Are you curious about the key processes involved in surgical hair restoration procedures, specifically the evaluation and assessment stages that come before the surgery? At Enfield Royal Clinic Abu Dhabi, our patients often ask us about the diagnostic process that surgeons use to identify different health conditions and gather relevant information to make their treatments as effective and safe as possible. The diagnosis phase of any treatment can admittedly be a little complicated. Our qualified hair specialists have put together this simple guide to answer frequently asked questions from patients, such as “How is Hair Loss Diagnosed Before Hair Transplant?”, as well as their most effective assessment techniques and the importance of these medical tests in cosmetic surgical treatments.

Table of Content

How Is Hair Loss Diagnosed Before Hair Transplant?

Surgeons and hair specialists conduct a variety of medical tests and physical exams before a hair transplant surgery to rule out active scalp disorders that might complicate the surgical procedure and to identify the exact condition behind a patient’s hair loss or thinning. A precise diagnosis and thorough testing help the experts tailor the treatment so that it better fits the specific needs and conditions of the patient.

Trichoscopy:

Trichoscopy is the most common and simplest test for hair conditions. It involves the specialists using a special hand-held magnifying lens to examine the scalp. This test helps them judge the degree of miniaturization or the weakening and thinning of the hair.

Scalp Biopsy:

When necessary, the specialists might remove a small piece of the scalp to look at the hair roots more closely under a microscope. Biopsy is rarely used, mostly for complex cases when the specialists want to check the scalp skin for inflammation and scarring.

Hair Pull Test:

The pull test is another simple assessment technique that helps specialists determine the rate of hair fall or shedding in a patient. They gently tug at the hair and assess how many strands fall out for this test.

Blood Tests:

Blood work is standard for any surgical procedure. In the case of hair transplants, these tests are useful for proactively diagnosing underlying health conditions that might interfere with the transplants, such as thyroid problems or iron deficiencies.

Scalp Mapping:

Mapping is the most important step of the diagnostic process for hair transplants. For this test, the specialists count the healthy “donor” follicles on the patient’s scalp to determine if they will be sufficient to cover the target areas of the scalp.

Common Hair Conditions Treated With Transplants:

The diagnostic techniques we’ve explained in the previous section help us accurately detect and distinguish a variety of health conditions that affect the health and growth of hair. With the information we gather through these tests, we tweak and improve the surgical procedure to make it safer and more effective for the treatment of various hair-related concerns, such as the ones mentioned below.

Androgenetic Alopecia:

Also known as Male or Female Pattern Baldness. A genetic condition that causes a receding hairline or bald spots and diffuse thinning.

Traction Alopecia:

Severe hair fall and thinning caused by long-term physical pressure and damage to hair follicles.

Scarring Alopecia:

Destruction of hair follicles and formation of scar tissue in their place, often caused by some inflammatory skin conditions (such as Lichen Planopilaris).

Restore The Appearance Of Your Scalp And Hair Today!

At Enfield Royal Clinic Abu Dhabi, you can find the best solutions for all your hair, skin, and body concerns. We have qualified and experienced trichologists, dermatologists, and other practitioners from a variety of medical fields who provide effective surgical and non-surgical treatments for the aesthetic and medical needs of our patients. Fill in the form below to schedule your consultations with one of our specialists today. And if you have any more questions or concerns, such as “How is Hair Loss Diagnosed Before Hair Transplant?” or any curiosity about the services we provide, please contact our helpline or leave your queries on our WhatsApp channels to get reliable information and professional support.

FAQ’s:

Do The Results Of Hair Transplants Look And Feel Natural?

Modern surgical hair transplant techniques (FUE, FUT, and DHI) produce completely natural hair with a healthy thickness and texture. These procedures use functioning hair follicles from the patient’s scalp to guarantee natural results and normal growth.

How Painful Are Hair Transplant Procedures?

Surgeons typically use local anesthesia (sometimes general sedation, though rarely) to numb the scalp before hair transplant surgery and ensure their patients are comfortable throughout the procedure and don’t feel any pain or discomfort.

What Is The Cost Of Hair Transplants In Abu Dhabi?

The cost of a hair transplant surgery in Abu Dhabi is typically somewhere in the range of 4,000 AED to 25,000+ AED. However, we can only make estimates here, as these prices often vary among individual patients, based on their needs and condition.

How Long Does It Take For New Hair Growth After Transplants?

The transplants don’t show new growth immediately after the surgery. The transplanted hair takes at least 3 to 4 months to settle into the scalp before a growth cycle begins.

What Are The Common Types Of Hair Transplant Procedures?

Hair transplant surgeries have three distinct types: Follicular Unit Transplantation (or FUT), Follicular Unit Extraction (or FUE), and Direct Hair Implantation (or DHI; a technique very similar to FUE).

Does A Hair Transplant Procedure Cause Visible Scars?

Yes, the transplant surgery leaves scarring, but how visible it is depends on the technique used. FUE is known to produce the least visible scars (tiny dots that heal and fade quickly), while FUT is known for its large strip-like scar, which is harder to conceal.