Does hair in the donor area grow back after it is removed ?

Hair fall is a rising problem in many in our country. There are many methods to treat hair fall. One of the most common and most popular methods is that of hair transplant. Candidates who consider getting a hair transplant procedure, have a lot of unanswered questions. These questions range from the smallest of worries to the most complex of problems. One such question which is frequently asked about hair transplants is: does the hair in the donor area grow back after it is removed? Now, in order to answer this question we must first understand what donor area is, and we also need to look into a detailed amount of factors influencing the hair growth in the donor area.

What is ‘donor area’?

In a hair transplant procedure, hair follicles are taken or rooted from a site which is rich in healthy and nourished hair. This site is called as the ‘donor site’ or the ‘donor area’. Then these hair follicles are grafted or transplanted onto the problem area with patches. This area where the hair is transplanted to is called the ‘recipient area’ or the ‘recipient site’. After a hair transplantation procedure it becomes necessary to take care of both the donor site and the recipient site. Proper post surgery care is extremely significant for better and faster recovery.

Hair transplant is done in two different methods, namely FUT hair transplant and FUE hair transplant methods. The way the donor area is used differs in both of these methods. In the FUT (follicular unit transplantation) method, a strip of skin in the donor area containing the hair follicles is removed and the follicles are grafted onto the recipient site. In the FUE (follicular unit extraction) method, all the hair follicles as individual units from the donor area are harvested. This is the main difference between the techniques of FUE and FUT. A candidate becomes suitable to a particular method according to the density of hair follicles in the donor area and according to the seriousness of baldness they are experiencing. 

Sometimes the donor area might not just be the scalp. Body to scalp hair transplant technique is also used depending on the individuals. The hair in the donor area needs to be dense and should also be capable of re-growth. In case of recurring sessions, it should also be able to sustain as a frequent supplier of grafts. Hence, the donor area is very carefully picked by the hair transplant surgeons.

Does The Hair in The Donor Area Grow Back?

The method of hair transplant chosen determines the answer to the question "Does hair in the donor area grow back after it is removed" In the FUE method hair follicles as extracted as individuals units. As the hair follicles are individually extracted, new hairs do not grow back from the removed hair follicles. However, not all hair follicles are harvested from the donor area even in the FUE method, so the follicles of hair which are left un-removed will help in the growth of new hair after a specified time period.  FUE method involves cherry picking techniques where the hair follicles are extracted only from the densest sites of the donor area. Hence, it is impossible to notice the removed hair follicles. So short answer, hair grows back from the un- removed hair follicles while the removed hair follicles are not significantly noticeable. So it is a win-win situation!

In the FUT method, the cherry picking method is not used but the surgeons uses a strip of skin from the donor area to extract the hair follicles. This strip of skin is very thin which makes the transplant go unnoticed. This method also uses stitches in the vicinity of the donor area. Here individual hair follicles are not picked. But, FUT method may require more than one session to achieve the desired results and high volume of hair with a great outer look. This is why it becomes significant to choose the donor area correctly. The result of the whole transplant depends on the strength of the quality of grafts. Grafts refer to the hair follicles uprooted from the donor area.

Hope this answers your question of does the hair in the donor area grow back after it is removed in a hair transplant surgery. Here are some ways to take care of your donor area after the surgery.

Post Surgery Care for the Donor Area:

Good maintenance of the donor area after the surgery is necessary for better and healthier results. Good care also ensures the sustainability of the donor site in case it is required in the future for further procedures or recurring sessions. 

  • First and foremost, you must follow the instructions given by your surgeon on how to care for your hair after your surgery. Take the medication prescribed by your doctor and do not stay negligent to the directives given by medical professionals.
  • Do not partake in strenuous physical activities for the first few weeks after the surgery. This may lead to unnecessary stress in the scalp. However, relaxed sessions of yoga and small walks are recommended to improve the circulation in your scalp. But stay away from intensive exercises.
  • Try to avoid exposure to the heat, sun and dust as much as you can. Use protective gear to protect your freshly operated hair from the immense heat.
  • Consume a diet with balanced nutrients and minerals. Avoid smoking and drinking for a few weeks after the surgery. Proper intake of nutritious food also plays a role in the recovery process. Stays hydrated and eat healthy.

With the right surgeon and his right advice, hair transplant is not something to stress over. We, at Kaayakalp, provide you with a stress-free, pain-free hair transplant procedure. Kaayakalp is one of the best hair transplant clinics in Kolkata. Dr. V. S. Rathore  with 19 long years of experience in the cosmetic industry has performed over 9300+ successful cosmetic surgeries. We understand how taxing hair fall is on one’s mental health and appearance. Hence, we are here to provide you with the proper solution to put an end to your detrimental problem. We also perform other cosmetic surgeries, the full information of which is available on our website. We are here to guide you and provide you with the best of our services. With us, you can be guaranteed of fine and supreme results. Make an appointment right now with us, the best hair transplant clinic in Kolkata and we will be at your service. Visit our website for more details.

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