Artificial Hair Transplant

Hair loss remains one of the most frightening experiences in both men’s and women’s lives. It is because hair is not just another typical part of the human body but has a massive ornamental and aesthetic value as well. Furthermore, it is also not a rare condition that affects few but rather a widespread one — affecting nearly two-thirds of men by age 35 and almost 85 percent by age 50. Similarly, as many as 6 to 38 percent of women also suffer from some degree of frontal or frontoparietal hair loss. 

Unfortunately, researchers have not yet found a permanent cure for hair loss, and a hair transplant remains the most viable option. However, a hair transplant too is not feasible for those lacking enough donor hair. So, back in the 70s, Japanese doctors came up with another alternative for such people: artificial hair implants.

As the name suggests, artificial hair implantation involves implanting synthetic hair made of artificial fiber. The early artificial hair implants had many shortcomings, leading researchers to look for ways to improve their quality and safety.

Synthetic hair transplant has recently gained wide popularity thanks to the newer bio-compatible hair. It means the newer synthetic hair does not cause infections, upset scalp health, or invoke an immune reaction. The doctor uses special implant devices to place artificial hair in already dead hair follicles. The hair strands have a knot at the end, and the surgeon hooks these knots deep into the scalp fascia. Since the hair is synthetic, it never grows and needs to be replaced by other artificial hair if it falls out.

The biohair is available in varying sizes (from 15 to 45cm), distinct shades (about 21 colors), and different shapes (straight, coily, wavy, curly). 

The good news is artificial hair look just like normal hair but stronger and more durable. In addition, these can also be brushed and washed like natural hair, except they require special shampoos and other hair care products. As a result, artificial hair implantation has become a safe procedure these days and an excellent way to get rid of baldness.

Artificial hair implants were developed as an alternative for people who could not undergo a real hair transplant (5). So this method might be for you if 

• You do not have sufficient donor hair area for a hair transplant with natural hair.
• You have exhausted your donor area with previous hair transplants
• You have very low-density hair on the scalp, or you are completely bald
• You want to see instant results and can not wait for months for natural hair to grow
• You do not have sensitive skin, immunodeficient conditions such as HIV and diabetes, or auto-immune disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus.
• You are not taking medications such as blood thinners and beta-blockers (used for various cardiovascular diseases)

Before the procedure, the doctor performs many tests to assess your compatibility with the bio fibers. For example, your hair specialist implants about 100 synthetic strands to the scalp to see if there is any allergic or immune reaction. They evaluate your condition every week for over a month. If everything goes well and you clear the tolerance test, your doctor will recommend the complete procedure. 

Artificial hair transplant is performed in the following steps:

• The doctor numbs your scalp using local anesthesia to reduce pain and discomfort.
• Then, the hair specialist opens the microchannel of a dead hair follicle and inserts a synthetic strand into the hair follicle using an implant device (an implant pen). They hook the knot of the fiber into the fascia at a depth of about 0.3 mm. 
• The doctor keeps inserting biofiber one by one until proper hair density is achieved in the required area or the scalp.
• After the process, the scalp is cleaned with a disinfectant, and you will be free to go home.

As the body tries to heal the tiny wound, it also fills the knot with new connective tissue and secures the fiber further. However, you will need to visit the clinic every month to clean your scalp, as too much sebum at the base of your new hair leads to infections, inflammation, and other complications.

Unfortunately, no surgical procedure is free of side effects. And while newer bio fibers are safe to implant and the risks are significantly less, the procedure itself can still cause side effects and complications. For example, you may experience the following:

• An immune reaction that rejects the synthetic hair and the “foreign bodies” fall off
• An allergic reaction to the bio hair
• Infection of the scalp and even cyst formation around the implanted hair
• Constant pain and Itching, which usually go away once you begin to wash your hair.
• Hair loss — nearly 10 to 30 percent of the synthetic hair falls off every year, and you need re-implants
• Scarring of the scalp — the risk of scarring increases with repeated hair implants, resulting in cicatricial alopecia.

In addition, you need special shampoos and other hair care products to maintain artificial hair. Talk to your doctor for more information regarding side effects and complications.

Besides all the complications, many people still choose artificial hair implants for the following advantages:

• It provides immediate results as the hair does not have to grow 
• Good hair density is achieved
• Relatively simple, quick, and painless procedure that allows you to return to your daily life without any delay
• An excellent option for people with insufficient or no donor's hair area
• Highly affordable procedure

Furthermore, you can also combine this procedure with other hair transplant methods to get the desired outcome.

Like other hair transplant procedures, the cost of artificial hair implantation also depends on many factors. For example, it depends on the location of the clinic, the expertise of the specialist, the quality of staff service and other instruments used, and the number of strands implanted. As a result, the cost varies significantly and ranges from as low as $2000 to as high as $8000. 

As the US banned artificial hair implantation in 1983 due to non-compatibility risks and has yet to lift the ban, the cost mentioned here is for places outside the US, such as France, Turkey, Germany, and Poland. In addition, since insurance companies consider hair loss an aesthetic problem, the insurance does not cover artificial hair implants. However, talk to your insurance provider for more details.

An artificial hair transplant should be the last resort for any person. It is certainly worth it if you need instant results, such as for marriage. A synthetic hair implant can restore a scalp full of hair within hours and rescue you in a matter of weeks. However, it is still important to acknowledge the limitations of this method. You should only opt for this procedure if other options have failed and you are out of options now. Talk to your doctor for a detailed discussion on artificial hair transplant and the pros and cons of this procedure.

Are the results of an artificial hair transplant permanent?

Unfortunately, no. The results are not permanent, and nearly 10 to 30 percent of the hair falls off each year. So the results of synthetic hair implantation can last for 2 to 7 years.

How many bio strands can be implanted in one session?

Usually, 2000 bio strands are implanted in one session. However, depending on your requirement, the number can be as low as 1000 to as high as 3000.

Do Artificial Hair Implants Give a Natural Look?

Yes, artificial hair implants give you natural-looking hair, but only for a specific period. As the hair begins to shed, the rest of the implanted hair does not look natural, and you will need re-implants to maintain your aesthetics.