If you are considering a hair transplant but have long hair and are worried about either shaving your head or letting people know you have had a hair transplant, then good news – there are many options at your disposal at the Wimpole Clinic.
It’s certainly possible to have a hair transplant if you have long hair. In most cases, this is no different from a normal FUT or FUE hair transplant procedure. Lots of people with long hair choose an FUT procedure, as their hair lengths will cover up any hair transplant scarring.
However, there are other hair transplant techniques for people with long hair to consider.
In this article, we will explore your options with an array of hair transplant procedures, benefits, and risks associated with long hair transplants.
As well as standard FUT and FUE methods, there are other techniques that may be used for those with longer hair. These include:
Let’s explore how each technique is different, and what to expect from each.
For patients with long hair, a traditional FUT or FUE is often a viable option to cover bald spots, lower receding hairlines and increase hair density if the hair has become so thin your scalp can be seen. In standard hair transplants, the donor hair can be extracted at its full length, but the recipient area is usually shaved so the hair follicles can be transplanted with ease.
In a hair transplant operation that uses the long hair FUE method, the hair follicles are first extracted then the hair shafts are trimmed to a length of 2 – 8 cm (rather than the 2 mm of a traditional FUE procedure) before they are inserted back into the scalp.
As pictured above, an assistant holds the hair aside using upward traction or a narrow sterile stick, while the surgeon punches the follicle with their right hand and moves the hair with the forceps in their left hand.
These transplanted hairs are long enough to disguise the areas of implantation, which will scab over in the days following the procedure.
After extraction, the long hair shaft is trimmed to around 3-4cm (or 1 cm for eyebrow transplants) and collected for implantation.
The hair transplant surgeon then inserts each long hair graft into the scalp. With unshaven FUE, approximately 2500 grafts can be extracted and implanted per day, with surgeons reporting the procedure is “time-consuming, demands high concentration, and is physically exhausting.”
So, what are the advantages of a long hair transplant over a traditional transplant?
Many people are put off from a hair transplant by the obvious visual signs of the procedure, such as a shaven scalp and hair transplant scabbing. The primary advantage of a long hair transplant is that these signs are minimised and can be often completely hidden.
Hair is either entirely unshaven or only shaven in small patches, which are easily obscured with styling. Patients often return to work and everyday activities within days.
If you choose an unshaven hair transplant, you may be able to return to everyday tasks within days without anyone knowing you have undergone a hair transplant procedure. Redness and scabbing can be obscured under your hair, and you can maintain your original hairstyle.
It usually takes around 6 months to a year to see the final results of standard FUE. With a long hair transplant, patients can get an immediate impression of their final hair growth results, equivalent to approximately 1-year post-transplant.
In one study of 10 long hair transplant patients, 8 patients stated that their immediate result was 80% accurate with their 6-month result [1]. Patients also appreciated the early clarity on the results of the procedure, allowing them to plan for further treatment if necessary.
The study also noted that post-operative scabs lasted longer with an unshaven FUE than traditional FUE. However, patients returned to social activities quicker as the scabbing and redness could be easily concealed.
While the unshaven FUE procedure offers definite advantages regarding the immediate appearance of a patient, it’s important to note that long hair transplant patients are still at risk of shock loss.
Shock loss refers to temporary postoperative shedding experienced by many patients, also known as telogen effluvium. The trauma of the procedure causes both the newly transplanted hairs and those nearby to fall out, leaving the hair follicle root safely embedded in the scalp. In the following weeks and months, those hairs will regrow.
For long hair transplant patients, if their newly transplanted hairs do shed, patients will have to allow time for these hairs to regrow just like those undergoing a traditional transplant. This gentle shedding can affect patients’ ability to disguise their affected areas, although the impact on appearance is limited. By the time shock-loss occurs, most of the scabbing and redness should have healed, leaving hairlines close to their pre-transplant state.
The chance of shock loss, furthermore, however, can be mitigated by the use of Minoxidil after your hair transplant. Minoxidil is an FDA-approved hair loss medication that works as a vasodilator, widening blood vessels in the scalp, which in turn promotes hair growth.
For areas where hair curl and weight are vital for seamless transplantation, such as for beards, sideburns, or eyebrows, long hair transplants help surgeons select the best hair follicles to match the area as effectively as possible.
Surgeons are also much less likely to implant hair follicles in the wrong direction, which results in odd hairs growing away from the main body of hair. This can also cause skin cysts and benign spots linked to inflammation.
Some reviews have suggested that there is a lower risk of overharvesting follicles from the donor area as the surgeon is better able to see the hair loss in this area [2].
However, this is only considered relevant in cases where patients have previously suffered severe overharvesting, or when the donor area is very small in cases of advanced hair loss. Standard qualified hair transplant surgeons are trained to work with a shaven donor area.
While long hair transplants are becoming an increasingly popular option, there are several drawbacks to the more complex unshaven FUE procedure that can deter some patients.
The long hair transplant procedure is considerably more difficult than the traditional transplant. The unshaven long hairs can tangle and knot, making extracting the follicle much harder as the strands get stuck together. This is compounded by blood from the punch holes which quickly clots in the long hair.
The number of doctors qualified to perform the procedure is limited, making it harder for patients to find the right clinic for them.
As with a traditional transplant, in the immediate days following the procedure, patients may experience minor symptoms like tenderness, post-hair transplant swelling, or redness. These are only temporary and will resolve in the days after the procedure.
In order to keep these symptoms under control, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatories or painkillers. You can also discuss specific post-transplant medications that your doctor may recommend, such as Minoxidil.
Immediately following the procedure, patients usually wear bandages for a day but will be able to return to day-to-day life within 1-2 days. Hats and hoods should be avoided until given the all-clear by their surgeon, while patients should resist scratching the donor and transplant sites at all costs.
As the transplanted hairs are longer, they are at greater risk of tangling and therefore being dislodged from the transplant site, so as much care should be taken as possible. Steps to protect your hair transplant at night include:
Hair transplanted grafts are expected to secure themselves into the scalp in a process known as anchoring within 5-9 days. Your doctor will give advice regarding washing your hair (saline solution is often recommended for the first wash) to reduce trauma to the transplant, while firm brushing should be avoided for 3-4 weeks.
Studies have shown that the final result of a hair transplant is not affected by the type of procedure [3]. Standard hair transplants, unshaven FUE, and long hair transplants can result in the same visible hair growth. Therefore, patients can make the right choice for them without worrying about what the final hair growth results will look like.
If you are considering a long hair transplant, it is essential to consult with a qualified hair restoration surgeon to determine if the procedure is right for you. Your surgeon will evaluate your hair loss, medical history, and overall health to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. They will also discuss the benefits and risks associated with long hair transplants and answer any questions you may have.
Unsure of what to ask? Check out our list of questions to ask before your hair transplant to help you get the best out of your free long hair transplant consultation. Book a free consultation at the Wimpole Clinic to find out more.
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