Hair transplantation is a great way to combat the effects of alopecia. In fact, it’s really the only way to combat the effects of alopecia. That’s why more and more men – and even some women – are choosing to undergo some sort of procedure in a hair restoration clinic. There are multiple procedures available, such as follicular unit extraction (FUE), follicular unit transplantation (FUT), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. But how long can you expect the results of these procedures to last? Let’s find out.
I Thought Hair Transplants Were Supposed To Be Permanent?
While most hair transplants are intended to be permanent, you’ll notice that hair restoration clinics generally stop short of saying that. This is because there are a number of factors which can prevent a hair transplant from lasting forever, so no clinic can responsibly guarantee permanent results. The good news, however, is that procedures such as FUT or FUE will almost always result in continued hair growth in once bald areas. It is only in extreme cases that hair loss will resume.
What Causes These “Extreme Cases”?
The effects of a hair transplant can be undone by any number of things, with genetics being chief among them. The best example of this can be seen in English footballer player Wayne Rooney. Rooney began losing his hair at an early age. In fact, pictures of the forward in 2005, when he was just 20 years of age show noticeably thinning locks. Considering the fact he began balding at such a young age, Rooney clearly has a severe predisposition to balding. It is for this reason that his high-profile 2011 hair transplant had to be repeated in 2013. Even now, after having spent in excess of £30,000 of hair restoration procedures, the Manchester United legend is in constant battle with his genetics.
Should I Get Multiple Hair Transplants?
Generally speaking, if you continue to experience hair loss even after your first hair transplant, you likely have excessively high levels of 5-alpha-reductases. These are the enzymes that cause pattern baldness and no amount of hair transplants is going to counteract their effect in the long run. However, it is not uncommon for people who have undergone one hair transplant to book a second one as a sort of “top up”.
Recently, bbc.com, conducted an in-depth interview with a British man who traveled to Turkey for a hair transplant. Turkey is considered by many to be home to the finest hair restoration clinics in the world. The patient interviewed by the BBC shares this belief and enthusiastically stated his satisfaction with the treatment he received in the country. However, he also declared that he is planning on a return to the country for a second hair transplant. Rather than being the consequence of an unsuccessful first attempt, the man’s plan to travel to Turkey for another hair transplant comes as a result of the low cost of doing so. According to this article, for less than $10,000, a medical tourist can secure FUE treatment in the country. This creates what could best be described as a “might as well” atmosphere, inspiring countless patients to undergo multiple hair transplants in the country even when they are not necessary.
