The mention of a hair transplant evokes images of balding men and Elton John, but this outdated stereotype of hair replacement patients is about to be quashed for good. The advances in surgical procedures and the increase in the rate of success have led to an interest from the women too. Although it is predominantly men that suffer from hair loss, women can be affected too, but the treatments available now form part of a complete body enhancement package by offering eyebrow and eyelash hair transplants.
Just as plastic surgery started out as a medical treatment for reconstructive purposes, hair transplant surgery has been for people that have suffered hair loss from illnesses such as cancer or those that have suffered psychologically from extreme hair loss. But just as reconstructive surgery became cosmetic surgery, hair transplants are becoming the choice du jour for those wanting to make themselves more attractive.
The irony of women having eyebrow transplants because of over-plucking is amusing in itself, but eyelash transplants seem a little spooky. The trouble with some cosmetic procedures is that often the cosmetic element follows a fashion trend, and fashion is always changing. It reminds me of the trend just a few years back for tattooing eyebrows to save time applying make-up to fill in over-plucked eyebrows. It was also possible to do the same around the eyes, effectively tattooing eyeliner on. All well and good until heavy liner is no longer in vogue.
I remember my mother once telling me about seamed stockings during the war. They were incredibly expensive, but highly fashionable, and for those that could not afford to buy them, there was the option of getting the lines tattooed on instead. Nice idea while you're all dressed up and ready to go out. Not such a hot look in a swim suit on the beach I should imagine! But it is not just women that are taken in by cosmetic enhancement, and hair transplants for vanity are no exception.
In an era where it seems that most men endure the notorious waxing procedure inventively called the 'sack, back and crack', it is surprising to find out that some men are planting hairs on their chest and face to achieve a more masculine look. Designer stubble has never been so interesting. It is possible to transplant a goatee, chinstrap or a full beard with success time after time. Understandably, it is important for a man to feel manly, and as eating your crusts doesn't really put hairs on your chest, I suppose another solution had to be found.
The advancement in the procedures is thanks to a new surgical method. Previously, hair was taken from a donor area in strips and transplanted accordingly, unfortunately with a high rate of rejection and the infamous dolls head look. Today transplants are conducted with donor samples that contain between 1 and 4 follicles, reducing rejection and achieving a more natural and precise result. Admittedly the results are stunning, but caution still needs to be exercised when opting for treatment that is not for reconstructive purposes. The difference between reconstructive and cosmetic procedure lies in the patient. Reconstructive surgeries give a natural result, because these patients want to look normal again. For those that are already normal, cosmetic surgery is about achieving an unnatural result, to create an enhancement that stands out.
