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Hair
Transplant Misconceptions
Common fallacies disseminated by hair transplant surgeons still
using older techniques.
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Fallacy #1
A large number of small grafts cannot get the needed blood supply to
grow properly.
Explanation:
Since the scalp has one of the richest blood supplies of any region
of the body, and its blood supply is anastomotic (comes from many directions
and is all interconnected), it can easily support large numbers of grafts,
provided that the wounds made in the recipient site are very small.
The great advantage of Follicular Unit Transplantation is that the grafts
are small enough to fit into very tiny recipient sites. Those who make
these comments usually have little experience with using small grafts
and do not understand the anatomy of the scalp's blood flow and graft
oxygenation. The main issue is one of oxygen diffusion. Since oxygen
must diffuse into the center of the newly transplanted graft, very large
grafts will be oxygen-deprived in their center. This has been shown
repeatedly by observing the phenomenon called doughnutting, the loss
of hair follicles in the center of larger grafts. This phenomenon is
noted in larger grafts, but does not occur in follicular unit grafts
since the distance that oxygen must travel to reach the center of the
graft is so short.
Fallacy #2
Large grafts produce a better, denser transplant than smaller grafts.
Explanation:
The density of a given area is determined by the total amount of hair
transplanted, not by the size of the grafts. Larger grafts do not ultimately
give you more hair; rather, they produce an unnatural look. The highest
quality hair transplants require fine instruments and large numbers
of delicate, small grafts. These grafts must be distributed in a way
that balances the patient's individual facial features and hair characteristics.
Large grafts do not offer sufficient flexibility to allow this "customizing,"
and they weight the transplanted area out of proportion to the rest
of the scalp.
Fallacy #4
Larger grafts can produce a denser hairline than smaller grafts.
Explanation:
While this statement is literally true, it represents a misunderstanding
of the true aim of a hair transplant. The goal should not be to establish
a dense, abrupt hairline, but rather to create a natural-looking hairline.
A very dense hairline is not appropriate for most people as they age,
just as a very flat hairline is not appropriate. This is especially
true for someone who has less hair due to thinning or balding. It is
up to the surgeon to balance density and naturalness to give his patient
the best possible appearance. A dense frontal hairline made with larger
grafts will never look as natural as a properly designed hairline using
fine delicate grafts. The density of the transplanted area should always
be appropriate for the long-term goals of the individual.
Fallacy #5
"Try a few grafts and see if hair transplantation is for you."
Explanation:
This statement is one of the most disturbing comments made by a doctor.
The "try a few" mentality is, in our opinion, tantamount to
medical malpractice, as it does not fully inform the patient of the
potential problems of starting a process that he or she may not wish
to complete.
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Recommended
Resources |
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- Ask questions and get information on Hair Transplants
in our Men's
Forums and Women's
Forums!
- Information provided courtesy of the New
Hair Institute, taken from "The Patient's Guide to
Hair Transplantation" William R. Rassman, MD and Robert
M. Bernstein, MD
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