant is a dermatological procedure where the surgeon moves the hair to the bald area of the head and waits for its growth. The hair is usually moved from the backside to the front of the head. Hair transplant procedures involve local anaesthesia. People opt for hair transplants as there is baldness or a majority of hair loss. The baldness may be due to various factors such as diet, stress, illness, hormonal imbalance and medications. These strict guidelines ordered spell doom the regular stand-alone clinics. The patient must be aware of the potential risks and ensure that the clinics are properly equipped with all the medical equipment and facilities. 

Why do people opt for Hair Transplantation?

There are different types of hair transplant techniques involved. They are Slit Grafts and Micrografts. Men with patterned baldness and women with thinning hair usually get benefitted from the hair transplant or anyone with hair injury opts for hair transplants. 

Hair transplant surgeries are usually performed in hair care centres or trichology centres under the guidance of experienced trichologists or hair transplant surgeons. There is a specialized branch of medicine where hair transplants or hair study is concentrated and is termed “Trichology”. A hair transplant surgery requires 3-4 sessions, and it takes 4 hours or more duration to perform the procedure. After the hair transplant is performed, the scalp may become sore. The doctor may recommend medication to relieve pain, antibiotics to reduce the rate of infection, and anti-inflammatory infections. Most people return to trichologists after the surgery is performed. It is observed that the transplanted hair falls off after 2-3 weeks after the procedure. Most people observe new hair growth 8-12 months after the surgery. 

While a hair transplant has a few advantages, there are a few complications involved with the hair transplant. 

Side Effects of Hair Transplant

Hair transplant side effects are considered minor, but they may be fatal in a few cases.

The side effects include

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Swelling of the scalp 
• Bruising around the eyes
• Itching 
• Infection of hair follicles known as folliculitis
• Unnatural-looking tufts of hair 

The long-term hair appearance or outlook differs from person to person. The new hair may appear more or less dense depending on the 

• Scalp Laxity
• Hair Quality
• The density of follicles in the transplanted zone
• Hair curl
  
  Few surgeries involve stem cell hair transplant surgeries, which are similar to traditional hair transplants. In stem cell hair transplant, a small skin sample from which the hair follicles are harvested is removed. The hair follicles are replicated inside the lab and implanted in the areas where there is hair loss. There is still ongoing research on stem cell hair transplants. But in 2017, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) released a warning even on stem cell hair transplants. Though the research reveals that stem cell hair transplant is quite promising. The success rate for this hair transplantation procedure is very minimal. Few clinics offer stem cell hair therapies since they are investigational, FDA did not approve them. Rogaine and Propecia are a few medications recommended along with hair transplant surgeries. It is always advisable to consult a doctor before opting for such hair transplant treatment procedures as they turn out to be fatal in a few cases.

Why do hair transplant surgeries fail?

There are various reasons why hair transplant surgeries fail:

• Inexperienced and unqualified surgeons
• Due to miscommunication issues during or post-surgery
• Improper post-operative care
• Unlicensed or unauthorized hair clinics
• The unsustainability of hair or unsuitable candidates 
• Having unrealistic expectations 

Conclusion

Hair Transplant techniques are emerging procedures which are in booming demand in both the dermatology and cosmetology industries. Though hair transplants serve as permanent remedies and enhance once appearance, there are both pros and cons involved with any procedure. A person should opt for a good clinic and experienced professionals and perform a thorough research of case studies where more success rate is involved. Also, one must be confident enough regarding the outcome after the hair transplant surgery.