Eyelash Transplant
To understand why eyelash transplant procedures are commonly sought after or required, evolution provides some insight. As humans have developed, eyelashes have performed the very important function of protecting the eye from grit and injury. As a feature that has remained in humans - as it has in many other animal species - it no doubt holds a certain amount of value from an evolutionary standpoint.
From a modern human perspective, eyelashes are mainly ornamental - although they do still perform the practical function of protecting the eye. Eyelashes are a key component of anyone's face, working in conjunction with eyebrows, hairline, cheek bones, nose, chin and lips - to create a unique face.
In the absence of eyelashes, a person's face might be considered incomplete, lacking one of its key features. Eyelash transplant procedures are an effective way of addressing this problem.
Eyelash Surgery
Eyelash surgery can be required because of a number of reasons:
- Physical trauma-facial injury and scarring resulting from events such as road accidents, industrial accidents, thermal and chemical burns, tattoos on the eyelid - together with traction alopecia associated with common use of false eyelashes.
- Medical and surgical treatments. Surgical treatment of injury or tumour that results in removal of eyelash follicles and tissue scarring; radiotherapy or chemotherapy for cancer that results in loss of hair.
- Compulsive plucking of eyebrows, eyelashes and other body hair - termed Trichotillomania.
- Absence of hair on all parts of the body as a congenital condition can also be a reason to consider eyelash surgery.
Fashion dictates to a large degree the way people use their eyelashes in conjunction with their fashion choices. There are a range of cosmetic aids that can help eyelashes appear longer, thicker or of a different colour. In recent times more and more people are looking to eyelash transplantation in order to get the eyelashes they want. Such transplants are relatively new developments and some believe they should only be carried out for medically necessary eyelash replacement.
Cosmetic Eyelash Transplant
Patients with complete absence of hair due to congenital atrichia are not considered candidates for eyelash transplantation because they do not have any donor hair to use as transplantation grafts. This is when a Cosmetic Eyelash Transplant might be appropriate. Advancements in Cosmetic Eyelash Transplant procedures have made this a very effective option for many people.
Reconstructive and Aesthetic Eyelash Transplantation
1. Reconstructive-eyelash transplantation corrects eyelash loss due to disease or other trauma.
2. Aesthetic-eyelash transplantation is used to achieve anaesthetic enhancement of existing eyelashes.
In patients whose eyelash loss has come about because of local or systemic disease, the following issues must be considered:
- Course of the disease to date - active or in remission?
- Medications taken to manage the disease.
If the disease responsible for hair loss is still active, transplantation should not be carried out. If the disease responsible is in remission, it must remain in remission for a certain period of time before transplantation can be considered. 2 years remission is often required.
If a patient has lost eyelashes due to compulsive plucking, the condition must be under control before treatment can commence. Where eyelids have been damaged by a disease or a condition, tissue must have healed sufficiently before a procedure can go ahead.
Eyelash Doctor
Seeking an eyelash doctor is often inspired by the desire to have denser eyelashes or longer eyelashes. The aims of the patient must be discussed in detail with the hair restoration specialist - or eyelash doctor - so realistic goals are mutually agreed. Some specialists will not carry out Aesthetic Eyelash Transplants unless it involves a case of medical necessity.
Eyelash UK - Preoperative Preparation
The following describes the preoperative preparation dictated by specialists of the eyelash. UK surgeons require that 5 to 7 days before surgery the intake of anticoagulant drugs such as aspirin and warfarin is halted, as must the intake of vitamin E supplements and the drinking of alcoholic beverages. Eyelash UK specialists will also specify antiseptic soap for facial cleaning and may prescribe preventive antibiotics.The Techniques of Eyelash Transplantation
Donor Hair
The process of hair transplantation involves taking grafts of living hairs and their follicles from a pre-defined donor area and transplanting them to a recipient area, where they will continue to grow. The transplanted hair will continue to grow in the eyelid and as it grows, the patient may well have to follow a regime of curling the transplanted hair in order to match the natural curl of the pre-existing eyelashes. They will also need to trim the growing hair in order to maintain it at the required length.
Eyelash Transplant Surgery: Potential Complications
Complications associated with eyelash transplant surgery can include:
- Eyelid infection; quick recognition and treatment is crucial to prevent the spread of infection to the eye and connected tissue, following eyelash transplant surgery.
- Bruising and swelling in the operated area, as with any kind of surgery.
- Graft displacement resulting from the patient scratching itchy eyelids.
- Ingrown hair grafts, usually rectified with ease by the physician.
- Ectropion-eversion and downward pull of the lower eyelid. This causes the eyelid to fall away from the eye, which may be caused by chronic dermatitis, trauma after eyelash transplant surgery, or scarring that causes retraction of skin.
- Entropion - a turning in of the upper or lower eyelid margin; this may be caused by surgical trauma as well as scarring. Trichiasis (turning in of the eyelashes against the eyeball) may be connected with entropion.
- Poor quality eyelash grafts or poor placement caused by the use of coarse hair as skin grafts, or placement of grafts that do not achieve the sought after aesthetic result.
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