Hair transplantation is an increasingly popular solution for people struggling with hair loss. Both men and women are opting for this procedure to regain confidence and improve their appearance. However, before deciding to undergo a hair transplant, many people wonder is a hair transplant painful. This is one of the most common questions asked at the office during the consultation. But we have good news – the hair transplant procedure is painless. However, there is one “but”.

How does a hair transplant proceed?

Hair transplantation is usually performed by one of two methods: FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) or FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation).

FUE method:

Involves taking individual hair follicles from a donor area (usually the back or sides of the head) and transplanting them to the area affected by baldness.

FUT method:

Involves cutting a strip of skin with hair follicles, which is then divided into smaller units and transplanted to the recipient area.

Each of these methods requires local anesthesia, which plays a key role in ensuring patient comfort.

Anesthesia during surgery – the key to comfort

Local anesthetics are used for anesthesia and are administered by injection, that is, using a needle and syringe. Unfortunately, local anesthesia in the form of a cream is insufficient. Since the punctures are relatively shallow, mesotherapy needles, which are short and thin, can be used to administer the drug, and thus the injection itself is not very painful. In addition, vibrating devices can be used to make the pain less noticeable. The administration of anesthesia itself takes 10, sometimes 15 seconds, and after that the patient feels no pain. The skin is numb, and patients most often describe the sensation as “the feeling of a helmet on your head.” 

Does pain occur after the procedure?

On the other hand, what about after the procedure, when the anesthesia stops working? The most painful part of the procedure is the skin incision, but during this time the skin is anesthetized. The microneedles themselves, which are the areas where the hair follicles were taken (about 0.9mm in diameter), should not cause much pain. Once the local anesthesia has worn off, the patient may experience some discomfort. Depending on the method chosen and individual sensitivity to pain, the following discomforts may occur:

FUE method – most often causes only a slight feeling of tension and minor scabbing at the graft site. Discomfort is usually minimal.

FUT method – due to the need to suture the skin at the site where the strip was taken, more pain may occur. The patient may experience itching or a pulling sensation in the donor area.

In most cases, doctors recommend mild painkillers to effectively eliminate the discomfort. Basic over-the-counter painkillers usually help. 

Individual sensitivity to pain

Everyone’s body is different, so the level of pain and discomfort can vary from patient to patient. Those who are more sensitive to pain may experience more discomfort, especially in the first few days after the procedure. Fortunately, advances in surgical techniques and anesthesia mean that hair transplantation is now much less painful than in the past.

Factors affecting pain sensation:

– choice of method (FUE is usually less painful than FUT),

– surgeon’s experience,

– proper aftercare,

– individual pain tolerance.

How to minimize pain and discomfort after the procedure?

To reduce the risk of pain after hair transplantation, it is a good idea to follow the doctor’s recommendations:

1. use of pain medication. Your doctor may prescribe medications to alleviate any discomfort.

2. Avoiding touching the transplanted areas. This allows for faster healing and reduces the risk of irritation.

3. applying cold compresses. Helps reduce swelling and relieve pain.

4. Sleeping with the head elevated can reduce swelling.

Is a hair transplantation painful – summary

Hair transplantation is a procedure that, thanks to the use of local anesthesia, should not be painful. The only discomfort may occur during the administration of the anesthesia and in the first few days after the procedure. Most patients describe the level of pain as minimal to moderate. Thanks to modern techniques and the personalized approach of our doctors, hair transplantation at Kierach Medical Clinic is a very comfortable and safe procedure. If you are thinking about such a procedure, you don’t need to be afraid of pain – the most important thing is to choose an experienced clinic and follow the doctor’s recommendations.

You can read more about hair transplantation HERE.

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