People might have told you that hair transplantation, especially with Strip-harvesting, is a very painful procedure. Our MaX FUE technique is not associated with any pain during and after the procedure as it doesn’t involve cutting and excision of strip containing the roots. After years of experience we have developed a “Pain Less Protocol” (see below) Yes there is some discomfort, after all hair transplant is still a minimal invasive surgery. Most patients recover uneventfully.
Before we go on let’s have a look at the “Gate Theory”.
PAIN SENSATION & THE GATE THEORY
Our skin surface has different nerve receptors for different sensation such as touch, itch, pain, temperature and vibration. Pain and touch are received differently, and local anesthesia removes only pain but not the feeling of touch. So don’t be alarmed if after anesthetic you can still feel the doctor touching.
The Gate Theory explained that body can only feel one sensation at a time. You scratch a mosquito bite to replace itch with touch. So distraction works in reducing pain! We use ice cube, vibrator, or massage to mask the needle pain with a more pleasant sensation.
OUR PAIN LESS PROTOCOL
1. LEVEL ONE CONSCIOUS SEDATION
During the procedure we use only local anesthesia and antianxiety oral drugs. This is the safest yet very effective means to nullify any pain or discomfort. You will feel slight sleepy yet fully conscious, without any interference with vital body functions. You should feel absolutely no pain during the procedure.
2. RELIEVE ANXIETY
The anticipation of pain causes pain. Worrying about what will be done causes anxiety and dizzy spell.
Our Solutions:
- Careful explanation
- Anxiety relieving tablets will be given to keep you relaxed
3. REDUCE THE NEEDLE PRICK PAIN
The entry of a sharp through the skin surface causes pain. Once into the deeper layer there is no feeling.
Our Solutions:
- Use the smallest size needle
- Distraction by ice pad, massage, and vibrator
4. REDUCE NECK AND BACK PAIN
Sitting or lying in a fixed position for hours causes muscle strain. Many patients cannot tolerate megasession for this reason.
Our Solutions:
- We Use a specially designed imported hair transplant chair for better neck and back support
- Allow you to take a break from time to time
- Shorten procedure time by more people working
5. MINIMIZE PAIN FROM TISSUE EXPANSION
The scalp has a rich network of nerves. Discomfort is felt when fluid is injected and pushed into tissue.
Our Solutions:
- Take our time and inject very slowly
- Inject the minimal amount as necessary
6. TOPPING UP OF LOCAL ANESTHESIA (LA)
The commonly used local anesthesia, Xylocaine, lasts only for about 4 – 6 hours.
Our Solutions:
- Regular top-up: we inject the anesthesia every 4-6 hours
7. USE OF IMPLANTERS
We use special imported planters for plantation of grafts. We don’t do any slit making/drilling etc for implantation of grafts. These planters have advantage that there is no direct touching of roots so minimal handling and maximum results. We can control the depth, angle and direction during the implantation. There is less pain and less bleeding during implantation. Dense packing is possible with the use of planters so that high density natural results are achieved.