Unshaven Hair Transplants
Since hair loss is a global issue, hair transplant procedures have gained immense popularity. Both men and women indulge in this hair makeover, and many describe it as a positive life-changing experience.
However, some worry about the technicalities involved in the procedure, such as getting their head shaven during the transplant. If you are also concerned about the brief window where you have to live with shaven hair, choose hair transplant without shaving!
The procedure is safe, hassle-free, and helps you achieve the confidence you have lost along with your hair strands.
What is an Unshaven Hair Transplant?
Unshaven hair transplant is commonly known as U-FUE hair transplant. As the name suggests it is a variant of the Follicar unit extraction hair transplant, in which the surgeon do not shave the donor area during the procedure, but instead transplants the hair follicles at full lenght.
Each hair transplant procedure has its unique quality; for instance, DHI hair transplant has a faster recovery rate and FUE covers a larger area. Similarly, an unshaven or U-FUE hair transplant is unique because it eliminates shaving from the procedure. It is because your natural hair covers the donor FUE region (if shaven), and the recipient area is not shaven at all.
It’s advantageful in concealing the transplanted follicular units during the recovery periods. The drawback are that not every clinic handles the treatment, and that it takes longer time (Increased costs) than a normal shaved FUE procedure.
What are different types of unshaven hair transplants?
There are two types of hair transplant without shaving:
- Pre-determined unshaven FUE involves the extraction of pre-trimmed hair follicles. In this process, each suitable hair is selected and trimmed a little. After selection, the follicles of such hair are extracted using a fine needle of 0.75 to 0.9mm.
- Direct unshaven FUE involves simultaneous selection and trimming of the hair and extraction of follicles.
Both these techniques are equally useful and feasible. However, some surgeons feel direct unshaven FUE takes less time and has a faster recovery rate, while pre-determined unshaven FUE gives longer and denser hair.
The shaving process is usually done to ease the extraction of follicles from a healthy mane and place them in bald or barren patches of the scalp. As skipping this step can impact final results, it is crucial to get an unshaven hair transplant done by an expert. Moreover, you also need to be a good candidate for an unshaven hair transplant.
What are the primary considerations for an unshaven hair transplant?
- Fortunately, there are no age restrictions, but the ideal candidate is someone above 21.
- Both men and women can opt for this procedure without worrying about the discrepancy in final results.
- The type of hair loss and the number of healthy follicles on your head are also deciding factors. You must have sufficient, preferably in a large number, donor hair follicles to get the desired outcomes.
- Since hair follicle extraction without shaving the head is challenging, expertise should be a significant consideration. Only the best surgical team specializing in hair transplant operations will be able to extract follicles and implant grafts without damaging pre-existing hair. So, it is crucial to go to specialists who have experience and skill to undertake hair transplant of long hair without shaving.
- The texture of the hair and the suppleness of the scalp are also essential considerations in the qualifying criteria. You must have nape hair with a minimum length of 6 to 8cm long. The more extended nape can cover the shaven patch if the donor area needs to be shaved for graft extraction.
- Your pain sensitivity and scalp conditions are also significant. For instance, people with Alopecia Areata are not eligible for unshaven hair transplants.
Procedure and Timeline of Shaven transplants
The process and schedule primarily depend on your hair follicles, hair volume, and area required for transplantation.
So, a successful hair transplant without shaving hair takes proper consultation, medical considerations, and planning. In most cases, you should expect the following timeline and process for each step of the procedure:
Planning and Consulting: 4 to 8 weeks
Following your decision of unshaven hair transplantation, a comprehensive consultation session begins to find out what methods to use. The surgeon determines your hair type, hair loss patterns, scalp conditions, medical examination, age, and other factors.
This careful data gathering allows the surgeon to plan a procedure that gives successful final results. It usually takes one to two months and a few consultations to complete investigations, make a roadmap, and start the process.
Operation and Post-operative Examinations: 1 to 3 weeks
It takes four to eight hours for hair transplantation without shaving and around one to two sessions following surgery.
In a conventional hair transplant, the surgeon removes hair one after another from a donor region. On the other hand, the treatment with U-FUE is more sensitive and requires the surgeon to detect the healthiest hair. Then, only these healthy grafts can be implanted into hair patches.
The hair strands from the recipient sites are clipped off. Then, the grafts are mixed into the diluting or balding regions so that they mimic your own hair’s natural growth qualities. Since the process is minimally invasive, you are comfortable to the point of falling asleep during the graft removal and transplantation.
Recovery and final outcome: 32-40 weeks
The complete outcomes for most individuals range from 6 to 9 months following the operation. For others, it may take a year.
Transplanted hair starts growing between two and eight weeks following surgery. Initially, they may seem thinner, which is completely normal and temporary.
What Does an Unshaven Hair Implant Treatment Cost?
The unshaven hair transplant cost is high because it is a labor-intensive procedure for the surgeon and medical team.
The surgeon’s competence and capability are crucial to the success of this procedure. It cannot be carried out without a thorough grasp of all the procedural intricacies. However, unshaven FUE hair transplant cost the UK is far higher than in some other countries.
For instance, recently, U-FUE hair transplant turkey cost has been of great interest to consumers because it is significantly lower than in the UK. However, you need to think about and consider sick leaves, travel expense, and schedule suitability before opting for a procedure abroad.
The average cost of a hair transplant in the UK is between £2,5 and £5 per graft, and in Turkey between 0,9 and £2 per graft. You can expect the more complex procedure of U-FUE to lie in the higher percentlies of these two ranges.
Can the Procedure Be Done For All Hair Loss Types?
Yes, an unshaven FUE transplant can treat any hair loss in which a sufficient number of grafts or follicles are present. The problem only arises in the absence of a donor area. For instance, Alopecia Areata often affects large patches of the scalp, and patients do not have many follicles or nape hair.
Mostly, it is suitable for receding hairline, crown baldness, beard balding, pattern baldness, hair thinning, and patchy baldness with intact nape hair. You can also opt hair transplant without shaving the recipient area on the chest.
Clinics in the United Kingdom and Turkey
The cost of a hair transplant depends on the facility and services provided. The U-FUE in the UK ranges from £5,000 to £25,000. It may or may not include pre-operative consultation, the procedure, and recovery follow-ups.
Usually, the facilities for a hair transplant without shaving in the UK charge depending on the total area that needs transplantation (crown, hairline, etc.) and follicle extraction. Some facilities charge £2.5 to £5 per follicle but may exaggerate the number of required follicles to inflate profits.
Contrarily, the clinics in Turkey provide the best hair transplant experience for far lesser prices. For example, the typical cost of an FUE hair transplant varies from £1,300 to £2,200.
Every year, thousands of individuals opt for unshaven FUE hair transplant Turkey services. As a result, Istanbul has become the world’s hair transplant tourist hub. Even after considering ticket and accommodation costs, you can expect to save up to 65%.
The ticket price from London to Istanbul ranges from £80 to £200 approximately. Renting a house in Turkey is significantly less than anywhere else in Europe. Many clinics also offer packages with all-inclusive treatment and accommodation and no hidden charges for consultation and follow-up. Turkish doctors have significant experience in hair transplants without shaving and speak English proficiently. So, you can expect a great interaction and a 100% satisfactory result.
Pros:
- Cost-effective treatment
- All-inclusive packages
- Equally excellent expertise
- A cultural trip to Turkey
Cons:
- Another possible trip if outcomes are not satisfactory
- Difficulty in follow-ups if issues arise late in the recovery period
- Travel restrictions and PCR costs considering the COVID-19 pandemic
Risks and Considerations
Unshaven Hair transplantation is generally a safe treatment with low downtime and fewer risks such as discomfort, swelling, and scalp irritation. The bulk of these problems can be avoided with a well-trained medical team and correct surgical techniques. However, there are a few long-term concerns to address, such as:
- Scalp laxity
- Failed grafts
- Hair curls
It is critical to discuss the expected outcome with your physician and set realistic goals.
Pros and Cons Shaven Vs Unshaven Hair Transplant
Pros:
Generally, Hair transplant procedures require shaving areas that should be considered “recipient” and “donor” areas. But unshaven FUE eliminates the need to shave the scalp before the procedure. Sometimes, surgeons choose to shave only the donor area but make sure that you can hide it with your nape hair well.
Moreover, an unshaven hair transplant is a less invasive technique that leaves no apparent scars at the extraction site.
Cons:
The Unshaven FUE method requires a high level of expertise and experience. It’s more time-consuming than conventional FUE, and the quantity of grafts harvested is restricted.
It isn’t recommended for severe hair loss problems where a large volume of hair is required for surgery.
Recovery and Results
The wound heals 7 to 10 days after surgery, and you can resume regular activities. The surgeon may give medicines to help prevent swelling and other problems after any hair transplant.
To cut down recovery time, you can take the following measures:
- For the next 3 to 4 weeks, avoid combing.
- Avoid extreme heat or cold.
- Take care of your hair and scalp to speed up recuperation.
Two to three weeks after the procedure, the transplanted hair is likely to fall off. It encourages the growth of new hair. Most people observe new hair growth 8 to 12 months after surgery.