The history of hair transplant starts back in 1800s. But the modern techniques were developed after 1930s. The first modern method is called FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) which consists of removing out a strip from the donor area and implanting the removed hair follicles back to the recipient area. After 1950s, hair transplant became a proper and accepted treatment thanks to Dermatologist Norman Orentreich’s studies.
Who can have a hair transplant?
Hair transplant is mostly preferred by men due to genetic coding which causes the hair loss. On the other hand even if women have different hormonal system, they can experience hair loss and can have hair transplant as well.
Besides, it is also possible to perform a hair transplant if the patient has a scar tissue due to an accident. In this case it turns into both aesthetical and medical treatment.
What are the causes of hair loss?
Genetics play the biggest role in hair loss; but with age, physical traumas or medical disorders hair loss can also occur. No matter what the cause is, if the patient has enough donor capacity, it is possible to perform hair transplant procedure. It can be performed not only for scalp, but also mustache, beard or any body part that hair is needed/desired.
How is hair transplant performed?
The main aim of hair transplant is to extract a certain amount of hair from the donor area, and implant them to the recipient area – where hair is needed. Once your hair is extracted to be transplanted, it is called “graft”.
Donor area is essentially the area on the back of your head – between two ears. However, if the back of your head does not have the sufficient density & capacity, it is also possible to extract chest hair, beard etc. We always prefer extracting from the back of the head, as they are much more resistent against hair loss. It is even possible to extract arm or leg hair, but not the ideal option as they are not as strong & think as others.
There are two methods of extraction of the hair follicles. The most modern one is called FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) In this technique, follicular units are extracted individually by micromotor or manual punch devices. For more information please visit our “FUE” page.
The other extraction method is called FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) This method is rather old, and is not considered practical nowadays as it requires a strip of skin removal which creates a permanent scarring on the back of the head.
For the last few years, there have been new methods of “implantation”, however all these methods are a continuation of FUE method, as the follicles are implanted one by one.
- Percutaneous (Slit or Sapphire Blades): In order to implant the follicles, incisions (canals) need to be made with a blade. This blade can either be metal slits or sapphire blades. Click here for more information…
- DHI Method: In this method there is no pre-made incisions. Follicles are placed with an implanter pen. Click here for more information…
- Robotic Method: There are many developments for robotic hair transplantation but the most widely known is ARTAS brand devices. It is carried out under doctor’s supervision. The biggest disadvantage of this method is that it works very slow so it extracts a limited amount of grafts. It is quite pricey.