Follicular Unit Grafting

The key to Follicular Unit Grafting is to transfer intact Follicular Units from the permanent donor zone in the back of the scalp to the recipient (balding) areas. In order to remove Follicular Units from the back of the scalp without damaging them, the donor tissue must be removed in one piece. This technique is called "Single Strip Harvesting." It is an essential component of Follicular Unit Grafting as it not only preserves the follicular units, but also it prevents damage (transection) to the individual hair follicles and insures maximum growth.

The second essential component of Follicular Unit Grafting is "Microscopic Dissection." In this step, the donor tissue (obtained with single-strip harvesting) is carefully subdivided into individual, naturally occurring Follicular Units under the careful control of a Dissecting Stereo-microscope. In the process, the non-hair bearing (bald) skin surrounding each Follicular Unit is carefully removed producing a tiny, compact graft, while avoiding damage to the hair follicles.

Complete stereo-microscopic dissection has been shown to produce an increased yield of both the absolute number of follicular units, as well as the total amount of hair, in upward of 25% when compared to other non-microscope techniques.

A major advantage of Follicular Unit Grafting (besides preserving follicular units and maximizing growth) is the ability to use small recipient sites. Grafts comprised of individual follicular units are small because Follicular Units are themselves small, but also because the surrounding non-hair bearing tissue is removed under the microscope and doesn't need to be transplanted. Follicular Unit grafts can be inserted into tiny sites in the recipient area, which heal in just a few days, without leaving any marks.

The very small sites permit many follicular unit grafts to be safely transplanted in a single procedure allowing the entire hair restoration process to be completed as quickly as possible. When performed by a skilled surgical team, Follicular Unit Transplantation can provide a totally natural looking result in one or two sessions.

Dr. Rose utilizes the best techniques appropriate for each patient. Dr. Rose's procedures range from maximum "density" in coverage to a natural "filled-in" look.

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