Our Most Advanced Hair Transplant Technique

Once the surgical technique to be used in your case has been selected, we will proceed accordingly.

In addition to the obligation to comply with mandatory preoperative tests, whose list will be determined by the surgeon with the anesthesiologist, the preoperative management is similar to that of any other surgical procedure, the patient must keep at least 12 hours of previous diet avoiding the consumption of dairy products and caffeine, having greater relevance this period in the case of the TIRA technique (not used by Mediarte).

• Complete hematology.
• Protombin time (PT).
• Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)
• HIV serology
• VDRL Serology
• Other as deemed appropriate by the physician

This is a special device that was designed at Kyungpook National University (KNU) in South Korea. Its function is to implant the follicles in the so-called recipient site (in a single procedure), it reduces bleeding but in return the follicles can be separated from each other.

• FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction): as its name indicates, the follicular units are extracted individually, being a process that requires high precision and meticulousness. It is performed under local anesthesia, and can be extracted in a single procedure up to 3500 units, suggesting no more than this because they should be passed to conservation as soon as possible. Several surgical times can be performed until the transplant is completed. It does not leave scars in any of the two areas.
• DHI (Direct Hair Transplant or Direct Hair Implantation): it is performed using the IMPLATER, or CHOI type pen. The follicular units are also extracted one by one, but are taken from the donor area to the recipient area immediately, also requiring great skill and precision on the part of the surgeon, having the advantage that the entire transplant can be performed in a single surgical time. Like the previous one, it is performed under local anesthesia.
• TIRA (FUSS, FUT or Follicular Unit Transplant): long and thin strips of scalp are surgically removed and the donor area is sutured. Afterwards, the follicular units that will be transplanted in a second surgical procedure are divided and classified. Of course, it leaves a scar in the donor area and has as a possible complication bleeding after surgery.

The TIRA technique has very particular indications and is generally reserved for those cases where it is not feasible or useful to perform the other two techniques.

The existence of three "times" is considered:

• Graft extraction. Follicular units will be taken from the "donor area"; usually from the posterior region of the skull (occipital). In this first stage, the viability of the graft must be guaranteed, which depends on the type of hair, the technique, vascular factors, among others.
• Graft preparation. Once the follicular units have been extracted, they will be arranged in rows of 25 or 50 units to guarantee the best survival of the harvested graft (keeping an eye on temperature and hydration).
• Placement of grafts. The end of the procedure: the placement of the grafts (one by one) in their respective "nests" in the "recipient area" (the site where the graft will be placed).

DHI and FUE techniques leave microscopic scars, which are not visible to the naked eye.

With the TIRA technique (not used by Mediarte) at least 7 days of post-surgical recovery and rest will be necessary in order to avoid complications, depending on the extent of the transplant.

It is an extremely laborious procedure that requires high skill on the part of the surgeon in order not to damage the follicular units and not to produce very wide incisions in the face that become evident later on.

• Sleep on the back during the following 7 days, to avoid traumatizing the transplanted follicular units.
• The area should not be washed until after the first 48 hours. After this period, adequate cleaning of the surgical area (donor and recipient) should be maintained, washing the beard area with shampoo and abundant water.
• Application of antibiotic ointment or cream.
• Above all, avoid scratching or manual manipulation of the donor and recipient areas (there may be occasional itching in either area).
• Since it is a facial surgery, the patient must rest from work for at least 72 hours after the procedure.
• Avoid sun exposure, tobacco smoke or the ingestion of alcoholic beverages during the first week after surgery.
• The first shaving should not be done before the tenth day after the transplant. It is normal for all the transplanted hair to fall out by the second or third week, after which the new hair will come out.

Additionally, it could be performed by those who wish to disguise a particular type of scar or defect, such as a scar following surgical correction of a cleft lip or traumatic scar.

With the use of the FUE technique, it is necessary to avoid exercise for at least 10 days so that the donor area can heal properly, but the patient can return to work after 24 to 48 hours.

In the case of FUT or TIRA, recovery will be necessary for 3 to 4 weeks, depending on the extent of donor tissue taken.

Controls will be performed at week 1, 2 and 3 after the transplant, and then monthly until the surgeon decides on the definitive discharge.