History of Hair Transplantation

The practice of hair transplantation has gone through many stages of improvement, and raised two main branches - the area of surgical techniques and development tools domain. At present the results of surgery for the restoration of hair are stunning. Transplants can not be distinguished from naturally growing hair, even with close examination. Taking this into account, we would like to tell about the history of hair transplantation.

When Hair Transplant Began 

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Only a few people know that this area of medicine with us for many years. In 1939 a Japanese dermatologist, Dr. Okuda, described the use of cars - grafting. Meaning the operation for the correction of skin on his head, eyebrows, eyelashes and whiskers, suffers from alopecia, the hair grafts using. In addition to Okuda, while in Japan, similar experiments were carried out more physicians, but their publication (Sasagva 1929, Tamura - 1943) in the Japanese magazines have remained unknown.

Okuda, who has achieved the most impressive results was a military doctor and limited their experiments by those who suffered burns, which was especially important for Japan to lead an aggressive expansionist policy at the time. Unfortunately, Okuda was killed during the Second World War that prevented know about his experiences around the world.

Donor Dominance

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In the 1950s, doctors began to experiment - to move from the permanent zone of the follicles are not prone to complete loss of hair in problem areas. They wanted to know whether the follicles survive and for how long they will stay in the area of the recipient. Work is underway in Japan (Fadzhita - 1953). The results were positive! The term for this phenomenon - Donor Dominance. Hair follicle itself determines future survival, regardless of where it grows.
The next successor of the studies of hair transplantation in 1959 was Dr. Orentrik from New York. He used to work punch with which he cut the graft from the donor area and transferred it into a zone of alopecia. Punch this size was chosen as the best option for large amounts of hair transplantation, without subsequent loss of grafts due to lack of blood supply to the heart. Although punch and was optimal, the amount of hair on a graft was - 15 - 20. This, as you know, created an unnatural, puppet type transplants.

Separation Of Graft

Together with the concept of hair transplant physicians began to perform operations for cosmetic purposes. And like all first undertakings, they were far from perfect. Doctors have successfully transplanted hair from the side and back of the head, but the results left much to be desired.

Almost all of the operations carried out within ten years - from 1960 to 1970 - had similar results. Now, the term "doll head" to describe the grafts, which consisted of 15 - 25 hairs each? In addition, they were transplanted at a distance from each other. And the worst thing - they all stayed with the man.

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It was obvious that the procedures require dramatic improvements. And for several years, technology is changing. During the 80th consisting of 5 - 8 each hair, were regarded as an achievement. But, in fact, still remained small "patches". And, of course, some operations at that time began to include the hair restoration of the hairline with the same "patch". Unfortunately, some doctors still practice this technique transplant. Techniques have evolved gradually, and the grafts became smaller, and there's more. Currently, most doctors use grafts, which consist of 1 - 8 of hair, and the number of grafts per procedure varies from two hundred to eight hundred. Although it can be considered an improvement, but such grafts will still make little unnatural appearance.

In the late 80s, some doctors have tried to cut in half long grafts to give 7 - 10 hairs in each. In the early 90's they tried to cut it into four parts, ensuring receipt of 4 to 6 in each hair grafts.

Transplantation Follicular Connections

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The next stage in the development of techniques of hair transplantation is follicular micrografting connection - it has revolutionary implications for the treatment of many forms of hair loss. With this method, microscopic, living grafts, consisting of one, two, three or four hairs are transferred to any trouble spots. Due to the fact that they are transplanted in their original form, results were striking naturalness. Single grafts used for restoration of sight (front) line and create a natural bloom.

By the mid-90th Doctors transplanted grafts consisting of one, two, three or four hairs each and called micrografts. Finally, was taken into account the fact that the individual hairs grow in groups. They were called the term "follicular unit". Currently, many doctors are transplanted from one thousand to two thousand follicular unit during a single procedure.

Today, hair transplants can not be distinguished from the hair given to you by God. If you have questions about hair transplantation, we strongly recommend contacting a doctor who specializes only in hair transplantation. Try to contact the doctor who is a member of the International Society of Surgeons of hair transplantation.

Or you can also read the other good articles like Hair Transplants Useful Tips and Myths About Hair Transplants by Healthy Hair HighLights

Author:

Norma Weinberg, Ph.D.

Resources:

Dr. Orentrik (New York)
Dr. Okuda (Japan)
Hair Transplantation By James Arnold

Published Date: 11.09.2011