Although transplants differ in some respects between Caucasian and African American patients, African Americans can enjoy the same benefits from hair restoration surgery as do patients of other races. The procedures used in hair restoration surgery are effective and successful in all races, according to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. In most respects, hair transplants vary little from patient to patient, regardless of ethnic background.
Procedure
In a hair transplant, surgeons harvest small strips of hair and scalp from the donor site, usually in the back of the head. A thin line of sutures closes the donor area, resulting in a minimal scar. The donor scalp, separated into numerous grafts or plugs, is transplanted in the bald section of scalp, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Results
Immediately following the transplant, much of the implanted hair sheds. About two months after the procedure, hair begins growing. After six months, the hair takes on a natural appearance and continues growing at a steady rate.
Benefits
African Americans enjoy many benefits when it comes to hair transplants. The curly nature of the hair makes it appear dense and thick. Therefore, African Americans with advanced hair loss may be able to get a hair transplant when a Caucasian patient with similar hair loss cannot. It takes more donor hair to perform hair restoration surgery on other ethnic groups than it does in African Americans because of the curly, thick texture of the hair.
Disadvantages
Some post-surgical complications are more common in African American patients such as keloids, skin discoloration and ingrown hairs, according to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. Keloids, irregular and elevated scars, commonly form in black skin. Sometimes, a small test transplant helps rule out the possibility of this particular complication. African Americans may experience increased or decreased skin pigmentation after the procedure. Ingrown hairs are also more common as the growing hair curls downward into the skin.
Considerations
Surgeons use a modified technique to harvest donor hair from African Americans. In most patients of other ethnic groups, the hair grows straight out from the scalp. In African Americans, however, hair follicles are curved, not straight.
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