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By Steve Lyon
Editor
Sorry all you ladies out there, this is a guy column. In my unrelenting effort to keep men informed - specifically, those of us who have been slagged as "chrome domes" - I will share the latest news on the paltry pate front.
I have conceded on previous occasions that men are vain, devoutly and resolutely. Women get chided for spending an inordinate amount of time on their appearance, but believe me, men have their own preening routines. It's sad to see a guy count the hairs stuck in a comb after running it over his thinning scalp.
Editor
Sorry all you ladies out there, this is a guy column. In my unrelenting effort to keep men informed - specifically, those of us who have been slagged as "chrome domes" - I will share the latest news on the paltry pate front.
I have conceded on previous occasions that men are vain, devoutly and resolutely. Women get chided for spending an inordinate amount of time on their appearance, but believe me, men have their own preening routines. It's sad to see a guy count the hairs stuck in a comb after running it over his thinning scalp.
Allow me to offer a medical update for my balding brethren. Not that Ireally have an interest in such things. Well, I am fairly convinced that my own hair loss has cost me the love and affection of more than one supermodel.
I won't even touch on rugs or hairpieces. Sure, they're more "realistic" these days versus the old glued on shag carpet, but walking out the front door with fake fur on your head is kind of creepy-phony.
The Internet is a wonderful portal to the world of hair loss. Type in "cheap hair transplants" and behold the hundreds of Web sites. Those before and after photos look good, although the lighting is always kind of suspect in the "after" photo.
I'm a little leery of the clinics that tout their financing plans up front. "Get 800 grafts for $1,900 and we finance. Ask about our airfare reimbursement plan." Are they selling a surgical procedure or a used car?
In all seriousness, guys, hair transplant surgery has made great strides in the past decade. The term most used today is follicular unit transplant, and the results are getting cosmetically better. The days of plugs - which scream out, "Hey, I was desperate and these look glaringly obvious but at least I have hair" - are all but gone.
I won't even touch on rugs or hairpieces. Sure, they're more "realistic" these days versus the old glued on shag carpet, but walking out the front door with fake fur on your head is kind of creepy-phony.
The Internet is a wonderful portal to the world of hair loss. Type in "cheap hair transplants" and behold the hundreds of Web sites. Those before and after photos look good, although the lighting is always kind of suspect in the "after" photo.
I'm a little leery of the clinics that tout their financing plans up front. "Get 800 grafts for $1,900 and we finance. Ask about our airfare reimbursement plan." Are they selling a surgical procedure or a used car?
In all seriousness, guys, hair transplant surgery has made great strides in the past decade. The term most used today is follicular unit transplant, and the results are getting cosmetically better. The days of plugs - which scream out, "Hey, I was desperate and these look glaringly obvious but at least I have hair" - are all but gone.
Most surgeons today transplant follicular units in groups of one to three hairs from the back of the head to the scalp. The best doesn't come cheap, with prices ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 for a procedure.
My reservations center on how the "donor" hair for the transplants is gathered. It's still a bit gruesome.
The doctor cuts out a strip of hair from the back of your head where hair will continue to grow until you're beyond caring. The strip of hair is dissected under a microscope into one, two and three hair units. Then they poke a hole in your scalp with a large-gauge needle and painstakingly place the hairs to recreate a hairline.
A lot is riding on the skill of the surgeon, unless you don't mind a hairline starting halfway down your forehead. Brain itch could be another complication if the grafts are placed upside down (Ijest).
My reservations center on how the "donor" hair for the transplants is gathered. It's still a bit gruesome.
The doctor cuts out a strip of hair from the back of your head where hair will continue to grow until you're beyond caring. The strip of hair is dissected under a microscope into one, two and three hair units. Then they poke a hole in your scalp with a large-gauge needle and painstakingly place the hairs to recreate a hairline.
A lot is riding on the skill of the surgeon, unless you don't mind a hairline starting halfway down your forehead. Brain itch could be another complication if the grafts are placed upside down (Ijest).
There are also issues about coverage and hair density. Yes, they can plant a quantity of crab grass on your head, but a lush lawn it ain't.
I'm holding out for science to come up with a non-surgical breakthrough. With billions of dollars at stake, guys, I know it's coming.
Steve F. Lyon is editor of the Lahontan Valley News. He is not a member of the Hair Club for Men.
I'm holding out for science to come up with a non-surgical breakthrough. With billions of dollars at stake, guys, I know it's coming.
Steve F. Lyon is editor of the Lahontan Valley News. He is not a member of the Hair Club for Men.
