Men’s Fitness magazine is known for providing American males with expert insight on how to work hard, play harder, and look their absolute best. This month, the publication released a special article on the 6 best ways to reverse the signs of hair loss. Hair replacement surgery topped that list, with experts naming it the “best fix by far for replacing lost hair,” (i).
Today’s hair replacement surgery differs drastically from the original procedures on the 1980s, the article warns. Formerly, hair replacement produced results that resembled cornrows, giving the procedure the nickname “hair plugs.”
Today, however, hair replacement surgery has evolved into a highly refined procedure that creates results so natural, nearly 85% of people cannot tell when it has been performed (ii).
Surgical Hair Replacement for Men and Women
Today, men and women have two primary options for hair replacement surgery. The first is referred to as Strip Donor Procedure. The second is newer and more advanced, known as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).
Starting at the Beginning. Before a patient chooses between Strip Donor and FUE procedures, it is vital that a hair loss evaluation be conducted to diagnose the cause of hair loss and develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
The Strip Donor Procedure vs. FUE
The Strip Donor Procedure is the older and more traditional of the two treatment protocols. Prior to the procedure, the surgeon identifies an area from which donor hair will be removed. Hair is then surgical removed in a long, thin strip.
Upon removal, the surgeon divides the strip of hair into small clusters of hairs, called follicular units. This process is one of the many nuances that make today’s transplant procedures more natural than those of the past. By dividing donor hair into small, almost microscopic clusters, hair can be transplanted with greater aesthetic detail that recreates the appearance of natural hair.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) differs from the Strip Donor Procedure in one major way: Donor hair is not surgically removed in a linear strip. Instead, individual follicular units are removed with a special punch instrument that measures between 1-2mm in diameter, which is about the size of the tip of a pen. The surgeon then transplants hair by hand, paying close attention to the patient’s natural hair density, undulation, thickness, and randomness.
There are 2 main reasons patients choose FUE over Strip Donor. Unlike traditional Strip procedures, FUE does not leave a linear scar following the extraction of donor hair. This enables patients to wear their hair shorter with almost no sign of scarring (though if the head is completely shaved, small, circular red dots might be visible). Second, FUE has a faster turnaround time compared to Strip procedures, mostly because extraction is less invasive. Whereas Strip procedures are associated with a recovery time of 10 days or more, patients are almost fully recovered from a FUE procedure after just 3-5 days.
Learn More About Hair Replacement Surgery in Miami
Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment provide the best chance of restoring hair to its naturally full, resilient, and beautiful state. To learn more about surgical hair replacement, schedule a hair loss evaluation online. Our team represents South Florida’s finest surgeons, registered nurses, and technicians, each of whom hold your pursuit of a fuller head of hair in the highest regard.
Readers may also call our Institute at 305.925.0222 to speak directly with a member of our team.
Sources:
(i) “6 Best Fixes for Hair Loss.” Men’s Health Magazine. Accessed 20 October 2013.
(ii) “2010 Hair Transplant Challenge Survey.” International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery. Accessed 17 June 2013.