Hair transplant methods: from strip incisions to follicular unit extractions

Hair restoration technology is continuously providing patients with better options for hair loss treatments. Transplants have come a long way since the 1970's and 1980's, when hair plugs were used to treat hair loss. These hair plugs consisted of grafts with about 15 to 25 hairs in each. These plugs gave the hair transplant a very unnatural and obvious look.

Types of hair restoration procedures

Strip incisions. Strip incisions were traditionally used to transplant hair before more modern methods existed. The strip incision involves surgically removing strips of skin from the donor area, extracting the hair follicles, and then implanting them on the recipient area. While some surgeons are practicing more modern techniques in hair transplantation, this method of surgery is still effective and quite common.

The strip incision method has now been improved upon by micrografting. Surgeons are switching to this method because it doesn’t involve making any type of incision (scalpel-free). Hair follicles are extracted from the donor area using the micro grafting procedure and transplanted into the recipient area with ease.

Mini-micrografting. Mini-micrografting is similar to follicular unit extraction, with the main difference being that the graft size is determined by the doctor. He or she cuts the donor tissue into the size pieces that they see fit. With the mini-micrografting procedure, surgeons use a multi-bladed knife to quickly generate thin strips of tissue and then use direct visualization (rather than microscopic control) to cut the tissue. The resulting grafts are generally larger than follicular units and since the excess skin is not trimmed away the donor sites (wounds) are also larger.

However, follicular unit extraction is superior in producing a natural, undetectable result.

Follicular unit extraction. The follicular unit extraction method uses micro-grafting to achieve unbelievable results. This procedure involves the extraction of individual hair follicles from an area on the scalp, and reinsertion of the hair follicles into the hairline. This type of hair grafting surgery is usually performed using just a local anesthetic.

Nine advantages of follicular unit transplantation

1. No scarring
2. Faster healing time
3. Less discomfort
4. No incision
5. No stitching
6. No bandaging to keep hairs in place
7. Mimics your own hair pattern
8. More natural look
9. Larger amount of grafts can be transplanted at one time resulting in fewer sessions

Seven drawbacks of hair transplant procedures

If performed properly, hair transplant surgery is safe and effective. However, as with any other surgical procedure, there are rare cases in which complications may follow. Most of these problems are not serious, and are curable.

Be aware of the following risks:

1. Slow growth
2. Infection
3. Scarring
4. Pigmentary changes in skin
5. Cysts and pimples
6. Swelling around forehead and eyes
7. Numbing of scalp

To learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of a variety of hair loss restoration techniques, go to the Treatment Options page.