Follicular Unit Hair Transplant

As I discussed in my last blog, the scalp hair is arranged in distinct anatomical and physiologic units called Follicular units. The knowledge of existence of follicular units have revolutionised the field of hair transplant, so that modern day transplant looks absolutely natural. These are the advantages of Follicular architecture that we use in modern hair transplant; Maximizing  growth The follicular unit is a family. some have only one member while some have more. These members (hairs) of a follicular unit share vital support system. If we remove hair from them, then neither of them grow well. This results in sub optimal growth and inferior result.  Natural Appearance Since Follicular unit is a natural phenomenon, transplant done using follicular units looks natural and easily mixes with existing hair. The unnatural clumpy appearance of mini and micrografting is avoided. Since the follicular units are small in size an even density can be provided, mimicking t...

Follicular unit is a natural grouping of one or more hairs in the scalp. Follicular units also contain sebaceous (oil) glands, arrector pili muscle, and nerves and blood vessels. This can be likened to a family of hair . If you separate a person from his/her family, he may survive but will not be happy. These Follicular units terminal (and occasionally a velus) hair are so close together that it is not feasible to separate them, without compromising the growth. This is how a follicular unit looks like. On the left is a two hair unit and on the right is a single hair unit. So, what is advantage of this follicular architecture?? How does this affect your hair transplant? I shall discuss this in my next blog.

The two most commonly performed procedures for hair transplant currently are Strip method (FUT - Follicular unit transplant) and FUE (Follicular unit extraction). Although FUT is currently most performed procedure, world over, FUE is fast emerging as a method of 1st choice especially when cost is not a constraint. I offer both procedures to almost all my patients who have good donor area and even now, most patients opt for strip method since it is cheaper. The only difference between FUT & FUE is in harvesting the hair from the donor areas. The method of placement and the final outcome is similar in both methods.. Why FUE? 1. STITCH: Strip method will always use stitch / staples in the donor area. Some patients, in spite of the best techniques and educated judgment by the surgeons across the world will encounter problems due to stitches such as foreign body reaction, delayed absorption, suture spitting, stitch abscess etc solely due to presence of stitches. Such ...

Did you know that by the time you start noticing hair loss, approximately 50% of the hair are already gone. So, as soon as you notice hair loss, you should consult a doctor. Remember that consulting a doctor is not same as going for transplant. In early stages of baldness, medicines can help you retain your hair and may postpone the need of transplant. However, medicines can not bring back the lost hair and to grow new hair in a bald area, transplant is the only option.. You should plan a transplant if,       You have Androgenetic alopecia stage III to stage VII.       Your hairline is not appropriate for age or you wish to achieve younger looking hair line       You have burn alopecia or traction alopecia.       You have eyebrow, eyelash or facial hair loss. You should wait if, You are in your teens or early twenties with unstable hair line. If you have rare genetic conditions li...

Baldness and thinning of scalp hair are conditions that affect almost one-third of all men in their thirties and, fifty percent by their fifties.  Infrequently, some women also experience noticeable hair loss. There are many causes for temporary hair loss including systemic diseases, severe infection, anemia, thyroid disease, protein, vitamin and mineral deficiency, certain drugs, cancer treatments, childbirth and birth control pills. In this type of hair fall the root of hair is not destroyed. Therefore hair loss is temporary and corrects after the offending agent is withdrawn. However, when hair root is destroyed, the loss of hair is permanent. The causes include direct trauma such as accidents, burns, operations and inflammatory or infectious diseases of the scalp. But, the most common type of permanent hair loss is Androgenetic alopecia , the exact cause of which is not known. However a hormonal byproduct called DHT has a significant role to play. It is postulated that ...