By Pichet Rodchareon
Even before birth, every single follicle of hair on the human scalp is genetically programmed to either become sensitive to the male hormones which begin to appear during puberty - causing the follicle to wither and die in time - or not to become sensitive to these hormones and continue growing throughout one's lifetime. Unfortunately, the latter case is quite rare, as baldness affects well over one-half of the adult male population.
As people, especially men, grow older, hair loss is very common. For some, it is totally acceptable as it is a part of the ageing process. For many, however, it shatters the self-confidence and tarnishes the image.
Thanks to the advancement in cosmetic surgery, hair transplant can help those with receding hairline gain their confidence again. The result is permanent and looks natural, all within an affordable budget which is considered highly cost-effective considering its lifetime result.
When done right, a hair transplant surgery can produce life long results that are so natural that even hair stylists cannot detect them. When done wrong, however, the whole procedure is nothing but a total waste of money and time. Choosing to have hair transplant surgery is an appearance-changing decision so you need to think it through very carefully and make sure the result will turn out the way you have in mind. This calls for experienced doctors who not only care about their own economic interests but also the interest of the patients.
The skill and technique of hair restoration surgeons vary widely, as do their hair transplant results. It is very important that you take the time to educate yourself about both the hair transplant procedure and the physician who will perform surgery. This will help to ensure that you have a safe procedure and that you achieve the best possible cosmetic result.
Lifelong hair follicles are found in good supply in virtually all men, even severely bald men. These lifelong hairs are concentrated in a horseshoe-shaped area at the very back of the head. This region is called the "donor area". The hair transplantation surgeon takes excess hairs - follicles and all - from this plentiful area and relocate them to thinning and balding spots on the top or front of the head.
Carefully prepared follicular unit grafts contain a minimum of excess scalp tissue and are very tiny, compact structures. As a result, the grafts fit into very small incisions that produce very little pain to the scalp. And because the follicular unit hair transplant procedure replicates the way hair grows naturally, it produces natural-looking results.
The procedure is time-consuming and requires the gentlest touch so as to avoid damaging each follicular unit. And since a patient's donor tissue is limited, it takes a skilled and experienced surgeon to know how to achieve the fullest coverage for each person.
It is crucial to bear in mind the fact that a hair transplant cannot be completed in a single session. Generally speaking, two sessions are required to provide good coverage of an area. The number of transplants differs enormously from one patient to another, and even from one physician to another.
About the Author: Dr Pichet Rodchareon writes for Bangkok Plastic Surgery Clinic, center of plastic and cosmetic surgery based in Bangkok, Thailand.
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