History of Hair Loss Treatments
Hair loss treatments have evolved significantly since the days of fast-talking con artists hawking potions and serums from suitcases in the early 20th century to the real science of surgical and non-surgical hair loss treatments taking place today.
Until the 1980s, non-surgical hair loss treatments were relegated to hair pieces and wigs. However, with the introduction of topical Minoxidil, many suffering from thinning hair finally had another option. Since then, other medications have also appeared in the market, though results vary from person to person.
Surprisingly, surgical hair loss treatments were being performed long before medications were developed. In fact, the Japanese pioneered the very first hair transplant method in the late 1930s. But in actuality, the modern era of hair transplantation in the western world was ushered in the late 1950s, when New York dermatologist Norman Orentreich began to experiment with free donor grafts to balding areas in patients with male pattern baldness. Until he was successful in transplanting hair that grew and thrived in other areas on the scalp, it had been thought that transplanted hair would thrive no more than the original hair at the "recipient" site. Dr. Orentreich demonstrated that such grafts were "donor dominant," meaning the new hairs grew and lasted just as they would have if they hadn't been transplanted. Refined by doctors from around the world in the succeeding decades, hair transplant surgeries became more common - and more natural looking. Below are just a few of the methods that at one time or another were used.
Skin Flaps/Scalp Reductions: This type of hair loss surgery involves extensive alteration of the scalp tissue. Results often look extremely unnatural, and may require undergoing extreme surgery.
Plugs: Hair is transplanted in larger groupings of as many as 10 follicular units. This type of hair loss surgery has a bad reputation for a very good reason. Hair plugs look like doll hair. Enough said.
Mini and Micrografts: Mini- and Micro-grafts are transplanted in larger groupings of 2-6 follicular units. This is a hair loss surgery method used to save time and money. The hair growth results are much less natural-looking, so although it might save you a few bucks, it'll cost you a better head of hair.
Microscopic Follicular Unit Hair Transplants: This method involves the use of high-powered stereo microscopes to divide the donor strip into its natural hair growth units - follicles containing 1 - 4 growing hairs. These are considered the gold standard in hair loss surgery technology, and the method used by Hair Club Medical GroupTM physicians.
Hair loss treatments continue to improve as technology advances. So you can rest assured that the hair restoration doctors of the Hair Club Medical GroupTM will continue to use the most advanced technologies in the industry to ensure every patient will look his or her very best.
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