In normal FUE hair transplantation, the hair must be buzzcut, ie you have to get bald. In FUE operation, the grafts are taken from the donor area in two ways: micromotor or manual. Either way, the hair must be cut short in order to remove the grafts in a robust and comfortable manner. In this way, from the donor area around 5000-6000 grafts can be taken up according to the donor capacity of the person. Especially in the channel method when opening the channels, the longer the hair, the harder the collection process. Therefore, it is necessary to shave the hair, and it is obligatory in the channel method.
A lot of people who want to have hair transplantation give up the operation when they learn that they need to shave their hair. In hair transplantation operations, it is quite common for people not to want to have a bald head. In order to eliminate the problem of balding during hair transplantation, various methods have been tried in plastic surgery. The aim is to offer the patients a comfortable process during the hair transplantation process as well as the recovery process after the operation. In addition to providing a natural look for the patient, it is of utmost importance that patients return to their work and social lives as soon as possible.
Until a few years ago, either for multiple or single hair follicle collection methods, hair had to be shaved in the donor area for conventional hair transplantation. It was not an easy situation for patients who had to live with half shaved hair. In fact, many people who want to have hair transplantation give up the operation when they learned that. The unshaven hair transplantation technique is a new technique developed to eliminate this problem and to allow people to have hair transplantation without getting bald.
In unshaven hair transplantation, both FUT and FUE methods can be applied. FUT method has been abandoned today due to its disadvantages. Since it is the most used hair transplantation method, in this article I will talk about unshaven hair transplantation in the FUE method.
Prior to normal hair transplantation, the patient’s hair is cut to 1 number (about 3 mm). The haircut is done by the hair transplantation centers so that the doctor can analyze the hair condition on the day of the operation.
People who want to have unshaven hair transplantation are asked to grow their hair a little more before surgery. The path followed in this procedure ensures that the donor area is hidden between the hairs that do not need to be treated. In the first stage, the region of hair follicles will be determined. In the second step, the surgeon collects strong and healthy follicles, which are determined with the least effect possible with the help of the team. In the next step, the hair follicles are made prepared for transplantation. In the final stage, the hair transplantation process is completed to create a natural image.
An average of 4,000 hair follicles can be planted in 2 sessions with the unshaven FUE technique. 1 to 3 hair follicles can be collected from each hair root. Thanks to the tools and techniques used in the FUE technique, the retention of the hair follicles transplanted can be increased. The success of the hair transplantation process is increasing day by day thanks to developments in plastic surgery such as gold needle pens and micromotor technique.
The duration of operation in hair transplantation varies according to the number of grafts transplanted, the surgeon and the technological equipment of the clinic. However, unshaven hair transplantation is a bit more difficult than the normal FUE technique, so it takes more time and effort. Therefore, the costs of unshaven techniques are slightly higher than normal techniques in many clinics. However, it is a very attractive opportunity for many patients who postpone hair transplantation just because they want to avoid getting bald.
Why Hair Is Being Shaved in Hair Transplantation
This condition, which is not a problem for men who are used to use their hair in short cuts, makes hair transplantation operations more comfortable for others. The main reason for hair shaving in normal operations is that the physician and hair transplant team can see the hair follicles more easily and that the mobility in the area is more comfortable.
After the haircuts performed before the hair transplant operation, the areas that will be transplanted may be buzzcut as well when necessary. Grafts are planted by opening channels to the sections where hairs are cut with razor blades. For a more comfortable application of hair transplantation, the shorter hair cuts allow the physician to locate the hair follicles and increases the mobility on the hair transplantation area.
The hair follicles in the donor area make the use of a manual punch or micromotor device difficult. The micromotor operation, which allows the individual hair follicles to be loosened, can be applied much faster on the bald shaved hair. The clearest and basic answer to the question of why hair is being shaved is that the hair transplant surgeon can work much more comfortably in this way.
Shaving of the follicle area to be transferred, which is the only undesirable result of hair transplantation, is eliminated with unshaven hair transplantation. It is now possible to remove grafts without the need to shave the area to be transferred. Although this is not an advantageous method for the physician, it is an aesthetically attractive method for the patient.
The Emergence of Unshaven Hair Transplantation
Unshaven hair transplantation is a hair transplantation method especially preferred by ladies. However, it is an attractive practice for men who do not want their hair shaved during hair transplantation as well. Unshaven hair transplantation which was developed for the ones who hesitate about having a hair transplant, who are concerned about the temporary physical changes that will occur after the operation and especially for the women with long hair, has become the most popular hair transplantation application in recent years.
There have been many different techniques developed to date on hair transplantation. Innovations in hair transplantation methods are emerging in parallel with the development of technology and science over time and every new method provides more advantageous results compared to the previous one. After the first FUT technique, FUE and DHI methods were introduced. The FUT technique is no longer used in terms of application and results. In many countries, hair transplantation is performed with FUE and DHI method now.
Thanks to the pens specially produced in the DHI method, the hair follicles are transferred from the donor area to the rest of the bald area. This prevents hair follicles from dying out too much as it is in other applications. DHI hair transplantation operation is a little more costly due to specially produced items. In FUE technique, extraction and insertion of the follicles with micro-tipped needles is performed without opening an incision. There are no cut marks in this technique, but some coagulation may occur in the follicle area where they are transplanted.
No matter what method, hair transplantation gives the same result. The method used for hair transplantation is not important in this sense, provided that it is performed by the right people. However, FUE technique is more preferred because it does not require an incision.
The follicles to be transferred during hair transplantation are collected from the scalp of the neck. However, if the person has no hair in his head, any other hair suitable for planting can be used. In general, it is necessary to shave the area to collect these follicles. Shaving is performed on the day of operation in order for the surgeon to check the transplant and transfer area for the last time. However, if the hair follicle is to be removed from the nape area, the shaving will cause a bad appearance. This is annoying, especially for women.
How Unshaven Hair Transplant Is Performed?
Today, the number of people who have hair transplantation is increasing every day. However, even if the person wants to have hair transplantation because of hair loss, shaving can be a real problem. Therefore, aesthetic concerns have led to the need for unshaven hair transplantation. The unshaven hair transplantation is a solution for those who want to avoid a shortened hair appearance in their social lives.
The unshaven hair transplantation, which makes hair transplantation more attractive especially for women who do not want to shorten their hair, is to take the hair follicles in the donor area with the FUE method without any need to shorten the whole of the hair and transfer them to the transplant area.
In the classical FUT method, the hair follicles were taken as a strip from the nape area and transferred to the bald area, while the hairs were shortened at the same time. With the FUE method, the hair was shortened again; but the follicles were not taken as a whole, but one by one. The FUE method now makes it possible to remove the follicles without shortening the hair. That is to say, unshaven hair transplantation is not a separate method of hair transplantation, it is a kind of classical hair transplantation method FUE.
As in normal FUE, unshaven hair transplantation is performed by collecting hair follicles from the donor area and transplanting them to the shed area. In the first stage, the area where the hair follicles will be taken is determined. In the next stage, hair follicles are taken and prepared for planting. The only difference between classical hair transplantation is that the hair is not cut.
In hair transplantation performed with FUE, hairs were shaved about 3 mm long and hair follicles were collected from the donor area in short form. With unshaved hair transplant, the donor area, where only hair follicles will be taken, is cut about 15 cm wide. Thus, since the whole hair is not shortened, the shaved donor zone can be easily camouflaged.
In addition, unshaven hair transplantation does not cause any wear when the scalp is being shaved or the hair follicles are removed. When planting hair follicles collected through low-speed micro-motors, a separate channel is not opened before planting as in FUE. When the collected hair follicles are planted, the channel is opened. In other words, channeling and planting take place simultaneously. In this sense, unshaven hair transplantation is known as Direct Hair Implant (DHI).
Unshaven Hair Transplantation Types
Unshaven hair transplantation can be done in 3 different ways.
- Regional Shaving
Regional shaving is applied in the operations involving the collection of 1000-1500 grafts. Only a small part of the donor area is to be shaved. Before the operation, a rectangular area of 10 × 5 cm is shaved from the nape area.
It is one of the most common methods. For this application, it is essential that the hair of the donor area should be long. One or two regions are shaved as normal hair transplantation, with an average of 2 × 10-15 cm from the neck area. As we do in the normal FUE operation, the hairs are collected individually from this shaved area. Hair in the upper part of the shaved region will close the shaved area and camouflage due to its horizontal angles. Thus, the injuries caused by shaving and grafting of the donor area will not be noticed even on the first day. It has been practicing in hair transplantation since 2009. Up to 2000 hair grafts can be taken in one session.
- Full Unshaven Hair Transplantation
Full unshaven hair transplantation is preferred especially for women with long hair and those who prefer to use their hair longer than 15-20 cm. The normal FUE technique is also used for full unshaven hair transplantation. Fully unshaven hair transplantation requires long and intensive work, especially when compared to normal transplant operations. Hair loss may occur in full unshaven hair transplantation.
The suitability for full unshaven hair transplantation is determined after the hair analysis performed by the physician. The donor zone is not shaved in any way. With the special FUE punches, the grafts are removed one by one. It is a pretty difficult application. In one session maximum of 400-500 grafts can be taken. It is not preferred much in practice.
- Donor Region Shaved, Transplant Region Unshaven
The donor area is completely shaved, it is possible to take a large number of grafts from a large area. It is an ideal method for tightening thin hair. Hair transplantation, especially applied by the pencil method, is very convenient for this application without shaving the hair. This kind of unshaven hair transplantation is preferred by many nowadays.
Advantages of Unshaven Hair Transplant
Unshaven hair transplantation provides a comfortable process for the person after the procedure. It enables people who have hair transplantation to return to their work and daily life in a short time. Hair, especially in women who do not want to cut the short cut the path of hair transplantation after the process will create a shaven image erased the worry.
Because only the donor region is shaved, it can be hidden easily by other hair. It allows for preserving the existing hairstyle. Thanks to the unshaven hair transplantation, especially in women, the person does not have to wait for the long period of hair growth as the whole of the hair is not shortened. In the same way, men who want to use their hair longer do not have to wait that much as well.
In the unshaven hair transplantation, the area where the follicles will be planted is opened while the hair is planted at the same time. Therefore, the hair follicle is less outdoors, so it can maintain its vitality. Unshaven hair transplantation ensures a better camouflage after surgery. The donor quickly eliminates the unaesthetic image in the area.
Disadvantages of Unshaven Hair Transplant
Although the process of transplantation varies according to the number of grafts to be planted, unshaven hair transplantation takes longer since it requires more labor. Assuming an average of 5 hours of hair transplantation with FUE, this period increases for an average of 2-3 hours for unshaven hair transplantation. Because removing hair follicles in long hair without damaging the root requires more attention than shaved hair. As a matter of fact, this means that the process takes longer.
Unshaved hair transplantation also requires more attention and is more costly because it lasts longer. At the same time, a maximum of 1000-1500 hair follicles can be collected during the unshaven hair transplantation process. Therefore, for the unshaven hair transplantation, the area to be transplanted should be small or hair transplantation should be repeated several times. Because hair transplantation is expected to reach an average of 5,000 hair follicles. For this reason, unshaven hair transplantation is more difficult as a whole, yet it is more successful in the regional and partial hair losses.
In addition to all these, the hygienic environment is more difficult to achieve in unshaven hair transplantation operations. The postoperative risk of complications is also slightly higher. The patient may need more attention.
Who Can Have Unshaven Hair Transplant?
After the examination of a team of experts, anyone who can be seen as eligible can undergo unshaven hair transplantation. It is especially preferred by people who have aesthetic concerns while returning to social and business life quickly after the procedure. Unshaven FUE hair transplantation operation allows you to reach your natural hair in 2-3 days.
How Long Does Recovery Take After Unshaven Hair Transplantation?
We know that the process of healing in hair transplantation is a condition that bothers patients. “Is hair transplantation without shaving a handicap?” is the starting point of the questions. The patients who want to return quickly to social life after the recovery process still experience rashes and scabbing even in 2019. With all the advantages and disadvantages of unshaven hair transplantation which have been developed upon all these requests, it provides solutions to the problems of some of the patients. Patients can return to work after the operation. After the first week, the scars and scabs disappear and there is no need to hide the redness on the scalp.
In the first 10 days after hair transplantation, hair follicles begin healing. The most basic indicator of this healing process is scabbing. Although this scabbing takes place for about one week after the first wash, the scabbing on the scalp is not noticed by anyone with unshaven hair transplantation. This process may cause itching in the hair due to healing, but it is necessary to avoid the itching action until the time they are fully recovered. As a matter of fact, the recovery takes 15 days after unshaven hair transplantation.
The unshaven FUE hair transplantation process is similar to other hair transplantation methods. Hair transplant doctors share detailed information on how to protect and wash hair. It is sufficient to follow the doctor’s recommendations at this stage. Growing of the hair occurs within the natural process. In 3 months, new hair starts to grow and its growth rate increases at 6 months. At the end of 1 year, the actual results are revealed. After the procedure, the hair can be grown and shaped as desired.
Why Are Unshaven Hair Transplantation Prices Higher?
Especially in the case of full unshaven hair transplantation, operation prices are increasing. The main reason for this is the operations that require greater labor and time. Since these procedures have longer operation times and carry the risk of failure, the hair transplant team and the doctor must spend much more time and effort to carry out these procedures ideally. This is reflected in the operation prices. Besides, unshaven hair transplantation is a rare application. Each hair transplantation center does not perform unshaven hair transplantation. This also causes prices to be higher.
How Does Unshaven Hair Transplantation Affect the Result?
Results of the unshaven hair transplantation vary according to the size of the hair loss area. Hair transplantation can be performed without cutting the hair of the person while transplanting to smaller areas. In cases where the hairless area is larger, shaving of the hair brings the following advantages.
a. To get the best aesthetic result
b. To work in more detail
c. Hygiene and provision of a sterile environment
d. Easier to see the direction of transplantation
Extensive and meticulous work of Fue hair transplanters in the channeling process is one of the most important factors in the emergence of correct results. In summary, if the hair is shaved before the hair transplantation, all of the reasons are for the benefit of the patient.
Long Hair Method
The first reason why people who face hair loss problems hesitate having hair transplantation is the process of operation. Shaving of the hair in the process of operation and the time required for hair to become the desirable level lead people to reconsider their decision. This type of distress is most often attracted by people like social figures, businessmen and celebrities who earn money by their image and who do not have time because of their jobs.
The Long Hair technique makes a revolutionary contribution at this point. Hair transplantation operation is performed without the need to shave the hair. The hair follicles removed by FUE method are not shaved and they are removed and transported the way they are. With this technique, the number of grafts that can be transplanted per session varies. With the classic FUE, the number of grafts to be planted is around 3,500. This number decreases to 1000 in the long hair technique.
What Is Long Hair FUE?
In the simplest way, Long Hair Transplantation allows the ability to remove and transplant the hair in its long form. In this method, the most healthy hair follicles are selected, removed correctly and placed in the balding area, taking into account the direction of the natural hair. Long hair transplantation is performed using FUE Hair Transplantation technique.
How To Do Long Hair Transplant?
With this technique, no part of the hair is shaved. The hair used as a donor behind the head is taken long without being shortened and is planted in the balding area directly. Apart from this, the process and planting times are not changed. It is observed that long hair transplantation is the most common choice for the transplantation on the right and left sides of the forehead and top of the head.
In this balding region, the section where the transplantation will take place is drawn with the medical pen device. The hair follicles, which are encoded in a way that they will not shed genetically, and are collected in a number of 500-1000 grafts from the nape area are placed in the hairless area.
What Are the Differences and Advantages of Long Hair?
In Long Hair Transplantation, the risk of scarring is much lower. The number of grafts transplanted per session is between 500-1000. Because long hair strands are transplanted, this is an application that takes much more attention and care, and it takes more time and costs more than other applications.
Shortening or cutting of hair is not an issue thanks to the long hair transplantation method, it does not impose any changes or interruptions on people’s social lives. Hair growth after hair transplantation with long hair FUE creates a rapid and highly positive psychological effect and satisfaction in the patient. Voluminousness and change in the hair are immediately seen even after the operation.
The patient can see the new hair shape and have an idea about the front hairline and hair density immediately after the operation. This also helps ensure a natural look. Whether there is a hair transplant operation is not easily noticed. When the grafts are extracted with intact hair, the patient can have a visibly dense hair appearance.
Unshaven Painless Hair Transplantation
Unshaven, painless hair transplantation is a preferred form of application for many people to get better looks. Because hair loss is a problem that negatively affects the social life of many people. A wide range of factors, such as stress, aging, genetic factors, and irregular nutrition, may result in hair loss. Individuals experiencing the problem of hair loss may be alone with their lack of self-confidence in their social lives. However, by performing hair transplantation process, they can regain their self-confidence and adapt to social life more easily.
Minimum Hemorrhage And Swelling In Unshaven Painless Hair Transplantation
There are many different techniques in hair transplantation. Today, among the most preferred modern hair transplantation methods, there is unshaven, painless hair transplantation. There is no bleeding and swelling in unshaven, painless hair transplantation methods. This method is often preferred as the patient may have the advantage of being able to transplant hair without suffering and without any negative changes in the image.
Hair Transplantation With Respect to The Tissue
In the Unshaven Hair Transplantation process, hair follicles are collected from the patient’s neck with low-speed micromotor. These microprocessors have the ability to collect hair roots without breaking them. Thanks to the Unshaven Hair Transplantation process, the patient has the advantage of having a hair transplantation process without getting his/her hair cut. Through this application, hair follicle collection with respect to the tissue is performed.
No Pain Thanks To The Anesthesia Devices
In Painless Hair Transplantation, it is ensured that the patient can have hair transplantation without pain thanks to special anesthesia devices without needles. During the application of Painless Hair Transplantation, needle-free anesthesia devices allow spraying of anesthetic agents under the skin. When using these devices, only the silicone heads contact the skin and the anesthetizing agents are spread on the skin layers in a larger area than the injector needle. Thus, pain is eliminated.
The devices used in the Unshaven Hair Transplantation process open the area where the hair follicles will be collected and allow new hair follicles to be planted in the balding area. New hair follicles are planted while protecting the patient’s own hair strands by preventing damage to the hair follicles and the existing hair fibers.
The patient can continue his/her social life in a short period of time after hair transplantation. The application lasts from about 5 to 8 hours. Planted hair begins to grow from the third month following the application. At the end of the 1st year, the targeted image can be obtained.
