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How much does a hair transplant cost

Alopecia is an aesthetic problem that can be very uncomfortable for many people. It can rob us of confidence, make us feel less comfortable with company and with ourselves. Fortunately, there are effective ways to stop and reverse this process. A particularly effective solution is the FUE method using the ARTAS robot offered by our clinic.

What is a hair transplant?

Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure in which hair follicles are moved from one part of the body, known as the donor site, to a balding or balding part of the body, known as the recipient site. This method is mainly used in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. In this minimally invasive procedure, grafts containing hair follicles that are genetically resistant to baldness (such as those at the back of the head) are transplanted onto a bald scalp. Hair transplantation can also be used to restore eyelashes, eyebrows, chin, chest, pubic hair, and to fill in scars caused by accidents or surgeries such as facelifts and previous hair transplants. Hair grafts differ from skin grafts in that the grafts contain almost all of the epidermis and dermis around the hair follicles, and many small grafts are transplanted rather than a single strip of skin.

Since hair naturally grows in groups of 2 to 4 hairs, modern techniques collect and transplant "follicular units" of hair into their natural groups. Thus, modern hair transplantation allows you to achieve a natural look, imitating the original hair structure. This hair transplant procedure is called Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). Donor hair can be collected in two different ways: strip collection and follicular unit extraction (FUE).

How much does a hair transplant cost?

The price of a hair transplant depends on many factors. First of all, it depends on the method by which the procedure is carried out. In the case of a much more invasive and often ineffective method - FUT, the prices are somewhat lower than in the case of the method used in our clinic, i.e. FUE using a special innovative robot - ARTAS. In addition to the method itself, the price depends on the number of transplanted hairs and the surface area. To find out how much the treatment will cost, it is worth going to an individual consultation. However, sometimes a phone call or email is enough.

procedure procedure

The process of planning a hair transplant and the procedure itself is not easy. Fortunately for our clients, our clinic consists of a team of professional doctors and nurses. Thanks to this, all patients can be sure that the transplant will be painless and sterile. Our treatments have a very high success rate. We also know how important a speedy recovery is for our patients, so we're happy to share tips and ways to speed it up. 

Preoperative assessment and planning

During the first consultation, the surgeon analyzes the patient's scalp, discusses their preferences and expectations, and advises on the best approach (for example, one session or multiple sessions) and what results can reasonably be expected. The preoperative follicle will help you know the actual density of the hair so that you can accurately evaluate the results after a hair transplant. Some patients may benefit from preoperative topical application of minoxidil and vitamins.

A few days before the procedure, the patient refrains from taking any drugs that can cause intraoperative bleeding and lead to transplant failure. Alcohol and smoking can contribute to poor transplantation. Postoperative antibiotics are often prescribed to prevent infections in wounds or grafts.

Methods for the procedure

Transplant operations are performed on an outpatient basis, with light sedation (optional) and local injection anesthesia. There are several different methods for collecting hair follicles, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Regardless of the collection method, proper removal of the hair follicles is of paramount importance to ensure the viability of the transplanted hair and prevent separation of the hair shaft from the hair follicle. Hair follicles grow at a slight angle to the skin surface, so the transplanted tissue should be removed at right angles.

Currently, there are two main methods for obtaining donor grafts: strip clipping (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE).

FUT method 

Strip collection is the most common method for removing hair and hair follicles from the donor site. The surgeon collects a strip of skin from the back of the head in an area of ​​good hair growth. A scalpel with one, two or three blades is used to remove strips of hairy tissue from the donor site. Each incision is planned in such a way as to remove intact hair follicles. The cut strip measures approximately 1-1,5 x 15-30 cm. Having closed the resulting wound, the assistants begin to cut out individual follicular unit grafts from the strip, which are small, naturally formed groups of hair follicles. When working with stereomicroscopes, excess fibrous and adipose tissue is carefully removed, being careful not to damage the follicular cells that will be used for transplantation. The last method of closure is called "trichophyte closure", which results in thinner scarring around the donor.

FUE method

In follicular unit extraction or FUE recruitment, single follicular units containing 1 to 4 hairs are removed under local anesthesia; for this micro-removal, small punches with a diameter of 0,6 mm to 1,0 mm are usually used. The surgeon then uses very small microbeads or fine needles to pierce the graft receiving sites, placing them in a specific density and pattern, and sequentially placing the wounds for a realistic hair pattern. Doctors usually perform the last part of the procedure by placing individual grafts in place.

FUE occurs over the course of one long session or many smaller sessions. The FUE procedure takes longer than a strip transplant. The duration of the FUE operation varies depending on the experience of the surgeons, the rate of collection, and the characteristics of the patient. The procedure may take several hours to extract 200 scar repair grafts, before surgery for two consecutive days for 2500-3000 grafts. 

FUE can give very natural results. The advantage over the strip method is that the FUE method eliminates the need to capture large areas of scalp tissue, so there is no linear incision at the back of the head and no scarring is left. Since individual follicles are removed, only small pinpoint scars remain that are almost invisible, and any post-operative pain and discomfort is minimized. Since no stitches are required, FUE takes less than 7 days.

Disadvantages include longer operation times and higher costs to the patient. This is challenging for new surgeons as the procedure is physically demanding. Some surgeons note that FUE may result in a lower success rate for follicle transplantation compared to strip harvesting, but results are better when performed correctly.

The FUT method in our clinic is the highest quality

In order to maximize the effect and ensure that clients get what they expect, we use innovative technologies for the treatment in our clinic. We are talking about the robot ARTAS 9X. The device assists in the FUE procedure. Thanks to this device, which, unlike a person, does not get tired and can work at maximum speed all the time, the procedure takes only a few hours. No risk of scars, cuts or pain. In an hour of active work, the robot is able to pick up up to 1000 hair follicles, which is much more than that of a person. The robot is also superior to the human hand in terms of precision and accuracy. Independently selects the ideal angle and depth of the incision so that there are no scars on the head. However, for many clients, the most important thing is that the recovery time is only a few days. Most of our clients return to full fitness and activity after 4 or 5 days.

What happens after hair transplant surgery?

The hair transplantation procedure with an innovative method using the ARTAS robot allows you to significantly speed up your recovery.. However, it takes some time for the hair follicles to heal. In most cases, it takes 3 to 5 days. At this time, you should not use stimulants that can prolong the recovery time - the abuse of coffee, cigarettes and alcohol. If a headache develops for any reason, patients are free to use painkillers without the risk of additional problems. Another way to speed up recovery is to apply cold compresses directly to the skin and sleep a lot in the right position. For several days after the procedure, patients are advised to sleep with their head tilted at a 45-degree angle.

After about a week, the skin may develop scabs and an itching sensation that accompanies them.. Do not scratch them, but wait until they fall off on their own. Head massage can help. If you notice that individual hairs fall out immediately after transplantation, this should not be a cause for concern. This is the result of post-operative shock, and the hair itself takes several hours to adapt. They begin to grow only after a few weeks, and the final effect appears after a few months.

Hair transplant surgery is a chance to regain your self-confidence and improve your appearance. However, to obtain the expected results, the help of specialists is needed. Therefore, we invite you to contact the representatives of our clinic directly.