Top 3 Hair Transplant Donor Hair Techniques -

In life today people demand excellence and that is the same with cosmetic medicine or surgery. Advances in hair loss treatments and surgical hair transplantation have opened medical innovation and possibilities. Hair loss can have deep psychological effects on both men and woman and consciously or subconsciously this can affect confidence and can lead to low self-esteem. Here are the 3 top hair transplant donor hair management techniques available today.

A hair transplant works because of a simple basic principle; moving healthy genetically strong hair to populate areas prone to hair loss. The moved hair maintains the genetic properties and continues to grow. With medical and surgical expertise and an artistic eye, it is possible to treat minor hairline reconstruction to advanced hair loss patterns. Hair transplant techniques have been refined in recent years, in both areas of donor hair management and recipient area graft placement.

A hair transplant first requires a quality donor area. The area the hair is removed from. The donor zone must be immune from the genetic hair loss gene. As well as good quality hair characteristics.

Hair characteristics can include a high density of follicular units and a thick hair shaft. As well as a low hair to skin colour contrast and a wave or curl to the hair length.

FOLLICULAR UNIT GROUP DONOR HARVESTING

Traditionally the Doctors takes, or ‘harvests’, hair follicles from the back and sides of the head. Scalp hair—at the top, sides and back of the head—grows in groupings of individual hairs. When viewed under magnification, it is clear to see clusters of one to four shafts of hair growing from each follicle in the skin. We call these groupings “follicular units”.

One to Three Hair Follicular Units Groupings

Typically, approximately 30% of scalp hair follicles have one hair, 40% have two hairs and 30% of follicles have three to four hairs, but this varies from person to person. Each follicular unit contains an average of 2.2 hairs. With follicular unit grafting, we surgically harvest hair from the donor site keeping each unit intact.

Follicular Unit Grafting is the new standard of hair replacement that allows surgeons to recreate the natural results. This is mainly because by using this follicular unit grafts. Surgeons can place grafts containing one to four hairs into the recipient sites on the scalp in a more natural appearance.

TOP 3 HAIR TRANSPLANT DONOR HAIR TECHNIQUES

Overall all hair transplant procedures are the same, in respect of graft care and hair placement. There are versions of the original methods but for this exercise we will assume the hair placement is the same. What differs is the donor hair management and how the follicular units are removed from the donor area. Also, where the safe donor area zones are on the scalp and body. Here are the 3 top hair transplant donor hair techniques.

FUE – Follicular Unit Extraction

At present FUE is the most popular of the donor management techniques, largely because it does not leave a linear scar. As a result, it is less obvious a hair transplant has been performed. The donor area measures from one side of the head to the other, from the nape areas up. Taking into account hair loss can drop down the sides and back of the head. This donor area is shaved to ensure the safe removal of the hair follicles. Each follicular unit is first punched and then extracted, one by one, making the procedure slow. This technique is traditionally performed manually or with a motorised punch, however recently robots or machines have greatly increased efficiency, but not necessarily quality. Generally, fewer grafts can be safely removed in one or multiple sessions, avoiding the donor zone becoming over-harvested.

FUT – Follicular Unit Transplant or Strip Technique

The longest established follicular unit grafting technique. It is still popular today. It is as a one day procedure. Also removes the maximum number of follicular units safely. It does not require shaving the entire donor area making it easier to hide during the healing process. FUT removes a thin hair bearing strip. Containing a high density of follicular units. The length and width of the strip depends on a number of factors. The donor hair characteristics of the area including the skin laxity. The number of grafts or follicular units required to treat the area of hair loss. In general a strip can vary in size between 10-30 cm in length and 0.5 to 2 cm in width. The individual follicular units are carefully removed from the strip. All performed under magnification.

BHFUE – Body Hair Follicular Unit Extraction

Body hair can be a viable source of donor hair on the right candidate. Body hair is not considered to be the primary donor zone, but can be used when the scalp donor hair has been exhausted. Scalp and Body Hair can differ in hair characteristics. Often the colour and curl can differ. Also the growth cycles vary. Meaning combining the to hairs zones may requires special maintenance. The Body hair consists of the beard, chest arms and legs normally.

The hair follicles are removed with the Follicular Unit Extraction technique. Body hair can be less resistant to DHT blockers. As a result if the individual is using DHT blockers BH may not be the best donor resource to use. Body hair is best used to mix or blend with the scalp hair, adding greater hair coverage and the look of hair density. This method has allowed repair cases and limited scalp donor patients to extend their donor hair resource.

DECIDING ON THE BEST DONOR HAIR MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE

For the lucky ones they can pick and choose the technique they prefer. For many, the best technique is dictated to them. By factors such as hair loss pattern and donor hair characteristics. Planning your hair transplant is an important factor in your long-term hair restoration. Factors such as your age and hair loss patterns in your family. Importantly your goals and expectations being realistic and achievable. Your first priority is having an ethical hair transplant consultation. Ideally with a Doctor that performs the 3 hair transplant donor hair techniques. This can be performed online many times. You will receive a full assessment confirming your hair loss cause and stage and the potential restoration options.