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Typical male or female hair loss is usually not a disease, but a natural event inherited from our parents. The shampoos, machines with the flashing lights, heat lamps and massages that supposedly increase blood flow to the scalp are all consumer frauds. Hair loss, or male pattern balding is a natural event that is inherited, and progresses with age.
Scalp Reduction and Extension
Scalp reduction has been around since the late 1970's. This procedure can be done under local anesthetic, and replaces a procedure that used to require hundreds of grafts. In order to limit the scalp stretching back, a technique called scalp extension may be performed in addition to a scalp reduction.
Follicular Transplants
If you look at the scalp magnified, you will notice that the hairs grow in groups of one to four, as opposed to single or random hairs. Each person has their own unique grouping, and in follicular transplants, the idea is to mimic the natural growth pattern of the hair. Thousands of these units can be moved in a single session, and some men can be finished in one procedure.
HAIR REPLACEMENT SURGERY QUICK FACTS*
Procedure: Fill in balding areas with a patient's own hair using a variety of techniques including scalp reduction, tissue expansion, strip grafts, scalp flaps, or clusters of punch grafts (plugs, miniplugs and microplugs). Works best on men with male pattern baldness after hair loss has stopped.
Length: 1 to 3 hours. Some techniques may require multiple procedures over 18 months or more. [Depending on the Surgeon]
Anesthesia: Usually local with sedation. Flaps and tissue expansion may be done with general anesthesia.
In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient.
Side Effects: Temporary achy, tight scalp. Unnatural look in early stages.
Risks: Unnatural look. Infection. Excessive scarring. Failure to "take." Loss of scalp tissue and/or transplanted hair.
Recovery: Back to work: usually 2 to 5 days. More strenuous activities: 10 days to 3 weeks. Final look: may be 18 months or more, depending on procedure.
Duration of Results: Permanent.
*From The American Society of Plastic Surgeons www.plasticsurgery.org