Can you have a hair transplant without shaving your head?

Hair transplantation is a very effective surgery that is performed to combat alopecia in its definitive state. It is a method that can be accessed by men and women alike. Helping to recover hair lost due to baldness, by moving hair from one donor area to another recipient. But some of the methods used for this, require the head to be shaved. Which begs the question, can you perform a hair transplant without shaving your head??

For some men, it is not a problem to have to get rid of all the hair for this surgery. But, in the case of women, this is a drawback. Taking into account that every day there are more girls who opt for this treatment for their alopecia. It is important to answer this question. Similarly, some guys prefer not to have to shave completely. That is why we explain below if an unshaven hair graft is possible.

You may also be interested in: Hair Problems Other Than Alopecia

Can hair transplantation be performed without shaving the head?

The answer is uncertain and depends on several factors, such as the patient’s condition. Also, if the affected area covers a large circumference of the head, the doctor may have no choice. Surgeons must shave the donor and affected areas for the procedure to be effective. It also depends on the type of operation, such as FUE or FUSS.

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) is the process of moving follicular unit hairs in one region of the head (donor area) to another (recipient area). Usually, the hairs are more on the side and often surgeons pull them out to the front, where the head is bald. One of the main reasons given for shaving the head before hair grafting is to clear access. If you are going to shave your hair, the dermatologist does it one day before the primary operation. Therefore, it is a preoperative measure.

During the operation, the plastic surgeon makes a deep incision of no more than 1 mm in the area of the scalp to be operated. In this open slit, a graft is uniquely placed to reveal a clean hair follicle. However, the hair graft should be at the same measured level as the surrounding part.

Whether the hair is shaved or not, different side effects are evident. They include swelling of the scalp, crusting, scalp infection, itching, bleeding, numbness, shedding of grafted hairs, inflammation, bruising, or even loss from shock.

Unshaved hair transplant

If you fear that your hair will be completely shaved before the transplant can be performed, you may need to inform yourself. It is a mistaken belief, and the affected area may not be shaved before the main procedure.

The consequence is that the view is not clear. However, the process varies by clinic. In some clinics, they leave the recipient area unshaven and remove hair at donor sites completely. On the other hand, other clinics completely shave the donor area and cover it with surrounding hairs. In extreme cases, no part of the region is shaved. That is, none of the recipient and donor areas are shaved.

These three procedures, although available, are not particularly compatible with the conditions of each. One, the operation takes longer and requires more professional hands. In addition, complications may arise from such a procedure; An infection is more likely to occur in the unshaven part.

Therefore, patients should be discouraged from undergoing such operations, especially when the condition of their scalp is incompatible with it. Doctors advise on these conditions and often perform unshaved hair grafts when a small part is affected.

Why is shaving a preoperative measure in hair grafting?

Hair is shaved before performing any transplant procedure for a few reasons:

Clear vision

Areas are often shaved to allow the surgeon to clearly see what he or she is working on. Therefore, the procedure is performed better and faster when shaving the areas.

Simpler and faster procedure

If the recipient area is not shaved, it makes the job difficult because the surgeon must navigate through the hair carefully. Hair obstruction also delays the procedure and prolongs the process.

Therefore, doctors prefer to shave their hair because then; They can carry out the operation effectively.

Elimination of possible risks

There are risks associated with procedures for unshaved hair, such as tangled hair. This can be avoided by shaving the hair in the affected region, and it is not necessary to handle it obsessively to the limit where tangling occurs with pre-existing hairs.

Simple postoperative measures

After the procedure, the head should be cleaned. Cleanliness is more accessible when the coast is clear. When hair is not shaved before any surgical procedure, there is a chance that it will accumulate dirt.

Simple aftercare procedure

After some procedures, complications such as itching and bleeding occur, and recommended treatments, such as ATP spray, are recommended. Spraying a shaved head is more effective and with faster results than with an unshaved head.

Minimal risk of graft detachment

If a tangled graft surrounds or sits on a hair or hairbar, the graft will most likely come off. Therefore, if the affected area is minimal, doctors would recommend that you shave the hair around it to avoid this complication.

It can also prevent a quick recovery.

FAQs

Won’t people call me bald?

This question precisely scares many people and makes them succumb to the attractive procedure of unshaved hair transplantation. However, it is inevitable, but the guarantee is the growth of more abundant and thick hair.

One way to get used to this new look is to have your hair down for a short period of time before hair transplantation. People will have become accustomed to this by the time the surgical procedure is completed.

Alternatively, you can invest in hats, wigs, and caps after the surgery has been done. However, it may not be feasible to wear head covering material, such as hats or caps, during the first week of the procedure to avoid interfering with the treated regions of the scalp.

Is it possible to have a hair graft without shaving my hair?

One of your fears is that your long hair will fall short and not grow faster as you want later. Yes, you can perform an unshaved hair transplant, but only with careful consideration, such as the condition of your scalp. In addition, such procedures are more expensive.

Unshaved hair grafting is best suited for people with minimal hair loss or affected scalp area.

What makes shaved hair different from unshaved hair transplants?

As the name suggests, shaved hair transplants mean that all surrounding hairs are removed from the affected scalp. It would help create a clear view of the part and speed up the process.