Hair Transplant

Hair transplant is the process of moving hair from the back of one’s head to the area of the head where no hair is growing. Essentially the surgeon plants the hair follicles like seeds into the scalp after making tiny incisions (Nelson, 2018). The two methods used to move hair are called slit grafts and micrografts. Slit grafts combine multiple hairs (from 4 to 10) per graft, whereas micrografts basically move one or two hairs at a time.

As Thompson (2013) points out, hair loss can stem from genetics and high levels of testosterone (male pattern baldness, for example). This is one of the biggest reasons an individual might choose to undergo this procedure—i.e., to overcome a genetic issue. Hair transplant can make some people feel better about their appearance.

The direct effect the procedure has on the integumentary system is that it will cause bleeding, scarring and there is no guarantee that the transplant will be completely successful. Anytime one makes incisions in one’s skin and moves something to somewhere else there are risks. This applies in gardening as well as with respect to the integumentary system.

The indirect effect of the procedure on the integumentary system is that it can result in infection. This occurs if the hair follicles become inflamed. This condition is known as foliculitis, and typically results from a bacterial infection. If bacteria get into the hole where the hair is transplanted the risk of infection has to be considered—which is why this is the number one indirect effect of the procedure. However, because one is also transplanting hair, the integumentary system may reject it ultimately and cause the hair to grow in that spot irregularly or not at all.

References

Nelson, J. (2018). Hair transplant. Retrieved from

https://www.healthline.com/health/hair-transplant

Thompson, G. (2013). Anatomy and physiology. Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis

Company.