BHT (Body Hair Transplant) in Paris

A hair transplant takes a year to achieve a complete, final result, or even 18 months for a crown transplant (back top of the scalp).

During the first two months after the transplant, many transplanted hairs fall out, and around the 2-month mark the result is often still a source of concern, since the transplanted hair has partly fallen out and the existing hair struggles a little to regrow. But from 2-3 months after the transplant, hair starts to grow back and will gradually thicken. Depending on age, hair quality and the area transplanted, a good result in terms of density can be expected at 6-8 months after the transplant.

Transplanted hair is taken from the area above the nape of the neck, where it is not subject to the influence of DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Once transplanted, it "remembers" this and is therefore permanent in the transplanted area, with a lifespan of 80 to 120 years.

This implies two important points for a transplant on progressive androgenetic alopecia:

• It is important to have the transplant when the donor area is no longer changing, or at least when it is possible to anticipate how far the hair affected by androgenetic alopecia extends.
• The hairline implantation must follow a natural design at the time of the transplant, but also 10, 20, 30 years later, since the hair is permanent.

A graft is a follicular unit taken from the donor area. A follicular unit is a group of 1 to 4 hairs. On average there are 2 to 2.5 hairs per follicular unit (depending on age and hair type).

The FUE transplant technique involves extracting each follicular unit one by one with a micro-punch. These follicular units are the grafts that will be implanted in the recipient area. So when we talk about a transplant of 1,000 grafts, we are implanting 2,000 to 2,500 hairs.

An initial consultation with a REGENAE doctor establishes the diagnosis and confirms whether a transplant is indicated. All the information will be given to you and a quote drawn up. As with any aesthetic procedure, to allow you time to reflect, a 15-day waiting period and a second consultation are mandatory. A transplant can therefore be scheduled 15 days after your consultation. This waiting period also allows the scalp to be prepared as well as possible.

The follicles used in a BHT transplant come from several complementary areas. Hair is taken first from the traditional donor area at the back of the scalp, as it offers the most natural result.

However, when this area is too thin or has already been used, the BHT technique makes it possible to draw on new graft "reservoirs": the submaxillary area of the beard, and the chest. This hair is also resistant to androgenetic alopecia. The richness and quality of these different areas will determine the total number of grafts that can be harvested, making it possible to treat much more extensive baldness.

The success of a hair transplant comes down to a combination of small details: experience, safety, expertise, follow-up and forward planning. Androgenetic alopecia is progressive, and while a transplant is sometimes indicated, it very often needs to be combined with treatments to preserve existing hair or improve the transplant's result. It's also important to think ahead and consider the future of your hair.

Many people turn to other countries (Turkey, Hungary, Tunisia, etc.) to have a hair transplant, mainly for reasons related to the cost of the procedure. And because a few well-paid influencers have spread the idea that a transplant is a "one shot" fix for hair loss.

However, having a transplant abroad raises several issues that can compromise both your health and your long-term appearance:

• Hygiene: hygiene and equipment sterilization standards are very strict in France and Europe. This guarantees the absence of virus or bacteria transmission, which is not the case in all medical facilities abroad.
• Safety: at many hair transplant centers abroad (referred to as clinics), there is no doctor present. While in most cases a transplant under local anesthesia carries little risk to your health, a doctor needs to be ready to intervene in the event of a reaction to local anesthetics, and above all a competent doctor who takes your medical history into account. Pain management is an essential part of Regenae's approach.
• A holistic approach to hair loss: it is unrealistic to think that a few days abroad will permanently solve hair loss, especially at 20 or 25 years old. A proper diagnosis is needed first, along with a plan for the years ahead.
• Follow-up: the result of a hair transplant is judged after one year. During that year, you will go through phases of doubt, irritation and minor concerns. At Regenae, the whole team organizes your follow-up. Trichoscopy follow-up also provides an objective assessment of the treatments and transplant.
• Cost: transplant prices in France have become more balanced, and once you add up the costs of travel, the transplant itself, accommodation, unexpected extra costs on site, and time off work, the financial benefit of going abroad is very small.

A hair transplant is performed under local anesthesia carried out in two steps: anesthesia of the extraction area, then anesthesia of the implanted area.

The anesthetic injections into the skin are uncomfortable, but afterward the area is numb and there is no more pain. To minimize injection pain, at Regenae we use cold and vibration techniques. For more sensitive patients, self-hypnosis preparation is offered.

After the transplant, there is no pain. There may be some discomfort, a "helmet" sensation and itching. The Regenae doctor will prescribe suitable treatments.

The hair transplant procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and the general risks are very low with a competent, experienced team. Depending on your medical history, the doctor will adapt the transplant protocol.

Locally, provided the precautions before and after the transplant are properly followed, the result is in line with what was planned. Infections are very rare and preventive treatments are put in place.

FUE hair transplant leaves no visible scar. Extraction at the back of the scalp is performed using 0.8 mm micro-punches, which leave tiny dot-like scars, completely concealed by the regrowth of the surrounding hair. Depending on the number of grafts harvested, a decrease in density may be observed in the extraction area, especially if two transplants are performed with a small donor area.

In the transplanted area, the small 1 mm incisions leave no real scars once the hair regrows. Some redness may persist for a maximum of 4 to 6 weeks.

The hair transplant procedure is performed entirely under local anesthesia. As early as the next day, you are physically fit to resume your activities.

However, signs of the transplant remain visible for about 15 days. The donor area (at the back of the scalp) heals in about 7 days, and in the implanted area, the small scabs fall off within 15 days at the latest. The skin may remain slightly pink for a few more days.

For the two weeks following the transplant, the grafts are fragile and must not be disturbed. Depending on your job, you may need to adapt your work to avoid sun, knocks and dust.

With androgenetic alopecia, several factors need to be considered when planning care, and in particular the timing of one or two transplants. These include the progression of the alopecia, its stage (Norwood classification for men, Ludwig for women), medical history, psychological impact, availability, and the effectiveness of treatments. For a man, it is preferable to wait for hair loss to stabilize somewhat, to assess the balance between the size of the donor area and the surface to be covered by the transplant.

If density loss in a given area is very significant and cannot be adequately addressed with treatments, a transplant can be considered.

The consultation with the doctor will help identify any general contraindication to the transplant, such as a serious progressive illness (cancer, infection) or a treatment that contraindicates the procedure.

Locally, rather than contraindications, the doctor assesses the chances of a good result in line with the patient's wishes. For example, an unstabilized patch of alopecia areata is a poor indication for a transplant.