Is hair restoration really real?
Given the choice and opportunity, the vast majority of men and women will opt for having a good head of hair. The term hair restoration covers a wide range of topics and treatment options. Is hair restoration really real can result in many different answers. Modern man has searched for a hair loss cure for as long as hair loss has existed. There have been many hair restoration guarantees as well as cures and wonder treatments, promising not only to reverse hair loss but also improve confidence and self-esteem.
Along with androgenic alopecia and genetic hair loss, by far the most common hair loss condition is male pattern baldness (MPB). MPB affects the majority of men in adult life to some degree. From minor hairline or crown thinning to advanced hair loss over the entire top of the head, resulting in a band of hair around the back and sides of the head. This hair is genetically strong and immune from the male pattern hair loss gene.
How high are your expectations?
As individuals, we have our own goals and expectations from hair restoration, and these can change over time. Age is a good balance of emotions and for seeing aspects in a different light. Younger men often naturally have greater insecurities about how others see them. This may be true to a lesser degree for older men who are often more comfortable in their skin. That said, hair loss cuts through the age barriers, genre, financial status, societies, and cultures.
Hair loss and hair restoration is, for many, a very personal issue. Is hair restoration real largely depends on its ability to meet the goals and expectations of the individual. A younger man may still have vivid memories of their strong, healthy hairline. They may wish to reverse their look back to a pre-hair loss stage. Expectations need to be realistic. For example, although a low, rounded adolescent hairline looks fine on a younger man it would not suit the facial features of someone older. Planning your hair restoration is important to ensure that your hair looks natural over time.
Is hair restoration real?
The Norwood scale (NW) depicts the stages of male pattern baldness from minor to advanced hair loss patterns. Hair restoration specialists commonly use the NW scale as a guide to categorise the current and to predict a potential future hair loss stage. It has been known for many years that it is possible to move some of the genetically healthy hair follicles around the back and sides of the head.
Genetically strong hair follicles are known as “donor hairs” and they are located in the region named the “safe donor zone”. The safe donor zone has traditionally been the scalp. In recent years the safe donor zone has expanded to other body areas. To cite an article on Business Wire, “According to the survey conducted by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHR) in 2017, the scalp was the most common donor harvest site (93.7%), followed by the beard (6.4%) and chest (3.2%).” The hair follicles in the safe zone carry one very important trait – they maintain their genetic fingerprint. They continue to grow naturally and display no signs of male pattern baldness.
21st-century hair restoration
Follicular unit (FU) grafting is the most refined form of donor hair transplantation. Removing natural follicular units requires great surgical skills. Follicular unit grafting for the first time uses these intact, natural groups of hairs, from 1-4 hairs in each group to best mimic nature and a natural growing head of hair. For example, single hair units are used on the hairline, two are used behind, then three and four hair units are used to increase the hair density.
Refined surgical skills along with an artistic eye allow the high- density placement of the natural hair units over the head. The density required alters on the area, the hair characteristics and the size of the hair units used.
The units need to be placed with precise direction and orientation. Making it impossible to differentiate from a person’s naturally growing hair. As the basis of a hair transplant works because of the illusion of density, it is not possible to replace like for like hair loss.
The two recognised follicular unit grafting techniques used today are Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). They differ in their donor hair management styles of hair removal. The best hair restoration specialists offer both to their patients. Some candidates suit both FUE or FUT, some, one or the other.
Artistry: the difference between “ok” and “WOW”
What is the difference between a great artist and painting by numbers? It’s an innate skill that is hard to put your finger on. In the case of a hair transplant, the beauty is in its look; so natural that it’s impossible to distinguish it from the individual’s naturally-growing hair. Artistry exceeds textbooks, if a doctor relies on a textbook, they are merely an imitator and not an artist. All results will look similar and not personal, not created or designed for the individual. This one aspect can make the difference between a WOW result and a just an “ok” hair transplant.
Artistry and surgical skills are aspects that make a hair transplant individual. Doctor-performed bespoke hair restoration and lesser refined versions, often performed by unqualified low-cost staff. There is a wide gap between these two styles of hair transplantation. To the point, it can alter the perception is hair restoration real. Understanding the technical boundaries of a hair transplant today is important. As is having realistic expectations for your hair restoration. Importantly finding a Clinic and Doctor that can meet your high expectations. That can deliver a hair transplant that mimics nature. Be it rebuilding a thinning hairline to restoring areas of advanced hair loss.
Start to search for your real hair restoration
Being individuals with different goals and expectations it´s vital to find a Clinic that can deliver natural results you will be happy with. Variations in hairline designs and hair distribution can result in perfectly natural hair restoration. A good start is to request an online consultation. This means that you can review the opinions of clinics and their recommendations in the comfort of your own home.
