| ransplant surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic | | | | One of the main advantages to FUSS is that it allows |
| procedures chosen by men today. | | | | many grafts to be transplanted in one session (i.e. up |
| A hair transplant is when hair in an area that is not | | | | to 4000) so the results can be dramatic. While your |
| prone to balding (such as the sides and back of your | | | | surgeon can recommend which method is best for |
| head) is taken and transplanted into the balding or | | | | you, in general, the FUSS method works well for |
| thinning areas. This hair then continues to grow | | | | medium to large areas of balding. |
| throughout your lifetime and can give you a full head of | | | | #2) FUE - Follicular Unit Extraction |
| natural looking hair. | | | | This is a new technique that a few surgeons are |
| A hair transplant is the only real permanent solution for | | | | starting to offer. It mainly consists of harvesting each |
| hair loss and balding. However it is a big decision to | | | | hair follicule separately from the back and sides of the |
| make and you should have all the facts before | | | | head (that aren't prone to thinning). Then each follicule |
| deciding to have hair transplant surgery. | | | | is transplanted into the balding area. There is no scalpel |
| So just what are your surgery options? Here's a brief | | | | cutting or any deep surgery with this method. |
| review of the different types of procedures offered | | | | The scarring tends to be less when compared to the |
| by hair transplant surgeons. (Note that not all surgeons | | | | FUSS method. Also, according to some surgeons, the |
| offer all options.) | | | | recovery time can sometimes be shorter with the FUE |
| Options For Hair Transplant Surgery: | | | | method (because there isn't the deep surgery as with |
| In general there are 2 types of transplantation surgery: | | | | the FUSS). |
| The FUSS and the FUE method. | | | | While your surgeon can recommend which method is |
| Not all doctors perform the FUE method as it is fairly | | | | best for you, in general, the FUE method works well |
| new and much more time-consuming (as well as | | | | for those people who do not wish to have a scar, |
| expensive for the patient). | | | | don't need a lot of grafts, or who want to wear their |
| Some surgeons also offer scar repair surgery (which | | | | hair very short. |
| is surgery to improve the look of a previous hair | | | | 3) Other Procedures - Scalp Reduction |
| transplant scar) as well as hair transplant repair (for | | | | This surgery is much less common and fewer |
| example to fill in density on a formerly poor transplant | | | | surgeons still offer it. A scalp reduction is where areas |
| or to redo the hairline, etc.) Again, not all surgeons | | | | of balding are surgically removed with the rest of the |
| perform this type of surgery so you might have to | | | | scalp skin pulled together to eliminate the balding skin. |
| look around for specialists in each area. | | | | Depending on the size of the balding area, this is |
| Whichever procedure you choose will also depend on | | | | usually done in stages. |
| the extent of your personal needs. Your doctor can | | | | This is probably the most expensive procedure and |
| inform you of the risks, advantages and disadvantages | | | | can run you into the tens of thousands of dollars. Plus |
| of each method. | | | | there's also risks like tightness of your scalp leading to |
| #1) FUSS - Follicular Unit Strip Surgery | | | | thinning of the skin and improper scarring. |
| A narrow strip of hair is taken from the back of your | | | | Conclusion: |
| scalp (where you aren't prone to thinning). The grafts | | | | Whatever you decide to do, it's important to talk to |
| are then implanted into the balding area and most will | | | | your doctor before making any decisions about your |
| continue to grow throughout your lifetime. The donor | | | | health. Hair transplant surgery is always evolving and |
| area is closed up with sutures or staples. These will be | | | | improving so it's also important to interview as many |
| removed in several days or absorbed. | | | | surgeons as you can to get a good idea of what each |
| Depending on several factors (including the skill of your | | | | can do for you. |
| surgeon), only minimal scarring will occur in the donor | | | | Keep in mind that doing your research beforehand can |
| area and approximate downtime can run from 1 week | | | | ensure you get the most amazing, natural results that |
| to a month, depending on the situation. | | | | you want. |