There’s a rise in hair transplant procedures, and here’s why. Scientists estimate that two-thirds of men will experience some degree of hair loss from their scalp by the age of 35. The effects of this hair loss can be devastating. Losing your hair can have a severe impact on your self-image, affecting your confidence and damaging your relationships. However, thanks to advances in modern technology, you don’t have to accept a receding hairline. Doctor Christopher Varona in Newport Beach, CA, has over ten years of experience performing hair transplant surgery. He and his dedicated staff are committed to giving you the healthy, natural-looking hair of your dreams.
A Rise in Hair Transplant Procedures
According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, procedures meant to prevent and reverse hair loss increased by 76% between 2006 and 2014. The primary self-reported reason men gave for undergoing a hair transplant was self-consciousness. If you are disappointed with your hair, Doctor Christopher Varona is an excellent surgeon who treats patients in Newport Beach, CA, and surrounding areas. If you have any questions about hair transplant procedures, you can call him and his team at 949-631-4247.
Men have been plagued by baldness since the beginning of time, but only recently have they had the opportunity to correct it. The question remains: why are more men getting hair transplants?
Advances in Hair Transplant Technology
Hair Transplant procedures have been around since the 19th century, but became increasingly popular in the 1950s with the introduction of “hair plugs.” Hair plug procedures relocated large tufts of viable hair to barren areas of the scalp. Though effective in covering up bald spots, the results of these early treatments often looked fake and unnatural. Over the 1960s and 1970s, hair transplant technology became increasingly sophisticated.
Doctors performed the first Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) in the 1980s. This groundbreaking procedure is still one of the most effective hair transplant methods available today. In an FUT, your surgeon will remove a strip of hair from the back of your scalp. Removing this strip gives the surgeon more precision to extract the hair follicles. Next, individual strands are separated from the strip using a stereomicroscope. This process limits damage to the roots and ensures that follicles are healthy enough to transplant. The result is a fuller, more natural-looking mane. Though scarring is common, it is minimal, and conveniently hidden beneath hair growth.
Though FUT is still popular today, it’s not your only option. In 2005, a new method called Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) surpassed FUT as the most popular procedure for those who suffer from baldness. In FUE, surgeons remove clusters of hair called follicular units from the scalp. These clusters are much smaller than the “hair plugs” of yesteryear due to innovations in micrografting. There is no scarring, because there are no incisions made. Instead, your surgeon will administer a topical anesthetic before using an instrument to make punches around the follicles they want to remove. Your doctor reimplants these follicles into holes wherever you want more hair growth.
Many doctors rely on robots or automated technology like the ARTAS or Neograft system to perform this procedure. Though efficient, these machines can leave scars. Doctor Varona has extensive experience performing these surgeries by hand, and prefers to perform his hair transplants manually. His skill and dedication to the craft of hair transplantation mean that you will receive more natural looking results with fewer complications.
The Rise of Social Media
Another reason for the rise of hair transplant surgery is the influence of social media. Websites like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, allow their users to share photos and videos of themselves. Online image control has become an essential part of dating, working, and general relationship building. The desire to present a healthy, youthful appearance has become more pressing as everyone’s personal image is now more visible.
Social media has also given patients the ability to come forward and talk about their successful procedures. Though hair transplants and other cosmetic treatments may have been dismissed as “vain” in the past, websites like Twitter and Facebook let patients express satisfaction with their new hair.
Schedule Your Appointment with Doctor Varona in Newport Beach
With hair transplant surgery becoming more and more common, fewer men are settling for sparser hairlines. If you’re ready to schedule an appointment for thicker, fuller hair, or just want to learn more about the procedure, send Dr. Varona and his team a message online. We’ll be sure to get back to you promptly!