When talking about hair transplants, any conversation will eventually lead to a discussion of hair grafts. How many are needed? Do I need one or more hair transplant sessions? Do I have enough hair in the donor area to cover my hair loss? All of these are important questions that you and your hair transplant surgeon will discuss during your consultation. Here, we’ve outlined the answers to some of the most commonly-asked questions.
What Are Hair Grafts?
Hair grafts are healthy hairs that are removed from a donor area to be implanted into the recipient area. All hair transplants work largely the same way. First, healthy hair is extracted from one part of the body (the donor area, most commonly at the back of the head) before being transplanted into the bald area of the scalp. For patients with more advanced hair loss, hair grafts can be taken from the beard or elsewhere on the body as well.
How Many Hairs Are In One Graft?
A single hair graft can contain one to four individual hairs. Commonly, grafts that contain more hairs are used to fill in bald spots at the top of the scalp where hair density is most important. Grafts with individual hairs are generally used on the hairline where a more natural look is often the priority.
How Many Hair Grafts Do I Need?
The number of hair grafts a patient will need varies greatly from case to case. Obviously, the extent of hair loss is the biggest factor. However, things such as hair thickness, natural hair density, and hair/skin contrast all also play a role. The number of grafts that are needed can range from as little as 500 to over 6,000 grafts in the most extreme cases. The average person will likely have approximately 6,000 grafts that can be taken from a healthy donor area.
To get a clearer idea of how many grafts you might need, you can use our hair transplant graft calculator. By answering just a few simple questions about your hair loss (how long have you been losing hair, where are you on the Norwood Scale, etc.), we can provide you with a rough estimate of the number of hair grafts you need.
Is There A Limit To The Number Of Grafts I Can Get?
Yes, there is an upper limit on the number of grafts that a single patient can receive. This number is limited by the density of a patient’s hair and grafts. Typically, a hair density of around 40 FU (Follicular Units)/cm2 is ideal. In a single session, the maximum number of hair grafts that are typically implanted is 2,000-4,000. However, some patients may be eligible for so-called “mega-sessions” of up to 6,000 transplanted grafts.
How Are The Grafts “Collected” And “Inserted”?
There are two main versions of hair transplants that we perform at our clinic.
FUE Hair Transplants
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is perhaps the most widely-used method of hair transplant in Istanbul on the market today. With the FUE technique, hair follicles are extracted from the donor area either in individual grafts or as multiple follicles. Next, these are briefly stored in a nutrient-rich solution while the rest of the hair grafts are prepared. Lastly, the grafts are implanted into channels created in the recipient area. Dr Serkan Aygin Clinic has been a pioneer in the use of sapphire blades during FUE method transplants. This allows for finer channels, denser hair implants, and faster healing. FUE transplants are outpatient procedures with a short recovery time and a low risk of scarring.
DHI Hair Transplants
Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) is one of the newest transplant techniques on the market for hair restoration surgeries. As a modified version of the FUE technique, DHI combines the extraction and implantation phases into a single step. During a DHI transplant, hair follicles are extracted from the donor area and are then immediately implanted into the recipient area without the need for incisions. This is done with help from the use of a Choi implanter pen and allows for the most accurate placement of hair follicles and a more natural final result.
A Lifetime Of Results
Hair transplants represent the only permanent solution for hair loss. Since hair transplants use a patient’s own, healthy hair, these new grafts will continue to grow for the rest of the patient’s life. While, yes, there are several non-surgical remedies for hair loss, these all provide only short-term solutions that require a lifetime of continual use. Hair transplants are one-time procedures that provide a lifetime of satisfaction.
About Dr Serkan Aygin
Dr Serkan Aygin is an established pioneer 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%. Whether it’s simple male pattern baldness, or something more extreme, contact us today for a full, free consultation and learn what Dr Aygin can do for you.
