Hair Transplantation or Replacement Surgery
Hair Loss Solutions for Thinning Hair and Baldness
Jul 2, 2009 Wendy Anne Makhdum Prosser
Hair transplants have become cheaper in recent years and new techniques now give more natural-looking results. A hair transplant can be expensive, but for men with premature balding it may be the only way to restore lost confidence.
How Much Does a Hair Transplant Cost?
According to the Hair Transplant Network, hair replacement surgeons in the USA generally charge between $3 and $8 per follicle. In the UK, a typical hair transplant cost is £2000 to £5000. In all cases, however, the actual cost will depend on many factors including the extent of the baldness, the skill and reputation of the surgeon and/or hair clinic, the number of sessions required and the type of procedure used.
Who Can Have Hair Surgery?
Hair replacement surgery is most commonly used for men with premature male-pattern balding, often after treatment with drugs such as minoxidil and finasteride has failed.
A transplant is most likely to be successful in a man who has been losing his hair for at least five years, by which time the extent of the baldness should have stabilized. Transplants are seldom considered in men younger than twenty, as below this age it is not possible to predict how baldness will progress.
Hair replacement surgery may also be suitable for people with scarring alopecia. In this condition, patches of hair are lost following an injury or other damage to the scalp.
Those with thinning hair over the entire scalp are not good candidates for surgery. A successful hair transplant depends on taking follicles from areas of the scalp that will continue to produce hair into the future, but this is impossible if hair from any part of the head can potentially be lost.
How does Hair Transplantation Work?
The premise behind hair replacement surgery is simple. In male-pattern baldness, hair is lost from the front and crown of the head. The hair at the back and sides, however, is not lost – in fact, it is genetically programmed to last a lifetime. A hair transplant involves removing healthy follicles from this region (the ‘donor site’) and relocating them within the bald patches.
In the past, relatively large flaps of skin containing many follicles were taken from the donor site and grafted onto the top of the head. Such hair implants were less than satisfactory, as the regrown hair tended to have an unnatural look.
Nowadays, micro-grafting techniques are used to transplant very small units of as few as three or four follicles into tiny punctures made in the scalp. When placed at the front of the head, these grafts give a natural-looking hairline. Mini-grafts of around twelve follicles are used on the top of the head to add bulk to the hair. Thousands of follicles may need to be transplanted to achieve the desired effect, so the procedure can take several hours.
The surgery is carried out under a local anaesthetic, the administration of which can be painful as it requires several injections into the scalp. Patients are likely to suffer swelling of the scalp, or may experience a numb, stiff feeling in the skin after the operation, but this wears off with time.
Does Hair Replacement Surgery Provide a Solution to Baldness?
It is important to have realistic expectations when embarking on hair replacement surgery. This procedure does not give a man more hair – it merely redistributes the hair that he has. It does not stop balding, either. Hair may continue to be lost around the transplanted area, leading to new bald patches that may require further surgery in the future.
Is a Hair Transplant an Option?
For men who understand the limitations, hair replacement surgery can give pleasing results, restoring confidence and improving self-esteem. Anyone considering a hair transplant should consult an experienced, reputable surgeon or hair replacement centre, certified by the relevant national body. The surgeon will be able to advise on the suitability of the procedure in individual cases.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
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