Hair unit vs hair transplant – which is better?
Two of the most popular solutions for solving hair loss for men today are hair transplants and hair replacement units. Fundamentally, one is permanent whilst the other is temporary. Throughout this post, we’ll be getting into the nitty gritty of both procedures and outlining the pros and cons of both options.
How Does It Work?
Hair transplants take donor hairs from an area typically unaffected by hair loss or thinning. This is usually the lower back area of the head. The hairs are then implanted into the area that is thinning or bald.
There are two kinds of transplants, Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). In short, FUT involves removing a strip of hair-bearing skin providing the donor follicles. Once removed, the tissues are cut into individual follicular unit grafts. Then, the grafts are carefully implanted into small cuts made directly into the scalp. This method can leave noticeable scarring.
The FUE method is more precise and involves simply removing each individual follicle from the donor patch. Holes are then made in the scalp through which to implant those follicles. This part can be both painful and unpleasant even with anaesthetics, as you can hear the impact through your skull, and the process is repeated a few thousand times. There is significantly less scarring with this method of hair transplant surgery.
Depending on the type of coverage you’re looking for, a custom hair system/hair piece/hair unit can be made to fit your needs. There are a selection of bases, textures and styles to choose from. Hair units are applied to the scalp using a skin adhesive and can typically last anywhere between 1-2 months. Units are completely unique and customisable to achieve whatever style you’re after.
The Aftermath
After the transplantation procedure, the transplanted hair will usually fall out within the first few weeks, replaced by new growth over the following months. This is a crucial detail to be aware of before you make the decision of getting the transplant, the results are not immediate by any means. It’s important to know that these implants can take up to a year to fully take root. The implanted hairs should grow and blend in with the rest of your hair over time, though this is not guaranteed. There is also a risk of scarring. One other key thing that is often left out is that hair transplants do not fix the hormonal imbalance that caused the hair loss in the first place, therefore over time you will end up back at square one and will often have to take medication whilst the hair is taking root.
In the event that surgery does not give you your desired look, you may be limited to the styles you are able to achieve.
The hair unit installation process on the other hand is completely painless; hence no downtime or recovery period is necessary. Maintenance of the unit, as well as regular trims for the remaining natural hair on the sides of the head is required. However. at NewFade, we provide maintenance kits for each of our units to assist with the upkeep, as well as providing aftercare info via our web app.
Who Is It For?
An important thing to keep in mind is that hair transplant procedures will not work for those suffering from certain types of Alopecia since there won’t be enough active and healthy hair follicles to cover the affected areas. The same may, unfortunately, apply to those who are suffering from hair loss due to chemotherapy, where the chemicals tend to affect hair growth systemically.
Those who suffer from male pattern baldness, hair loss due to medication side effects, or even localised Alopecia may benefit from a hair transplant.
With options for both hairline restoration and overall general hair loss, hair replacement units are a viable option along most stages of the hair loss journey. They are safe, affordable and give instant results.
Costs
The cost of hair transplants varies greatly depending on how large the affected area is. Prices can range anywhere upwards from £2000 with possible additional costs depending on where and who you choose to do your surgery. However, if you’re going to get the job done properly it’s going to cost you a whole lot more.
The non-surgical alternative of hair units costs a fraction of what hair transplant surgery would cost. Our units at NewFade start at as low as £95.
Though they both have the same end goal – that being a full head of hair – hair transplants and hair units are two very different options. It is important to be knowledgeable of the risk factors, costs and long-term upkeep in order to make an informed decision.
Key Differences
The key difference between a hair system and hair transplant surgery is how quickly and effectively you get the results. With a man-weave or hair replacement unit, this is instantaneous – there is no risk of scarring or tissue damage, with a completely safe and painless installation process.
