What are hair transplants?
Small hair-bearing segments of the scalp can be transferred as free grafts to other areas of the scalp where they will usually continue to grow hair similar to the hair in the area from which they are taken. In baldness, hair-bearing skin from the back and sides of the scalp is used to reestablish a hairline at the forehead. There must of course be enough hair to cover the area where hair is needed. In some cases, hair bearing scalp can be transferred to bald areas by means of scalp flaps. The pros and cons of scalp flaps and hair transplants should be discussed with your surgeon. Sometimes the procedures can be combined. Strips of hair-bearing skin are occasionally used to reconstruct an absent eyebrow. In extensive loss or destruction of a portion of the scalp, part of the remaining scalp can be used to reconstruct the defect. Hair implants, synthetic fibers placed or injected directly into the scalp, have caused major problems, including serious infection, and are not recommended.
