Hair Transplants
A hair transplant is an operation in which a surgeon removes a strip of donor hair and flesh from the back of the head and transplants the hair follicles, or plugs, into the balding area. Each surgery session usually lasts at least 4 hours, and many doctors recommend 3-5 treatment sessions. Male pattern baldness typically affects the hair follicles around the front and top of the head. In most people who are balding, hair at the back and sides of the head remains healthy and continues to grow normally. Hair transplants are relatively expensive, yet they have a number of advantages over other treatments. Foremost is the fact that the operation is permanent if done correctly. Propecia and Rogaine both only work for as long as you use them.
During a hair transplant, a slice of skin from the back of the scalp is removed with a scalpel. These follicles will serve as the donor hair. The donor hair is carefully cut into as many as 1,200 tiny hair grafts. These individual grafts consist of 1-4 follicles each in most transplants using modern techniques. Once the grafts are prepared, they are placed into tiny receptor holes that the surgeon creates in the scalp. It is very important how and where the hair is placed. To get a natural look, the donor hair needs to be placed in such a way that it appears random. Direction and angle of the hairs is also critical to a natural appearing head of hair. Antibiotics may be prescribed after surgery to prevent infection. The scar from the donor site is usually not visible.
Art or Science?
Hair transplants are labor intense scientific operations. The technology is state of the art, and the techniques have advanced significantly over recent decades. Even so, the surgery is equal parts medical training and artistic skill. It takes a talented, experienced doctor to perform a successful hair transplant. There are only a limited number of hairs to work with from the donor site, and it is very important that they are positioned with expert care. Creating a hairline that appears natural is no easy process. Because of this, choosing an experienced, well-respected surgeon is extremely important. If an operation is done incorrectly, it can lead to permanent scarring or worse.
Are you a candidate?
First of all, it is crucial that there is a sufficient amount of donor hair around the back of the head. People who have typical male pattern androgenetic alopecia (hereditary hair loss) make the best candidates for hair transplant surgery. This is because of the fact that male pattern baldness usually occurs in a horseshoe pattern, leaving an ideal healthy strip of scalp in the back of the head that can act as "donor hair".
If you are susceptible to infection because of a compromised immune system or disease, you may not be a good candidate for hair transplant surgery. Diabetes is one example of a condition which could compromise your immune system. Diabetics are more prone to a wide range of infections. This makes many doctors reluctant to operate on such patients. To find out for sure, contact a few doctors in your area.
What Should I look for in a Surgeon?
Experience, experience, experience! Most importantly, be sure that your doctor is able to show you multiple sets of before and after photographs from his patients. The photos should be taken from the same angle, in the same lighting. Ask for references that you can talk to. Being able to speak to someone who has undergone treatment at the same facility can provide you with insight you won’t get anywhere else. Remember to shop around, don’t go with the first clinic you go to. A hair transplant is a costly and time consuming operation. Remember, this operation is a long-term investment in your appearance, so do your research and take your time finding a doctor.
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