By: Kathryn Whittaker
The best hair replacements for women are, of course, those that can significantly enhance their looks. As to the procedure used, depends on the degree of hair loss or balding that a woman has experienced. There are many hair replacement options for women to consider, including non-surgical options for light balding and surgical options for more severe cases of balding.
Non-surgical options include wigs and other types of hairpieces that can effectively cover up thinning hair. There are, however, disadvantages to using wigs. They can be uncomfortable and feel hot on the scalp, or may even fall off, causing embarrassment in public. Use of wigs may also cause further hair loss, and it can be quite expensive maintaining a wig as they need to be professionally styled to retain their appearance.
Because of the disadvantages of wearing fake hair pieces, women are increasingly considering surgical hair replacement procedures. Several different types of hair replacement methods are available: hair transplantation, flaps, tissue- expansion and scalp reduction. All of these methods are geared on covering up bald areas of the head.
Different hair replacement procedures explained
Flaps – This is one procedure that is used to create full, natural-looking frontal hair line from your own hair. This procedure has been performed for over 20 years and is considered safe. The "flap" is a large portion of hair-bearing skin which is transferred from the sides or back of the head to the balding area. The flap is then sewn into place while still attached to its original blood supply, ensuring that the hair will grow continuously and will hide any scars resulting from the procedure.
Plastic surgeons have developed a number of successful flap techniques which, combined with scalp reduction, result in better coverage of the crown. They also apply tissue expansion to provide better frontal coverage for a natural hairline.
Scalp reduction – This technique involves the removal of the skin from a balding area on the back of the head and then suturing the area, pulling the skin together. Although this may seem like a simple process, the surgery requires a doctor with specific training and experience in scalp reduction. This procedure requires local anesthesia, injected into the scalp, before the segment of bald scalp is removed.
The size and shape of the segment to be removed varies depending on the patient. In most cases, the surgeon removes a segment of the scalp in an inverted Y-shape; doctors will also sometimes excise pieces of scalp in the shaped of a U or a pointed oval, depending on the coverage that the individual requires.
Scalp Expansion – This procedure is very similar to scalp extension. Both procedures are done accommodate scalp reductions, especially in cases of a tight scalp. Scalp expansion is also used to prepare individuals for flap surgeries.
Tissue Expansion – This procedure is commonly used by plastic surgeons in reconstructive surgeries, to repair wounds that are caused by burning or injuries that have resulted in significant skin loss. The same procedure, when applied to hair replacement surgery, has resulted in impressive results where significant coverage is desired in a much shorter amount of time.
