Frequently Asked Questions
Performed correctly, a hair replacement procedure is completely inconspicuous after 8-12 months. Surgeons can recreate wavy, randomized hairlines that look natural and for this minimizing the scar from the donor area incision is a critical part. A fine donor scar allows a good regeneration of the donor area for future hair transplant procedures and also permits short hairstyles. A number of techniques have been developed to minimize donor scarring when using a Strip Transplantation (FUT): tumescent anesthesia, undermining, absorbable sutures, buried sutures, staples and trichophytic closures. In case of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), this procedure is considered minimally invasive, because only the most superficial layer of the skin is cut and the holes are very tiny: 0.6 to 1.00 mm punches to cut around the follicle unit.
There are many variable in determining the total number of grafts needed for a complete surgical hair restoration: facial characteristics and general aesthetic needs, patients hair characteristics, density, scalp laxity, head size and shape. But, as a general guide, the following table can be useful in having an ideea for the total number of hair grafts needed for each Norwood class.
| Norwood Class | Follicular Unit Grafts | Baldness zones |
| IIa | 900-2400 |  |
| III | 2000-3500 |  |
| III Vertex | 2000-3000 |  |
| IIIa | 2400-4000 |  |
| IV | 3500-5000 |  |
| IVa | 4000-5500 |  |
| V | 5000-6500 |  |
| Va | 5000-7000 |  |
| VI | 7000-12000 |  |
| VII | more than 10000 |  |
| Technique | FUT (Strip) | FUE |
| Indication | For small or large area of baldness | For small area of baldness. Tight scalp. |
| Stitches required | Yes | No |
| Number of grafts | Many more grafts in 1 session - up to 5000 grafts depending on scalp laxity and donor density. | Usually 1000-1500 grafts per 1 session. |
| Shaving scalp before surgery | No need to shave | Need to shave the scalp |
| Scar | A single thin ( 1-2 mm ) straight line with trichophytic technique Minimally visible |
Numerous dispersed small white circular scars Minimally visible |
| Scar visibility | Can be covered if hair is worn at least 1cm long | Can be covered if hair is worn at least 1cm long |
| Visible scarring with short hair at back | May be present | Microscopic scars, not easilly detectable |
| Number of sessions | Usually one session | May need more than one session if more than 1500 grafts is required |
| Quality of grafts | Good quality of grafts, can do double or multi-unit grafts to add more volume. Less transection due to a better visibility (1-2%) |
Greater risk for transection, especially in curly hair - transection rate 5–10%. |
| Healing time: donor area | 2-3 weeks | Approx. 1 week |
| Healing time: recipient area | Approx. 2 weeks | 10–14 days |
| Growth hair rate | 80- 90% growth rate | About 70-75% growth rate |
| Pain | More pain at donor scar on the first few days | Less pain at donor wound |
| Cost | Less expensive | More expensive |
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Ask a medical representative a question about hair transplant:
Latest news
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Transplant procedures can be somewhat painful mainly due to local anesthesia using injections into the scalp. But new procedures do not involve needles
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Hair transplantation can be performed at any age, technicaly, but probably in many cases doctors recommend patients to wait up to an age close to 30 years.
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Depending on the method used for harvesting grafts, recovery time can vary from a few days (FUE method) to 1-2 weeks (FUT or STRIP method)
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Very important rules for a healty transition after hair transplant surgery.
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What technique? FUE or STRIP? Advantages and disadvantages of each.
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