Hair loss affects a large proportion of men, with 50% of men experiencing some form of hair loss by the time they turn 50 years old. Women, though in a smaller proportion, also experience hair loss. Men make up the larger proportion of the demographic due to the role of testosterone in male pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia) which is the main cause of balding in men. Other less common causes include trauma, burns, infection, and autoimmune disorders.

Treatments for hair loss focus on increasing blood flow and nutrients to the scalp, including the use of Minoxidil and/or light-based therapies to stimulate hair growth. In testosterone-related hair loss, medicines such as Finasteride, which blocks the production of the active testosterone component, can help halt, or sometimes reverse, the process. However, in 1% of men, there may be undesirable side effects such as loss of libido.

The ultimate treatment for hair loss is transplant of the individual’s own hair from an area of abundance to an area of need. The hairs for transplant are commonly taken from just above the posterior hairline, where the hair is less prone to conditions like androgenic alopecia and any scars can be hidden well. This can be taken as a strip and closed primarily, or as units of hair in follicular unit extraction (FUE) technique. These hairs are then transplanted into areas with none or less hair in units of 2 to 3 hair follicles, otherwise known as follicular unit transplantation (FUT). Using the plastic surgeon’s trained artistic eye, the hairs are placed at angles which replicate the natural hair pattern. These hairs then root themselves after about 1 to 2 weeks, during which non-adhesive dressings are applied, and initially shed before growing properly and showing results 3 months after the procedure. Hair transplant procedures can be repeated if needed.