IS HAIR TRANSPLANT PERMANTENT

DR. ANAND KUMAR NAGWANI M.B.B.S., M.S., M.Ch. (PLASTIC & COSMETIC SURGEON) CALCUTTA COSMO AID

IS HAIR TRANSPLANT PERMANTENT?

Hair Restoration Surgery ď‚— In male, male pattern baldness also known as

Androgenetic alopecia (baldness) is the most common type of hair loss characterized by progressive thinning of the scalp hair and a reduction in hair density and diameter.

HAIR TRANSPLANT  Hair transplant is a technique in which a bald person can again get back his/her hairs.  Person will need a “DAY CARE” surgery.  A qualified Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon performed this surgery.

ď‚— First documented hair transplant was in 1939 by a

Japanese Doctor. ď‚— So this surgery has a long way to reach modern hair transplant.

Techniques of Hair transplant  Medically only two techniques are present in medical literature.  FUT – follicular unit transplant also known as strip method.  FUE – Follicular unit extraction also known as stitch less method.  Combination of FUT AND FUE.  Rest all you heard and seen on different media are various name of above written

medical terms.

Donor and recipient area.  Recipient area is where we have to implant hair follicle. These are usually frontal

vertex and crown area.  Donor area is from where we are taking hair follicles by FUT/FUE method.  Hairs at donor area are androgenic insensitive so they are used for hair transplant at bald area.

DONOR AREA ď‚— By studies it defined the average total permanent donor area as 150-200 square cm. ď‚— Mean Follicular Unit density in Indian population in the donor area varies 100hairs/cm square to 170 hairs per cm square.

The donor area described by Rassman and Carson has three significant boundaries. The anterior boundary is vertically superior to that of the external ear. The superior boundary is located 2cm above the upper border of the helical rim of the horizontal plane, whereas the inferior border of the donor area is slightly controversial as it may move upward with the passage of time. The most crucial and clinically critical standard for determining a safe donor area is the superior border.

For FUT, a strip of skin along with hair follicles are taken which may have up to 5000 follicles at one sitting depends upon donor area density.

 For FUE - Recommend 25% extraction in the first sitting

means safely we can go 2500 to 3000 follicle depends upon donor area density.  And extraction of 25% of the remaining hairs in the second

sitting, which usually after 6 months.  Making a total of 25% + 18.75% [0.25×75] = 43.75%.  Usually average 4000 follicles in two sittings.

Extraction from extended donor (relatively nonpermanent nature) area should be carried out only after explaining the patient.

 Recipient area in which most important part is hair line.

 Hair lines are different for male and female.  Male having roughly “M” shaped hair line.  Female having smooth hair line is “oval” shaped.

Important points for permanent hair transplant.  Which method a bald person is choosing?  Why method is important?

Answer  FUT, donor always lies in permanent hair or safe zone.

 FUE most of the time or because of need or desire of patient for more number of

hair follicles surgeon will go to extended donor area which is relatively nonpermanent and ultimately leads to loss of hair in recipient area.

Answer  Hope my explanation is clear to all.  Because of choosy procedure may lead to non permanent result.  In my opinion person should consult a qualified surgeon who knowns both the

techniques.  Let him to give advice and than decide.  For permanent results many factors are important.