What are Different Hair Restoration Techniques?

Hair restoration is a baldness solution. There can be many reasons for hair loss, balding or alopecia. Hair loss in humans can be genetic, from medical problems or bad health hygiene. It can also be a result of hormonal imbalance and medical diseases like iron deficiency or diabetes. Hair restoration is a technique of replacing lost hair. It can be achieved in more than one way – topical, oral, and through surgical treatments. Hair loss and subsequent hair transplant is a major cause for concern for men and women who experience hair fall or thinning hair. Earlier, a hat, cap or scarf was the main solution but today with hair restoration techniques, replacement for lost hair is not a far off dream.

Hair can be restored by two methods, medicines and surgical. Medicines can help slow the process of hair fall and sometimes even prevent it. A particular medicine to stop hair fall is Minoxidil also known as Rogaine which is available over the counter without a prescription. It is directly applied on the scalp and can be used by both males and females. Another prescription drug is called Finasteride, this comes in pills and only men can use it. If you take oral drugs for hair loss, you need to wait for at least six months to see if these medicines are working or not. If these medicines don’t work and you don’t want to go for any surgical procedure either then you may want to consider trying different hairstyle to cover the bald patch or try wigs, hairpieces etc.

If you are open to surgeries and transplant you have no reasons to fear, the recent and improved hair transplant techniques ensure that patients are pain-free and comfortable doing it unlike the older methods that were painful and cause unsightly scarring.

1. Woods Technique of Follicular Relocation
This technique is minimally invasive associated with very little pain and leads to hair growth that looks and feels completely natural. This technique involves only the hair follicle transplant and does not involve the excess tissue that is common with other techniques. This technique also has a high success rate as compared to the others.

2. Strip Incision
This procedure involves removing strips of skin surgically from the donor area by extracting the hair follicles and implanting them on the recipient area. Though this is not a very modern technology of hair transplantation but this method is both effective and successful in growing hair.

 3. Follicular Unit Extraction
This method uses micro grafting for great results. The procedure involves extracting individual hair follicles from an assigned area in the scalp and reinserts the follicles onto the hairline. This type of grafting is used performing a local anesthetic so is not a very uncomfortable procedure. The advantage of this is:

  • Scar less
  • Quick healing
  • Comfortable
  • No incision
  • No stitching
  • No bandage
  • Takes your own hair pattern
  • Gives a natural look
  • Can be done in fewer sessions

4. Mini-Micro grafting
This is very similar to the follicular unit extraction, the only difference being that the graft size in planned by the doctor. He cuts the donor tissue according to what size they deem it fit. A multi-blade knife is used to generate thin strips of tissue by using direct visualization to cut it. The grafts are larger than follicular units and the extra skin is not trimmed hence the donor wounds are larger. Each procedure of the mini micro-grafting is cheaper and shorter. Compared to this the follicular unit extraction is superior in producing a more natural and satisfying result.
Hair transplant procedures are safe and effective. However there are small risks involves as with all surgical procedures, they are:

  • Slow growth of hair
  • Infection
  • Scars
  • Pigmentation in skin
  • Pimples and cysts
  • Swelling around eye region
  • Numbing of scalp

Most of these are curable, temporary and not serious. Hair transplantation is a great technique to enjoy your new-found hair which is like natural, your own and a headful of confidence. Choose your doctor or Trichologist carefully for the maximum satisfying results.

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Filed under: Hair Care Facts and FAQs by admin on Thu, May 27th, 2010
May 27, 2010

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