Many individuals find it difficult to have a hair transplant for several reasons. Of which Trypanophobia is among them. For many years, trypophobia existed solely as an Internet phenomenon. However, studies has been conducted since then, particularly to determine why it occurs and if it is a phobia in the first place. As is common knowledge, trypophobia involves “holes” or other circular patterns.
In order to redistribute the hair follicles, the surgeon must create holes in your scalp during a hair transplant. This can induce trypophobia, which can prevent someone from undergoing surgery. However, there are techniques to deal with it so that you can regrow your hair. In this post, we will discuss all you need to know about hair transplant trypophobia. And offer helpful advice on how to overcome it so that you can still acquire the desired head of hair.
What is Trypophobia?
Trypophobia is an aversion or dread of groups of closely spaced holes or bumps. When they notice these kinds of patterns, those who have the phobia feel anxious, uncomfortable, or disgusted. These symptoms sometimes appear as nausea, accelerated breathing, vertigo, an elevated heart rate. Perspiration, goosebumps, shaking, or even panic attacks. However, a generalised feeling of revulsion, queasyness, or uneasiness is the main sign of trypophobia.
Due to the phobia’s sufferer’s propensity to avoid contact with the triggers. Trypophobia can also alter a person’s behaviour. Shower heads, coral, sponges, seed pods, bubble wrap, honeycomb, insect eyes, and concentrated skin pore imagery are examples of common trigger items.
What Causes Trypophobia?
Trypophobia is a recent mental illness that first appeared in 2005. As a result, there hasn’t been much research done on the phobia, and doctors haven’t yet determined what causes it. However, there are a number of theories on the likely cause of trypophobia. For instance, according to some experts, the brain has been conditioned throughout evolution to link holes with danger.
This is due to the fact that many dangerous species in the natural world, like the king cobra, poison dart frog, blue-ringed octopus, and deathstalker scorpion, have perforated or holey patterns. Therefore, the reason why groups of holes make people feel anxious or afraid is because the brain has connected them to these dangerous critters. Alternately, some experts assert that the brain connects clusters of bumps or holes with skin conditions.
Evolution has shaped the brain to experience disgust at the sight of disease and infection so that we don’t come into contact with contagious illnesses. Therefore, since bumps and holes resemble scabs, rashes, and unhealthy skin, we are wired to become alarmed at the sight of them. These two ideas contend that trypophobia has evolutionary roots.
Other specialists, however, concur that the phobia is a sign of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and studies have linked trypophobia to depression and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).
Who Is Most Prone to Have Trypophobia?
Again, because there has been so little research on this condition, it is unclear why certain people are more prone to trypophobia than others. As we mentioned above, trypophobia has been linked to a number of different mental health issues. As a result, trypophobia may be more likely to affect people who have depression, anxiety,
or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Additionally, if you have a family member who has the illness, your chances of having it increase. One study found that 25% of patients with trypophobia also had a close relation who also had the condition. This shows that the phobia might be learned through observational learning. People are more likely to experience their own irrational fear of something if they constantly watch others expressing it.
What Do Hair Transplants And Trypophobia Have In Common?
If you suffer from trypophobia, you may find the incisions produced during a hair transplant to be physically and emotionally distressing. Hair follicles are taken from the “donor site,” an area of the scalp that is surgically removed during a hair transplant. The balding areas of the scalp become the implant sites. The recipient region is pierced with several tiny holes using a needle or knife.
Follicular units are drilled into the scalp and implanted there. If a patient has trypophobia, they may feel anxious or sick at the sight of these holes. ‘Hair transplant trypophobia’ is a term used to describe this anxiety disorder in the context of hair transplants. Patients with trypophobia may also experience distress from the scars created during surgery, in addition to the holes made in the recipient area.
How Long Does it Take for Holes from FUE Hair Transplants to Close?
Small, circular scars are formed in the donor area during FUE hair transplants, but when new hair grows in, they are hidden. This usually takes about a month to materialise. Holes in the recipient region will also heal in about a month.
There will be some scabbing as your skin heals around the incisions and the transplanted hair follicles begin to take hold in their new place. The scabs, dried blood, and holes will all be gone within a month, but your new hair won’t have grown in just yet.
How can I get my hair transplant holes to close up faster?
Unfortunately, there is little that patients can do to hasten the healing process after receiving a hair transplant; with the proper care, the holes will close up in a month.
- However, taking good care of your body helps guarantee that healing occurs as quickly as possible. This includes drinking enough of water, abstaining from alcohol and cigarettes, and eating a balanced diet.
- Similar to this, minimising stress to the greatest extent possible will aid in hastening the healing process.
- Patients can speed up the healing process for their hair transplant holes by carefully following the pre- and post-operative care recommendations that their surgeon gave them. For two weeks prior to the procedure, patients must refrain from taking specific medications, such as antidepressants, blood thinners, beta blockers, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Patients must refrain from strenuous exercise and other activities that make them perspire for a week following surgery.
- Direct sunshine, hot pools, and saunas should also be avoided. This is due to the fact that sweating can make you more susceptible to infection, and infection will delay the healing of your hair transplant holes.
- Patients must also refrain from brushing or washing their scalp for four days following the surgery, and they must not pick or scratch at their scabs.
The hair transplant holes will close up as soon as possible if the body is let to heal on its own schedule.
How is Trypophobia Diagnosed?
There is no established method for diagnosing trypophobia because it is not a recognised medical condition. However, taking the online test for trypophobia can assist in determining whether you experience this aversion. Additionally, if trypophobia is interfering with your daily life, it can be worthwhile to consult a mental health expert. The symptoms of trypophobia cannot be officially diagnosed by a therapist, but they can assist you in learning coping mechanisms.
What Are The Signs & Symptoms of Hair Transplant Trypophobia?
People with trypophobia don’t like or are afraid of things that are round and grouped together. But seeing it can also make other things happen, such as:
- Vomiting
- Light headedness
- Attacks of panic
- Shaking
- Itching
- Fast breathing and heart rate
- Discomfort
- Sweating
- Goosebumps
Even though trypophobia isn’t a disorder, you might be told to go to therapy to deal with it.
How to Cope with Trypophobia Triggered by Hair Transplant?
Trypophobia related to hair transplants can be managed in the following ways.
Undergo Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
You can treat your fear of needles (trypophobia) with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) before getting a hair transplant. The therapy is effective because it targets the underlying causes of the phobia, helping the patient to alter their way of thinking and doing.
Relaxation Techniques
You can use these to aid in your post-hair transplant recuperation. Deep breathing, mindfulness, aromatherapy, and music therapy are a few examples of this. To avoid focusing on the holes in your head, you may also try picturing your pleasant spots. Try to continue participating (in leisurely pursuits) to keep yourself peacefully occupied.
Medications
It’s a good idea to let your hair transplant surgeon know in advance if you have trypophobia. Before the procedure, you might be prescribed anti-anxiety medication (SSRI, benzos, or beta-blockers) to lessen your anxiety so that you won’t feel anxious as the surgeon removes and implants the hair grafts into your scalp.
Choose an Experienced Surgeon at a Reputable Clinic
If you suffer from trypophobia, having a hair transplant performed by a qualified medical specialist is one of the best ways to ensure that you won’t experience any symptoms afterwards. Don’t let your hair transplant surgeon cut deep gouges in your scalp. This occurs when incompetent surgeons use antiquated techniques, resulting in significant damage to the patient’s scalp.
Meanwhile, skilled surgeons employ cutting-edge methods and equipment to create hair transplant holes that are no more than 1 millimetre in size. As a result, the affected area will be covered in tiny red spots and scabs. Smaller and more dispersed than larger and deeper holes, these pinpoints are less likely to provoke a trypophobia reaction.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy, together with picking a trustworthy facility for your hair transplant, can assist you in overcoming your trypophobia in the weeks or months before to the procedure. Anxiety disorders and phobias are treated with exposure treatment, a form of behavioural therapy. In fact, according to some research, only one exposure therapy session lasting three hours can completely cure a phobia.
Conclusion
If you’re trying to get a hair transplant but are afraid of trypophobia, you might be in for a rough ride. This is due to the fact that in order to complete the procedure, holes must be made in the scalp. But know that the holes are tiny because of today’s surgical advances. In addition to fading over time, they recover swiftly. Once your hair grows in, you won’t be able to even see them. However, you can take drugs, undergo therapy, or practise various relaxation techniques in order to be better prepared for the period immediately following surgery.
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