Hair transplantation: time, costs and side effects

Have you just been made aware of the deterioration of your hair situation or have you been struggling with the issue for some time?

Either way, the issue has most likely already had a major impact on your everyday life, made you feel insecure and had a negative effect on your self-confidence. Rest assured that it is completely normal to worry about your hair. After all, our hair has become a status symbol in today's society and is becoming increasingly important.

Fortunately, there are many ways out there to regain your lost hair. A hair transplant is one of these options.

So, what do you need to consider? Like any cosmetic surgery, it can be quite expensive. However, the financial aspect is by no means everything - recovery time, side effects, possible complications during the procedure and, of course, uncertainty about the final result - all these factors should be part of the decision-making process.

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Different types of hair transplantation?

A lot of time has passed since the 1970s, when you still looked like a cheap doll after a hair transplant. Back then, up to 30 hair follicles were removed with a flap and transplanted again, resulting in a hair appearance that was anything but natural, especially with shorter haircuts.

In recent years, intensive work has been carried out to improve the technology and two methods have clearly established themselves: Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).

The FUT method involves the removal of a strip of skin with a certain number of hair follicles. The major disadvantage of the FUT method is the scar that remains in the donor area. All the more important, of course, if you are a fan of short hairstyles.

FUE is clearly the more innovative method and has been the preferred technique since the 2000s. Individual hair follicular units - or hair follicles - are removed and reinserted in the affected area. Tiny micromotors with special tips are used to remove the units, leaving no scars behind.

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The procedure

Both FUT and FUE transplants are performed in an outpatient setting. You will be locally anaesthetized but conscious throughout the operation. If you think the whole thing works on an in-and-out principle, then you are mistaken. Because such a procedure takes anywhere between 4 and 8 hours, and in some cases several procedures over several days are necessary.

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Costs of a hair transplant

As with any cosmetic surgery, the price of a hair transplant depends on various factors: local market conditions, the choice between FUE and FUT, travel costs, the choice of clinic and, of course, the complexity and scope of the individual case.

Depending on these factors, the cost will be somewhere between CHF 3,000 and CHF 15,000. Because a hair transplant is seen as a cosmetic procedure, it is very unlikely that your health insurance will contribute to the costs. So one thing is clear, it won't be cheap!

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Recovery time

In addition to your bank account, your health can also pay a high price. If you are given a bandage, you must be very careful when removing it at home, as the bandage can adhere strongly to the wound. You will also notice swelling in the operated area.

You should be able to wash your hair very carefully, but it can be quite painful.

The recovery time for FUT technology takes 2-3 weeks, after which you are normally ready for longer physical activities again. With FUE technology, this can be the case after just one week.

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Possible complications

The attending physician should inform you about the possible complications of a hair transplant before the operation. These are

• Severe pain and swelling in the surgical area
• Headache
• Infection
• Scarring
• Cyst formation in the surgical area
• Bleeding
• Complications during anesthesia
• Heart problems during surgery
• Formation of a water head

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A few concluding words

It's only natural that you're worried about losing your hair and that your general well-being and self-confidence are suffering as a result. So it's clear that you want to do something about it as quickly as possible.

However, before you take this step, discuss the issue with your closest confidants and seek extensive advice from one or, ideally, several independent experts. Finally, be aware that there are also non-invasive alternatives that are associated with lower costs and risks and can also lead to good results.

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