It wasn’t too long ago that your only choice for dealing with hair loss or thinning hair was a toupee or a wig. Today, there are many options for those who are experiencing hair loss, including hair restoration surgery. While this may not be a great choice for everyone, for others, the results are well worth any disadvantage.
What Is Hair Restoration Surgery?
Hair restoration surgery has come a long way in just the last few years. From hair plugs to complete micrografts, the major benefit of this surgery is that it provides permanent results. This treatment usually involves several procedures, but it will all start with an evaluation of the donor area of the scalp. This is usually on the back or on the sides of the head. Normally, this area is “preprogrammed” not to shed hair. However, there does need to be enough hair in this area for there to be a successful surgery.
Once the evaluation is complete and the patient is given the go-ahead for the surgery, a small section of tissue is removed from the back of the head. This section is placed under high magnification and each follicle is removed. These single follicles are placed in the areas of hair loss. This is somewhat of an artistic procedure, as the angles at which the follicles are placed will have an impact on the overall results. This helps create a natural hairline, which is very important.
Larger sections of follicles are placed behind this area, as this will provide more volume and density for those areas that have more hair loss. Each patient will require a different strategy in order to obtain the best results.
The Costs of Hair Restoration Surgery
This is not an inexpensive hair loss treatment. Each follicle or “plug” can cost between $3 and $10. The overall cost will depend on how much of the scalp will need the procedure. The minimum costs usually begin around $4,000 and can run as high as $10,000. However, because this is a permanent solution for hair loss and thinning hair, the costs are quite worth it to many people.
Is This an Option for Women?
Current hair restoration option is effective only for men; unfortunately, most women will not be able to have this surgery. This is because men tend to lose their hair in a pattern, Women, on the other hand, tend to have thinning hair all over the scalp. This makes hair restoration surgery ineffective for most women. There are other treatment options for women, though, that are quite effective. These include minoxidil, a topical solution treatment, and laser hair restoration treatments.
A Final Thought
Hair restoration surgery is a permanent and effective means of treating male hair loss. The costs are rather high, but the results are very impressive. It wasn’t long ago that the only options were for a man to wear a toupee. With all of the advancements in hair loss treatments, you have a choice in how to prevent hair loss and regrow your hair. A hair restoration surgeon will be able to explain this procedure in detail, including the risks.