A hair transplant involves a surgical procedure that transfers hair follicles from a “donor” area of the scalp, typically from the back or sides, to a “recipient” area, usually the front, crown, or top of the head. The main objective of this process is to revive hair growth in areas of the scalp that have experienced thinning or baldness.
A hair transplant does not change the color of the hair, it only moves hair from one area of the scalp to another. The transplanted hair will have the same color and texture as the hair from the donor area. If the donor hair is grey, then the transplanted hair will also be grey.
If you are looking to change the color of your hair, you may want to consider hair coloring or hair dyeing. However, it’s important to wait for a certain period of time after the hair transplant before getting any hair treatment to avoid any damage to the newly transplanted hair. Your surgeon will give you an instruction on when it’s safe to color your hair after the transplant.
It’s worth noting that, hair restoration treatments are not considered a “cure” for gray hair, but rather a cosmetic solution that can help to improve the appearance of hair loss.
Can grey hair be transplanted?
Yes, it is a complete misconception that gey hairs are less worthy of transplanting than darker coloured hairs.
If you have grey hairs on the rear of the scalp, the surgeon will remove each hair follicle individually and transplant it at the chosen site on your scalp.
Grey hair will not be rejected at any greater rate than hair with colour; grey hair is healthy; it has just lost its pigment.
Your transplanted grey hair will grow normally and need precisely the same care and attention as your coloured hairs.
What is the permanent solution for grey hair?
There is no permanent solution without hair dyes, there are some pretty good colour-enhancing shampoos available, but it’s not a permanent solution.
If you can’t embrace your grey hair, the only solution today is to dye your hair.
Your hair colour is about genetics, and until scientists come up with a way of changing how genetics dictate what happens to our hair, we are stuck with what we have.
Hair dye after a hair transplant
It’s generally recommended to wait at least 2-3 months after a hair transplant before dying your hair. This is because the newly transplanted hair follicles need time to heal and become firmly established in the scalp before undergoing any additional treatments. Dyeing your hair too soon after a transplant can cause irritation or damage to the newly transplanted hair, and can also affect the healing process.
During the first two weeks post-surgery, it’s important to avoid any hair care product that contains harsh chemicals, such as dyes, styling products, or hair sprays, as they can cause damage to the transplanted hair. It’s also important to avoid any activities that can cause friction or pressure on the scalp, such as wearing tight hats or headbands, or sleeping on your stomach.
After the first two weeks, your surgeon will give you an instruction on when it’s safe to color your hair after the transplant, but waiting for at least two to three months is recommended.
It’s also important to keep in mind that, hair dye may have different chemical compositions and some may be more harsh than others. It’s recommended to use a semi-permanent hair dye which is less harsh than permanent dyes, or to consult with a hair stylist or a healthcare professional before dying your hair.
It’s always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before using any hair care product after a hair transplant, to ensure that it’s safe to use and won’t cause any irritation to the scalp.
Does hair transplant cause white hair?
No. The hair transplanted from your scalp into the donor site is precisely the same hair on your head.
If you are at an age or stage in your life where your hair is greying or slowly turning white, is nothing to do with hair transplant surgery.
It’s a natural phenomenon that most of us experience at some time in our lives. Melanocytes produce the colour of our hair.
A mix of pigments comes from melanocytes and feeds into the hair shaft as we grow. For some reason, and it’s thought the clock has just run out for the melanocytes, we lose the colour in our hair.
This process has nothing to do with hair transplantation. It’s part of the human life cycle.
Further theories are coming forward as we begin to study hair growth more and more,
Will there ever be a cure for grey hair?
Recent studies show that the cause of grey and white hair is not directly linked to melanocytes and reduced pigmentation but an increase in hydrogen peroxide!
So, at some point, there could be a cure for white hair, but it’s not here right now.
You can do things to increase the possibility of your hair remaining dark; it’s all to do with the vitamins and nutrients we consume.
Having a well-balanced diet and living a healthy lifestyle is the best thing to keep your hair dark or its original colour.