Over the past few decades, there have been several different types of hair transplants, also referred to as hair replacement surgeries. Some of these hair transplant procedures are no longer performed because of newer technologies and methodologies.
Before you move forward with this life-transforming procedure, it would be helpful to you and your doctor to familiarize yourself with the available options based on your specific needs and decide which is best for you.
The Major Hair Replacement Surgeries
Scalp Reduction
In this procedure, a small scalp area is removed, and a nearby piece of skin containing healthy follicles is extended over the bald spot and stitched into place.
Scalp reduction was once the most popular form of hair transplantation but has since been replaced by more modern methods.
Flap Surgery
This surgery is performed in stages over several weeks. The surgeon cuts around the donor area (where the healthy follicles are growing) on three sides, and the fourth side is extended over the bald spot and then stitched into place.
Like Scalp Reduction, Flap Surgery is rarely performed today and has been replaced by more effective, far less invasive techniques.
Tissue Expansion
This surgery is meant for severe baldness or baldness caused by burn injuries and involves several factors:
- The surgeon inserts a balloon-shaped implant called a “tissue expander” under a part of the scalp where hair is still growing.
- Over the next few weeks, the tissue expander is gradually inflated to stretch the skin.
- The surgeon then covers the bald area with the extended skin.
Hair Grafting
Hair Transplantation – or Hair Grafting – has replaced most other techniques – it is faster, safer, and gets the best results. There are two industry-leading procedures for hair grafting:
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
Follicular Unit Extraction involves trimming the back of the patient’s head – with the patient under local anesthesia, the surgeon collects individual hair follicles from the shaven area. Tiny incisions are made in the scalp, and the individual follicles harvested from the shaven area are inserted into the incisions. The surgical site is then bandaged or covered with gauze.
A Manual FUE is performed by a physician using a hand-held device to extract the individual hair follicles. The robotic FUE procedure uses an automated hair transplant device guided by a physician. In this procedure, the doctor only selects the follicles to be transplanted and grafted; the robot does the actual harvesting.
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
The FUT procedure, performed entirely with the patient under local anesthesia, involves removing a strip of scalp from the back of the patient’s head; the area is then closed with stitches. The surgeon divides the strip into smaller sections and isolates the hair follicles. These smaller pieces are the grafts that will be used to transplant hair.
With a surgical needle or blade and a microscope, the surgeon makes tiny holes in the patient’s scalp where the grafts are to be transplanted – the grafts are inserted directly into the holes.
Finally, the surgical site is covered with gauze or bandages.
Are You a Candidate for Hair Replacement Surgery?
If you meet any of these criteria, then you may be a candidate for hair transplant surgery:
- Are in good general health?
- Have retained some areas of healthy hair growth on your scalp?
- Are realistic about the results of hair replacement surgery?
Dr. Aronovitz has the training, qualifications, expert staff, and modern facilities needed to ensure that you have a safe, successful hair replacement experience. Schedule a consultation today!