Q: I am 29 years old and would like to know about synthetic hair implantation as I am bald. I have heard of a new technology which has come in USA (details www.hairclub.com) called synthetic hair implant using biometric technology. Is this done in India too?

A:This is about hair replacement for lost hair using artificial hair. Artificial hair came into the market in 1990s but had many side-effects, and loss at the rate of 20% per year. It was banned by the FDA and abolished. Some new companies are now coming up with some new products, but I am not sure whether they are approved by the FDA, and what is their long term results. The best option for hair replacement is by Hair Transplantation, and I will give you an idea about it. Hair Transplantation is done at our clinic by the Follicular Unit Technique. The hair, which are transplanted in the bald area are permanent, do not fall, grow like normal hair and subsequently need hair cuts. You can apply oil or shampoo on them and comb them to your desired style. The operation is done on an out patient basis and the patient goes home immediately after the operation. It takes 4 to 6 hours for one session where approximately 500 plugs (i.e.2000 hairs) are transplanted. The charges for my team for transplanting 500 plugs are Rs. 25,000/-(@ Rs.50/- per plug). The Nursing Home charges are Rs. 5000/-to 15,000/- for using the O.T. instruments and medicines. We have transplanted more than 650 cases till now, and all patients are very happy. For large areas of baldness, we have transplanted upto 1600 plugs in a sitting in 6 to 7 hours. There are no side effects of hair transplantation. You can see photos of hair transplantation before and after surgery in my website www.cosmeticsurgery-india.com. You are most welcome to write or ring us in case you have any further queries.