Anyone over 18 who wishes to thicken small/medium scalp skin areas where a partial or total hair loss has occurred.
The results of the thickening procedure depend clearly first of all on the conditions of the donor area. This procedure can be performed either through the traditional transplantation technique, which involves harvesting an area of the scalp that is still rich in hair, separating the folliculi and implanting them onto the bald patch, or through the follicular unit transplantation technique (FUT), where the folliculi are harvested one by one.
The choices of which procedure to undergo and which technique to use will be discussed with the surgeon during the first visit in order to clarify every possible doubt.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCEDURE

This procedure can be also performed in ambulatory care facilities (not simple doctor's offices but surgical facilities where performing surgical activity under local anaesthesia is legally allowed) under local anaesthesia or in operating rooms under conscious sedation or general anaesthesia.
The surgical techniques are divided into two main branches: the traditional transplantation (incision, harvest and suture of the donor area) and the follicular unit transplant (harvest and implant from an area onto another of the same folliculus). The surgeon will choose between these two techniques after an accurate evaluation of the patient's situation:

• in case the area to be thickened needs several grafts (1000-1500), the best technique is probably the traditional transplantation
• in case the area to be thickened doesn't need many grafts (200-300), the best technique is probably the follicular unit transplantation
• in case the donor area is partly or totally lacking in folliculi, the procedure cannot be performed.

The traditional transplant technique involves suturing and will therefore leave a scar (10-12 cm / 3.9-4.7 inches), which is usually hidden under the newly grown hair. This procedure must be performed by several skilled surgeons who are able to set up as quickly as possible the folliculi to be implanted before they become useless due to explant reactivity.
The follicular unit transplant technique is good only in case of minimal thickening procedures.

POST-OPERATIVE PHASE AND CONVALESCENCE

No medication is needed after the procedure, and scabs will form over the treated area.
After 2-3 days the patient is allowed to gently wash the treated area and remove the scabs. The implanted hair will first fall off and then start growing back again.
The patient doesn't need to be hospitalized and doesn't usually feel any pain.
Intense physical activities and exercises must be suspended for about 30 days.

RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS

If the procedure is performed in a safe environment and by qualified physicians (see above) there is no risk of major complications, as long as the patient follows thoroughly all the post-operative instructions given by the medical staff.

COSTS

This procedure can cost from 1.500€ up to 6.000€, depending on the number of implants needed and the size of the area to be treated.