Surgical Hair Restoration

Not everyone is a good candidate for hair restoration surgery and it is important to fully understand that taking this route should always be the last resort. Most people do not realize the complexity and potential risks behind this procedure.

In this section, solid information is relayed so the consumer is able to make an informed, realistic decision that will significantly improve appearance and general sense of wellbeing.

First of all, it is vital to research the credentials and background of the physician who will be performing the surgical hair restoration. Many high-pressure sales pitches involving flamboyant marketing tactics dominate this field, often clouding the consumer’s objectivity when attempting to find a board qualified surgeon.

The procedure for large profits is unfortunately a large part of what is basically a medical specialty. It is essential to know that there are only a handful of licensed and accomplished surgeons and surgical staff performing hair restoration procedures not only in the U.S. but worldwide.

The best candidates for hair restoration surgery are:

• Men who have been losing their hair due to male pattern baldness, for more than five years.
• Individuals whose balding pattern has stabilized who seek a more youthful appearance.
• Those who realistically accept that if prescription medication is taken for hair loss, it could possibly continue.
• Individuals who have lost their hair due to trauma or burns.
• Individuals who have experienced hair loss through cosmetic procedures like face-lifts.

Small surgeries in order to keep up with hair loss, is not an option when searching for solutions. The risk of “shock loss,” can occur in patients with a significant amount of existing hair, due to the trauma of surgery, resulting in thinner hair than prior to the procedure. This is another reason why it is imperative to understand the pros and cons of hair restoration.

The art of hair transplantation demands not only proficiency in the mechanics of this medical technique but a high level of aesthetic skill. Because no two heads are alike it is necessary for each procedure to be addressed on an individual basis.

Hair density is the quantity of hair follicles per squared centimeter of scalp and donated hair follicles surrounding tissue and skin are called grafts. One or more hair follicles are contained within each graft, with accompanying hair, tissue and skin.

Scalp laxity typifies the flexibility or looseness of the scalp. It is easier to harvest donor follicles from a flexible scalp because a tight scalp makes the donor area too tight to close after an excision. More hair can be transplanted if the scalp is loose and the density is high.

Hair grows in different directions from the scalp. Forward at the top and front, down or away from the middle and the sides of the head, and back down in the rear.

The amount of hair coverage in a transplant depends on the type of hair. Coarse hair covers more surface area because it has a naturally greater bulk and can be transplanted with fewer grafts. Fine hair, having less bulk, provides less coverage, requiring more grafts to create a fuller appearance.

The best transplant results are achieved using curly or wavy hair because a single hair is prone to curl in on itself resulting in more scalp coverage than straight hair whether it is fine or coarse. This is because straight hair lies against the scalp creating an appearance of less coverage than curly or wavy hair.

The best appearance of coverage is when hair color resembles the same color of the skin. African hair, because it is both dark and very curly provides the least contrast against the various shades of dark skin, resulting in excellent visual coverage.

Those with light complexions and fair or blond hair can also achieve good results, again due to the low contrast between hair and skin shades. However, Asian hair, because it is dark and straight, and the skin can be light or beige, has a higher contrast, posing the most challenges in hair transplantation.

However, in spite of these various insights, excellent results are still possible to accomplish by a highly skilled surgeon and team.

A natural hairline will vary from person to person, so it is important for a physician when choosing the recipient sites for hairline replacement, takes into account, the shape of the face, age of the patient and the potential progression of future hair loss.

Unless the patient is older with stabilized hair loss, which is difficult to predict, the crown of the head should never be transplanted. The only areas that should be considered are the front and top of the head, because it is this area that frames the face, resulting in the most dramatic changes in appearance.

Most hair restoration clinics offer a free educational DVD package to help inform prospective patients of how to begin their hair transplant process and book an initial consultation.