Hair plugs are a method of hair restoration that comes up in many discussions. about, discussed, and considered by patients as a solution to hair loss. The treatment comes with its questions, hidden facts, and confusion that we’ll clear out in the following article.
What Are Hair Plugs?
Hair plugs are a method of hair restoration that is an archaic version of hair transplants. In everyday language hair plugs are old school hair transplants. And they are no longer available for their inconvenient side effects. So, the technique is eating the dust of modern hair transplants in Turkey. Hair plugs involves a similar mechanism to hair transplantation. For instance, the steps of graft harvesting and graft implantation are common factors. In simpler words, graft harvesting refers to the extraction of follicular units. Whereas implantation refers to the act of implanting grafts in their new location. Surgeons label sites of stable growth and immune to genetic hair loss as the donor site. In contrast, the location that is destined to accept the hair is the recipient site.
Are Hair Plugs The Same As Hair Transplants?
Hair plugs and hair transplants follow a similar series of events. And they also work for the same results. Although quality and success in results vary greatly. But the only difference is that hair transplant is a modernized version of hair plugs.
Hair Plugs vs Hair Transplants
Hair transplants fall into two subcategories. The first is FUT (follicular unit transplantation) and the second is FUE (follicular unit extraction). The two methods are commonly used in modern times, unlike hair plugs, which date back to a much earlier era. To end all confusion, we have two ways of modern hair transplants (FUT and FUE.) And an older method of hair transplants (hair plugs.) According to the chronological order of invention, we’ll compare the plans. Starting with hair plugs, moving to FUT, and ending with FUE.
1.) Graft Harvesting
Hair Plug Harvesting
In terms of graft harvesting, the technique of hair plugs excises strips of skin from the scalp. These strips tend to be 20 to 30 cm in length. And then surgeons have to stitch up the wound and it heals into a visible scar.
FUT Harvesting
When it comes to FUT hair transplants, the graft harvesting phase mimics hair plugs. Both techniques need the excision of a strip of scalp to extract follicular units. The effects of skin excising have adverse consequences. For instance, nerve damage that could be permanent or temporary. Also a visible scar and long recovery periods.
FUE Harvesting
FUE hair transplants drops the invasive aspect in the phase of graft extraction. Thus, the process becomes much less inconvenient and more efficient. Instead of excising strips of skin from the scalp, surgeons extract the grafts one by one. The selective harvesting of grafts creates minuscule scars around the follicular units. Since it is microscopic in dimensions, the scars are invisible. So, as the wounds heal, they heal into oblivion. The sporadic nature of graft harvesting doesn’t impact a particular area on the scalp. Hence the effect of extraction is not visible on the scalp or the hair density.
2.) Graft Implantation
When it comes to the process of implantation, hair plugs implant the entire strip of scalp skin is stitched in the recipient area.
Hair Plugs Implantation
As a result of the conspicuous translocation, the results of hair plugs are unnatural. Hair plugs for women lack of the factor of authenticity and very pronounced. Hair plugs were the initial concept of hair transplants. But the results were very bad and unnatural. It was only about times better techniques came along.
FUT Implantation
FUT hair transplants improve on the least favorable aspect of hair plugs.Instead of stitching the strips of skin as an entire piece, a better approach would be to dissect the follicular units. Ideally, the surgeons can dissect the strip into individual grafts for implantation. The placement of the grafts into the recipient site is a more convenient method of implantation. Additionally allows for more authentic implantation that yields far more natural results.
FUE Implantation
As for FUE hair transplants, the grafts already come in inidividual units. So there is no need to dissect anything. And surgeons can begin right away with implantation. The results are very natural looking. And it is scar-free in both the recipient site and the donor site. Some variations on the FUE method have emerged, which include the Sapphire FUE and the DHI Choi FUE. The techniques are open for development. The field keeps trying to achieve the best results possible.
Variants Of FUE Implantation
Sapphire FUE uses sharp-edged blades with a minuscule tip to penetrate the scalp. Thus, it requires minimal effort and causes less damage. But also being most effective in terms of time and productivity. The tips of sapphire blades and the characteristics of the stone allow for rapid incision making on the recipient site. So, more implantations per session. DHI Choi is a technique that attempts to counteract the factor of time in the process. The technique makes the step shorter by morphing the incision making step with the implantation step. Through a pen-like needle, the merging of the two steps becomes possible. The surgeons eject grafts immediately after the needle creates incisions. In other words, before the pen exits the incision. For the incentive of time efficiency, the approach of the DHI Choi meets the target. But, the risks of damage to the grafts exponentially increase. This is because the grafts are at risk of mechanical
trauma.
Are Hair Plugs For Women An Excellent Solution To Hair Loss?
Where do hair plugs for women stand as potential treatments for hair loss in the extensive list of current remedies? at the bottom of the list. Hair plugs for women in cases of hair loss are not ideal. They aren’t efficient or natural looking. For surgical treatments, leave out both FUT hair transplants and hair plugs for women. There are far betetr techniques to consider. FUE hair transplants are more efficient modernized versions of hair plugs for women.
Alternative Solutions To Hair Plugs For Women
FUE is but one option to consider in the case of hair loss for women. Treatment plans vary based on the underlying cause of hair loss.
1.) Genetic Hair Loss
Genetic hair loss comes into two forms, female pattern hair loss and male pattern hair loss. The degree of hair loss is direct to the number of genetically hair loss susceptible follicles to hair loss resistant follicles. Depending on the condition and it’s characteristics, the options vary. In the case of male pattern hair loss (MPHL), the condition can be easily reversed with hair transplants. Because MPHL is predictable and characterized by regions of stable growth, hair transplants are an ideal option. The stable patches of hair loss resistant follicular units act as donor regions. Thus, surgeons extract grafts and move them to balding areas.The efficiency of the hair transplants, the success of the procedure, and the authenticity of the results depend on the technique. Sapphire FUE or the traditional FUE are both techniques to consider for optimal efficiency. The FUT and hair plugs method leaves visible scarring and nerve damage. Additionally, in the case of the latter, conspicuous scarring in the recipient site.
Characteristics of FPHL
Female pattern hair loss (FPHL), contrary to MPHL, does not occur in a predictable pattern. And this can make it difficult to find hairloss resistant grafts. But it is not entirely impossible. But if your FPHL is hard to treat with hair transplants, there other options to consider. Alternative options include laser hair therapy, PRP therapy and minoxidil Minoxidil is a spray that should be applied twice daily and helps to promote growth and hinder hair loss in FPHL. PRP therapy uses growth factors in the body then concentrate them and inject them into the scalp to encourage growth. The treatment plan is a session. Laser hair therapy implements wavelength controlled laser to stop hair loss. It does this by influencing the hair cycle to promote hair growth.
2.) Physical Trauma-Induced Hair Loss
Accidents such as burns impose adverse consequences on the affected follicular units. The damage can be permanent, and the impairment in target regions. The condition often meets the requirements for hair transplants. But, as long as the patient has enough supply of donor region, they are eligible for the procedure. As above, the success of the procedure the aesthetic of the final result depends on the treatment the patient opts for.
3.) Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a more complicated condition. You cannot reverse alopecia areata hair loss with hair plugs for women or men for the matter. Alopecia areata is hair loss due to an autoimmune condition. And it is a phenomenon where the faulty immune system targets the body’s own cells as foreign cells. In alopecia areata, the immune system continuously attacks on follicular units. Over time this leads to hair loss. It can be permanent or temporary.
Alopecia Areata Characteristics
The default in the body’s first line of defense, if not treated can cause permanent damage on hair follicles. Other times, the loss is temporary, and hair growth can resume in sedentary periods over 6 to 12 months. In the case of temporary hair loss, you can reverse hair loss with PRP therapy or laser hair therapy. after Whereas you can reverse permanent baldness from alopecia areata by hair transplants. But, under two conditions: the first being you have to control the underlying cause. The second being, enough donor regions.
How Efficient Are Hair Plugs For Women?
The bottom line is hair plugs for women are not a plausible option to consider in the case of permanent or temporary hair loss. The results are unnatural, the method archaic, and the concept tired. As a pioneering idea for its time, hair plugs for women were a magical restorative treatment. But, according to our times, the procedure is incompetent. And the medical field has more competent technologies. Ones that can give you a makeover natural results.
Cost-Efficient Alternatives To Hair Plugs For Women?
Depending on your country of origin, the alternatives mentioned above can be out of your budget. If the case of a tight budget applies to you, then thinking out of the box will benefit you . Instead of resorting to hair plugs, consider medical tourism. The world is vast, the economy versatile, and lifestyles extensive. Countries like Turkey have earned quite a place in the market of medical tourism. And for many procedure, from hair restoration to plastic surgery. Turkey is full of opportunities given its affordable prices. But, there are certain aspects of Turkey’s cheap hair transplant industry that you need to know first. They are measures to ensure a safe transformation and an enjoyable trip. The realm of medical tourism provides a chance for patients from abroad to seek high-quality medical care for less. The opportunity is available only for international patients. This is because the prices are expensive for locals.
In Summary
Hair plugs as a hair restoration treatment are no longer a match in the current market of higher quality technologies. Although in comparison to cutting edge FUE hair transplants and other techniques, hair plugs are cheaper. But that is not a reliable motive to resort to archaic methods of hair restoration. Medical tourism offers an escape to achieve high-quality treatments for much less. Health tourists are taking advantage of the differences in global economics. The value of money is not the same in other parts of the world. But, by no means is medical tourism a synonym for cheap and poor quality. There are measures that you should take to feel secure and confident in your decision.
For further information, contact the Vera Clinic. You can book a free online consultation with us. A medical specialist will address your concerns about treatment or medical tourism in Turkey.