Originally developed in the 1930’s, hair transplant surgery has come a long way since its conception. When it became popular in the 60’s and 70’s, hair transplant surgery was unrefined and the technique utilized large hair grafts produced by round punches. This often led to the sparse plugged look associated with hair transplantation. That is, until modern breakthroughs. Today’s hair transplant surgeons use micro-grafts and follicular unit transplantations that are virtually indistinguishable even by professional hairdressers.
Hair transplant surgery always begins with your healthy donor hair. It’s simple: If you don’t have the donor hair then you don’t have the hair that can be transplanted. This donor hair is located on the sides and back of the head and is resistant to balding, allowing it to continue to grow throughout your lifetime. Most men suffering from standard male pattern baldness will have a healthy donor area. However, if your hair loss is not hereditary and is caused by other conditions such as stress or medication, you will want to see a dermatologist first before attending a hair transplant consultation.
In follicular unit hair transplantations, a small section of tissue is removed from the donor area and is broken down under magnification. This is where modern hair transplant surgeons show their true artistry. Follicular units grow in groups of 1-4 hairs. By keeping this composition intact, your hair transplant mimics real life. Hair transplant surgeons reproduce with micro-grafts exactly how hair grows in nature. Each hair is different and an experienced hair transplantation surgeon can make sure the hairs are transplanted in areas where they are best suited. For example, certain hair groupings belong at the hairline, while other belong at the crown of the head.
Different hair transplant clinics use different methods and technology to achieve results. For your hair transplantation you’ll want to keep in mind that you’re maximizing hair growth, ensuring naturalness, and minimizing trauma to the scalp. With any hair transplant surgery there will be scars, but a good surgeon can keep that scarring to minimum, and more importantly, undetectable. When done correctly your hair transplant is a customized experience; it’s living hair that you can style like you would before your hair loss.
