So you’ve decided to part with your hard earned dollars and pull the trigger on a hair transplant. Many of us have made the same decision after years of trying to laugh off the bald jokes and the embarrassingly high age guesses. You’re definitely not alone, even if you’re still young. Male pattern baldness affects around one in three men under 30 and hair transplants are increasing in popularity with younger guys too.
While hair transplants do a great job of moving hair to completely bald areas, they do have a reputation for being a little… easy to spot. And what’s the point in swapping bald jokes for dodgy transplant jokes!?
The good news is that using a good quality, cotton hair fibre can make your hair transplant look a lot more natural. A premium hair thickening fibre like the Australian brand Nut Job™ will cling onto your transplanted hairs and fill in those telltale gaps. The even better news is that a premium hair thickening fibre is actually really affordable and can be used every day without causing further hair loss. Winning!
If you haven’t had your transplant yet or have just recently had your procedure, doctors recommend waiting at least two weeks post-transplant before using any hair products (even things like hair dryers and shampoos) as the transplanted hair is quite fragile and needs time to settle and take hold. It’s also a good idea to use a natural, cotton product as some fibres out there are made from keratin and use a lot of sketchy chemicals which can irritate and even damage your already fragile scalp further inhibiting hair growth. Um, no thanks!
You can purchase Nut Job Premium Cotton Hair Thickening Fibres here for just $42.
Want to know more about hair transplants? Check out our FAQ below.
Read Alan's story here - Hair Fibres Safe After Transplant
FAQs
What are the different types of hair transplant?
There are two main types of hair transplant in Australia: Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). Which one is right for you will depend on a number of factors which your chosen doctor should discuss with you.
FUT is the OG hair transplant and probably what you’re envisioning when you think about what a hair transplant entails. Doctors remove a strip of skin with healthy, active hair follicles (usually from the back of your head) and splice them into individual pieces of tissue to be implanted in tiny holes in your thinning/bald areas.
A good surgeon will ensure this looks relatively natural, however, many FUT recipients warn that the resulting horizontal scar across the back of their head causes a different type of head-centric self-consciousness :/
FUE is a newer type of hair transplant which was developed to try to mitigate some of the negative aspects of FUT. Rather than removing a strip of skin from the back of the head, individual follicles are removed instead. This means no horizontal scar which can be a huge plus to a lot of guys. As there is no large wound, this method also reduces downtime required as well as post-transplant pain and discomfort.
How natural looking are hair transplants?
Generally speaking, the FUE method is less detectable given their is no large scar, however, it really comes down to the skills and experience of the surgeon. It’s a good idea to visit a few surgeons and look at some of their before and afters before deciding who to go with. Of course, a lot of guys use a hair thickening fibre like Nut Job to enhance the look of their transplant and make it appear more natural.
How successful are hair transplants?
It varies a little bit depending on your surgeon, your overall health, how you’ve cared for the transplant site and the method of transplantation you choose. It also depends on your definition of ‘successful’. Generally speaking, most hair transplants are successful in that they result in hair growth in areas where there previously was none. Individual surgeons should have their own measures and guarantees of success so make sure you discuss this with them prior to making your decision.
Am I a good candidate for a hair transplant?
This will be determined by a qualified surgeon who will assess the reasons for your hair loss, any health conditions you may have and importantly, the health and density of your potential donor site.
How long does it take to look good/natural?
Most doctors will break the post-surgery period into three chunks. The first four months you’re in the ‘recovery phase’ where your scalp is just healing and the transplanted follicles are getting settled into their new home. Towards the end of the recovery phase, new hairs should begin to grow ushering in the ‘growth phase’ of post-transplant life. You will remain in this phase until 12 months since your surgery have passed and you can consider your new head the ‘final result’ of your hair transplant.
I’ve heard hair transplants can make your hair loss worse! Is that true?
What you’ve probably heard about is a phenomenon known as ‘shock loss’ where the stress of the surgery on your healthy follicles causes them to temporarily hibernate (stay in the telogen phase - read about the hair cycle here). This is nothing to worry about and your hair should recover and regrow within a few months.
Are hair transplants painful?
Yeah. I mean, your head is being sliced into! Of course you’ll be appropriately anaesthetised so any pain is minimised but you should expect some discomfort whilst the local anaesthesia is administered and once it wears off.
How long is the downtime after the surgery?
This depends on the transplant method you choose but you can usually expect to be a bit uncomfortable for around 7-10 days whilst your scalp heals.
Are hair transplants expensive?
They can be, but just how expensive will depend on the type of transplant you choose and how severe your hair loss is. You can generally expect to pay anywhere from $2500 to $35 000 depending on the severity of your hair loss and the surgeon you choose. Pro-tip - don’t cheap out on your choice of surgeon!
Get your hands on Nut Job all natural hair thickening fibres here for just $42.