An Overview of Hair Transplantation The Dermatologist, Dr. Norman Orentreich, introduced hair transplantation in the United States in the late 1950's. Although the basic concept behind hair transplantation is rather simple, self-proclaimed "experts" have shrouded the field in mystery and these myths have been perpetuated over the years. The hair growing on the sides and lower part of the back of the head is permanent hair in most people. It persists even in the face of the most extreme degree of Male Pattern Baldness. This permanent hair can be redistributed to cover the areas of the head where the hair has thinned or that have hair loss baldness propecia baldness medical cures become bald. All hair restoration procedures work through the redistribution of this permanent hair. A Very Brief History of Hair Transplantation The modern technique of hair transplantation was first described by a Japanese dermatologist named Okuda in 1939. Dr. Okuda, working on severely burned patients, transplanted round grafts of skin containing hair follicles from the permanent hair-bearing areas into slightly smaller round openings in scarred areas of scalp. The grafts continued to produce hair in their new location. Dr. Okuda's findings were published in a Japanese medical journal, but he died in World War II and his discovery was lost. Dr. Okuda limited his treatment to hair loss information baldness medical cures burn victims; he may not have realized the possibilities of using this technique to treat baldness. Another Japanese dermatologist, Tamura, used very small 1- to 2-hair grafts to restore hair in the female pubic region. His techniques were, in many ways, similar to the techniques used today. Unfortunately, because of W.W.II, the articles describing their techniques were not known to the Western World unit many years after Dr. Orentreich had founded the field of Hair Transplantation in the United States. Japanese Journal of Dermatology from Stough: Hair Replacement The principles and techniques of modern hair transplantation were rediscovered by Dr. Norman Orentreich in New York reasons for hair loss baldness medical cures City in