By: Benedict Smythe
Submitted: 2008-07-24 04:55:37 | Word Count: 552
It is estimated that two out of three men and one out of five women suffer from hair loss. It can be very depressing and most affected individuals try to cover up their balding spots with wigs and other camouflage attempts. Some use growth stimulators and hormone inhibitors. Some are satisfied with these treatments, but a lot more aren’t. Many find that wigs and hairpieces don’t look genuine and take too much time to maintain. Growth Stimulators and Hormone inhibitors on the other hand may be effective, but they need to be taken or used daily. That can take a lot of time, and who has that much time on their hands now a days?
The only plausible solution is Hair Replacement Surgery. But, is getting hair plugs the right decision for you? Read the segments below as they will help you determine whether or not hair replacement surgery is the right option for you.
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What is Hair Replacement Surgery?
Hair Replacement Surgery is the surgical procedure of transplanting healthy hair roots into bald areas. As a result, the transplanted hair grows in their new location and the patient is given a semblance of normal hair growth. Hair replacement is performed in a sterile environment and the patient is placed under local or general anesthesia.
Who are the best candidates for Hair Replacement Surgery?
The best candidates for Hair Replacement are those individuals that have prominent bald spots, but still have a healthy crop of hair growing in some areas of the scalp. However, hair replacement surgery is not possible for patients suffering from total baldness. The reason for that is because plastic surgeons need a donor area to get healthy hair from. If there is no donor site, then Hair Replacement is not possible.
With regard to age, hair replacement surgery is recommended to men in their 40s who suffer from male pattern baldness. Burn Victims may also get hair transplants in order to revitalize hair growth in burn areas. Women may also get hair replacement surgery. Young adults may also be candidates for the procedure, but it depends on the circumstances of baldness.
How Hair Replacement Works
There are different types of hair replacement surgery. The most common is done with the use of punch grafts and slit grafts. It works by taking grafts from donor areas and transplanting them into the bald spots. This method usually takes a series of surgeries before a natural look is achieved. It may take up to 2 years before the procedure is concluded.
Another type of Hair Replacement involves scalp reduction and balloon inflation. With scalp reduction, the patient’s bald spots are removed and the areas with healthy hair are stretched over to fill the gap. Balloon inflation involves inserting a saline balloon underneath the part of the scalp with healthy hair growth. This is done in order to stretch the healthy scalp, thus providing more skin to cover the gap left by scalp reduction. Balloon Inflation and Scalp Reduction usually gives quicker results that grafting.
Side Effects
There are minimal side effects to hair replacement surgery. It may include acute headaches and pain after surgery. All that can be taken care of with pain medication. The patient may also suffer from infection, but again, that can be dealt with medicine.
