Unshaven Hair Transplant
Unshaven/non-shaven hair transplant is a technique evolved to cater to patients with hair loss who, simultaneously, prefer to avoid a completely shaved head during the procedure.This approach is inherently subjective, reflecting the desire of patients for a hair transplant that is discreet and maintains their anonymity as much as possible.
The procedure mirrors the FUE process, with a key distinction—instead of a fully shaved head, it involves partial shaving or a strategic trim that allows the existing hair to naturally conceal the shaved areas. In certain instances, the head may not require shaving at all.
Individuals Aiming to Avoid a Complete Head Shave
-Celebrities who want their Hair Transplant to be undetectable when surrounded by their fans and media.
-Representatives, Politicians and Executives whose task is to constantly be in the public eye.
-Individuals who require a smaller number of hair grafts (approximately 500-1000).
-Females experiencing baldness.
-International athletes who want to stay confident.
-People eager to swiftly resume work and social activities
Exploring Unshaven Follicular Unit Extraction
Can We Do Hair Transplant Without Shaving Head? The answer lies in the specific type of hair transplant surgery chosen, the number of grafts needed, and the patient’s gender.
FUT Hair Transplant Without Shaving
For individuals opting for FUT, the strip method, only a minimal shave is necessary at the donor area and no shaving at the recipient area, eliminating the need to shave the entire head.
It can also be done, without shaving the donor area at all. In this case, the hair is extracted and implanted in its natural length and allows for the probable result to be visualized immediately following the surgery. The method is called Preview Long Hair Transplant.
FUE Hair Transplant Without Shaving
If you are going under the FUE hair transplant method then it totally depends on the number of grafts.
For example, if you require 1000 or fewer grafts, the minimal shaving is required in the donor area of about 1 inch height of a strip. However, if it’s about extracting 1500 or more grafts then it becomes quite a tedious process, so there is a need to shave the entire head.
However, if it’s about extracting 1500 or more grafts then there is a need to shave the entire head. In this case it is laborious to perform FUE without shaving the entire head.
The process of undergoing FUE Hair Transplant can be chosen from 3 methods –
FUE with Shaving – This is a standard method where the whole head is shaved. The Hair Grafts are extracted from the donor site and implanted into the recipient site.
Unshaven FUE – In the process of unshaven FUE, the hair is trimmed before implanting them into the unshaven recipient area.
Preview Long Hair Transplant – In this process, extraction is done without cutting the hair shaft and the complete hair is implanted at the unshaven recipient area.
In females, there is no need to shave the entire head as females don’t need much grafts and the required grafts are extracted from the donor site while shaving a small area.
First, a small donor area is shaven to visualize the angle of hair and to minimize the transaction i.e minimize the risk of damaging grafts. Secondly, it is shaved a bit to prevent overharvesting. This is done to prevent too many harvesting from a small area. Third, at the recipient area, donation angle and direction of the hair(slits) needs to be made precisely to give it the most possible natural result.
After making the slits at the recipient area, a methylene blue pigmentation is applied so it’s easy to identify the slits for implantation. It’s a non-toxic material that doesn’t harm skin and hair.
Pros of Hair Transplant Without Shaving
-Minimal Disruption to Appearance
-Avoidance of Social Stigma
-Ideal for Small Procedure
-Psychological Comfort
-Enhanced Privacy
-Customizable and Targeted Procedure
Cons of Hair Transplant Without Shaving
-The presence of existing hair may increase the risk of Hair Transplant Infections as it may be more challenging to keep the donor and recipient areas completely sterile.
-Difficulty in caring and washing the Hair Properly post operation.
-Unshaven hair transplants may require more time compared to traditional methods, as the surgeon must work around existing hair, slowing down the extraction and implantation processes.
-Unshaven hair transplants may be more expensive than traditional methods due to the increased complexity and duration of the procedure.
-The presence of existing hair may limit access to the donor area, making it difficult for the surgeon to harvest grafts effectively.
-Maneuvering around existing hair increases the risk of graft damage during extraction and transplantation, potentially affecting the overall success of the procedure.
More About Hair Transplant Without Shaving Approach
-During an Unshaved Hair Transplant, only small areas at the donor site need to be shaved. The surrounding hair is kept long to naturally cover these shaved spots on the scalp.
-The process is carried out by alternating the strips with and without hair. So the shaved strips might get covered with the first ones naturally. The intervention is more manageable but can take place only if the patient’s hair length is about 6-7 cm.
-Opting for a complete head shave is a common recommendation among surgeons. Why? This approach enhances visibility of the hair follicles, facilitating a more accessible and precise selection of grafts.
-In the Preview Long Hair Transplant procedure, the initially implanted full-length hair will naturally undergo shedding in the post-transplant phase.
-For men, a fade haircut on the back and sides makes it easy to extract hair. The trimmed hair grows to a neat length in just 7-10 days.
Endnotes
In conclusion, unshaven hair transplant is a versatile and discreet solution catering to individuals who prioritize maintaining their current appearance during the procedure. Its subjective nature suits diverse patient profiles, from celebrities to those with minimal baldness. While offering benefits like minimal disruption and enhanced privacy, it’s essential to consider potential drawbacks like infection risk and longer procedure times. Overall, unshaven hair transplant provides a personalized and natural-looking option for those seeking a tailored approach to hair restoration.