Hair Transplant vs Hair Patch

Hair Transplant vs Hair Patch

There are 2 common solutions given when considering hair loss, a hair transplant vs hair patch. A hair transplant involves surgery and permanently covers baldness with the use of natural hair from your own body, whereas a hair patch is a non-surgical alternative in the shape of a cosmetic covering. The decision really depends on the way of life, money you want to spend and how long you would like your hair loss replacement to last.

What Is a Hair Transplant?

A hair transplant is an operation for restoring the hair, by removing healthy hair follicles from an unused, bald-resistant area of your scalp – usually the sides or the back of the head, and inserting them into a bald or thinning area.
The two methods used are:
i) FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) – where a strip of skin is removed and then separated into individual follicles which suits those who want large numbers of grafts.
ii) FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) – where individual follicles are removed, leaving no linear scar and speeding up the healing process.

After transplanting, your hair will grow on its own, and permanently grow throughout your life. You will be able to shampoo, cut and style the new hair – as it will be your own hair.

What Is a Hair Patch?

A hair patch is like a hair system or hair wig, which does not require any surgery. A skin, lace or hair mesh base with hair is fixed to the scalp using either tape adhesive, or glue adhesive, or clips to fix the base hair system to scalp hair.
If properly fixed, it blends completely and looks extremely natural. Comes in all the natural hair texture, density, colours. But they are not the permanent solutions.. It has to be:
i) Removed and cleaned( every 2-4 weeks)
ii) Reattached using new tape, or glue adhesive.
iii) Reinstalled completely every 6 to 12 months as the mesh wear is time and. Hair fiber wears out.

Hair Transplant vs Hair Patch – Which One Actually Lasts?

This is where everyone question is actually going. Let us call it what it is.
Hair Transplant is for life. Once implanted follicles are grown-usually in between 3 to 6 months-the implant is the same as natural hair. No salon visits to upkeep this, no base required to be changed, and no monthly expenses attached to this.
Hair patch requires maintenance through a monthly basis. Loosening by the sweat, swim or even strong winds occur more often than one might think. Most clients require a re-bond every 2-4 weeks by their stylist, coupled by monthly replacements of the patch (which last few months in a unit).
It is evident that over the span of five years; hair patch maintenance might exceed the cost of single time hair transplant operation, when you calculate the need to purchase replacement patches, booking sessions in clinics, and special care required.
Whether you want hair transplant in Hyderabad or any corner of India, Fuse Hair gives consultations to find out what outcome your profile should expect.

Who Should Choose a Hair Patch?

It makes sense to use a hair patch in certain conditions:

i) Not a suitable candidate yet for surgery (young age, diffuse hair loss with lack of donor area)
ii) The quick cosmetic appearance fix is what you want while you decide on other permanent solutions.
iii) Undergoing chemotherapy/ medical condition which has contra-indication to undergo surgery.
iv) Lack of finances or inability to afford surgery in the immediate term

It will give you hair instantly with NO recovery time needed or down time whatsoever. A patch is successful in filling that need if your situation is as described.

Who Should Choose a Hair Transplant?

Hair transplant is a cost-effective option when:

i) You have reached a level or stage where hair loss is static (receding frontal line, crown balding, or defined areas of baldness)
ii) Your hair density is greater than 50% at the donor sites of the scalp and in the areas of growth.
iii) You seek an affordable lifelong solution, that requires minimal maintenance
iv) You have acceptance for a period of healing before results will appear( of two to three weeks at least)

Good candidates range widely among men & women aged between 25-65 who are facing hair loss that falls into the pattern hair loss classification. However only consultation and discussion with a specialized surgeon will verify if you are an ideal candidate.
In case you are in search of pre-treatment research on hair transplant before you make the decision, knowing the costs (such as the 1500 grafts hair transplant cost in India) can offer you a baseline figure (Fuse Hair takes extreme care of costs and guarantees not surprising costs will be billed at the end of the process).

The Verdict: Which Is Better?

Almost everyone with permanent hair loss gets a standard answer to the question: hair transplant vs hair patch. And every time, the choice of hair transplant is given based on longevity, looks, freedom and long term value.
Even though hair patches have a unique set of pros. The fact is, it is a cosmetic substitute for natural hair. A short-term solution requiring both maintenance and financial commitment. A Hair Transplant on the other hand, done with the right hands of a surgeon, gives you back your own hair back again, and for good.
If you have come to terms with the hair loss problem, the next phase begins; a consultation session with expert professionals. At Fuse Hair – considered a best hair transplant clinic in Delhi, we look into your hair loss pattern, listen to what you need, discuss your options with no ambiguity and at no point is the choice pressurized for you.

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Medically reviewed by

Dr. Arvind Poswal

Dr. Arvind Poswal is a hair transplant specialist, dermatologist, author, inventor and teacher. Trained at Armed Forces Medical College, Pune and in Australia, he specializes in FUE/FUSE, beard-to-scalp transplantation, aesthetic procedures and regenerative hair restoration techniques with 25+ years of experience.

  • Hair transplant specialist
  • 25+ years experience
  • Father of Hair Transplants in India
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