Hair Restoration in Chiang Mai

Hair restoration treatment is a solution for those who are battling hair loss or balding due to aging or diseases. The main goal is to give patients a full head of hair, as well as to improve their appearance and confidence. Hair restoration can be performed by dermatologists or plastic surgeons. There are numerous different types of hair restoration, ranging from non-surgical to surgical treatments. Some of the most common are:

• Prescription medicine – your doctor can prescribe medicine, such as minoxidil and finasteride, to help stop hair loss and regrow hair. These medicines are usually prescribed for those with pattern (hereditary) baldness, but may not restore as much hair as other types of hair restoration.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) – this is a therapy procedure that involves drawing injections of a concentration of your own platelets to your scalp. It is commonly used for androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness.
• Microneedling – during microneedling, a skin roller with small needles are used to cause minor skin injury to regenerate the health of the hair follicles, resulting in new hair growth. This procedure is recommended for alopecia areata, androgenic alopecia, and male pattern baldness.
• Scalp micro-pigmentation (SMP) – this is a type of hair tattooing to give an illusion of having a fuller head of hair. It can be done on any form of hair loss, including those with thinning hair, severe baldness, alopecia, as well as cancer patients and people who want to conceal scars from a hair transplant.
• Hairline lowering surgery – this procedure is best for those who have receding hairlines. It involves “moving” your hairline to its old position or a little closer to your brows. 
• Hair transplant – this is the most popular and effective hair restoration procedure. It works by moving hair follicles from one part of your body or scalp with healthy hair follicles to a balding or thinning part of your scalp. It can also be done to restore hair on other parts of the body, such as your brows.

How Long Should I Stay in Chiang Mai?

The length of stay in Chiang Mai can be different for every person, depending on the type of hair restoration procedure you underwent. In general, you may need to stay in Chiang Mai for 2 to 7 days until you are allowed to travel home. 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Different hair restoration procedures have different recovery times. With medications, microneedling, and PRP, no recovery time is usually needed. However, you may be advised to take it easy and avoid strenuous activities for 24 to 48 hours. With scalp micro-pigmentation, hairline lowering surgery, and hair transplant, you may need to take around 5 to 10 days off work. During this period, you should also avoid any strenuous activities.

What Aftercare is Required?

A detailed aftercare instruction will be given by your doctor. It is vital that you follow all of these instructions to get the best results and avoid complications. You may be asked to avoid hair accessories and styling your hair until your scalp has fully healed. 

What's the Success Rate?

With continuous research, improvement in treatment techniques, and advancement in technology, hair restoration procedures are now more successful and safer than ever before. For example, the success rate of hair transplant now ranges from 95% to 98%, and modern hair transplant gives more natural results.

Are there Alternatives?

If you do not want to undergo any medical procedures or take any medications, you can try other hairstyles or use a wig as the non-surgical alternatives. It is best, however, that you consult your doctor regarding the best alternatives for your specific case. 

Hair Restoration in and around Chiang Mai

About Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the fourth largest city in Thailand and is situated in the Northern part of the country. Chiang Mai is a land of misty mountains, hillside tribal villages and lush green landscape. Chiang Mai is not only an amazing holiday location but is also one of the most reliable and affordable destinations for medical tourism. Surprisingly, medical costs are cheaper here than in Bangkok and the facilities are up to date and for 3000 baht (approximately $100), you can have a complete health check-up.

Each year, thousands of medical tourists from all over the globe flock to Chiang Mai. The city's superior hospitals that are top-rated globally, boast dedicated International departments specifically put in place to meet the varying needs of these medical visitors. Impeccable hospitality services are a hallmark of these facilities, coupled with hospital personnel and medical professionals who are proficient in English.

These hospitals are equipped to provide wide-ranging treatments such as cardiac surgery, amongst others, and cosmetic procedures including but not limited to breast augmentations, liposuction, and cool sculpting. There are also quite attractive medical packages available that conveniently bundle treatment and accommodation.

The Chiang Mai Ram International, bearing a notable reputation for their remarkable services, stands out as the most frequented hospital in the city. Moreover, Chiang Mai is rich with numerous restorative amenities including spas, resorts as well as massage and healing centers. These outlets have cemented the city’s status as a perfect haven for post-treatment rejuvenation.

Popular areas in Chiang Mai

The metropolitan area of Chiang Mai is home to over 1 million residents. Listed below are the popular areas of this amazing city. Each area has its own charm and offers something to the visitors.

• Old City: Is the cultural and religious epicenter of Chiang Mai. The old town has moats and fortress walls from ancient times. Pae gate, which lies in the Old Town, is the most famous traditional landmark of the city.
• Nimmanhemin road: You can experience a bustling and vibrant nightlife here. Located close to the famous Chiang Mai University, this place is quite popular with the young and dynamic student population and you can find several affordable hostels and guesthouses on the Nimmanhemin road, varied housing options are available for long-term expats.
• Chiang Mai Night Bazaar: Considered as the ‘downtown’ of Chiang Mai, it is a paradise for shopping sprees. You will find a lot of street food shops which offer authentic Thai delicacies at affordable prices. Handicrafts, antiques, textiles and other traditional Thai products also come with affordable price tags. After 6 pm, this area comes alive and you can expect to see the streets very busy with enthusiastic tourists and locals.
• Riverside: The Riverside Chiang Mai has all of the old world charms that the city is renowned for with affordable eateries and live-music venues combined with the fresh river breeze and the relaxed atmosphere all helps to make it the best place to chill out during evening time.
• Santitham: The Santitham area of the city is mainly populated by Thai locals and this spot is less touristy and a bit more laid back. You can find supermarkets, public parks, and many residential buildings within this neighborhood.

Weather and climate in Chiang Mai

Located at an elevation of 316 meters, Chiang Mai enjoys a cooler and pleasant climate. As it experiences a typical tropical climate, winter, and spring seasons are not applicable. Instead, Hot, Cool and Rainy seasons are distinct in Chiang Mai.

• Cool: Early December to February. Day time temperature rises up to 30°C, yet, you may require sweatshirts to keep yourself warm as dusk approaches. It is the best weather to pay a visit to Chiang Mai. January is the coolest month of the season with temperatures dropping to as low as 10°C.
• Hot: Mid-February to mid-June. March is the hottest month in Chiang Mai with the temperatures rising to 40°C. You can escape the blistering heat waves and embrace the chilly breeze by visiting the nearby mountains.
• Rainy: Early June to late October. The average temperature drops down to 32°C during the rainy season. It rains almost every single day without fail. Even though the rainfall is heavy and the storms are intense, they won’t last for long. August is the wettest month of the year.

Getting around in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai International Airport proclaims its status as the fourth busiest air hub in the country. It skillfully and efficiently manages a substantial volume of domestic and international flights. These flights provide vital connections between Chiang Mai and an array of prominent cities across the globe such as Bangkok, Beijing, Doha, and Ho Chi Minh, to mention a few.

While Chiang Mai, the bustling metropolis, boasts a sizeable expanse and a cosmopolitan vibe, its public transportation system falls somewhat short of organized. However, this minor shortcoming does not pose a barrier to exploration of this magnificent city. A plethora of other transportation mediums step in to bridge this gap, facilitating comfortable and convenient travel around the city. These constitute both traditional and modern modes of transport that cater to different tastes and preferences, all aimed at ensuring visitors and locals alike can fully experience and appreciate the city's remarkable offerings.

• Songthaew: The Songthaew or red truck is the most common and the desirable mode of transportation. For 30 Bahts, you can travel anywhere within the city, as long as you have no issues sharing your ride with other passengers. You can book private songthaew using the mobile app, GRAB.
• Tuk-tuks: Are the second most common mode of transportation next to songthaew. However, they are pricey as the rates start at 60 Bahts. It could be inexpensive too if you have exceptional bargaining skills.
• Taxis: Are quite expensive, costing somewhere between 100 and 200 Bahts per ride in the city.

Tourist visas in Chiang Mai

Thailand is a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world. Citizens of many countries, including the US, UK, Australia, Germany, and Singapore, do not need a visa to enter Thailand and can stay for up to 30 days without a visa.

Citizens of India and China who intend to stay in Thailand for up to 15 days can apply for a visa on arrival. However, if they want to stay for longer than 15 days, they will need to apply for a different type of visa, such as a transit visa or a non-immigrant visa.

Here is a summary of the visa requirements for Indian and Chinese passport holders:

• Visa on arrival: Indian and Chinese passport holders can apply for a visa on arrival if they intend to stay in Thailand for up to 15 days. The visa fee is 2,000 Thai baht.
• Transit visa: Indian and Chinese passport holders who are only passing through Thailand on their way to another country will need to apply for a transit visa. The transit visa allows them to stay in Thailand for up to 48 hours.
• Non-immigrant visa: Indian and Chinese passport holders who want to stay in Thailand for longer than 15 days will need to apply for a non-immigrant visa. There are different types of non-immigrant visas available, depending on the purpose of the visit.

To apply for a visa on arrival or a non-immigrant visa, Indian and Chinese passport holders will need to have a valid passport, a return flight ticket, and proof of funds. They may also need to provide additional documents, such as a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from a Thai resident.

Additional Information

1. Thai Baht is the currency of Thailand. 1 USD is around 34.5559 THB as of 2023. 
2. ATMs and exchange bureau are present at most of the tourist locations, making the withdrawal of local currency easy. You can pay by credit card in big restaurants, shopping malls, and hospitals.
3. Thai is the official language of Thailand and is widely spoken in Chiang Mai. However, most of the locals in Chiang Mai do understand and speak good English. The street signs are also translated into English making it is easier for the tourists to get around.
4. 90% of the total population of Thailand practice Buddhism, followed by Islam. Thai nationals exhibit deep love and admiration for their royal family.
5. Notable public holidays:

• January 1 – New Year's Eve
• February 19 – Makha Bucha day
• April 12-16 – Songkran Festival
• May 5 – Coronation day
• December 10 – Constitution day