Question:

In researching surgical hair restoration, I read about "tumescence" and "tumescent anesthesia" but I don't know what it is. What exactly is it?

Answer:

Tumescence in surgical hair restoration is a state of temporary swelling and fattening of the skin created by injections of anesthetic fluid and epinephrine into the fat layer of the scalp. The fluid being injected therefore, has been coined "Tumescent Anesthesia".

Tumescence minimizes blood loss and can help the anesthesia last longer. It also makes it easier for doctors to see between the follicles and harvest the donor strip without cutting hair follicles by making expanding the tissue and making the skin firm. It also helps the doctor avoid damaging deep seated blood vessels.

Bill (Falceros)
Associate Publisher/Editor