Anxiety and psychological effects of balding have a profound impact on the patients self image and social interaction. Hair loss can be caused due to genetics, androgenetic (male) hormones, aging, infection, poor nutrition etc. Male and female patern hair loss or thinning in both men and women are the main reasons for considering hair transplant surgery.

Follicular Unit Hair transplantation is a newer technique in hair transplant surgery and is very successful in many a bald person. Some of the commonly asked questions about Follicular unit hair transplantation are discussed below :

Ques : What is follicular unit transplantation?
Ans : Follicular unit transplatation is the technique in which hair is taken from the back of the scalp and then transplanted to the areas affected by balding. 1-4 hairs are usually present in one follicular unit with glands. The follicular unit as a whole with out much damage is transplanted to the bald area. This will simulate the way haior grows in nature. The key to follicular unit transplantation is to identify the person's natural hair groupings and use them wihout any damage, to create a natural appearance.

Ques : Who is an ideal candidate for hair transplant?
Ans : One should always remember that the surgery is basically "moving" hair from where you to where you don't. The goal of the surgery is to find the most efficient uses for that existing hair. One is a good candidate if he/she has lost hair as a familial trait. Healthy hair growth at the back and side of the head is important. Hair loss due to trauma and burns is a good indication also.

HAIR TRANSPLANTATION - BEFORE	HAIR TRANSPLANTATION - AFTER

Ques: What is the advantage of this technique?
Ans : The transplanted hair(grafts) are smaller and leave no marks after teh transplant. This appears absolutely natural, because the grafts are tiny and many grafts can be placed near each other in one sitting.

Ques : How will the donor site(area from where the scalp is cut) appear after surgery?
Ans : The scalp is very elastic. Once the strip of hair is removed both sides of the scalp is pulled and sutured. The only evidence of surgery is a thin line hidden under the hair and not shown.

Ques : How long will it take for the hair to grow like normal hair?
Ans : Growth of new hair appears rapid in the first 1-3 weeks. Then the hair sheds. This is due to the rejection of the grafts earlier, then the transplant progresses. Then the hair grows by 3-4 months.

Ques : Are hair tranplantation result permanent?
Ans : The hair from the donor site is usually not sensitive to the balding process i.e, since it is taken from a normal growing area balding will not recur. The hair will retain its genetic characteristics even after relocation. So the results are permanent and the transplanted hair will continue to grow for the rest of your life.

Ques : Are there risks involved with hair transplantation?
Ans : There is no need to worry excessively about risks of complications because they are very rare and even if encountered, can be tackled easily. Infection, graft rejection are some rare complications. These can be brought well under control if the surgeon is a qualified specialist.

Ques : How long has one to stay in the hospital?
Ans : Follicular Unit Hair transplant is relatively minor surgical procedure. Most of the people recover in few days and return to work right away. There is no necessity to hospitalize the patient.