Hair Transplant for Diabetic
The majority of chronic diseases do not prevent you from having a hair transplant provided that the precautions are taken. Diabetes is one of those chronic diseases that we encounter frequently. The doctors in the FKS Clinic will take you through a medical questionnaire during your first consultation. If you are diabetic they can plan your hair transplant operation by taking the necessary precautions.
Does Diabetes Cause Hair Loss?
There are two different types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes starts at a younger age and often requires the use of insulin. The incidence of type 2 diabetes increases after the age of 40. And most of our hair transplant patients are in that age group.
What causes hair loss?
Uncontrolled fluctuations in blood sugar in diabetes can lead to hair loss. Hair loss may increase in diabetic patients due to three mechanisms;
- Firstly, if blood sugar levels are not under control, it negatively affects the endocrine system. This results in an imbalance in testosterone and dihydrotestosterone hormone levels. These are the main hormones that cause hair loss and thinning.
- Secondly, if there is a high amount of sugar in the blood, glucose binds to substances in red blood cells. The haemoglobin to which this glucose binds has a different shape. It collapses in the blood vessels and prevents the oxygen to reach the tissues. As a result, the hair thins and falls out.
- Finally, type 1 diabetics are prone to autoimmune diseases. It can cause regional hair loss such as alopecia areata. This type of hair loss can be reversible or irreversible.
What are the precautions to be taken before the hair transplant operation for diabetics?
- Making sure that blood sugar levels are under control at least 3 months before the operation. An HbA1C blood test can show that.
- Slow wound healing after hair transplantation increases the risk of infection. The patient’s wound healing process should be examined retrospectively.
- Other diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, and skin disease should be checked.
- After a hair transplant for diabetic patients, blood sugar levels should be under control for at least 6 months.
Can diabetic patients get a hair transplant?
Diabetic patients, especially Type 2 diabetics, can have hair transplants as long as the necessary precautions are taken. In certain cases, patients with Type 1 diabetes can also have a hair transplant operation. Doctors follow up on the progress of hair transplant after the operation. FKS Clinic takes all medical precautions before and after the hair transplant operations.