Hair transplant is a modern scientific invention that transfers hair from one part of the body to another. This is mainly done to restore hair on scalp area suffering from thinning or balding. The first hair transplant was carried out in Japan, in the year 1939 with single scalp hair. Gradually, with technical advancements, now “plug” technique is popular, in which huge tufts of hair is used.
Hair transplant is a genuine solution to your uncontrollable hair fall and balding, and it can be a pricey affair or a pocket-friendly endeavor, depending on locality, surgeon’s expertise and post-transplant expenditures.
There is numerous hair transplant clinic in Kolkata offering brilliant service, but what may suit you, only you can decide. This blog details about the cost of hair transplants and the factors based on for the same also we shall brief about transplant recovery and what can be expected from the procedure.
Topics to cover:
- Cost of a hair transplant
- Types of hair transplants
- Recovery
- Costing, post-transplant
- Risks if any
- Alternative options
- Final thoughts
What is the cost of a hair transplant in Kolkata?
The average hair transplant cost in Kolkata is somewhere between Rs.50,000 to RS 95,000 with per graft price being between RS.30 – to RS.90 based on how many grafts are needed, your physician’s fees and the clinic reputation and location.
Factors that affect the cost:
Amount of hair to be removed: The cost is significantly high when it includes more area on the scalp than one or two small areas.
Choice of hair transplant procedure: There are two popular hair transplant surgeries, namely FUT and FUE. The pricing varies on a choice of procedure.
Expertise of surgeon: Expert surgeons often charge more than the lesser established ones. But expansive does not guarantee a good hair transplant outcome. You must do a thorough search to find the best doctor and make the right choice on the treatment.
Location: Areas with high living cost, will eventually have more surgery cost. The competition also decides the price.
Travel expanse: Yes, when you plan your budget, travel cost must be in your bucket list.
Also, when you decide you must keep an eye on any coupons or discounts offered by any good clinic. This may help you while deciding.
Types of hair transplants
The two popular types of hair transplant methods are the FUT and FUE, which are detailed below.
Follicular unit transplant
FUT involves obtaining hair from the back of the scalp by removing a strip of skin and then the cut is closed and eventually gets covered with adjacent hair growth. The hair strip is divided into grafts, with each having one hair or a few hairs. They are implanted in the bald areas.
Here, the cost of treatment will depend on the number of hair grafts required for the procedure.
One disadvantage of this technique is scarring at the back, but that is mild and gets covered with surrounding hair.
Follicular unit extraction
The back of the scalp is shaved and then individual follicles are obtained, instead of the entire removal of a strip of hair. Similar to FUT, the surgeon will transplant the grafts to recipient zones.
This procedure is less invasive compared to FUT, and there is a lesser chance of experiencing pain or discomfort. But, the FUE method is more expansive than FUT.
Recovery
The surgeon must offer thorough guidance post-surgery and take utmost care for the patient’s health. The scalp remains sensitive after the surgery, and the areas remain covered with bandages for some days and your physician will prescribe medications for pain relief, antibiotic as prevention against infections and anti-inflammatory remedies for any swelling that may happen.
Recovery time for FUE is rapid.
As natural to happen, the most transplanted hair will fall within six months, but then you can witness new hair growth and get back your looks.
Costing post-surgery
When you have to decide on the budget, you have to keep in consideration the costing during the recovery phase as well. Factors that decide the expanse are the price of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and pain medication.
Some surgeons also prescribe minoxidil, a hair-growth drug after the transplant is carried out. This is a costly affair, also its effectiveness unclear.
Risks if any
This being one of the safest surgery types, with an expert surgeon, chances of risks are null. Anyways, all surgery may have some risk for consideration.
The risks that you may face are:
- Inflammation
- Infection
- Scarring on scalp
- Patchy new hair growth
Also, there is a risk that the graft is not well taken and the surgery failed wholly.
Alternative options
Not necessarily everyone with hair fall problem will like to opt for surgery. They may take other approaches which don’t include surgery.
As per the American Academy of Dermatology, there is a list of alternative approaches to hair transplant surgery:
Minoxidil: You can get this without any prescription, but it is always a wise idea to consult a doctor prior.
Oral finasteride: This medicine is just for men and must be obtained by prescription only. This medicine may slow down hair fall or encourage hair growth.
Cortisone: This can be taken both as an injection or topically to enhance hair growth.
Estrogen supplement: Women with unstoppable hair fall may benefit from oral or topical estrogen.
Laser therapy: Laser therapy of low dose is helpful for genetic hair fall and patter-balding in both men and women.
Fact is that hair fall may be a health concern, like thyroid disorder and can be reversed with appropriate treatment.
Final thoughts
Hair transplant is a much-acclaimed success treatment, but the expanse varies based on location, the expertise of the surgeon and finally the procedure you opt for. There are some other factors that you must consider before you choose a procedure or the surgeon, like distance and travel expenses.
If you consider yourself a hair transplant candidate, you must do a thorough search both online and offline and take a decision wisely and being calculative.
It is suggested to have a detail discussion with your surgeon on surgical risks and recovery times with preventive measures that you must take care of post-surgery.
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