Hair Restoration in Thailand

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 Thailand?

The length of stay in Thailand can be different for every person, depending on the type of hair restoration procedure you underwent. In general, you may need to stay in Thailand 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 Thailand

About Thailand

Thailand is consistently voted one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, leading the way for Asian countries with over 60 state-of-the-art JCI-accredited facilities. The country is renowned for its tropical beaches, floating markets, stunning royal palaces, and Buddhist temples. The vibrant capital, Bangkok, blends tradition and modernity with its ultramodern cityscape featuring brand-new high-rise condominiums side-by-side with quiet, serene canalside communities. As per the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phuket, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, and Pattaya are the most sought-after tourist spots outside Bangkok, each boasting excellent yacht chartering opportunities.

Each year, Thailand opens its doors to hundreds of thousands of medical tourists. These individuals traverse the globe to receive treatment, with a significant number hailing from the local SE Asia region, Australia, the United States, and the Middle East. Recently, there has been an upsurge in the number of visitors coming in from China for medical purposes. 

The reasons for Thailand's popularity as a medical tourism destination are its outstanding private healthcare system, attractive tropical climate, and competitive pricing. In the list of top medical tourism destinations worldwide, Thailand currently holds the third position. The procedures that attract most patients are cosmetic surgeries, including breast augmentations, gender reassignment surgery, and CoolSculpting, along with cardiac surgery, orthopedics, and urology.

Popular Parts of Thailand

Thailand, with a population of just under 70 million people spread over an area of around 500,000 square kilometers, has several regions and cities that are widely popular with both natives and tourists. Offering a diverse blend of urban and rural experiences, beach life and inland natural beauty, each part of Thailand offers a unique angle into the rich and complex Thai culture.

Arguably the most popular area of Thailand is the capital city, Bangkok. Consistently ranked as one of the most visited cities in the world, Bangkok is an ever-buzzing urban hub with its busy streets, modern lifestyle, magnificent temples and opulent palace, alongside a pulsating nightlife. This city is typically the entry gateway for a vast majority of the 30 million tourists who visit Thailand each year. Known for its glimmering cityscape and vibrant food scene, Bangkok is indeed a compulsory stop in every traveler's itinerary.

While Bangkok is the country's urban heart, there's more to Thailand than just its capital. Among the other popular regions are the beachside island paradise of Phuket and Koh Samui, the city of Pattaya, and Hua Hin - each of them a haven for beach lovers and anyone seeking a laid-back vibe away from bustling city life. However, for those who prefer the call of the inland and a dash of adventure, Chiang Mai, nestled in the lush jungles of northern Thailand offers a refreshing and unique proposition with its derivative local culture, serene temples and interaction with native wildlife.

Weather and Climate in Thailand

Known for its truly tropical climate and scorching temperatures, Thailand, in general, is hot and humid all year round. The coastal locations do benefit from the cooling sea breeze, a luxury urban Bangkok is denied. Average temperatures range from 28°C (82°F) up to 35°C (95°F). However, during the Hot Season (March to June), temperatures can top 40°C (104°F).

The infamous Rainy Season tends to start in July and continue through to October; during this time expect heavy rainfall, often amounting to flooding in some areas. It will remain warm to hot but humidity levels will rise and the mosquitos will come out to play!

November to February is often referred to as the Cool Season when less rain is expected and the temperatures tend not to rise above 35°C (95°F).

From a tourist perspective; the High Season lasts from November to March and the Low Season from April to October. But be aware of the Shoulder Seasons of April to June and September to October, when Thailand is less impacted by the Rainy Season and less busy with tourists – these can be the ideal times to visit.

In a nutshell, Thailand is a Shorts and T-shirt Country, you’re never really going to be cold, so pack light; shorts, t-shirts, vests, skirts, singlets, and light dresses. Maybe pack jeans and shoes if you’re planning on going to a swanky roof-top bar in Bangkok or to a temple where flip-flops are not acceptable.

Don’t forget mosquito spray as the little pests can get everywhere; big ones and little ones! Always protect against the sun; with high factor sunscreen and UV-protective sunglasses. The usual medications found at home should be available in most pharmacies.

Getting around in Thailand

With the Suvarnabhumi International Airport being serviced by some of the world’s major airlines, tourists can fly into Thailand from almost anywhere in the world, sometimes with a connection along the way. All the popular regions have their own international airports, with the exception of Pattaya, which is just a 90-minute taxi ride from Bangkok. However, arrival destinations are slightly limited outside of Bangkok, but the likes of Emirates and Qatar Airways will fly into Phuket International Airport. The rest, mostly fly in from local countries on budget airlines, including Scoot, SilkAir, AirAsia, and Lion Air to name a few.

For domestic flights, the airports are nicely linked in Thailand with flights from as little as $45 USD one way. There are several budget airlines servicing these routes, including Thai Lion Air, AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, and Thai Smile.

The train allows for even cheaper travel within Thailand and is far more comfortable than spending hours sitting on a bus. Bangkok has the BTS, or Skytrain, which allows for fast transfer from the airport into the city. Given the traffic in central Bangkok, the BTS offers a great alternative to being stuck in traffic jams.

Taxis are great, however, be sure to confirm the price before you begin your journey or better still, insist the ride goes on the meter – that is how you guarantee the cheapest and fairest price. But expect traffic in the city and any built-up areas.

Tourist Visas in Thailand

Before you travel to Thailand, it is important to stay updated with the latest visa requirements. While a number of countries are eligible for visa-free entry, the rules can sometimes shift, making it essential to verify before you travel.

If you are travelling from countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Australia, Singapore, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea can enjoy a stay of up to 30 days in Thailand without needing a visa. On the other hand, if you are visiting from China, India, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan, you will be granted the facility of a visa on arrival.

To get a visa on arrival here are the requirements:
1. You need to have a valid passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity. 
2: You would need to show proof of a round-trip ticket within 30 days and confirmation of your accommodation for the first night in Thailand. 
3. You need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds for your visit, which is 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family. 

Don't forget to carry a recent passport-sized photograph. The fee for a visa on arrival is 2,000 THB, and you can pay it via cash or credit card.

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Additional Information

1. The Thai Baht (THB) is the local currency. 1 USD is approximately around 34.5559 on average as of  2023.
2. ATMs are readily available across Thailand and accept virtually all major bank cards (Visa, Mastercard). Credit card payment is accepted in most established restaurants and outlets, with the more local food vendors, for example, only accepting cash.
3. Thai is the local language but due to the extremely well-established tourism industry in Thailand, English is spoken by most locals who work with tourists, and often signs will have an English translation.
4. Buddhism is the primary religion in Thailand, with a large Muslim population in the south. The Royal Family is deeply revered throughout the country and should never be disrespected.
5. There are many public holidays in Thailand, which aren’t always on the same day each year, including Songkran (Thai New Year), which is celebrated in mid-April, Labor Day, and Coronation Day in early May, Asanha Buja in July and Constitution Day in December.