As with any medical procedure that involves scalpels or needles, people see the sharp instruments used in hair transplant surgery and are worried about the pain involved.
However, with the latest Follicular Unit Extraction methods performed in reputable clinics like Asli Tarcan, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. You will experience no hair transplant pain and will feel reasonably comfortable throughout.
Does a Hair Transplant Hurt?
People often think of the old Follicular Unit Transplantation techniques that involved removing a strip of skin from the back of the neck, which would also leave a big scar. Modern methods are minimally invasive and cause very little tissue damage.
While it may all look a bit scary, these procedures are performed in state-of-the-art facilities, under expert supervision and using a local anaesthetic to numb the entire area.
At that point, you won’t be able to feel any pain throughout the scalp, and patients report only a sensation of light pressure. If you’ve ever been to a dentist to repair a cavity and had an injection, you will be familiar with this feeling of general numbness.
Understanding the Hair Transplant Procedure
Unlike the FUT hair transplant mentioned in the previous section, the preferred methods of dealing with hair loss in the Asli Tarcan clinic will leave no scars and will offer much more natural-looking results.
A FUE hair transplant involves removing hair grafts from the donor area one by one. These are preserved in a special solution to improve viability until it is time to implant them. The surgeon will then use a special tool with a metal or synthetic sapphire tip to make tiny incisions in the recipient area and place the donor follicles.
Does Pain Affect the Outcome of the Hair Transplant?
There will be some pain in the donor and recipient areas for a few days after the surgery, until the initial swelling and irritation go away. This is a normal part of the healing process for all types of hair transplant, and it won’t affect the final results in any way.
As long as you follow the aftercare advice that the doctor gives you, e.g., sleeping with your head elevated for the first four days and washing out the area lightly with water, you will get some pain relief fairly quickly.
Possible Side Effects of a Hair Transplant Procedure
Most of the potential issues you can experience after the surgery will be mild and temporary, with most of the symptoms disappearing after the first week or so. Here are the main ones:
- Numbness: immediately after the operation, you will still feel the effects of the anaesthetic for another couple of hours, but it will soon wear off.
- Swelling: as the scalp has received a few thousand microscopic incisions, it will swell as the blood and lymph fluid rush into the area to begin the healing process. This will subside after about four days.
- Pain and discomfort: during the initial four days post-surgery, you will experience some general soreness, and it may hurt. Again, it’s nothing to worry about and will go away on its own, though you may be prescribed specific pain medication if needed.
- Redness and irritation: the recipient area will become reddish, slowly going back to normal after a few days or a week. After the first 48 hours, you can wash it by pouring lukewarm water from a pitcher over it, which will help limit the irritation.
- Scabs: the tiny cuts where the new hair follicles were placed will develop a layer of crust, and you must avoid scratching the scalp. Wash your hair lightly and moisturize, and the scabs will fall off on their own within a week or two.
- Itchiness: you will have a big urge to scratch your head for a couple of weeks, but avoid doing so at all costs, as it can damage the grafts, and find ways to distract yourself.
- Light bleeding: a little bit of blood can sometimes come out of the new follicles, but it is no cause for concern and will stop after a few days.
- Infection: in rare cases, and if the patient hasn’t taken the proper precautions, an infection can develop. Luckily, it is easily treatable with antibiotics, so talk to a doctor if you notice a greenish or yellowish secretion or pus.
As you can see, while there are some potential side effects, a proper aftercare routine will minimize any risks and help the transplanted hair heal and start growing faster.
How Asli Tarcan Clinic Can Help
The experienced professionals at Asli Tarcan use the latest technology and methods, including Robotic Hair Transplant, and provide a pain-free experience to every patient, along with VIP treatment and incredible packages that include travel expenses. If you’re considering a hair transplant in Turkey, Asli Tarcan is here to help. Contact us now to schedule a consultation and begin your hair restoration journey.
