For many of us, hair loss can be really devastating. After all, not many of us can pull off the "bald" look like Jason Statham! Thanks to his sharp features, he was able to brave it and do nothing to combat the signs or disguise the hair loss.
But fret not, hair loss isn't the end of the world! With advancements in technology, there are multiple ways to combat hair loss.
Here’s the most important points you should know about getting a hair transplant in Singapore.
Many Singaporeans are interested in hair transplants
"Hair transplant Singapore" is one of the most Googled terms locally, with over 1,000 searches a month. Hair transplant-related queries also happen to be popular among Singaporeans who send in their requests to Human.
Going bald? Your parents are to blame…
You got it, the most common cause of hair loss in Singapore by far is due to genetics. In fact, 95% of hair loss in Singaporean males is due to male pattern hair loss. Therefore, if your father or other men in your family are going bald, you should start bracing yourself.
The best treatment for hair loss is tailored towards 3 factors
Often times, good outcomes after a hair transplant are determined by three main aspects:
- Your lifestyle
- The severity of your hair loss
- The progression of your hair loss
The average FUE hair transplant cost in Singapore can range from $6,000 - $10,000
The price is determined by a few things:
- The number of grafts you'll be needing
- The surgeon's fee
- The price for each hair graft
Manual FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) transplants are usually $6 - $8/graft while ARTAS Robotic FUE transplants range from around $9 - $12/graft.
The most important cost factor is the number of grafts you need
Primarily, the estimated number of grafts you may require will dictate the price range of your hair transplant. Moderate hair loss usually requires about 2,000 grafts.
Here's a simple table that depicts the types of graft estimates for each kind of hair loss situation:
Make sure you opt for a high-quality hair transplant procedure
The survival rate of your hair grafts is super important to the long-term sustainability of your transplanted hair.
A poorly performed hair transplant procedure will cost more in the long run and can prevent you from ever having a full head of hair again as grafts that don't survive are pretty much gone forever.
So, make sure your hair is in good hands.
Manual hair transplant procedure or ARTAS. Which one is better?
ARTAS involves the use of robotic extraction for hair transplantation and has a success rate of 98%. Manual transplantation by experienced teams usually see success rates range from 95 - 96%.
As you can guess, ARTAS costs are double the price of manual transplants and range from around $12 - 14/graft. This means that 1,000 follicles will cost you $14,000 while a manual hair transplant of 1,000 follicles will only cost you $4,000 - $5,000.
But what about those cheap hair loss solutions from XXX hair salon?
Sure, in Singapore you can find numerous hair salon treatments that cost only about $100 per session.
However, these aren't medical treatments backed by science, meaning there are no proven results.
Besides, they tend to push treatments up to 50 sessions, which leads to about $5,000 - $10,000 a year. In contrast, successful hair transplant procedures cost you about $9,000 on average and have results proven to last for up to 40 years!
You be the judge.
What are the alternatives?
Some people consider hair weaving a way to treat their bald spots.
Hair weaving relies on glueing human or synthetic hair to your scalp, but it isn't a permanent solution since new hairs don't grow and tend to fall off over time.
Another option is to get a good quality hairpiece which may set you back around $3,000 - $5,000 and last for up to 2 years. Of course, Singapore's humid weather might make things a tad uncomfortable.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is the most common hair transplant procedure in Singapore
It's also used throughout Asia, and for a reason. While the other method of hair transplantation (FUT) involves cutting out strips of skin behind your head to harvest hair, FUE is more popular in Asia as Asians are more prone to scarring after FUT.
Read more: 8 Dermatologist Clinics in Singapore for Your Skin Concerns (2020)
You're a suitable candidate for FUE hair transplant if:
- You have no major medical conditions
- You have a healthy donor site with adequate hair for the procedure
- Your recipient site has healthy blood vessels
FUE hair transplant procedures may take a while
FUE might take a bit of time due to the meticulous process. Follicles must be extracted one at a time by hand. This means you'll need to stay in the clinic for up to a day (depending on the amount of hair being transplanted).
Aside from a small injection, the procedure is relatively painless
The most pain you'll experience throughout the process is when a local anaesthetic is given through a small needle, after which it should be smooth sailing.
Post-procedure, there might be a slight burning or raw sensation for a few days (which can be managed with a few painkillers).
You'll usually see your hair starting to grow after 6 months
Good cosmetic results will be witnessed after 6 months. The transplanted hair follicles start to kick into full gear after 9-12 months (which is when you really start seeing some impressive aesthetic results).
You should expect hair to shed temporarily over the first 2-3 months due to the stress of surgery. Dr Kelvin advises his patients to undergo the transplant at least 6 months to 1 year before an important event.
Just remember, you don’t have to panic once you start noticing that receding hairline in the mirror. Hair transplants are a common procedure that many, many people before you have had success with. Take Dr Kelvin’s advice and make sure you go to an accredited medical specialist who can help you deal with hair loss.
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