Maxillofacial Surgeon and Hair Transplantation - How They Correlate?

                   Hair transplantation has gained a lot of popularity as a cosmetic technique. Being a relatively new area of maxillofacial surgery, hair transplantation has a number of problems and questions surrounding it. There are two widely utilised and approved procedures: follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE). Many maxillofacial surgeons have successfully included hair transplant procedures into their cosmetic practises. For successful surgery, a comprehensive understanding of surgical technique, armamentarium, and surgical planning is essential. 

                    Special shampoos, dietary supplements, and other products won't make a significant difference if you have severe hair loss. That's because the hair follicles in those specific regions have ceased growing completely once you begin to bald in those areas. Although numerous vitamins and nutritional supplements are promoted to cure hair loss, there are no scientific studies demonstrating that these items help stop hair loss. Supplements or shampoos that boost hair strength or skin health may be helpful for people who are prone to hair loss but haven't yet noticed their hair thinning, although the outcomes can vary depending on the type of alopecia you have.

For those who have experienced significant hair loss, surgical hair transplantation is the only proven method of restoring natural hair growth. If you have been hesitant to consider surgery, keep in mind that recent advances have made hair transplant surgery much more comfortable for patients by reducing discomfort and rest time.

Hair transplants are commonly performed by removing grafts/follicles from the back of the head that are highly resistant to hormonal changes and then placing them in areas with little growth or baldness. There are two methods for removing the implant: Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).

FUT

It's also known as Follicular Unit Strip Surgery. This method has been used for over two decades and was a transformative way to restore the natural hairline when it was first formed and for many years afterwards.

It entails taking a strand of skin with hair from the donor area, which is usually at the back of your head where the hair is naturally full and not prone to balding. Small groups of tissue containing hair follicles are separated and prepared for transplantation within this skin. Small, single holes are created in the recipient's site where you have thinning or balding. The prepared grafts are then individually placed into the recipient site. This type of surgery can take several hours, depending on the number of grafts placed, and there is no way to avoid the horizontal scar that results from the back of the head.

FUE

The FUE method of hair transplantation involves removing individual follicular units/grafts behind the head one at a time by cutting them around with a special machine. This procedure is time-consuming and takes several hours, but it is not painful after a few numbing injections. This method eliminates the need for a linear scar and the advanced wound care required with FUT. The FUE method also reduces downtime and post-procedure discomfort.

                           Maxillofacial surgeons with their skills and aesthetic sense have performed hair transplants in Androgenetic Alopecia ( Male pattern baldness) Hair restoration after traumatic or burn injuries to the scalp or face. Hair restoration due to congenital reasons, such as cleft lip, removal of congenital Nevi, or AV malformations. Hair restoration following skin lesion/tumor resection.

                          According to the study, maxillofacial surgeons are more equipped to do hair restoration surgery because they have the surgical abilities and necessary understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the head and neck region.  The training requirements for hair transplant surgeons have been enclosed by MCI/DCI to prevent misunderstanding among doctors. To make a name for themselves in the field of hair restoration surgery, the medical fraternity has to continue to raise awareness of this specialty. The topic of hair restoration surgery needs more research to expand the reach of maxillofacial surgeons.