Hair restoration surgery replaces hair where it has been lost or never existed. It includes hair transplant surgery and prosthetic hair fibre implantation. Hair restoration surgery is defined as a Level 1b invasive surgical procedure and, in the UK, it should only be performed by a doctor who is licenced to practice by the General Medical Council. It is usually performed under local anaesthetic.
Hair transplant surgery is one of the most common male cosmetic procedures and is usually requested for genetic male pattern hair loss. It is also requested by women with genetic female pattern hair loss or eyebrow hair loss and by male to female transgender patients wanting to create a feminine hairline.
It can be used for some dermatological conditions that cause alopecia (hair loss).
There are several ways of harvesting donor hair. Individual follicular units can be extracted using manual, motorised or robotic punch devices or a strip of skin can be removed from the scalp and dissected into individual follicular units. This later method leaves a linear surgical scar.
Hair transplant surgery should not be described as ‘painless’, ‘scarless’ or ‘non-invasive’ and it is not without risk. The general risks and complications of this surgery include bleeding, infection, pain, scarring and skin necrosis.
Hair restoration surgery must be performed in a Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered facility and the CQC licence should be clearly displayed for patients to see. In addition, all clinics advertising hair restoration surgery on their website should be CQC registered.
Side-effects can range from bruising and redness to the drooping of your face which is why we strongly advise studying the longer PDF attached here to fully understand the risks. We also recommend you discuss it with your JCCP registered practitioner before any procedure. Look for your nearest one here
