Frequently Asked Questions
What are follicular units?
Over time, researchers in hair transplantation have discovered hair grows in groupings of 1 to 4 hairs. These are called follicular units. In the hair transplant procedure we dissect the donor strip of hair into follicular units and place them in the recipient site to achieve natural looking results.
How many hairs are in the average follicular unit?
There is an average of 2.3 hairs in each follicular unit. We use the follicular units with 1 hair to restore and sculpt the hairline. We use larger follicular units to achieve density away from the hairline.
Will my hair transplant look natural?
Yes, the proper use of follicular units will be detectable only by a trained professional on close examination. The only way other people will know is if you chose to tell them.
Why does the hair on top of my head fall out but not in the back?
In certain areas of the scalp (frontal and top) cells around the hair shaft have more 5-alpha reductase. This is the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone). As a result these areas with more DHT result in greater hair loss.
Why does hair transplant work?
The donor area at the back of the head is genetically programmed (less 5 alpha reductase) to last a lifetime. When these donor hairs are moved to the recipient site they retain this ability to last!
How many hairs do I have?
A person has an average of 100,000 hairs. Most people must lose 50% of their hair in an area before they begin to notice hair loss. If you are completely bald on the top of your head, you have lost approximately 60,000 hairs.
How much hair can be transplanted?
There is a limited supply of donor hair. The average is about 5,000 to 5,500 follicular units. This cannot all be transplanted at once as it would be difficult to close the donor area.
How can I achieve density and is it the number of follicular units that are transplanted?
Density is affected by a couple of things. One is beyond our control and that is the thickness of individual hairs. Some people have very fine hair and some have naturally thick hair. People of Asian and African or African American descent have naturally thicker hair shafts.
Density is achieved by number of hairs transplanted not the number of follicular units. There is an average of 2.3 hairs per follicular unit. It is the total number of hairs transplanted that will improve the density in the area we transplant.
Will I keep losing hair after a transplant?
It is normal to lose about 100 hairs per day. Hair follicles cycle between growth and resting phases so it is normal to lose hair. Also hair that is high in the enzyme that results in DHT will continue to be a factor affecting future hair loss. In our procedure planning we try to anticipate what the effects of future loss will be.
How many procedures will I need?
It depends on the amount of loss and expectations. Our goal at surgery is to achieve 25-35% density at each session. 50% density will generally satisfy most patients having the procedure. Most patients require 2 procedures.
How many follicular units do I have in my donor area?
There are approximately 100 follicular units per square centimeter. So to give 35% coverage we will have to place 35 follicular units in a square centimeter in the recipient site.
How long does it take before the transplanted hair grows out?
Hairs begin to grow in 6-12 weeks. Generally it will take 3 to 6 months for the hair to grow out and be noticeable. Hair growth will initially be fine but will thicken as time goes on. You should expect to see the full effect in 1 year. Hair on average grows 1¼ centimeters or ½ inch per month.
Can other people donate their hair to me?
No! Your body would reject it just like a kidney transplant that from a non cross-matched donor.
I use a hair-piece. Can you just do a frontal hair line, I don’t have much donor hair, but I would like a more natural hair line?
Yes! This will give a more natural look to the coverage achieved by your hair piece. We can work with you and your hair system counselor.
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