Hair Surgery Transplant
Hair surgery transplant is the process of planting healthy hair follicles onto parts of the scalp (or other areas of the body) where hair is desired, but no longer grows. It is an effective way for balding men and women to regain confidence in their physical appearance. Although today’s surgically advanced techniques yield more natural-looking results than ever before, some people are not aware of just how far hair transplant technology has come since the old, fake-looking punch grafts of the 1980s.
Punch Grafting: The “Doll Head” Technique
Back in the 80s, a technique called “punch grafting” was the most popular method of hair transplantation. Small, circular punches were made in balding areas at the front of the scalp; 30-strand bunches of hair were extracted from healthy areas of the scalp and implanted into these holes. The transplanted hair would then sprout in round bunches, much like the hair on a doll’s head. People with punch-grafted hair transplants were easily identified by their “corn row” hairlines. The results of these punch-grafting surgeries gave “hair surgery transplant” a bad name. Fortunately, surgical techniques have improved immensely since then.
Strip Harvesting
Strip harvesting is a common hair surgery transplant technique in which a strip of healthy, follicle-bearing skin is removed from the back or side of a person’s scalp. The strip is then dissected into smaller units which are strategically relocated to balding areas of the head.
Because of the extensive cutting involved, strip harvesting can be painful. Anesthesia, sedatives, and painkillers are usually prescribed by the attending physician.
The greatest disadvantage of strip harvesting is that the surgery can leave a scar where the strip of scalp was removed. The scar can be minimized if the surgeon closes the wound using a technique called “trichophytic closure”, but the possibility of an obvious linear scar still exists. For this reason, some surgeons advocate a more time-consuming procedure called Follicular Unit Extraction.
Follicular Unit Extraction
Follicular Unit Extraction, or FUE, is the process of removing donor follicles one at a time and transplanting them to balding areas using a tiny hole punch. This technique differs from the punch grafting of the 80s in that the punches are smaller, with only one follicle grafted into each hole.
FUE is a lengthy, tedious process that may require more than one session with the surgeon, depending on how many follicles are to be transplanted. It is less painful than strip harvesting because no large incisions are made, and the scalp is left intact (only the follicles are surgically removed).
Instead of a linear scar, the FUE recipient ends up with numerous dot-like scars all over his/her head. Fortunately, these scars are usually difficult to detect once initial inflammation and scabbing has disappeared and the hair has had a chance to grow in.
Hair Transplant Costs
Hair surgery transplant procedures aren’t covered by health insurance. The typical cost is 2-3 dollars (or more) per transplanted follicle. If 1,000 follicles are transplanted, total costs could begin around the $2,000 mark. If 2,000 follicles are transplanted, this could mean a total cost of $4,000 or higher. Different surgeons charge different amounts depending on their qualifications and their geographical location. Because it is less time-consuming, strip harvesting is considerably cheaper than FUE (usually about half the cost).
A hair surgery transplant procedure can help both men and women become more satisfied with their appearance by eliminating bald spots and creating the illusion of fuller, thicker hair. It is important to find a trustworthy surgeon before investing in this expensive procedure. Follow-up surgeries may be necessary if more hair loss occurs after initial treatment.