Any discussion of hair transplants will eventually lead to a discussion of hair grafts. How many do I need? Can it be done in one hair transplant session? Do I have enough hair to pull from in the donor area? These are all important questions that you and your hair transplant surgeon will need to discuss during your consultation. On this page, we’ve outlined the answers to some of the most common questions.
What Exactly Are Hair Grafts?
Hair grafts are the healthy hairs that are removed from the donor area to be implanted into the recipient area. All hair transplants in Turkey function on the same basic principle; healthy hair is removed from one part of the body and is transplanted into the scalp where hair loss is most prevalent. The most common donor site is in the back of the scalp, as these hairs are the least likely to be affected by hair loss. In patients with more advanced hair loss, hair grafts can be taken from the beard or body as well.
How Many Hairs Are In One Graft?
A single hair graft can have anywhere from one to four individual hairs. Typically, grafts with more hairs are used to fill in bald spots on the top of the scalp, where density is most important. Grafts with individual hairs are used for the hairline where a more natural look is desired.
How Many Grafts Are Typically Needed?
The number of hair grafts needed varies wildly from patient to patient. Obviously, the extent of your hair loss is the biggest factor, but things such as hair thickness, natural hair density, and hair/skin contrast can all make a difference. The number of grafts required can range from as little as 500 to over 6,000 individual grafts in extreme cases. The average patient has approximately 6,000 grafts available from a healthy donor area.
What Is The Maximum Number Of Grafts That Can Be Transplanted?
There is an upper limit on the number of grafts that can be placed onto a single scalp. This number is limited by hair and graft density. Typically, a hair density of approximately 40 FU (Follicular Units)/cm2 is ideal. The maximum number of hair grafts that are typically implanted in a single session is 2,000-4,000. However, some patients do opt for so-called “mega-sessions” of up to 6,000 transplanted grafts.
How Are The Grafts “Collected” And “Inserted”?
The method by which grafts are extracted and implanted varied from procedure to procedure.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is the most common method for hair transplantation in Turkey. Using the FUE technique, hair follicles are removed from a donor area in individual grafts or as multiple follicles. These are briefly stored in a special solution while all of the hair grafts are prepared. These grafts are then implanted into channels created in the recipient area. At the Dr Serkan Aygin Clinic, we have pioneered the use of sapphire blades during an FUE method transplant allowing for finer channels, denser hair implants, and faster healing. FUE transplants are minimally invasive procedures with a quick recovery time and low risk of scarring.
DHI Hair Transplants
Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) is one of the newest transplant techniques available for hair restoration treatment. It is a modified version of the FUE technique and combines extraction and implantation into a single step. During a DHI transplant, hair follicles are first extracted from the donor area before being directly embedded into the recipient area without the need for incisions. This is achieved by the use of a Choi implanter pen and allows for more accurate placement of hair follicles and a more natural final result.
A Lifetime Of Results
Hair transplants are the only truly permanent solution to hair loss. Since hair transplants use a patient’s own, healthy hair, the newly transplanted grafts will continue to grow for the rest of the patient’s life. While there are several non-surgical remedies for hair loss, they are all short-term solutions that require a lifetime of continued use. A hair transplant is a one-time procedure that comes with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee.
About Dr Serkan Aygin
Dr Serkan Aygin is an established trailblazer in the field of hair restoration. In 2019, he was honoured with the European Award for Medicine in the category of Hair Transplantation. In his illustrious 25-year career, he has assisted more than 15,000 patients and has recorded a hair regrowth rate of 98%. Our modern clinic is located in the heart of Istanbul in one of Turkey’s most prestigious hospitals.
Contact us today for a full, free consultation and learn what Dr Aygin can do for you.
