The History of Hair Transplants From the 19th Century to the Modern Day

It used to be the case that a hat, wig, or toupeé was the only way to deal with hair loss besides just accepting your thinning hair.

In the modern day, sophisticated transplant techniques have provided those experiencing hair loss with an alternative method of hair restoration, one which actually helps you grow hair back. The history of hair transplantation is fascinating, and it begins all the way back in the 19th century.

The Scalp Flap

One of the first hair restoration procedures was referred to as the scalp flap, though this sort of technique started with Celsus, an ancient Roman who described the advancement of skin flaps from 25 BCE to 50 CE. A flap could cover and repair a wound with healthy skin and tissue by transferring a piece of tissue to another while keeping its blood supply. Until the invention of the scalp flap in the 19th century, this process was largely used for surgical applications. In a scalp flap procedure, the surgeon would similarly remove a band of tissue and graft it onto a balding area, a procedure that could be painful, to say the least.

Dr. Okuda’s Technique

In the 1930s, doctors sought to treat hair loss resulting from burns. This process began in Japan, where, in 1939, dermatologist Dr. Okuda created a new technique. It involved extracting round sections of the scalp that retained hair and implanting them into damaged areas. Given time, these sections would become rooted and produce new hair.

Dr. Tamura’s Technique

In 1943, another major advancement emerged from Japan, though it was largely overshadowed by the Second World War. One Dr. Tamura was able to transplant single hairs to the pubic area rather than entire sections. Though an incredible achievement in the industry, it remained unknown to Western medicine for another decade.

“Donor Dominant” Hair

In 1952, American dermatologist Dr. Norman Orentreich discovered that certain areas of the scalp were more effective than other donor areas. This kind of donor hair was resistant to baldness, resulting in the idea of “donor-dominant” hair for almost permanent procedures. Unfortunately, Dr. Orentriech’s technique was not as advanced as Dr. Tamura’s, resulting in the 1970s era of hair plugs. His approach involved the removal of entire sections of the scalp, which resulted in countless aesthetic complaints.

The FUT Method

The 1980s witnessed the rise of follicular unit transplantation (FUT), a method of surgically removing a strip of scalp from the donor area, which would be separated into individual grafts and inserted into the balding area. The method is still used today but was most common during this period.

The “Safe Donor Zone”

While Dr. Orentreich first discovered “donor dominant” hair, it was Walter P. Unger, M.D., who, in 1994, discovered the “Safe Donor Zone.” In a study, Dr. Unger discovered that 80% of patients under the age of 80 years retained an area in the back of the scalp where the most balding-resistant hairs could be found.

The Modern FUE Method

The follicular unit extraction (FUE) method was discovered in 2003, and it involves the individual transplantation of hair follicles via thousands of extractions and insertions. This method is the latest development in hair transplantation, and when properly performed, it can result in nearly perfect new hairlines. Recently, robots have been programmed to aid doctors in graft extraction through automated FUE, scoring around individual grafts to allow for easier removal.

Potential Advancements in Hair Transplantation

Looking to the future, scientists have been researching whether stem cells within hair follicles could be multiplied or cloned, limiting the need for extractions. Gene therapy is another method being investigated, though it remains to be seen whether these advancements are possible at all. Regardless, hair transplantation has come a long way since the 19th century, enough that surgeons can make balding areas virtually disappear.

Author Profile

Adam Regan

Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 3 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

Email Adam@MarkMeets.com