Five Hair Restoration Treatments That Could Do More Harm Than Good

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Hair loss is a common issue worldwide, and thousands of people turn to hair restoration procedures to address it. Unfortunately, many doctors still use outdated methods that can do more harm than good. Hair restoration can already be a lengthy, demanding process—sometimes taking up to 10 hours—and while newer, more efficient techniques are available, they require specialized training. As a result, some physicians stick to older methods, which often come with serious risks. Here’s a guide to five hair restoration techniques you should avoid to protect yourself from unnecessary complications.

### 1. **Flap and Free-Form Flap Procedures**
In the standard flap procedure, a section of hair-covered scalp is cut on three sides and moved to the front hairline without severing its blood supply. With the free-form flap, all four sides are cut, and the section is completely removed before being re-attached to the balding area to mimic natural hair growth. These procedures are invasive, essentially major surgeries, and are not suitable for people with androgenetic alopecia.

Some common complications include:
– **Infection**: The risk of infection during this procedure is high.
– **Unnatural Hair Growth**: The transplanted hair often grows in the wrong direction, making it look abnormal.
– **Scarring and Shock Loss**: The trauma from surgery can cause severe scarring, as well as permanent hair loss, known as shock loss.
– **Tissue Necrosis**: Parts of the scalp may die, leaving bad scars.
– **Loose Skin**: The forehead skin may become loose and droop over the eyebrows.
– **Disfigurement**: The shape and position of the scalp can change, leading to complications and a distorted appearance.

### 2. **Round or Square Grafts**
These grafts are created using a punch tool, producing sections of skin that are 3-5 mm in size. Both round and square grafts are problematic because they don’t resemble natural hair growth. Their larger size also compromises blood flow to the graft, causing the hair in the center to stop growing. This technique often results in an unnatural and patchy look, which defeats the purpose of restoration.

### 3. **Line or Linear Grafts**
Linear grafts involve removing a strip of hair-bearing skin from the back or side of the head and transplanting it as a whole strip. However, the results are rarely cosmetically pleasing. Since this method doesn’t mimic the natural distribution of hair, the final outcome looks unnatural and should be avoided.

### 4. **Scalp Reduction**
Also known as galeoplasty or alopecia reduction, this method involves cutting away the bald portion of the scalp and sewing together the edges of the surrounding hair-bearing skin. The goal is to move the sides of the scalp toward the center, covering the bald area, but the risks far outweigh the potential benefits. Here’s what can go wrong:
– **Accelerated Hair Loss**: Hair loss can worsen within weeks or months after the surgery, and this is often permanent.
– **Infection and Bleeding**: There’s a high risk of infection, hematomas, and hemorrhaging.
– **Unnatural Appearance**: The direction of the remaining hair can change, making it look odd and unnatural.
– **Stretching of the Scalp**: The scalp may stretch over time, revealing new bald areas where the skin loses its tightness.
– **Sutures Rejected by the Body**: Sometimes the body rejects the stitches, resulting in open wounds at the suture sites.
– **Thinning in Other Areas**: Hair in other parts of the scalp may weaken, making future transplants even harder to perform.

### 5. **Hair Lifts**
This is a more complex version of scalp reduction, classified as major surgery and requiring hospitalization. While the goal is to create a more natural hairline, the risks are significant. Hair lifts can leave visible scars, cause further hair loss, and even result in permanent numbness in parts of the scalp.

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### Why You Should Avoid Outdated Hair Restoration Techniques
Hair restoration procedures have the potential to help people regain confidence, but some methods carry substantial risks and can make the situation worse. Older techniques, like the ones listed above, are often associated with severe side effects like scarring, infection, unnatural hair growth, and permanent damage to the scalp. If you’re considering hair restoration, consult an experienced physician who specializes in modern, minimally invasive procedures—your scalp (and sanity) will thank you!