Hair transplant
Definition
A hair transplant is a surgical procedure to improve baldness.
Description
During a hair transplant, a physician moves hairs from an area of thick growth to bald areas.
Most hair transplants are performed in an office setting under local anesthesia. You should only experience minimal pain. After thoroughly cleaning the scalp, the surgeon uses small needles to numb an area where there is normal hair growth on the back of the scalp. A portion of the hairy scalp is then removed with a scalpel and set aside. The scalp is sewn closed.
Small groups of hairs, or individual hairs, are separated out from the removed scalp using a magnifying lens and sharp blade. The area that will receive these healthy hairs (usually the front of the scalp) is cleaned and numbed with more small needles.
Finally, tiny holes are made in the front of the scalp. Healthy hairs are delicately placed in the holes. During a single treatment session, hundreds or even thousands of hairs may be transplanted.
Risks
Risks from any surgical procedure include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
Other risks that can occur with this procedure:
- Scarring
- Unnatural-looking tufts of new hair growth (more common with older techniques)
It is possible that the transplanted hair won't look as good as you had desired.
Hair transplant patients should be healthy, or surgery is less likely to be safe and successful. Always discuss your risks and options with your physician before undergoing any elective surgery.
Reviewed By: David A. Lickstein, MD, FACS, specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
