Hair Transplant in Belgium
Hair Transplant in Belgium section, includes general infrmation about Hair Transplant Procedure, Hair Transplant Belgium Local News, Hair Transplant Belgium Surgeon Locator and other Hair Transplant related material.
Hair Transplant Procedure
Hair loss is caused by a combination of ageing, hormonal changes and a genetic history of baldness. The earlier hair loss begins, the more severe the baldness. It can also be caused by trauma, or burns, whereas this surgery is considered reconstructive.
Procedure Types
Hair Transplantation - The procedure consists of resurfacing bald areas of scalp with hair. Plugs of bald scalp are removed and then filled with plugs of scalp containing several hair roots taken from hair-bearing areas. Those grafts root themselves into their new locations and hair follicles start to grow eventually.
Depending on the degree of baldness, the number of grafts needed and the length of treatment sessions vary. Several operations may be necessary. The technique may leave many small scars on the site used (donor sites) but are usually not noticeable.
Scalp Flap Transfer – This is done when the sides of the scalp (above the ears) and the back of the scalp is hair-bearing. A long thin "flap" of scalp that is hair-bearing is removed and placed across a bald section to create a band of normal hair growth. As part of the treatment, parts of the bald scalp may be removed. The donor site is closed by stretching the opposite side of the scalp.
This procedure replaces hair across a large area of bald scalp. The hair growth looks normal, and the narrow scars are hidden between the hair follicles.
Scalp Reduction (Serial Excision) – This is the removal of as much of the bald section as possible and done in the first operation. The adjacent hair bearing areas of scalp are pulled in close to the bald section, with the understanding that some bald areas will remain. This technique is repeated one or more times at a later date to eventually reconstruct the bald area.
Tissue Expansion – A device called a tissue expander is placed under a hair growth area situated adjacent to a bald area. After several weeks, the tissue expander causes skin to grow new skin cells. Then another operation is necessary to place the newly expanded skin over the ajoining bald area.
Ideal candidates for hair replacement must have a healthy growth of hair at the back and sides of the head. The hair on the back and sides of the head will be the donor sites where the flaps and grafts will be surgically removed.
The procedure location options may include the surgeon's office-based surgical facility, outpatient surgery center, hospital outpatient, or hospital in patient.
The anesthetic options are either general, or local (combined with a sedative)which allows the patient to remain awake but relaxed.
To achieve desired fullness, several surgical sessions are needed. There is a healing period of several months recommended between each session. The final result with a full transplant series may take up to 2 years.
A month or 2 after surgery, the grafted hair falls out (which is normal and temporary). It takes another month or more before hair growth starts. To create more natural-looking results, a surgical touch-up procedure may be necessary. This may consist of using a combination of mini grafts or slit grafts to fill and blend in the hairline.
Other Hair Transplant Procedures
All Skin Procedures
Hair Transplant Belgium (current)
Hair Transplant Belgium Chemical Peel
Hair Transplant Belgium Dermabrasion
Hair Transplant Belgium Laser Hair Removal
Hair Transplant Belgium Collagen Injections
More Belgium info...
Belgium Terrain Flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, wooded hills and valleys of Ardennes Forest in southeast.
Belgium Electricity Electricity is supplied at 220 to 230V 50Hz. Outlets are the European standard CEE-7/7 "Schukostecker" or "Schuko" or the compatible, but non-grounded, CEE-7/16 "Europlug" types. Generally speaking, British, U.S. and Canadian travelers should pack an adapter for these outlets if they plan to use their electrical equipment in Belgium.
Plastic Surgery News...
- In a BMJ editorial, the authors from Imperial College write that despite evidence for the effectiveness of multitargeting kinase inhibitors in treating renal cell cancer, their availability in the UK has lagged behind that in the US because of the time taken to obtain regulatory approval. They note that renal cell cancer is a relatively unusual tumour that is diagnosed in about 2500 people each year in the UK and accounts for less than 1% of deaths from malignant disease. The evidence for bevacizumab, lapatinib, temsirolimus, sunitininb and sorafenib are then reviewed, along with a discussion about the possibility of combining these agents and using them with cytokines. They conclude “potentially there is real hope for patients with kidney cancer, but when will hope translate into the reality of treatment being available in the UK?” They point out that sunitinib was approved by the FDA in January 2007, in the same month that the trials were published; sunitinib and sorafenib were licensed by the European Medicines Agency in July 2006. They argue that patients in the UK should not have to wait another two years until NICE approves use of such treatments.
- A RADAR (Rational Assessment of Drugs and Research) review on the use of fentanyl lozenges (Actiq) for breakthrough cancer pain has been published and is available to access via the link above. This review was completed on behalf of the National Prescribing Service (NPS), which is an independent Australian organisation supporting the quality use of medicines. The authors make the following conclusions and recommendations (taken directly from the source):
• Fentanyl lozenges are an oromucosal formulation for breakthrough cancer pain in people stabilised on regular opioid therapy for persistent cancer pain.
• Oral morphine is the opioid of first choice on the basis of familiarity, cost and dosing flexibility. Consider fentanyl lozenges if an increase in morphine dose to control breakthrough pain causes intolerable adverse effects.
• Be aware of the following important safety issues:
- Do not use fentanyl lozenges in opioid-naïve patients because of the risk of respiratory depression.
- Prevent accidental or deliberate misuse by instructing patients and carers on the correct use, storage and disposal of fentanyl lozenges.
- Keep intact or partially used lozenges away from children.
• To maximise oromucosal absorption of fentanyl, the lozenges should be moved along the cheek lining, not chewed, and swallowing of saliva minimised if possible until the lozenge is finished.
• Fentanyl lozenges have a side-effect profile typical of that of other opioids. Instruct patients and carers to remove the lozenge immediately if excessive side effects occur during use.
• There is no dose equivalence between fentanyl lozenges and other opioid formulations. The optimal dose cannot be predicted by the dose of regular opioid or previous breakthrough opioid. It should be individually titrated by starting at the lowest dose (200 micrograms).