A hair transplant is the process of taking hair from a hair dense area like the side and back of the scalp, and transferring it to a balding area. South Korea has become synonymous with top-notch medical care, especially when it comes to cosmetic surgery. With its cutting-edge technology and highly skilled doctors, South Korea provides some of the best hair transplantation services in the world! This, combined with affordable prices makes South Korea the first choice for people looking to get a hair transplant.

At Shin Medical, providing premium service and absolute satisfaction is our top priority. Our medical tourism agency only works with the most experienced, highly qualified doctors, and medical teams. We provide the best medical results, making sure you are taken care of before and after your procedure. We make everything hassle-free and effortless, so you can focus on getting better while enjoying your stay in South Korea.

The ideal candidate for a hair transplant in Korea is someone experiencing various stages of hair loss, from minimal hairline recession to advanced baldness, as classified by the Norwood Scale. The suitability is determined during an initial consultation, where specialists evaluate hair loss stage, donor hair density, and desired outcomes to tailor a personalized treatment plan. Individuals who benefit the most have sufficient donor hair, desire a natural-looking hairline, and are open to comprehensive post-operative care to ensure the success and longevity of the transplant. Additionally, those who seek preventive measures against future hair loss and prefer experienced professionals for a well-rounded, strategic approach to hair restoration are excellent candidates.

Hair Transplant in Korea

In Korea, hair transplants are expertly conducted using two primary techniques: Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT). FUE, also known as the “point method,” involves individually extracting hair follicles from the donor region, resulting in minimal and spread-out scarring that is difficult to see, making it a preferred option for those who like to wear their hair short. On the other hand, FUT, referred to as the “strip method,” involves removing a strip of scalp, which is then dissected to harvest individual follicles. This method traditionally has a high survivability rate but can leave a linear scar that may be visible if the hair is cut short.

The Follicular Unit (FU) is the organic way in which hair grows on the human scalp. The hair follicles in human hair grow as groups, as opposed to the common belief that they grow one-by-one. These groups are called Follicular Units (FUs) and they contain on average 1-4 hair follicles; having the same sebaceous gland, the same nerves and vessels and all that are enclosed in a common “tunic” of connective tissue.

Regardless of the extraction method, the implantation process remains the same. Nurses meticulously prepare the extracted follicles by placing them into insertion devices, similar to syringes, each labeled with the number of hairs per follicle. The doctor then carefully implants each follicle into the recipient area, guided by the patient’s hairline design for the most natural look. The entire procedure, from extraction to implantation, takes around five to seven hours, depending on the number of follicles. This meticulous process ensures that patients receive high-quality, natural-looking results.

Hair Transplant Techniques

There are two methods on how the hair transplant is done. They are Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). The difference between two methods is the technique of grafting the hair.

FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation / Strip)

The first of the 2 main options for hair transplantation the FUT method. Using the FUT/S method, doctors will remove multiple follicular units (a grouping of 1, 2, 3 or 4 hairs) at a time. This is done by removing a long thin strip from the donor area, situated around the back or at the sides of the scalp and the incision is closed with a suture. The removed hair strip is then transferred to a special microscope, where the doctor will separate it into smaller individual strips. These individual strips are separated into follicular units and prepared for transplantation.

After the follicular units are harvested, the subsequent steps for FUT is practically the same as with FUE. The hair is dissected under a microscope to harvest the follicular units, and after the position scan to determine perfect placement is completed, the FU is transplanted to the thinning or balding area on the scalp.

FUT does require stitches which will be removed after a few days. This suture will leave a scar. However, with modern advances in techniques and technology, scarring can be reduced to such an extent that it will not even be visible. The FUT can provide maximum coverage of a sparse or empty area, as more hair can be harvested at a time.

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)

The other commonly used hair transplantation method is FUE. The FUE transplant procedure is a technique whereby a follicular unit (a grouping of 1,2,3 or 4 hairs), is individually extracted using a small micro instrument from a denser hair area (donor area). The instrument extracts the FU by making a small round incision around the hair follicle. After the surgeon has made the small incision, they will remove the graft with another instrument. This is done very meticulously to ensure the hair remains in optimum condition.

Now that each graft has been extracted from the donor area, the surgeon uses a state-of-the-art scalp scanner to determine the perfect position for the grafts to be inserted. The surgeon then transfers the grafts one by one to the recipient area, at the most natural angle to maintain an organic look and maximize regrowth.

The FUE method uses the 1mm incision instrument to remove the follicular unit when the procedure requires no sutures. No sutures mean faster healing and minimal to no scarring. The FUE is minimally invasive with very little bleeding, some cases might not have any bleeding at all.

Patients using the FUE procedure method report minimum, or even no postoperative pain. Patients can expect a uniform use of the donor area which allows the hair in the donor area to regrow leaving a full and natural look without a linear scar. An added benefit of FUE is that regrowth in the donor area can again be used for future operations, if necessary.

Benefits of Getting a Hair Transplant in Korea

Hair transplants in South Korea offer a unique combination of affordability and excellence, making it a sought-after destination for individuals seeking hair restoration. The country’s advanced medical infrastructure, specialized expertise, and commitment to quality care set it apart from other options worldwide.

• Advanced Medical System: South Korea is known for its advanced medical infrastructure, ensuring top-notch medical care and technological innovation in hair transplant procedures.
• Highly Specialized Field: Hair transplants in Korea are considered a highly specialized field, with many clinics focusing exclusively on hair restoration techniques.
• Affordable Costs: The cost of hair transplants in Korea is generally more affordable compared to countries like the United States.
• High-Quality Results: Korean clinics are renowned for delivering high-quality results and natural-looking hair. They employ experienced surgeons, the latest technology, and high-quality materials.
• Comprehensive Consultations: Clinics offer thorough pre-operative consultations to ensure that patients’ goals and expectations are fully understood and met.
• Patient Care and Service: Korean medical facilities maintain high levels of patient care and service. Follow-up services and post-operative care ensure patient satisfaction and optimal recovery.
• Hygiene and Sterilization: South Korean clinics maintain high hygiene standards and advanced sterilization practices, reducing the risk of infections or complications.
• Ethical Practices: Clinics in Korea are known for ethical practices, avoiding over-harvesting or over-implanting hair follicles. This minimizes the risk of unnatural-looking results and complications in both the donor and transplanted areas.
• Post-Operative Care: Detailed post-operative care plans and follow-up appointments to ensure the best outcomes and swift recovery.
• Technological Innovation: Korean clinics often use the latest hair transplant technologies to improve precision and outcomes.

Hair Loss Treatment

Your hair does not simply go through the process of growth and loss on its own. In reality, it is constantly affected by various signal transmitters that help assist the growth or cause regression of cells within our bodies.

For instance, WNT, which promotes hair growth, is secreted somewhere between telogen (resting stage) and anagen(growth stage). On the other hand, BMP (bone morphogenic protein), which causes hair loss, is secreted between catagen(regression stage) and telogen.

In addition, various other signal transmitters interact with each other to control hair growth and hair regression; however, hair loss may occur if the interaction between these transmitters is out of balance.