Overview Of Unshaven Hair Transplant
Many people hesitate to get an FUE hair transplant because they have to shave their heads. They worry about what people around them would think. However, with unshaven FUE, also known as U-FUE, you can get a hair transplant discreetly.
In an unshaven FUE hair transplant, the hair in the donor area is completely or partially shaved. After that, the surgeon makes an incision and extracts hair follicles using a punch tool. The extracted hair is then transplanted into the balding regions. Because of the low density of the follicular units in the recipient areas, the scalp is visible, which makes it possible for the surgeon to perform the surgery without shaving it.
What Is The Cost Of An Unshaven Hair Transplant In Turkey?
You may be able to get an unshaven FUE hair transplant in Turkey for around £1,500.
Unshaven hair transplants in Turkey are more affordable than in the UK or Europe. It is because of the lower cost of labour, healthcare technology, and infrastructure. In addition, in Turkish clinics, the treatment cost isn’t determined by the number of grafts a patient needs. Clinics also offer additional services like accommodation, transfers, special medication and aftercare. And even after you add in the cost of the flight tickets, the country would cost you much less.
Who Can Have Unshaven Hair Transplant & Why?
Usually, patients who’re experiencing pattern baldness and are at Norwood Stage 1-3 make suitable candidates for this surgery. In male-pattern baldness, it can restore hair in the hairline and crown/vertex when less than 3,000 grafts are needed. For female pattern baldness, it can increase hair density in the temples and part-line.
In either case, the hair loss is not extensive. A completely unshaven hair transplant in Turkey is not possible when a large number of grafts are needed. Whether it is alopecia areata, scarring alopecia, or scarring because of physical trauma, U-FUE can address the problem.
This can also mean that a patient may need over one session to achieve their desired density. This is a disadvantage of unshaven hair transplants.
What To Think About Before You Have Unshaven Hair Transplant?
Before getting a U-FUE, ask your surgeon if they have any experience performing this type of surgery. Moreover, find out what their qualifications, certifications, and registrations are.
You can find this information in their CVs and learn more about these surgeons on our website. In addition, you need to ask the surgeon if they have insurance against malpractice.
Your surgeon should guide you about different available treatment options and recommend the one that will best suit you.
Lastly, inquire about the complication rates of unshaven hair transplants and how the surgeon took care of them. This will give you an idea of the follow-up you can expect after the hair transplant.
How To Best Prepare for Unshaven Hair Transplant?
To prepare for your unshaven hair transplant surgery, here are some common pre-operative do’s and don’ts:
Do...
- Inform us about your routine medications and any diseases. Don't forget to inform us of any changes to your health or medications
- Inform us at least 1 week prior to your arrival if you have any redness, rash, itchiness, pimples or dandruff on your head
- Stop taking Asprin, blood thinners, steroids or anti-inflammatory medications 1 week prior to your procedure
- Stop using Minoxidil or Finasteride for 1 week prior to surgery
- Wear a buttoned shirt or zipper top when coming to the clinic
- Remove any sprays, gels or cosmetics prior to coming to the clinic
- Take all your regular medications as normal, except for the ones we asked you to stop
- Stop taking blood thinners 2 weeks before the surgery
- If you are taking broad beta-blockers please contact your surgeon before your surgery
Don't...
- Don't smoke, drink alcohol or do any recreational drugs at least 1 week before the surgery.
- Don't take vitamin B and E for 1 week before your procedure
- Don't take any herbal products or vitamins for 1 week prior to surgery
- Don't cut your hair - leave it as long as possible as it makes planning for the procedure easier. If you are wearing a hair system, remove it 3 days prior to your procedure
- Don't wear a t-shirt or any clothing that must be pulled over your head
- Don't drive on the day of your treatment. You will be given a sedative and will not be fit to drive afterwards
- Don't take any supplements 1 week before your hair transplant
Please note: Cardiac patients may need written consent from their cardiologist.
What Is The Procedure For Unshaven Hair Transplant?
In an unshaven hair transplant, the surgeon administers local anaesthesia so that you don’t feel any pain during the surgery.
U-FUE is like other hair transplantation methods where the surgeon extracts individual hair follicles from the donor area and transplants them into the recipient area.
The whole surgery takes place in 6-8 hours. However, the surgical time is less for patients who need fewer grafts.
There are two different types of unshaven hair transplants:
Completely Shaved Donor Area
It is necessary to shave the donor area completely if the recipient area needs more grafts for coverage.
Usually, males undergo this type of U-FUE, where their donor area is completely shaved, while the thinning area remains unshaven before/during the implantation.
The bowl or taper fade haircut looks discreet enough if they have short hair.
Partially Shaved Donor Area
It is more suitable for women suffering from hair loss because of androgenetic alopecia.
That’s because they may need fewer grafts, and the surgeon can extract enough of them by partially shaving the donor area.
Many women prefer not to shave off all their healthy hair for a transplant. Due to this, they may refrain from getting hair restoration procedures.
However, with U-FUE, only a portion of the donor area (usually, the back of the head) is shaved.
This allows them to camouflage it when they let their hair down. These are some no-shave hair transplant advantages for the patient.
Book A Free Consultation With Our Patient Consultants
We offer free consultations for patients across the UK & Ireland, so you can discuss your individual requirements with our specialists. Book A Free Consultation With Our Patient Consultants Today.
Recovery & Results Of Unshaven Hair Transplant
The surgery has minimal downtime. However, it’s better if you rest for a couple of days.
You may experience some temporary side effects a few weeks after the surgery.
Make sure to take the prescribed antibiotics, painkillers, and anti-swelling medicines.
Your long hair and shaved hair will continue to grow as is, while you’ll notice hair growth from the transplanted hair after 3 months.
Before that, you may temporarily lose it due to shock loss.
For complete results, you’ll have to wait for a year.
Aftercare Of Unshaven Hair Transplant
After an unshaven hair transplant, tie your hair at the top for at least 10 days. This way, they won’t pull on or budge the transplanted hair.
Moreover, do not engage in strenuous physical activity, as it can make you sweat. This also means that you should avoid direct sunlight.
Do not try covering your head with anything tight or anything at all for a few weeks.
You can comb your hair after an unshaven hair transplant. However, do not brush the strands from the roots. You can brush the ends.
Hair transplant doctors provide a special shampoo and lotion for washing, which you should use according to their instructions.
Side Effects to Expect After Unshaven Hair Transplant
You can experience the following side effects temporarily after your unshaven hair transplant in Turkey:
- Bleeding
- Pain
- Scabbing
- Swelling/numbness
- Infection
- Scarring
What Could Go Wrong After Unshaven Hair Transplant?
If you tie your hair improperly, brush from the roots, and pull or style it in a certain way, it may dislodge the hair grafts in the recipient areas.
This can delay the recovery process, affect the graft survival rate and permanently damage the final results.
Other than that, you may develop a scalp infection. To reduce its risk, take your antibiotics.
What To Do If You Have Any Problems After Unshaven Hair Transplant?
You can avail of the aftercare services online by messaging us or opening a ticket on our Support Portal.
In addition, you can call or send us an email. Your dedicated host can assist with communication between you and your surgeon.
Alternatives to Unshaven Hair Transplant
For those experiencing extensive hair loss (needing over 3,000 grafts), U-FUE is not possible as it can cause permanent damage to the hair grafts.
This can cause a poor surgical outcome. In that case, the patient can have a traditional FUE hair transplant or a DHI hair transplant.
If the density of the hair follicles in the donor area is low, you may not achieve the desired hair density.
In that case, you can augment the hair transplant procedure with scalp micropigmentation.
Other Procedures to Have with Unshaven Hair Transplant
You can get platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy after a U-FUE hair transplant by adding it to your treatment plan.
It can strengthen the transplanted hair grafts by improving blood circulation in the scalp. Moreover, the growth factors in the proteins can speed up the recovery process.
Frequently asked questions about Unshaven Hair Transplant
No. In U-FUE, the surgeon merely doesn’t shave the recipient area; the rest of the technique remains the same.
Yes, the clinic in which you’ll undergo U-FUE is registered with the Ministry of Health.
You can travel back the day after the surgery, but it’s recommended that you stay for your follow-up appointment the next day.
For your follow-up checks, you can have an appointment at the London clinic.
