Hair Transplants in Germany


Background

There are many things to do and see in Germany, making this country a popular holiday destination. Famed for its nightlife, many different festivals, countryside and architecture, Germany is packed with things to keep you entertained. Similarly, if you are looking for something more ‘high-brow’ there are galleries, museums and historical buildings and monuments aplenty. Late 2009 marked the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall and as such has prompted a renewed interest in displaying the historical legacies of the country.

How to get to Germany

If you choose to fly into Germany’s larger cities (such as Munich, Berlin, etc.) then you should be able to find much cheaper flights. Flying to Germany from London should take only roughly 2 hours. Lufthansa is one of the main airlines flying in and out of Germany and is renowned for its reliability and safety record. However you will usually find cheaper fares on low-budget airline websites be situated in the larger cities and so scarcity of available public transport should not be a problem.


Alternatively you could take the Eurostar and the get a train. A longer, and often not cheaper, option is to go to Germany by coach. There is a fairly frequent service operating leaving from London and, depending upon your exact destination, takes upwards of ten hours.

You could also take your car on the ferry to Belgium, France or the Netherlands and drive through to Germany. This may well be a good option for you if you think you might need to drive around a lot while you are there. However, given how good Germany’s public transport is, you may be better off relying on this and flying instead. Most surgeries should connection at either Paris or Brussels. This should take less time than getting a coach and is probably more comfortable. Information on fares and estimated times to individual German cities is available online.

Accommodation in Germany

There are many good-quality hotels and hostels in Germany. Although it is often easy to get a room by just turning up, it is advisable to book in advance to make sure to avoid disappointment.

You can also find self-catered apartments for rent. Doing an Internet search is often the best way to find out about the locations and prices of these.

If you fancy something slightly different then it is possible to find farm holidays, as they are frequently referred to. These offer accommodation on a farm and offer you the opportunity to participate in the everyday work on the farm. In Germany there are two different kinds of this kind of holiday accommodation. Landurlaub means it is a country holiday that is being offered in a country house or building that used to be a farm. Urlaub auf dem Bauernhof means it will be a farm holiday and you will stay and participate in an existing farm. The former is designed to be a more relaxing, picturesque holiday. Make sure then that the accommodation you have booked offers the kind of holiday you were looking for.

Travelling around Germany

German people are renowned for their punctuality and efficiency and this is evident in Germany’s transport network. Getting around by train and metro is very easy, reliable and fast. The train system is largely operated by the company Deutsche Bahn and tickets, fares and other information can be bought and found on the Internet. Tickets can be expensive, but it is possible to get discounts and offers online. If you are travelling between cities and have a fairly long journey reserving a seat is a good idea, particularly if you are going to be travelling at peak times.

When travelling locally there are many options. There are buses, trams, the S-bahn and the U-bahn. These latter two modes of transportation are available in the larger cities, for example Munich and Berlin, etc. The S-bahn is an underground system of sub-urban trains. The U-bahn is the German underground and is usually the best way to travel around a city quickly and cheaply.

If however you want to drive, Germany’s road network is extensive and has generally very well-maintained roads. Provided you provide the necessary documentation and are over 25 years old, renting a car in Germany should be quick, easy and fairly affordable.

Other considerations

Many Germans are fluent in English, so the language barrier should not be a problem if you opt to have your procedure carried out in Germany. However, it is as well to check that the particular surgery that you have chosen does have English as one of the languages spoken. Germany is also renowned for its efficiency and precision, so this may be something to bear in mind if you are considering going there for your hair transplant.

Germany is also relatively close to the UK should you need to make multiple trips there to complete your treatment. Travelling there is therefore not too expensive or time-consuming.

Hair Transplant Techniques used in Germany

Below is an outline of some of the more common hair transplant procedures. Your specialist will be able to recommend which of the different techniques will be most effective for you.

Strip Treatment

FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant), also known as strip treatment, is the most common technique for the treatment of hair loss. It is a popular choice due to its reputation for success, especially for those whose hair loss is characterised by advanced thinning. Strip treatment is so frequently used because it is not too inconvenient and can achieve greatest coverage. You should be aware that you will be left with a subtle scar line, though this should not be noticeable on most patients. Follicular Unit Transplant works by removing a thin strip of hair from the back and side of your head. This ensures that the surrounding hair will usually cover the resulting scar. The only way it may be visible should be if you have your hair shaved very close. The hair follicles that have been removed from these areas are then expertly transplanted onto the areas you want treated.

FUE

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) is where groups of usually between one and four hairs are removed. This is done very slowly and very precisely and can therefore usually be completed without causing any scarring. You should bear in mind though that this is not guaranteed. Because of the precision required during extraction you should expect to have to have your head completely shaved to undergo this procedure. Follicular Unit Extraction is popular among those who have minimal thinning and also those who have already had hair transplant surgery and as a result their donor is damaged. This treatment is useful in the latter case as FUE allows the removal of hair in areas that Follicular Unit Transplant does not.

Combination Treatments

If you have undergone a treatment that has gone wrong then you may want to opt for a repair treatment. In this case, your specialist may well recommend a combination of treatments to ensure a good result. Similarly, Body Hair Follicular Unit Extraction (BHFUE) is likely to require different types of treatment. Because of the highly individual nature of these two types of procedure, it is hard to speculate as to the possible scarring caused, how long the procedures will take, etc. Upon consultation your hair transplant surgeon will be able to advise you on these questions.

After-care

Regardless of the kind of procedure you have you should make sure that you are well-informed of the necessary after-care and precautions to take. By following the correct guidelines you are more likely to be left with a successful surgical procedure.

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