Non-surgical Hair Replacement versus Follicular Unit Transplantation
Non-surgical hair replacement encompasses the employment of hair extensions and wigs to cover the areas of hair loss. The advantages of their use include little pain or discomfort, as much density as desired, not limited by donor availability, and non-invasive application. It is the only available option for patients with active scarring alopecia, and alopecia areata, including alopecia totalis and universalis and anagen effluvium secondary to both chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The main disadvantages are unnatural appearance, requirement of maintenance and limitations of active live styles. The main problem is usually an unnatural hairline. The hairline problem is made worst with wind turbulence, which tends to want to lift the hairpiece. Wind and water are usually unwelcome because they usually expose the system’s base or matrix. Their use also requires a commitment to a regular maintenance schedule. As the patient’s hair grows, both a system that is attached and the hair extension will get loose and start to gain movement.
Follicular unit transplantation offers the most natural results because this is what occurs naturally in the scalp. It restores your hairline, with your own natural hair, so it requires no special maintenance, it is totally natural. The wind and water pose little concern, since it is your own hair; there is nothing to hide.
Occasionally, a patient committed to a hair system will desire the restoration of the hairline with follicular unit transplantation. This makes much sense when donor is in limited supply and the patient desires maximal density. The patient gains a natural hairline and gains coverage of the remaining alopecic areas with the hair systems.
Master hair system specialists can be of great assistance in transitioning patients undergoing surgical hair restoration out of their hair systems through employing progressively smaller systems as their natural hair grows in. For those that do not belief that bald is beautiful, surgical follicular unit transplantation offers very natural results.
Nonsurgical hair replacement is an option for the donor challenged or those who are afflicted with receptive site dominant skin disorders, such as scarring alopecias and alopecia areata, and of course those that do not wish to undergo an invasive procedure.
