The number one microsurgical procedure for men today, but also for many women, is called hair transplantation. Patient satisfaction reaches 97% in the hands of a specialist, according to an independent statistical study conducted at
Dermatologist Dr. Lefteris Papanikolaou, a specialist in hair transplantation, explains how it is done and what results we can expect.
– How is the surgery performed and how difficult is it?
It is a fairly demanding procedure that requires great dedication and concentration throughout its duration. It usually lasts 7-8 hours with local anesthesia and is completely safe. Each person has different needs, since the extent of alopecia varies depending on age and predisposition. In every operation, an attempt is made to safely extract the
1,500 to 2,200 grafts in a day, which usually corresponds to 3,500 to 6,000 hair follicles. So this is a major operation and on average a person can have three of these in their lifetime, without any significant thinning in the donor area.
– Tell us about the FUE extraction and Implanter placement technique you apply…
The procedure is performed using specialized tools called punches (for extraction) and Implanters (for implantation). Internationally, the trend is increasingly towards the FUE extraction technique combined with Implanter placement, whereas in the United States, the dominant technique is still FUT/STRIP, which leaves a scar. The reason is that the FUE + ID (Implantation – Direct) technique, which places grafts without prior incisions, is much more difficult and demanding, and only a few doctors are capable of performing it successfully.
However, when the doctor is specialized in this extremely challenging direct implantation procedure, the results are excellent because it achieves:
a more natural hair emergence angle,
significantly less trauma,
minimal post-operative pain,
zero risk of damaging existing hairs, even in areas with good existing density,
and little to no swelling.
We have established protocols that guarantee almost 100% hair growth after eight months, with our main goals being the naturalness and distribution of hair, always taking into account the progress and evolution of alopecia.
– What are the basic conditions for success?
The final results in terms of naturalness and density depend primarily on the doctor performing the procedure and the patient. The most basic conditions for success are:
- The area of the donor area changes based on the size of the head.
- In the density of each person’s donor.
- On the anatomical difficulties of the pouches.
- At the stage of alopecia.
- The quality of the patient’s hair.
- In the artistic/design perception of the doctor.
- The type of hair follicles that will be placed (single or double) in the first few millimeters of the front hairline and the angle of their placement, so that there is naturalness.
- The skill and speed of the doctor, since this is a precision operation aiming for 1 mm by 1.1 mm, which is the usual diameter of a graft.
– In summary, what message would you like to give to interested parties?
The results in terms of hair growth, natural appearance, and density are closely linked to how the grafts are preserved and handled, as well as the doctor’s experience, aesthetic sense, and so-called “touch.” The procedure must only be performed by a trained and specialized doctor—under no circumstances by a nurse!
READ ALL MEDICAL ARTICLES FROM MY DOCTORS – HAIR TRANSPLANTATION ON PAGE 49:
https://www.mydoctors.gr/episthmonika-arthra/metamosxeusi-mallion-pos-ginetai-ti-apotelesmata-exoume/