Many patients who are supposed to undergo cancer treatment worry about hair loss or thinning after chemotherapy. Indeed, many patients experience only partial hair regrowth after chemotherapy treatment. However, there are effective methods to help such people. One is the FUE hair transplant which is more and more often used in patients suffering from hair thinning after chemotherapy or partial hair loss.
Post-chemotherapy hair condition – cancer treatment vs. hair condition
Anti-cancer drugs (or cytotoxic agents) used during cancer treatment not only destroy cancer cells but other body cells including follicles. Hair cells are particularly sensitive to those toxic chemotherapeutic agents which results in hair loss in patients after chemotherapy. It affects the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes and pubic hair. Chemotherapy treatment can cause complete hair loss in just 7 days. Patients often wonder if their hair grows back after chemotherapy and if this treatment has an effect on later hair condition. Hair usually regrows after cancer treatment but in some cases chemotherapy can permanently destroy hair bulbs so as a result hair will not grow back after chemotherapy or only partially. In addition, many patients experience intensive hair thinning on the top of the scalp and weakening after chemotherapy.
How to restore hair after chemotherapy – hair transplant
The FUE hair transplant is a successful method of hair restoration after chemotherapy. This procedure is also frequently used in cases of partial hair loss treatment. FUE hair transplant surgery can only be performed when cancer treatment is finished and the patient still has hairs to be transplanted. It is impossible to perform hair transplant surgery if the patient has lost all of his/her hair after chemotherapy.
FUE hair transplant surgery involves extracting single follicles with a special metal device. Extracting the whole hair including stem cells responsible for hair growth guarantees effective transplant surgery results for an unlimited time. FUE hair transplant surgery is safe and superior to the traditional FUT method. Scars resulting from follicles transplant surgery are practically invisible and the healing process is quicker.
How to prepare for FUE hair transplant surgery?
Before FUE hair transplant surgery the patient is required to do tests requested by a doctor. At least 2 weeks before surgery it is not allowed to take Aspirin or other medications with acetylsalicylic acid. One day before surgery you should not drink alcohol nor strong coffee. It is recommended to take a cap or a hat to cover the head after hair transplant surgery.
The FUE hair transplant procedure description
FUE hair transplant doctor uses a general anesthesia so the surgery is practically painless. A doctor specifies the so-called donor area where grafts are extracted from and the recipient area. A doctor also takes a photo for medical records. Before surgery hairs in the donor area are shaved to 2-3 mm. About 30 minutes after an aesthetic injection the patient turns over and lies on his/her stomach. The whole hair transplant surgery usually takes 2-4 hours.
Follicles are extracted and placed in a special fridge to reduce the risk of the grafts dying. When all follicles are extracted the donor area is covered with a bandage. Next, the patient can change the position to a sitting one. An aesthetic is injected into the recipient area and grafts are transplanted. At the end of the hair transplant surgery a doctor applies ointment onto the skin. Hair starts to regrow gradually after the transplant surgery. The first results are visible after about 4-6 months and complete results about one year after the surgery.
Advantages of FUE hair transplant surgery
Benefits of FUE hair transplant surgery include:
- no scars in the donor area
- surgery can be performed in patients prone to broad, hypertrophied scars
- scar corrections of the scalp can be performed
- short recovery after surgery
- no follow-up visit is necessary
FUE hair transplant surgery is a state-of-the-art procedure. The FUE method is a solution to partial hair loss after chemotherapy and it is very effective. This therapy is highly recommended by doctors.
