Navigation
Hair Loss News Archives
December 2005
Root Cause - After nature gives up, technology can help perk up your mane.
India - December 2005
A PRICE ON YOUR HEAD
Costs of hair-weaving can vary wildly from salon to salon, from a few to several
thousands. Each sitting for a hair-graft will set you back by Rs 40,000 to Rs
45,000. The silicon-implant procedure costs around Rs 80,000 while the regraft
will be an additional Rs 70,000
It can be safely said that Indian courtrooms had never heard of the term ‘hair
weaving’ before Salman Khan filed a plea seeking exemption from an appearance on
the grounds that he had just had such a surgery.
The jury’s still out on the
validity of the plea but medical experts say the procedure lasts just a few
hours and is extremely cosmetic.
What is hair weaving?
It’s the science of weaving or braiding human or synthetic hair to the roots of
existing, healthy hair so that it grows along with natural hair, thus giving the
impression of a thick growth. It’s also called hair integration or hair
intensification. ‘‘It’s a procedure appropriate for people with thinning hair.
It’s not something that requires a hospital visit; it’s usually done in salons
as a temporary procedure,’’ says Dr Shahin Nooreyezdan, senior cosmetic surgeon
at Indraprastha Apollo, New Delhi.
How does it work?
‘‘Two or three shafts of hair—natural or synthetic—are woven into the root
area,’’ says Nooreyezdan. Some of the natural hair is woven or braided together
to act as an anchor, to which the add-on tufts are sewn, woven, knitted or
glued. The extensions have to be repositioned every five or six weeks as the
natural hair grows out.
Sounds complex.
It is. Apart from the sheer tedium of repeated ‘surgeries’, the procedure
stresses the existing hair as well. Also, keeping the scalp and hair clean is a
problem, as vigorous washing could loosen the new hair. The American Hair Loss
Council advises the procedure only for people with plenty of healthy hair, and
that too, for periods not longer than a few weeks. A patch test is essential to
ensure the person undergoing the procedure is not allergic to any of the
adhesives or implants used.
Implants? For the hair?
Non-surgical implants is the dressed-up term now used for a simple procedure
that has been upgraded over the years.
Actually, a non-surgical implant
describes the attachment of a hair system to existing hair with surgical glue,
and subsequent trimming to ensure the add-ons blend with natural hair.
What about more long-term solutions?
HAIR GRAFT
This is the most popular surgical method, but it can be done only on people who are partially bald, says Nooreyezdan. The results are permanent and can be achieved in four or five sittings.
The procedure involves removing hair
follicles from the back of the head (where the growth is the most persistent)
and implanting them on the pate. This hair grows naturally, requiring no
follow-up action. ‘‘It’ll never resemble a thick mane, but it’s presentable,’’
says Nooreyezdan.
TISSUE EXPANSION
It involves implanting silicon balloons with hair-bearing skin on either side
of the head. ‘‘The implants are inside the skin over the ears so that the
hair-bearing part of the head expands.
The expansions are then regrafted in front of the head, so the hair appears to
grow naturally from there,’’ says Nooreyezdan. ‘‘This calls for two surgical
procedures, one at the time of implantation and the other for regrafting.’’
Any drawbacks to the surgical procedures?
There may be swelling, bruising or mild pain inhibiting normal activity for a
couple of days after the procedure. There may also be numbness on the back of
the neck, from where a strip of skin is removed.
Also, it’s important to
remember that individual hair types and characteristics—such as wavy or curly
hair—affect the results.