Nigeria is located on the western coast of Africa. Diverse geography is seen in Nigeria, and climate ranges from arid to humid. The most important feature of Nigeria is the diversity of its population. Hundreds of different languages are spoken by the Nigerian population including Fula, Igbo, Hausa, Edo, Yoruba, and English. The country has rich deposits of natural resources including petroleum and natural gas. In this article, we are going to discuss the hair loss problem in Nigeria and increased demand of hair transplant in Nigeria.
Hairs on head are one of the most important cosmetic features in humans. They pose significant effect on one’s physical appearance. Henceforth, people lose their confidence and feel emotionally stressed if they lose their hairs. The hair loss can occur from scalp or entire body. The aetiology of hair loss can be because of heredity, changes in hormone levels, medical conditions or medications. In recent decades, the problem of hair loss has boomed all over the globe. Similar trend has been reported in Nigeria. More and more young people are reporting hair loss which has led to popularity of hair transplant in Nigeria. The increased trend of hair loss has occurred because of number of factors discussed below.
Family history (heredity): It is the most common cause of hair loss, also known as male pattern baldness of female-pattern baldness. This kind of hair loss occurs in a predictable pattern starting with receding hairline and bald areas in males and thinning hairs in females.
Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes which occur during pregnancy, child birth, thyroid issues or menopause can result temporary or permanent hair loss.
Medical conditions: There are various conditions which cause loss of hairs such as alopecia areata, scalp infections and a hair-pulling disorder called trichotillomania.
Side effects from medications: Certain drugs taken for systemic disorders can cause hair loss as a side effect. Such medications taken include medications for cancer, arthritis, depression, hypertension, etc.
Stress related hair fall: Few individuals can experience hair loss after episode of physical or emotional stress. However, this hair loss is temporary only.
Some Hairstyles and treatments: The incidence of hair loss is more in those individuals who excessively does hairstyling and pull their hair tightly. This type of hair loss is known as traction alopecia. Certain hair loss treatments such as using hot oil can cause inflammation of hair follicles and ultimately hair fall. The hair fall could be permanent if scarring occurs.
Hair transplant is a surgical procedure in which hairs from one area of the body are transplanted to other areas. Hair transplant is the only treatment which offers permanent and natural looking solution for hair loss. Most commonly, hair transplant is done for scalp hairs and occasionally done for body hairs. In this procedure, hairs are taken from donor site by a specific technique and implanted on the area of baldness. After few months of implantation of hair grafts, the hairs start growing normally.
Because of the increased prevalence of hair fall in Nigerian population, the demand of hair transplant in Nigeria has increased dramatically. However, there is very limited number of centres which perform hair transplant in Nigeria. Except for few hair transplant clinics in Lagos, the country is short of hair transplant centres. Thus, a large number of patients are unable to seek hair transplant in Nigeria. At last, they have to travel abroad for hair transplant. They travel to India, US or UK for the procedure. The cost of hair transplant in western countries such as US and UK is quite expensive and unaffordable for some. The ideal destination for Nigerian population for hair transplant is India.
There are two techniques employed for Hair Transplant in Nigeria, Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) and Follicular Unit Excision (FUE).
FUT is also known as strip method. In this method of hair transplant, a strip of skin with hair follicles is removed from the donor area and the grafts are extracted from it by the technicians under magnifications. The extracted grafts are then implanted on the bald regions on the scalp. This is a traditional method. By this method we can utilise the donor area more efficiently and there is no reduction in the hair density at the donor area. Also, minimal damage occurs to the hair grafts while extraction. However, a liner scar is left on the donor site. This scar can be masked by using various techniques such as trichophytic closure.
This is an advanced procedure of hair transplant. In this method, the hair follicles are extracted individually from the donor area using a drilling machine. These extracted grafts are then placed on the bald areas. This procedure is considered as practically scar less, however, small scars are seen at the donor areas from where hair follicles are extracted. The damage rate to the hair grafts is more because it is a blind procedure and the surgeon has to estimate the direction of hair follicles during which some hair grafts are damaged because of different direction of the hair root (Fig 2). With FUE procedure, a limited supply of hair follicles can be used because it causes decreased density of hairs in the donor area.
Why Medispa Hair Transplant Center, Jaipur and Delhi, India is an ideal destination for Nigerian population for hair transplant?
Because of shortage of centres providing hair transplant in Nigeria, Nigerian people tend to travel abroad for their treatment needs. However, the hair transplant in other countries is high-priced and cannot be afforded for some. As a result, they are unable to seek this treatment because of the cost factor.
Because of low cost of hair transplant in India and availability of renowned surgeons doing hair transplant in India, thousands of hair loss patients have been reported to travel from other countries for hair transplant in India. The Nigerian population also travels for hair transplant in India at about 20-30 % of the cost in western countries. The most reputed centre for hair transplant in India is Medispa Hair Transplant Center having two centres in India, at Jaipur and Delhi. Dr. Suneet Soni, Director of Medispa Hair Transplant Center is a well-renowned plastic surgeon. Let’s discuss some features of Medispa Hair Transplant Centre.
Conclusion: Thus, despite of low availability of centres for hair transplant in Nigeria, the Nigerian people can get quality treatment at low cost by visiting Medispa Hair transplant in Jaipur and Delhi, India. Dr. Suneet Soni and his team performs outstanding hair transplant with natural hairline designing and can markedly enhance person’s aesthetic looks.
The FUE hair transplant is widely applicable in the case of body hair transplant (BHT), eyebrow transplant, moustache transplant or if there is a very small Norwood grade of baldness. Dr Suneet Soni recommends it in a very special purpose if there is need to cover the higher grade of baldness for that expert Surgeon applies the combination method of the hair transplant, i.e., FUT+FUE hair transplant also knows Mega/Giga session
Dr Suneet Soni, founder of the Medispa Hair Transplant Centre, Jaipur, New Delhi (India) says that FUT is a Gold standard technique of hair transplant and if performed well by the skilled hands, supported by trained technicians and aided with the innovative and advanced equipment works, can cover a higher bald area in a single sitting without damaging any graft numbers.
Dr Suneet Soni has expertise in performing hair transplant with any technique FUT, FUE or BHT with best results. He is well known to perform hair transplant with least damage rate of <1%. His judicious and holistic approach makes him take sound decision of choice of technique in the best interest of patients. .