Understanding The Different Types of Hair Transplant Procedure

By the time they turn 35 years old, two out of every three men will have noticed some hair loss. By the time men in America turn 50, 85% have significant thinning to their hair. Currently, about 35 million American men are suffering from hair loss and 21 million American women are also dealing with the issue. Close to 50% of those who are losing their hair say that they would spend all of their life savings if it could guarantee them a full head of hair again. Hair loss is clearly common, but that doesn’t make it easy to bear.

If you are dealing with hair loss, you know how difficult it is. You may be wondering about some of the more advanced treatments currently available, such as follicular unit transplantation and other types of hair loss treatment. Follicular unit transplantation is often compared with follicular unit extraction, and both of these methods are among the most common ways of treating hair loss. Here’s what you need to know about how these two procedures differ.

What They Have In Common

To understand how these treatments are different, it is important to first understand in what way they are similar. Both the follicular unit transplantation and follicular unit extraction uses part of the existing scalp where hair is still present to fill in areas of the scalp that are thinning.

How is Follicular Unit Transplantation Performed?

Follicular unit transplantation takes a long sliver of tissue from the back or the sides of the scalp using a stereo-microscopic dissection. This generally leaves a very thin and fine scar as the edges of the wound are closed up. This dissected tissue is then transplanted onto the thinning area of the head.

How Is Follicular Unit Extraction Performed?

Follicular unit extraction uses small punches to pull out circular groupings of between one and eight hairs naturally growing together in a group. This allows for more areas of the scalp to be harvested and typically leaves very small, round scars.

What Are the Advantages of Follicular Unit Transplantation?

This type of hair transplant normally provides the patient with the greatest amount of hair in the end. It’s important to consider this when thinking about how much fullness a patient hopes to get out of their hair restoration.

What Are the Advantages Of Follicular Unit Extraction?

This type of hair loss treatment has the advantage of leaving less scarring and allowing for a faster healing time. For patients who intend to keep their hair very short, follicular unit extraction may be the better choice. It may also be a better choice for those who scalp is not loose enough to allow for a whole strip to safely be removed.

Is It Possible to Do Both?

For some people with hair loss, using both types of hair transplant methods can be a great choice. Follicular unit transplantation can be used initially in order to increase the yield of hair, while follow-up procedures using follicular unit extraction can help fine-tune the area or camouflage the initial scar.

Both follicular unit transplantation and follicular unit extraction are excellent ways of minimizing hair loss and bringing a person genuine hair restoration. If you’re concerned about your hair loss and want to regain your youthful full head of hair and the confidence that comes with it, look into hair transplant procedures in your area and a hair loss doctor. who can help you make the right decision for your needs.