Eyelash Transplant Surgery? Seriously?
@sirensanssmile (3764)
Netherlands
October 26, 2006 3:54pm CST
Eyelash transplant surgery is gaining popularity as the new must-have procedure for women and sometimes even men. The procedure uses the same "plug and sew" techniques developed in the hair loss industry.
"Longer, thicker lashes are an ubiquitous sign of beauty. Eyelash transplantation does for the eyes what breast augmentation does for the figure," said Dr. Alan Bauman, a leading proponent of eyelash transplants.
"This is a brand new procedure for the general public (and) it is going to explode," Bauman told Reuters.
During eyelash transplant surgery, a small incision is done at the back of the scalp to harvest some 30 or 40 hair follicles that will each be sewn onto the patient's eyelids.
The surgery requires only light sedation and local anesthetics. One eye can cost around $3,000.
The technique was first pioneered for victims of burns or congenital malformations of the eye. Now, 80 percent are done for cosmetic reasons.
Dr. Sara Wasserbauer, a Northern California hair restoration surgeon, says she has been flooded by inquiries.
She said, "I have been getting a ton of eyelash inquiries ... If I had $10 dollars for every consultation, I'd be a rich woman."
Is this over the top or reasonable to you?
2 responses
@pussywillow (718)
• United States
2 Nov 06
Just the idea of this is making my eyelids hurt. Ouch!!! I have known a couple of people who had very sparse eyelashes and it is very true that eyelashes make a huge difference in how you look. But the mere idea of someone - oh, I can't even type it - it just sounds so painful. Thankfully, I don't have to worry about this one. I also wonder, if the hairs come from your head, will they grow like regular head hair does and will you need to trim them frequently? That could be a pain - having your eyelashes grow so long that they flop over and trail down your cheek bones.
But seriously, for some people I can see where this could be a big issue, if they have very sparse eyelashes or no eyelashes. If I had that problem I might consider it - probably not, but then I'll never know unless I'm actually in that situation. False eyelashes can, of course, solve the problem, but they are such a pain to apply and are so easily pulled off. And then there are those people who will never be happy with how they look, no matter how many surgeries and augmentations they have. If they have the money and are willing to deal with the pain, I say more power (or stupidity) to them.
@sirensanssmile (3764)
• Netherlands
3 Nov 06
Yeah I wondered that myself. Will the transplanted hair continue to grow like it would on your head? Wha if the person had naturally curly hair? That wouldn't look too good. I know that my eyelashes have a different texture than my hair so I am trying to figure out if the hair from your head would actually sit up like eyelashes do.... it is fascinating to me. I wouldn't do it though because I don't need to, but it is an interesting albeit painful sounding procedure.
@sirensanssmile (3764)
• Netherlands
27 Oct 06
You are right about that. I can't think of many things that they aren't already "enhancing" I think they now have it all.
