Eyelash Hair Transplant – What You Should Know
The phrase “hair transplant” is normally followed by the public imagining the transplanting of hair grafts into the scalp. While this is the most common form of a hair transplant, there are other areas of the body that might need some help when it comes to hair loss. For example, patients who have lost hair in the eyelashes can improve the look of eyelashes that have sparse or missing lashes as well as enjoy permanent results. Want to learn more about how eyelash hair transplant surgery is performed? The information you want to know is in the informative article below.
Eyelash Hair Transplant Surgery – What is it and Who Wants it?
In general, eyelash hair transplant surgery is when hair is moved from the donor area of the scalp (usually the back and sides of the scalp) and placed in the upper or lower lid of the eyelashes. The placement of the hair grafts in the eyelash area helps the eyelashes to have a look that is longer and fuller in appearance.
When it comes to the loss of eyelash hair, this hair transplant surgery is often considered to be a procedure that is performed for cosmetic purposes, but it is also performed to help patients improve the functionality of their eye area. For example, some patients might want to address some form of trauma (such as an accident that resulted in burns that impacted the look and amount of eyelashes on the body).
On the other hand, some people have eyelashes that are naturally short or sparse in appearance or they might be lacking eyelash hair due to trichotillomania (a mental disorder that is characterized by the uncontrollable and repeated urge to pull body hair out of a certain area on the body).
Eyelash Hair Transplant – How is it Performed?
This procedure is similar in nature to traditional hair transplant surgery as hair follicles are removed from the donor area and then moved to the targeted eyelash area. The transplanted hair is removed from the donor area and then placed in the section of the eyelashes where there is a noticeable amount of hair that is lacking or missing.
The hair that is removed from the back and sides of the scalp is resistant to balding which means the results of the procedure will be permanent in nature. Patients who want permanent results are advised to consult with a doctor about this procedure instead of using lash extensions which require maintenance every six to eight weeks.
The hair that does grow in the eyelashes will behave like normal or native hair so the maintenance this hair requires involves tasks such as hair trimming since the lashes can grow rather long in length.
Much like any other surgical procedure, there are some risks that you need to know about before you have the treatment. Some of the most common risks include bleeding, infection, irritation of the cornea, and an aesthetic outcome that is not quite what you desired when deciding to have the treatment.
Eyelash Hair Transplant – Recovery and Results
One of the first things you need to remember is that this is a surgical procedure which means it requires a greater amount of recovery time than other solutions for the eyelashes (such as eyelash extensions). In addition, there will be some swelling and bruising to the eyelid area that can last for several weeks.
You also need to be prepared for the transplanted hair to start to fall put after the surgery. Do not worry as this is a normal part of the process and new hair shafts will begin to grow into the area of the lashes after four to six months.
The results from the surgery will start to become noticeable but it can take about a year (or more) for the final results to be visible.
Finding the Right Surgeon for the Procedure
Eyelash hair transplant surgery is considered to be a delicate surgery which means you need to perform proper research to find an experienced and board-certified surgeon with the necessary training and skills to provide the desired results.
Once you find a surgeon who you think might be the right choice for the procedure, make a consultation appointment and come prepared with questions so you become properly informed and educated about how to prepare for the surgery, what is involved in performing the treatment, and the steps you need to follow during the recovery process.
It is important that you and the surgeon are in agreement about the procedure and the type of results you can expect to see once the recovery period is completed. You should also ask to see “before and after” photos of actual patients treated by the surgeon so you can be certain that the doctor understands the intricate nature of the treatment and that the person who will be performing the surgery has the proper skills to create results that are aesthetically appealing in appearance.