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What is Hair Restoration?

By Stephanie Miles | Published on October 19, 2009 | 0 Comments

As many men begin to age, the effects of hair thinning and male pattern baldness start to become apparent. But this isn’t due to too much shampooing, wearing hats, or any of the other hair loss myths people commonly believe. Rather, it’s due to the production of certain hormones that negatively interact with the follicles on the head to minimize or stop hair growth over time.

While many men find the topic too embarrassing to discuss, it is actually quite common, with hair loss affecting 35 million men in the United States, according to the Hair Loss Learning Center, 40% of whom begin having noticeable hair loss by the age of 35. By the age of 50, that number jumps to 85% of all men experiencing some form of baldness, according to nationwide survey conducted in 2009.

Of course, hair loss does not only affect men. Twenty-one million women suffer from the condition, often silently since the topic is even more taboo for aging females.

But not all men and women are suffering in silence. Thanks to recent advances in medical technology, thousands of men and women across the country are using hair transplant and restoration techniques to dramatically, naturally, and permanently alter their looks.

What is hair restoration?

Hair transplant and restoration is a surgical technique that has been in use by medical professionals since the late 1950s. The procedure works by taking hair from one area of the scalp and transplanting it into a balding area.

With that said, however, medical advances in recent years have drastically changed the way in which the procedure is performed and the outcome patients can expect. Whereas for many years hair was transplanted in large “plugs”—resulting in an unnatural look—newer restoration techniques allow physicians to transplant the hair using smaller “grafts,” thus allowing the hair to look as if it has a completely natural growth pattern.

Sometimes known as Follicular Unit Transplantation, this micro-grafting procedure transplants groups of just one to four hairs at a time. And because the hair is re-implanted into the scalp in a way that mimics the hair’s natural growth, patients can expect an outcome that blends in perfectly with the hair they originally had.

Who are the best candidates for hair restoration?

Although the majority of those seeking hair transplant and restoration procedures are men, women can also be considered excellent candidates for the surgery as long as they are experiencing balding in specific areas of the scalp—as opposed to a general thinning of hair all around.

In addition, to be considered an optimal candidate for the procedure, patients must have a sufficient amount of healthy hair growth left in the back of their heads to re-implant as “donor hair” on the scalp. This means men who are entirely bald—while few and far in between—are generally not considered good candidates for hair transplant surgery.

Finally, as with any cosmetic procedure, potential hair transplant candidates should have realistic expectations as to the results of their restoration, since no surgery can change a person’s self-esteem or confidence issues. Patients should be comfortable discussing these topics with their doctor prior to beginning the hair transplantation process.

Benefits

For the thousands of men and women who undergo hair transplant and restoration each year, the procedure can have a life-changing impact. Patients who have undergone the restoration report feeling more youthful, energized, and happy with their overall appearance.

While results of hair transplant and restoration vary from patient to patient, the majority can expect to gain a full head of hair in just a matter of hours. Even better, the results of a hair transplant should last a lifetime, which means patients will no longer need to mess with expensive over-the-counter hair products or worry about tedious follow-up appointments with their doctor once the surgery has been performed and deemed successful.

Risks

As with all surgeries, going under the knife carries a certain amount of medical risk. Although hair transplantation is generally safe, patients should ensure that the surgeon performing the operation is qualified and licensed by local medical boards.

Due to the nature of hair transplantation, certain risks and complications may occur, including bleeding, scarring, and anesthesia complications. In addition, some patients may experience a condition known as “stretch-back scarring,” which is generally caused by tension resulting from certain scalp-reduction techniques used in hair transplantation procedures.

Patients experiencing any of these conditions should contact their hair transplant surgeon or primary care physician immediately to rule out infection or other serious side effects.

*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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