HAIR REPLACEMENT SURGERY AND MEDICINE FOR HAIR LOSS WHO ARE CANDIDATES FOR HAIR REPLACEMENT SURGERY AND WHAT ARE COMPLICATIONS AND SIDE EFFECTS

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I read a truly fascinating and detailed discussion of hair loss and what can be done for it such as medicine for hair loss and hair replacement surgery. People have tried everything from hair clubs to hair grafts to Rogaine to stop or correct hair loss. Competing and confusing ads. What do you do about hair loss? Should you just try Rogaine? Should you think about hair replacement surgery? Who are candidates for hair replacement surgery and what to expect?






















To many people their appearance is an integral part of their self esteem and the hair is integral to that. Thus was born hair transplant surgery. "Modern day hair transplant surgery began in 1952 when a New York Dermatologist by the name of Dr. Norman Orentreich performed the first known hair transplant in the US on a man suffering from male pattern baldness. However, the "roots" were actually cultivated in Japan in the late 1930's, but were not known to western medicine due to WWII, etc."




A full head of hair contains approximately 100,000 hairs. (People with red or blond hair have somewhat more than this.) The loss of up to 30% of the number that was present during the peak of adolescence that occurs by middle age is part of the normal aging process. For thinning to become cosmetically noticeable, at least 50% of the hairs must have fallen out in a particular area. Loss of a smaller percentage than this generally does not result in the cosmetic appearance of hair loss. In addition to the loss of the number of hairs, the hair loss process causes individual hairs to thin, which further contributes to the appearance of hair loss.



Scientists continue to seek the root of hair loss. (Sorry). Where are we now? Basically there is medical therapy for hair loss, hair transplant surgery or a combination of them. The most well know medical therapy is Rogaine. "Minoxidil (Rogaine) is available in 2% and 5% topical solutions. Cosmetically useful hair is obtained in only about one third of cases and minoxidil must be used indefinitely to maintain a response".





Hair replacement surgery. The best candidates for hair replacement surgery or restoration surgery are:

Men who have been losing their hair due to male pattern baldness for more than five years or who have progressed to a Norwood class 3 or above.

Men who have been balding for many years and who's pattern has stabilized and are interested in just adding some hair to provide a more youthful appearance.

Men and women who have lost hair due to trauma or burns

Men and women who have lost hair due to other cosmetic procedures such as face-lifts (often the side-burns, along the incision sites).

Women who have suffered hair loss due to mechanical or traction Alopecia (non hormonal)

Women who have a distinct pattern of baldness, similar to that of male pattern baldness. This includes, hairline recession, vertex thinning, and a donor area that is not affected by androgenetic Alopecia.

Women with alopecia marginalis, a condition that looks very similar to traction alopecia.

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