Hair Transplant Procedures Evolve

Minneapolis, MN - The concept for hair transplant originated in Japan in 1939 when a dermatologist named Dr. Okuda created a method for transporting or grafting hair from one place on the scalp to another, much the same way hair transplants are performed today. In the 1950's another physician performed similar experiments, moving bald resistant hairs to balding areas. The transplanted hairs seemed to retain their traits, resisting balding. This principle became known as “donor dominance” and laid a foundation for today's hair transplant methodology.

In the 60's and 70's, punch grafts became standard and hair transplants were often easy to notice given the large replacement units of hairs bunched together. As techniques became more refined, mini- and micrografts involving not large round units of hair, but perhaps 4 - 8 hairs at a time were transplanted, giving a more natural look. Today, follicle unit transplant is the method used which is even more labor-intensive than micrografting. This method transplants one, two, or three hairs at a time to the front of the scalp and they are placed in such a way as natural hair grows. Instead of replanting 50 - 200 hairs per session, doctors now replant thousands. This gives the hair a more natural, feathered look.

Hair transplant procedures can cost between $3000 and $9000, depending on the extent of baldness. There are some risks involved, including scarring and blood clotting. There is also the slight chance that the grafting won't “take.” General anesthesia is rarely used and local anesthesia presents low risks.

After the surgery, doctors often prescribe some medication for pain. Bandages, if used, will often be removed the following day. Patients should avoid strenuous activities for approximately 10 days to avoid stress and bleeding. Several follow-up visits should be planned to ensure properly healing is commencing.

What causes hair loss? It's all genetics. But unlike commonly held beliefs that the genes come directly from a mother's father, genes for baldness come from both sides of a family and may have randomly skipped one or two generations. Baldness is also not at all related to hair care.

For more information, visit http://www.hair-transplant-center.com

This release was published on openPR.