Male hair loss treatment in South Korea is a growing field, with a wide range of options for patients seeking to address hair loss and thinning. These treatments can range from non-surgical treatments like medication and laser therapy to surgical procedures like hair transplant surgery and scalp reduction surgery.
Types of Male Hair Loss
Male hair loss can significantly impact one’s self-esteem and confidence. Here are the common types of male hair loss.
- Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is men’s most common type of hair loss. Genetic factors and hormonal changes typically cause it. It is characterized by a receding hairline and thinning hair on the top of the head, often progressing to complete baldness. Male pattern baldness can begin as early as the teenage years and typically worsens with age.
- Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss. It can occur at any age, resulting in small hair loss patches or complete baldness.
- Telogen effluvium is temporary hair loss that occurs when the body experiences a shock or stress, such as surgery, illness, or childbirth. The hair enters a resting phase, causing sudden hair shedding several months after the triggering event.
- Traction alopecia is hair loss caused by repeated pulling or tension on the hair, often due to hairstyles such as tight braids, ponytails, or weaves. It can cause hair to break or fall out, particularly along the hairline and temples.
- Trichotillomania is characterized by a compulsive urge to pull out one’s hair, often resulting in patchy hair loss.
If you have noticeable hair loss, it is essential to seek treatment early to prevent further hair loss or baldness.
Risk Factors for Male Hair Loss
- Men experience natural changes in their hair growth cycle. Hence, they tend to lose hair or thin as they age.
- Male pattern baldness is hereditary. If your grandparents or parents have pattern baldness, it can be passed down to you.
- Hormonal changes. Men who experience changes in their hormone levels, significantly an increase in dihydrotestosterone, can cause their hair follicles to shrink and lead to baldness.
- Medical conditions. Medical conditions can cause hair loss, such as autoimmune diseases, thyroid disorders, and scalp infections.
- Some medications can cause hair fall or temporary hair loss as a side effect, and long-term use of these medications may result in permanent hair loss. These medications include chemotherapy drugs, depression, and high blood pressure.
it is important to note that not all who experience hair loss have one or more of these factors. Some men may have hair loss due to unknown factors. If you notice a receding hairline, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional at Mina to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Treatment of Male Hair Loss
The choice of hair loss treatment will depend on the patient’s needs and preferences and the extent and pattern of hair loss. It is essential to consult a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
Hair Transplant Surgery
This surgical procedure involves taking hair from a donor area (usually the back or sides of the head where hair is abundant) and transplanting it to the balding or thinning area of the scalp. There are two main techniques for hair transplant surgery: Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).
FUT involves removing a strip of skin from the back or side of the scalp where hair growth is dense and then dissecting the strip into individual follicular units using a microscope. The follicular units, which contain one to four hairs each, are then transplanted into the balding or thinning area of the scalp. The donor site is closed with sutures, leaving a linear scar.
On the other hand, FUE involves extracting individual follicular units directly from the scalp using a specialized tool called a punch. The punch creates a small circular incision around each follicular unit, which is then extracted using forceps. The follicular units are then transplanted into the balding or thinning area of the scalp. The donor site is left with small, circular scars, less noticeable than the linear scar left by FUT.
It is essential to discuss the pros and cons of each technique with a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
Hair transplant surgery can take several hours to complete, and the recovery period can last several weeks. However, it is a highly effective treatment for male pattern baldness, and the results can be long-lasting.
Scalp Reduction Surgery
This surgical procedure involves removing a section of the bald scalp and stretching the hair-bearing skin to cover the area. Scalp reduction surgery can be an effective treatment for patients with a limited amount of baldness or thinning, but it may not be suitable for patients with extensive baldness. The procedure can take several hours, and the recovery period can last several weeks.
Scalp Micropigmentation
This non-surgical cosmetic treatment uses a specialized tattooing technique to simulate the appearance of hair follicles on the scalp. It is often used to create the appearance of a closely cropped or shaved hairstyle. The treatment is usually completed in two to three sessions, each lasting several hours, with no recovery period.
The choice of hair loss treatment will depend on the patient’s needs and preferences and the extent and pattern of hair loss. It is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
Ideal Candidates for Male Hair Loss Treatment
The ideal candidates for male hair loss treatment will depend on the type of hair loss treatment being considered.
Hair transplant surgery is recommended for men with significant hair loss but still have healthy hair growth that can be used as donor sites. At the same time, scalp reduction surgery is recommended for those with limited baldness or thinning. Scalp micropigmentation is the non-surgical option for men with baldness or thinning that wants to simulate the appearance of a shaved hairstyle.
Ideal candidates for hair loss treatments should have good skin elasticity, overall health, and realistic expectations for the outcome.
What to Expect: Male Hair Loss Treatment
What to expect during male hair loss treatment will depend on the type of treatment. After the procedure, patients undergoing male hair loss treatment can expect discomfort and swelling. That’s why noting these expectations for each hair loss procedure is essential.
- Hair Transplant Surgery. Generally, the surgeon uses general anesthesia to numb the scalp, but the surgeon may also use sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the treatment plan. The surgeon removes the hair follicles from the donor area using FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) and FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) techniques and transplants them to the balding or thinning area of the scalp. It may take a few hours to complete the procedure. After the procedure, the patient may experience bruising, swelling, and discomfort.
- Scalp Reduction Surgery. Same with hair transplant surgery, a patient may be given local or general anesthesia, depending on their treatment plan. The surgeon removes a section of the bald scalp and stretches the hair-bearing skin to cover the area. Scalp reduction surgery may take a few hours to finish, and you may experience bruising, swelling, or discomfort after the procedure.
- Scalp Micropigmentation. Patients receive a topical anesthetic to numb the scalp. This procedure uses a tattooing technique to simulate the appearance of hair follicles on the scalp. The treatment may take several hours, and you may experience mild discomfort during the procedure. There is no downtime after the procedure, and you can resume normal activities immediately.
Setting aside your result expectations in the first weeks or months after the procedure is essential. Hair loss treatment results may take several months or even a year to produce noticeable results. It is also necessary to follow the postoperative care instructions for optimal results.
Postoperative Care and Recovery
Each treatment plan may have different postoperative instructions. Here are the common postoperative care and recovery tips for patients who underwent male hair loss treatment.
Dressing and bandages. You may wear a dressing or bandages around the treated area for a few days or weeks after the procedure. It is essential to follow the care instructions for the dressing to avoid any infections and complications. The surgeon will remove the bandage in one of your follow-up appointments.
Pain management. Some patients may experience discomfort or mild to moderate pain after their hair loss treatment. The cosmetic surgeon may prescribe pain medication or recommend pain relievers to manage discomfort.
Follow-up Appointments. You must visit all your follow-up appointments for the surgeon to monitor your recovery and ensure that the treated area is healing correctly. Occasionally, surgeons may recommend additional treatments or procedures as part of your postoperative care plan. So, if you are a foreigner who decides to have hair loss treatment in South Korea, it is better to plan your calendar, as it may affect your work schedule.
Why Choose Mina Plastic Surgery for Male Hair Loss Treatment
Mina Plastic Surgery has a team of experienced plastic surgeons specializing in hair restoration procedures. We have the latest technology to achieve natural-looking results. Dr. Cha knows each patient has their individual needs and goals. Hence, he creates a customized treatment plan for each patient.
Booking Information
Contact Mina Plastic Surgery for your online consultation appointment. You can call us, email us, or fill out our form.
For patients outside South Korea, we have an English-speaking staff who can accommodate your inquiries about the procedure. Ensure all your concerns are answered before booking a flight to South Korea. Before the scheduled surgery, you must be in South Korea to have pre-operative tests and medical evaluations.
Procedure Cost and Payment
The cost of hair loss treatment may vary because of the extent of the hair loss, but we have the estimated costs:
- Hair transplant surgery can cost 1,500,000 KRW to 12,000,000 KRW (approximately 1,300 USD to 10,500 USD). It depends on the number of hair follicles to transplant in the treated area.
- Scalp micropigmentation can cost from 1,000,000 KRW to 3,000,000 KRW (approximately 875 USD to 2,625 USD). The cost depends on the size of the treatment area.
- Low-level laser therapy can cost from 500,000 KRW to 2,000,000 KRW (approximately 440 USD to 1,750 USD) per treatment course.
We accept payments through cash, credit cards, and bank transfers. We ensure that you understand all the costs and fees involved in the procedure before scheduling your surgery appointment.
Recovery and Aftercare
At Mina Plastic Surgery, we care for your overall health. As recovery varies in each person, we personalize and provide attentive aftercare to our patients to ensure a smooth and successful recovery.