What Is Hair Replacement vs. Hair Restoration?
The above terms have different meanings depending on what you are describing. Normally, the public has a very clear idea of the differences between replacement vs. restoration. In a very busy Bay Area focused on progress, we are familiar with driving by building developments throughout the Region.
And we know there is a big difference between restoring a historic Palo Alto building and replacing an old, decrepit San Mateo office property. A historic building is normally restored, meaning it can retain the original stonework while everything inside is modernized. An old or derelict building is torn down completely and replaced by a completely new building.
The concept is the same when replacing our teeth. A dentist can help keep a natural tooth in place by filling a cavity and covering it with a crown. But if the tooth needs to be removed, a patient may be ready to replace it with a dental implant.
One thing neither buildings nor teeth are able to do is regenerate themselves. And that’s the main difference between those things and professional hair replacement in the Bay Area. While replacement typically focuses on removing damaged hair and replacing the space with new hair follicles, the follicles can restore hair growth. Which means the previously balding spot can regenerate itself. And that creates a longer-lasting option for our clients who live in and around San Mateo and Palo Alto.
Hair transplant surgery brings back a natural hairline.
Our bodies are incredible machines, and our hair follicles are part of those natural mechanics. The hair follicles themselves can regenerate when properly placed elsewhere on the scalp. There are three phases to hair growth:
- Anagen Phase: hair development begins at the root of the hair follicle and gains the blood supply to help it grow.
- Catagen Phase: This is a resting phase in which hair detaches from its blood supply.
- Telogen Phase: This is when the hair sheds, falling out of the follicle.
Remember, the hair follicle is not the hair itself; it’s a tube-like structure made up of layers of cells. Think of it like a flower seed. The flower may eventually wilt, but a seed remains in the ground and can regenerate a new flower. That is, unless the seed is damaged. In the same way, when a follicle is damaged, it no longer regenerates hair. This is where a hair transplant can replace damaged follicles with healthy ones. This process can bring back a natural hairline, too.
Setting up an initial consultation with Dr. Miguel Canales is the path to learning how your amazing body can help restore thicker hair. Every person has a different experience, and it’s important to receive a thorough examination to see where you are with your hair loss.
Modern hair extraction (FUE) and transplantation (FUT) usually provide another benefit: an undetectable donor area. The ARTAS Robot, used for hair transplant surgery, locates healthy donor hairs throughout the head. This avoids the old-school strip method, which requires hair styling to cover it up. This also builds patient confidence with worry-free excursions on San Francisco’s notoriously windy days! Our team is ready to discuss all our hair replacement treatments with individuals from Palo Alto and beyond.
