Hair loss affects both men and also women, who often go for surgical replacement of hair. Hair loss is an inevitable process, particularly with age. The average person loses about 100 strands of hair a day. Yet, true hair loss does occur when someone suffers from thinning or even bald patches on their respective scalp.
Hair loss is indeed often hereditary, but it can also be due to hormonal changes, medical conditions, or even just normal aging.
When treating hair loss, it all comes down to personal preference. Few people decide to let it run its course, while others might try to cover it up. This can rather be done with hairstyles or even treatments that prevent further hair loss or even help restore growth.
What is surgical hair replacement?
The most common surgical hair replacement procedure happens to be a surgical hair transplant. It does involve removing healthy hair follicles from one part of the body to another area that is bald or even balding.
There are in fact two main techniques: the first is follicular unit transplantation (FUT), and the second is follicular unit extraction (FUE).
Pro: Surgical Hair Replacement Looks Natural and is Permanent
Hair loss or even baldness can affect a person’s self-esteem. While, of course, there are several reasons to go the non-surgical way, when it does come to confidence, surgical hair replacement will no doubt provide the biggest boost. This is so, as surgical hair replacement is the most natural and permanent option.
With a more permanent option such as a surgical hair transplant, there is no fear of losing a wig or even a toupee while swimming or exercising. Once the procedure is over and recovery is complete, then the patient can lead his or her life the normal way. No regular maintenance or even upkeep is required, and the results do last a lifetime. Since the donor is usually the recipient, the hair does look completely natural.
Con: Surgical Hair Replacement is Expensive
The cost associated with hair transplant surgery does vary depending upon the doctor and clinic where the surgery is indeed performed. Hair transplants are not often covered by medical insurance.
Pro: Surgical Hair Replacement Promotes Growth of Natural Hair
Hair transplants do work with healthy hair follicles, which means they retain their genetic resistance to the effects of dihydrotestosterone, which is an active form of testosterone in the body’s tissues. After hair transplantation, it will continue to grow and will not be susceptible to hair loss.
Because the hair that is implanted tends to continue to grow for its entire lifecycle, there is typically no follow-up treatment or maintenance required.
Con: Surgical Hair Replacement Can Lead to Infection
Similar to any surgical procedure, there are few risks involved. Hair transplants do mean the risk of infection or hemorrhaging. While the chances of this happening are indeed relatively low, there is still a risk.
The best way for patients in order to avoid this is to follow the strict instructions and guidelines of their doctor. If they are indeed able to do so, the risk of infection is highly unlikely. If an infection or bleeding does occur, they can often be treated.
Pro: No Specialized Treatment or Maintenance Needed
Unlike nonsurgical hair transplant procedures that require consumers to continue buying or replacing products, there’s no maintenance after a hair transplant surgery. The hair that was implanted will continue to grow for its entire lifecycle. Again, most of the time, the donor is also the recipient, so the hair also looks completely natural.
Con: Hair Loss Can Continue After Surgical Hair Replacement
Even though hair transplant surgery does result in the regrowth of natural hair, continued hair loss is still a risk. The risk is indeed very low. In a few cases, the transplanted hair does fall out with no signs of regrowth.
Conclusion
Surgical hair replacement can be thought of as having more hair on one’s head.
