scalp-transplant

The Cure for Your Bald Scalp May Be as Simple as Getting Someone Else's

By Robert Carrier

Published on December 06, 2007

Doesn't sound that simple? Well, truth be told, it's not, but some researchers think that full scalp transplants may be possible in the future.

The current solution for men and women seeking to revitalize their thinning or receding hair is to undergo hair-replacement surgery, also known as follicular unit grafting. The procedure involves removing hair follicles from the back of the head, where the hair is usually its fullest, and moving them to the areas of the scalp where they are most needed.

The procedure can cost up to $10,000, but is actually relatively simple. The process is typically done under local anesthesia, and many patients are able to return to their normal routines the next day. The procedure has its shortcomings, however, as there is only so much that can be achieved by relocating a 1"x6" strip of hair from the back of the head. For individuals fed up with their lack of follicular volume, the possibility of a full scalp transplant, complete with a luscious head of hair, is promising, indeed.

Facial transplant expert Dr. Maria Siemionow of the Cleveland Clinic believes that the key to successful scalp transplants lies in research currently being conducted at the famed Ohio medical center. Siemionow and her team have recently developed a treatment in lab animals that allows a recipient of a donated organ to be on immunosuppressant drugs for merely one week. All current organ transplant patients must stay on immunosuppressant drugs, which are expensive and toxic to the body's natural immune system, for life in order to combat the natural rejection of foreign organs being introduced into the body. For this reason, organ transplant procedures are only a feasible option for individuals whose life depends on such an operation. However, the tentative findings by Dr. Siemionow and her research team could make such procedures far more accessible.

Scalp Transplants? Really?

If you're blessed with waves of auburn locks or you wear your baldness with pride and happen to find the whole idea of a scalp transplant a bit off-putting, you may be interested to know that during 2006, hair-replacement surgery generated $1.2 billion in revenue worldwide according to USA Today. The vast majority of the procedures were conducted in North America, with more than 100,000 of the 225,000 total procedures taking place in the United States. Clearly, the hair-replacement industry isn't going anywhere.

At a September conference, Dr. Siemionow stated that the research currently being undertaken could help catastrophic burn and trauma victims regain some sense of normalcy by giving them back a full head of hair. It doesn’t tax the imagination, however, to envision a time when such a procedure becomes commonplace among even those suffering from male pattern baldness. While improved immunosuppressant drug technology would certainly have profound effects on the health and lives of millions of people, the nation’s follicly challenged would surely raise a cheer if they were allowed to take part in this “hair-raising” experience, as well.

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Keyword Tags: hair loss, hair transplants, men

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Comments

1

I will be excited to see scalp transplants avaliabe. It is something I always wanted because I just hate every thing about my hair. The lenght of time it takes to grow, the texture, and that it will not grow pass my shoulders.

Tahlia
about 1 year ago

2

Depending of course on your individual situation, waiting for full scalp transplants to be available doesn't seem like a prudent course of action. Follicular grafting procedures can achieve some very effective results right now and holding out hope for something which may or may not ever come along just means more and more hair will probably go away in the interim.

Aaron Poehler
about 1 year ago

3

Is there any board certification that doctors can get to demonstrate their proficiency in doing these transplants?

DHT
about 1 year ago

4

This procedure would make my life much better. I was given a medication for carpal tunnel that put me in a coma and totally destroyed my liver and I was fortunate to get a liver transplant. Because of the trauma, I lost all of my hair permanently (alopecia). I am allergic to wigs, so going out in public is limited. I will be on anti-suppressant drugs my entire life so that protocol concerning this surgery would not be a problem. I would be willing to be the first human trial for this surgery.

PATRICIA
about 1 year ago

5

Yes i would really like to see this done for truma victums etc , my son was serverly savaged by dogs and lost 90% of his scalp , i would sell my soul to repair this damage and make him smile again , even donate my own scalp if need be .Please forward any info on this topic . Heartbroken mum

Lara DeRoubaix
10 months ago

6

I am desparate. I have severe hair loss from stress and chemicals and my hair will not grow back. It is very embarrasing. Will this new procedure of scalp transplant be available to cover a person's entire skull with someone's beautiful head of hair that is donated? How would this work. I would be willing to participate in the research if possible.

Thank you.

Princess
6 months ago

7

How about performing tissue expander at the back of my head so I will generate more scalp to grow the much needed back hair and transplant it on top and front of my head? or not an intirely a scalp transplant from another individual but follicular hair donation from someone who is a perfect match. Let me know as I will be more than willing to participate. Let me know, email me at realclassicny@aol.com.

Francisco
6 months ago

8

i would like to keep updated with this. i was bitten by a dog many years ago, and now have a huge scar on the top half of my head. i currently wear a hairpeice to cover it. i have been searching the internet for some time now on any information on scalp transplant, and this is the first time i have seen one that actually sees chance to do ascalp transplant. exciting

zita
6 months ago

9

If it is so easy then this might not be a one of the serious problem now a days.

Hair Restoration Products For Men
6 months ago

10

what about scalp transplant from alive or dead human? is it possible? like the movie face off. Are there any doctor like them?

len
5 months ago

11

My mother and I have both lost most of our hair permantly. I have been searching for this kind of scalp treatment, and would like to participate as a trial patient, if the chance should ever arise. Medical professionals can contact me at lsbp30@yahoo.com. Thank you.

Mrs. P.
3 months ago

12

I have been waiting to hear about this kind of medical breakthrough for decades. I don't like the length of time it takes my hair to grow, the lack of versatility, the coarse texture, the expensive and time consuming products I have to use in order to make my hair more manageable to avoid pain from ingrown hairs and pain just to comb it. I spent $5,000 at the Hairclub For Men having 3000 grafts implanted from the back of my hair. I followed all the post op procedures and the grafts never grew and now I have a huge scar in the back of my head that I can't even shave my head and if I let it grow I have a huge bald spot. I work in the entertainment industry and my success is being compromised due to this problem...I hate it! It would be like winning the lottery for me to be able to participate in a trial for a full scalp transplant as soon as it's available. Please contact me immediately to be a volunteer when you are making your selections. Thank you, Rob

Rob
3 months ago

13

I am a 43 year old female who has been on her own for 13 years. After a violent & abusive marriage & becoming a full time stay at home parent in order to be there for my 2 children I am now ready to beging looking for that special someone to share my life with. Unfortunately for me I feel that this will be an impossibilty as I am loosing my hair due to the stress I have suffered in my life which has now triggered off a genetic lean toward male pattern baldness. I have gotten to the stage where I am too embarressed to be seen in public & the treatment I require to hold off the rapid thinning of my hair is out of my reach financially. This along with the fact that I would require subsequent treatment for the rest of my life leaves me with very few acceptable choices. What man these days would look at a bald woman? Baldness in women is socially unacceptable. Entire transplants as a one off form of treatment would be a God send to people in my situation. It cannot happen soon enough as far as I am concerned. I miss my hair!

Ellen
2 months ago

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