Before delving into the pros and cons of hair transplant surgery, I would like to say something about its origins. All through history, hair loss has been a widespread concern for both men and women. Hair loss is an innate course of action that every 2 out of 3 men and 1 out of 5 women suffer from. In general, about 60% of men are genetically expected to lose hair while women lose hair for the most part owing to hormonal changes. At one time, individuals tried to hide their hair loss by covering the changes. They used sophisticated wigs, toupees or other hair systems that were attached to or woven into their hair to hide the observable loss. These techniques were only short-term and were frequently caused a great source of embarrassment to the one using them.
How Hair Transplant Surgery Started Off
In the late 1940s, the first hair transplant surgery technique was discovered. The "punch method" consisted in moving large clusters of hairs from the back of the head, where normally hair is genetically programmed to grow for the entire lifetime, to the areas of the top and front which required hair. Nevertheless, the punch method was short-term and resulted in poor endurance of the transplanted hair plus agonizing harm to the nerves or arteries providing blood to the scalp. Furthermore, there was also palpable scarring in the region from where hair was removed or replaced, which was very visible to the naked eye.
Methods to Avoid
Before going through hair transplant surgery there are some things to consider. Punch grafting should be completely superseded. This approach caused as much harm as it did good and the final results were aesthetically debatable. Other techniques to avoid are scalp reductions and flaps. Both of these methods engage cutting and removing parts of the scalp resulting in painful, mutilating scars. There has also been cases of nerve damage stated by patients who had undergone these methods. While fewer surgeons opt for these techniques today others actually recommend them. Of course this is a personal choice but my advice is easy whether you use these services or not. Avoid them. You are better off not having any hair transplant surgery procedure than one which can scar you physically and emotionally.
The Role of Drugs in Hair Restoration
When deciding whether to have hair transplant surgery or opt for drugs in hair restoration, there are some things here to consider too. Drugs are at best a dicey, short term and frequently unsuccessful approach. Rogaine and Propecia are the only FDA approved drugs for hair loss.
Rogaine was in the beginning used as a medication for high blood pressure, so its main function is NOT the restoration of hair, but simply a side effect of its main function.
Rogaine can grow a tiny amount of baby hair within the crown area; it has no actual effect at all on frontal baldness, whereas hair transplant surgery can cope with this situation. Furthermore, lifetime use of Rogaine is required in order for it to work. If discontinued, all new hair growth will be lost. Plus, like every drug, it does have some side effects. And last but not least, if you need other medications for any reason you might have to stop Rogaine anyway. So, the results are truly transitory.
Propecia, on the other hand, was originally used to treat prostate enlargement, and in hair restoration it slows down the balding process while growing some hair. Propecia works best for people who are just starting to lose their hair. If you are in the very early stages of hair loss, and after your situation has been evaluated by a physician, he might recommend and prescribe Propecia, but, and we must stress, only if it is appropriate for your needs.
Concluding I think at the end of the day, finding the right hair transplant surgery methods for your personal are very much better and longer lasting than drug intervention. There are a lot of companies out there online that offer these services and I'm sure they can give you the right advice for your needs.
How Hair Transplant Surgery Started Off
In the late 1940s, the first hair transplant surgery technique was discovered. The "punch method" consisted in moving large clusters of hairs from the back of the head, where normally hair is genetically programmed to grow for the entire lifetime, to the areas of the top and front which required hair. Nevertheless, the punch method was short-term and resulted in poor endurance of the transplanted hair plus agonizing harm to the nerves or arteries providing blood to the scalp. Furthermore, there was also palpable scarring in the region from where hair was removed or replaced, which was very visible to the naked eye.
Methods to Avoid
Before going through hair transplant surgery there are some things to consider. Punch grafting should be completely superseded. This approach caused as much harm as it did good and the final results were aesthetically debatable. Other techniques to avoid are scalp reductions and flaps. Both of these methods engage cutting and removing parts of the scalp resulting in painful, mutilating scars. There has also been cases of nerve damage stated by patients who had undergone these methods. While fewer surgeons opt for these techniques today others actually recommend them. Of course this is a personal choice but my advice is easy whether you use these services or not. Avoid them. You are better off not having any hair transplant surgery procedure than one which can scar you physically and emotionally.
The Role of Drugs in Hair Restoration
When deciding whether to have hair transplant surgery or opt for drugs in hair restoration, there are some things here to consider too. Drugs are at best a dicey, short term and frequently unsuccessful approach. Rogaine and Propecia are the only FDA approved drugs for hair loss.
Rogaine was in the beginning used as a medication for high blood pressure, so its main function is NOT the restoration of hair, but simply a side effect of its main function.
Rogaine can grow a tiny amount of baby hair within the crown area; it has no actual effect at all on frontal baldness, whereas hair transplant surgery can cope with this situation. Furthermore, lifetime use of Rogaine is required in order for it to work. If discontinued, all new hair growth will be lost. Plus, like every drug, it does have some side effects. And last but not least, if you need other medications for any reason you might have to stop Rogaine anyway. So, the results are truly transitory.
Propecia, on the other hand, was originally used to treat prostate enlargement, and in hair restoration it slows down the balding process while growing some hair. Propecia works best for people who are just starting to lose their hair. If you are in the very early stages of hair loss, and after your situation has been evaluated by a physician, he might recommend and prescribe Propecia, but, and we must stress, only if it is appropriate for your needs.
Concluding I think at the end of the day, finding the right hair transplant surgery methods for your personal are very much better and longer lasting than drug intervention. There are a lot of companies out there online that offer these services and I'm sure they can give you the right advice for your needs.
