THE DAY OF TREATMENT
Of course we want your treatment day to run as smoothly as possible. Ahead of your treatment day, you will receive detailed instructions from us on what you should or should not do in the days leading up to your hair transplant.
In view of the treatment
An HST hair transplant can normally be
performed in one day and usually takes 8-10 hours. Before and after the
procedure, we will provide you with instructions that optimize the safety and final
outcome of the treatment. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and is considered
painless by most people. When harvesting and placing
grafts, we always strive to create the most comfortable climate for you in
a safe environment.
Preparation
A week before the treatment, you will begin to prepare for the procedure. To prevent an increased tendency to bleed, you should, in consultation with your doctor, stop taking blood-thinning medications and reduce your alcohol intake. You will be given precise instructions on what you can and cannot do. On the day of treatment, you may have a normal breakfast, but it would be best to avoid coffee (and other caffeinated drinks).
In preparation for HST treatment:
- Avoid drugs for blood thinning
- Alcohol is prohibited
- Coffee is prohibited
Morning program
The treatment day starts with taking photos for the treatment record, which will be used strictly and only for monitoring your progress. The donor and recipient areas are then shaved. The dermatologist will in this way have a good picture of the area to be treated and can carry out the best possible treatment.
Not all hair always needs to be cut. Sometimes it is possible to shave only a strip at the back of the head for aesthetic reasons. Then make sure that the shaved area is covered with the rest of the hair.
This is only possible if there is enough space for transplantation between the hairs, without the risk of damaging the surrounding hairs. The direction of the hairs, for example at the top of the head, also plays a role here. Whether hair transplantation without shaving is possible in your case, the dermatologist has assessed this during your previous session.
After shaving, we anaesthetise the donor area locally. Then the harvesting of the grafts begins. You will feel almost nothing, all we expect from you is patience as you lie motionless in a prone or lateral position for several hours while the dermatologist and technicians extract the grafts from the donor area. One or more breaks in between is possible.
Because we use precision instruments, the injuries during the extraction of the grafts are small and minimal, while the donor area heals quickly. After the extraction of the grafts is complete, the dermatologist marks the reception area.
Programme summary
- Download photos
- Shaving area
- Local anaesthesia of donor site
- Harvesting of grafts from a donor site
- Receiving area signalling
Afternoon programme
The afternoon is dedicated to the reintroduction of the grafts. For this, again under local anaesthesia, the dermatologist prepares the recipient area.
After making the incisions for the new grafts, wash the scalp. The grafts are then placed in their new position by two technicians or by the dermatologist and a technician.
As it is important to us that the grafts are placed according to your wishes, you can watch the mirror. During the treatment, it is possible to listen to music, watch a film and take breaks.
Once the grafts are complete, the dermatologist will do a full check and we will take further photos for your records. If you wish, you will receive your photos digitally. You will be given instructions and supplies for subsequent care, including how to wash your hair and use medications.
The treatment and the local anaesthetic do not affect your ability to drive. After the procedure, you can drive yourself home.
Programme summary
- Local anaesthesia of the recipient area
- Making incisions and washing the head
- Placement of grafts in the recipient area
- Dermatological test
- Download photos
After the treatment
Your skin recovers quickly in the days after the transplant procedure. The grafts adhere within 24 hours of treatment. Blood flow is also restored within a day. As a result, wound healing is fast and the downtime of blood flow is minimal.
Pre-operative treatment and post-operative care consultations avoid the development of edema, erythema and itching and optimize recovery time and the achievement of the final result.
In the days after treatment, you can work and function normally. However, you should refrain from physical exercise (sports) involving sweating until the wounds have healed and the new grafts have attached properly.
Lifetime result
The effect of HST is permanent. The transplanted hair follicles continue to produce hair for a lifetime. The grafts harvested are extremely small, creating a thin, very natural implant. The result is not visible immediately after treatment, but develops over a period of nine months, during an entire hair growth cycle.
Final result
One day, one week and four months after treatment, we do telephone checks to check on your recovery. After nine months, there is a final dermatological check by the dermatologists in our clinic. At that time the final result of your treatment will be fully understood.
Quality of life
Change in your life
Book a free consultation
During the diagnosis, without any commitment, with one of our dermatologists, you will receive a lot of valuable information. We discuss in detail your hair problem, health, wishes and expectations. You will receive extensive information about the HST method and you can ask questions about the issues that concern you.
