A hair transplant is a popular procedure that can effectively restore hair to any area of the scalp. The final result will be available about one year after surgery, but the transplanted hair is permanent and will grow for a lifetime. To individuals with thinning hair, the thought of having fuller hair again is so attractive, that a hair transplant has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures of our time. So what are the options when it comes to hair transplantation? There is more then one way to have a hair transplant.
While there are many different techniques and variations when it comes to the art of hair transplantation, the two most common ones are the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) hair transplant and the Strip hair transplant. These are by far the two methods that are most frequently performed. While the insertion technique for the hair follicles with these two methods is very similar, it is the extraction method of the hairs that differs quite a lot. With the FUE, hair follicles are removed individually from the scalp, one by one, and then re-inserted into areas where hair is needed. With the Strip, a strip of hair bearing skin is removed from the back of the scalp, from where after the wound is closed up and hair follicles are dissected and transferred to other areas.
Both the FUE procedure and the Strip method have their pros and cons. The FUE hair transplant is a gentle approach that does not require any stitches, but is on the other side pricey and time consuming. The Strip can be time and cost efficient, but there is a concern regarding the scar on the back of the scalp. A hair transplant doctor can certainly recommend one method over the other based on the client’s conditions, but the final choice is often up to the client. A person who is looking for a minimally invasive procedure may want to consider the FUE, while an individual who want to get the most bang for their buck can think about whether a Strip would be right for them.
In addition to the FUE and the Strip there are a few other methods of hair transplantation that are still performed today, but they are rare. These methods include scalp flaps and scalp reductions and are so invasive that most doctors have abandoned them. In addition, they don’t produce the most natural looking results. This ultimately means that someone considering a hair transplant today should choose between the FUE and the Strip method. Going on a couple of consultations at different hair transplant clinics would be wise before making a final decision. And when it comes to finding a good hair transplant doctor, there are certainly different ways to go about it, but searching the database of the IAHRS (International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons) would be an excellent choice.
