Botak: hair loss
Hair loss can be an embarrassing subject for those who suffer from it. Hair loss is often associated with an unwanted visible sign of the aging process, which many prefer to deny entirely rather than face it head-on.
However, it is important to know about hair loss and how it occurs in order to minimize the stigma behind it. There are many questions that people often have when it comes to hair loss, such as why does it happen? How common is it? When it happens? Y how long does it take to recover from a hair transplant anyway?
Here are the answers to some of these common questions about hair loss.
Why does hair stop growing?
Our bodies are in a constant cycle of growth. For example, every day, your skin sheds skin cells to make room for new, renewed ones. The same goes for your hair. It is estimated that the human head loses approximately 50 to 100 hair follicles per day, which we usually do not notice as new growth grows.
However, as we age, the brain stops sending the proper signals that supply the follicle with nutrients, supporting its growth. This causes the hair to die and not be able to grow back. Each follicle is in a separate life cycle, so hair loss can be a slow, gradual process, falling out one at a time rather than all at once.
How common is hair loss and when does it occur?
The short answer is very common, and can start when you’re young.
It is esteemed by American Hair Loss Association that approximately 25% of men begin to show signs of hair loss before the age of 21. This number more than doubles by the time they turn 35. By then, approximately 66% of men experience hair loss. Finally, a staggering 85% of men reported experiencing at least some form of noticeable hair loss by the time they turned 50, well over a decade before they were considered older.
But hair loss isn’t reserved for just men. Is also reported that nearly half of women notice signs of hair thinning or loss by the time they turn 50.
Can a hair transplant solve my problems?
While no cosmetic procedure boasts a perfect success rate, a FUE hair transplant often comes close.
Old hair transplant methods were stigmatized because they could leave people with patches of hair that were often referred to as “doll hair.” This is no longer the case with modern technology. During a FUE hair transplant, a computerized transplant system known as ARTAS works to individually take hair follicles from a healthy donor area (usually the back of the neck) and transplant them to the designated treatment area. This method is less painful than other transplant methods, produces minimal scarring, and it is estimated that about 90-100% of grafts often survive the process.