TIPS AND ADVICE

Is a Hair Transplant Worth It?

by Dr. Tyng Tan, MD

Hair transplant is known to be a radical

treatment for hair loss. Many have taken the

risks associated with this procedure hoping

to get that natural-looking outcome. But the

question would be, is it really worth it? What

are the benefits and drawbacks that you

have to consider to make you say that it

would be a chance you are willing to take?

We all know that hair transplant is a

procedure that is invasive in nature. But to

better understand this, you must first be

familiar with the two approaches. There is

the Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) or

the “strip method” and Follicular Unit

Extraction (FUE).

FUT is the traditional way of performing hair

transplants and it requires a long strip of

scalp containing the donor hairs taken from

the back of your head. The hair grafts are

then individually removed by hair technicians

using a high-powered microscope while the

surgeon prepares the recipient site by

creating micro-incisions. FUE, on the other

hand, is less invasive because it only uses a

special instrument to remove individual hair

grafts. Therefore, no incisions are required.

Each method has their own set of risks and

benefits. With FUT the survival rate of the

hair grafts are much higher due to the

method of extraction. But if you opt for this

method you must also be aware that it

creates poor aesthetics due to the scarring

that results afterwards.

FUE was developed to avoid the

characteristic scarring from FUT. This is

more meticulous than FUT because it

requires more time and effort.

It needs careful precision and technique to

avoid damaging the structure of the hair

follicle during the extraction process. The

surgeon should have more training to pull it

off. Most men opt for this procedure because

it allows men to wear their hair short without

worrying about an ugly scar.

Aside from being invasive, it is also a very

complicated procedure. That is why it is

expected that it is going to be rather costly.

One factor that contributes to its price is that

you have to pay for the individual hair grafts.

And usually this would run around $6 – $11.

The surgeon’s fee can also escalate the

price, and it can vary depending on the

doctor’s reputation. Adding to that, you also

need to pay for the theatre fee and

anesthetist fee.

Most hair loss sufferers, although desperate,

are discouraged by the price. That is why

they settle for less expensive treatment

options such as hair pieces and medications.

Others are also apprehensive about the fact

that there are a number of cases that

resulted to disastrous outcome. So instead of

creating a full and natural-looking result, they

ended up with something looking like poorly

made toupees.

Hair transplant can be very much worth it

when you invest on an experienced and

reputable surgeon. He should be highly

trained and skilled to perform the procedure

to ensure that you not only get a hair

transplant, but a successful one as well. You

can make it possible for you when you make

the effort to do the research to find the right

surgeon, and when you prepare yourself to

be an ideal candidate.

Dr Tyng Tan, MD

BSc (Hons), MBBS (London)

Grad. Dip. Dermatology (UK),

Dip. AAAM (USA)

Dr Tyng Tan is the Clinical Director of The

Hair & Laser Clinic in Singapore, a clinic

with special interest in Hair Transplants,

Hair Regrowth and Medical Aesthetics.

She is one of the few Medical Practitioners

who are able to perform Hair Transplants

using Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and

Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT)

techniques.

Dr Tan spent 10 years in UK pursuing her

medical degree and training. Upon her

return, she was further trained in

anesthesiology before discovering her

passion for hair restoration surgery and

medical aesthetics (e.g. aesthetics lasers,

botox, fillers, IPL and chemical peeling).

Dr Tan holds a Graduate Diploma in

Dermatology from the UK and a Diploma in

Aesthetic Medicine from the USA.

For more information on protecting,

enhancing and restoring your living and

growing hair, call, +65 6235 0010 or learn

online at www.hairandlaserclinic.com.

The Hair and Laser Clinic | Orchard District, Singapore