Chapter 1 - Defining a Hair Transplant Chapter 7 - Who gets Transplants? Chapter 2 - Follicular Unit Transplants Chapter 8 - Expecting the Best Chapter 3 - Suggestions for your Surgery Chapter 9 - Corrective Procedures Chapter 4 - Post Surgery Experience Chapter 10 - Learn to be Cautious Chapter 5 - Doing the Research Chapter 11 - Myths and Legends Chapter 6 - Setting Expectations Chapter 12 - Credits

What are Follicular Units?

Human hair grows in tiny bundles called follicular units. Although this fact had been recognized for some time by histologists (doctors who study human tissue), the existence of follicular units has been largely ignored by physicians performing hair restoration surgery.

The follicular unit of the adult human scalp consists of 1-4 terminal (full thickness) hair follicles. In areas of the scalp affected by genetic balding, the healthy terminal hairs are gradually replaced by hairs of smaller diameter and length called "miniaturized" hairs.

In addition to the full terminal hairs, the follicular unit contains 1-2 fine vellus hairs, sebaceous (oil) glands, a small muscle, tiny nerves and blood vessels, and a fine band of collagen that surrounds the unit (the perifolliculum). The follicular unit is thus the hair bearing structure of the skin and should be kept intact to insure maximum growth.

The follicular unit is seen on the surface of the scalp as a tiny group of hairs that appear to be growing together. They are best viewed under a microscope where they are seen as well-formed structures in the skin.

Recommended Resources

	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