| One of the replacement options available to hair | | | | that the technique used yields a natural looking |
| loss sufferers is hair transplantation. This is a | | | | result. In the past, the hair plugs that were |
| surgical procedure and prospective patients must | | | | transplanted were similar to the plugs of hair one |
| be more cautious than when considering | | | | finds on a dolls head. Needless to say, this |
| non-invasive baldness solutions. And as with other | | | | resulted in an unnatural look. |
| types of surgeries, the practitioners are of | | | | The smaller grafts that are commonly used now, |
| varying degrees of expertise and competence. | | | | while somewhat more natural, still do not duplicate |
| Thoroughly researching and investigating hair | | | | the hairline most patients want. What is needed is |
| restoration options, and the doctors available to | | | | to transplant the hair in the same way it grows - |
| perform transplants are important steps in the | | | | which means transplanting follicular units. |
| process. Choosing the right place to have it done | | | | These units are made of 1-4 follicles, and the |
| and the right procedure is also vitally important. | | | | supporting cells, blood vessels, nerves and tissues. |
| The key factors in attaining a good transplant are | | | | It wasn't until surgeons started using microscopes |
| the surgeon's skill, the procedure that's used, and | | | | to ensure that the follicular units remained intact |
| ensuring that you're a good candidate for the | | | | and in their original state that truly natural results |
| procedure. | | | | were achieved. |
| Hair can be transplanted because not all of the | | | | The recipient site for follicular units is prepared by |
| hair on your head is affected by the pattern | | | | using a needle to make tiny holes in the scalp. The |
| baldness that causes hair loss. The hair follicles on | | | | grafts are then very gently inserted into these |
| the back and sides of the head aren't susceptible | | | | holes. This is where the skill of the practitioner is |
| to DHT, the hormone that causes follicles to | | | | of the utmost importance because of the close |
| shrink and stop producing hair. | | | | spacing of the holes and the necessity of |
| Transplants involve taking skin with hair follicles | | | | preventing the follicular units grafts from being |
| from these parts that still produce hair, separating | | | | damaged. |
| the follicles out, and re-inserting them into the bald | | | | Before deciding on a doctor, be sure to ask him |
| areas of the scalp. These active follicles can then | | | | or her these questions: - How many transplants |
| grow hair in the areas where the follicles have | | | | have you done? - How long have you been doing |
| previously died. | | | | transplants? - Do you transplant using follicular |
| Several transplant grafts may be needed to | | | | units? - Can I contact any of your former |
| ensure adequate coverage of balding areas. | | | | patients? - How many transplants will be needed |
| Although pre-baldness hair density will not be | | | | and how many at one time? - What will the total |
| attained, careful placement of transplanted follicles | | | | cost be? - What are the dangers, concerns or |
| can give the illusion of a fuller head of hair and | | | | risks? - What board are you certified by? |
| add some coverage. | | | | Any hesitancy or refusal to be forthcoming by a |
| Those patients for whom hair loss is relatively | | | | prospective physician should send up red flags to |
| stable, those past the age of 30, are better | | | | anyone planning to go through a transplant |
| candidates for restoration surgery. If the | | | | procedure. The best way to find a physician to |
| procedure is undertaken any earlier it is hard to | | | | perform hair transplant surgery is to get a |
| know how much more loss will occur before | | | | recommendation from someone you know who |
| balding stops. | | | | has had the procedure done. |
| For those younger or for those with recent hair | | | | It is surprising how many people will gladly share |
| loss, one of the hair restoration drugs, Rogaine or | | | | their hair replacement story with you and the |
| Propecia, is probably a better choice. | | | | name of the physician who performed the |
| To create a successful transplant, it's important | | | | transplants. |