1. Micrografting/Follicular Unit Transplant.
2. Follicular Unit Extraction.
3. Body Hair Transplant.
4. Micrografting to scars – for example, Facelift scars.
5. Camouflage Techniques After Surgery.

Gone are the days of the old tufty cornrow hairline, or plugged crown area that became more obvious as balding progressed over time.  Today’s hair transplantation is easy and effortless and is totally undetectable.  Transplanted hairs, once they grow need no special or on-going treatment, just shampoo, conditioner and your hairdresser!

In some cases where a patient’s hair loss is extensive, they choose to have a series of procedures according to the amount of hair growth they are looking to achieve.

Before		After
These Follicular units are transformed into grafts ready for transplanting.		View of donor area, trimmed and magnified showing the hairs in groups of 2-3 follicular units.

The technical terms for hair transplanting are "Micrografting" or "Follicular Unit Transplantation".  These techniques have been enhanced greatly over the last 5 years.  Hair transplants are a minor surgical procedure performed in a day surgery with a twilight anaesthetic. You would be surprised how many people out there have had this procedure because they are generally unnoticeable.

A small piece of hair bearing tissue is taken from the back of the head and carefully dissected with the aid of microscopic vision to produce micrografts of one, two and three hairs (sometimes 4).  Hair grows in the back of our heads in groups of 1, 2 or 3 hairs.  These groups are known as follicular units and need to be transplanted in tact for the best and most natural growth.  A special microscope makes this process possible.  These units are then planted into the hair line or other areas to add density while providing a natural looking appearance.  Results of new growth can generally be seen between 3-6 months after  the procedure.

In some cases, scars of any type no matter how thin and “invisible” are not desired by the patient. Follicular Unit Extraction is the process where each follicular unit is removed, one at a time to make follicular unit grafts. Each unit may contain 1, 2 or even 3 hair follicles. This process is being used more often with patients who have a sparse hair density, requiring careful attention to avoid the possibility of further scarring as with the patient below.

Patient

This patient had scars on his scalp from previous surgery and wished to camouflage them by having FUEs transplanted into this area. As you can see the FUEs were taken from the back of the head one at a time and were then planted along the scar during one session.

Body Hair Transplants have come along way in the last twelve months, with an increasing number of practices offering this to their patients. Dr John Cole and Jim Harris of the USA has been extracting one follicular unit at a time in the scalp for transplantation (FUE) so it was a natural progression to use this technique in extracting body hairs. For further information on how FUEs have developed to what we are doing now see Dr Cole’s website www.forhair.com/body-hair-growth--14-month-progress.html

Dr Cole has monitored the growth of body hair moved to the scalp and compared it to the growth rate on the body and here are his comments.

"We know that the length increases to about twice its original length when moved to the scalp, if the hair grows. The question proposed from this is whether the rate of growth increases or whether the duration of the growth increases. I cannot yet comment about the latter, but our studies to date show that leg hair has a growth rate of 0.3mm per day, while on the leg, while leg hair on the scalp increases to 0.35mm per day. According to Olsen (another doctor studying this area) body and beard grow at 0.27 mm per day, while scalp hair grows at 0.37 to 0.44 mm per day."

Dr Marzola says, "In my own practise, I have used BHTs on ten patients thus far. Each patient has been in a desperate situation, whereby they have very little donor hair on their heads. In the past these patients wanting coverage could have only considered wearing a wig or having synthetic hair implants. Options, they did not wish to consider. Therefore, BHT was the answer in their cases."

Body Hair is taken from areas such as the chest or shoulders and transplanted in the form of Follicular Units, which might contain 1, 2 or 3 hair follicles. The process is very similar to the traditional hair transplant, only difference is we harvest the Follicular Units one by one instead of removing them in a strip, which we do from the scalp. It does take a little longer but it is still a comfortable procedure for the patient.

"With monitoring my ten patients, I can see that everyone has experienced some growth, not as much as scalp hair and it appears that the phases of growth and dormancy of the hair follicles may vary from scalp hair but overall patients have more hair than before. Therefore, I will continue to watch and learn from this procedure and offer it to patients who find themselves in need of this kind of solution."

Micrografting is an effective way of eliminating scars from accidents of previous surgical procedures as seen below.

We often receive questions from our patients who are considering a procedure as to how they will look after surgery and if anyone will be able to notice their transplants. There are many ways in which we can help you to maintain an acceptable appearance. They are outlined below.

Mane Hairspray

Mane hairspray is an Australian product, which our patients have used for many years. This formulation comes in a number of colours to match your existing hair. To use it, apply the coloured spray over the grafted area, which will then take on the look of the surrounding hair making the grafts less obvious. A simple explanation is that Mane helps to fill in the gaps.

The only challenge with this product is if you happen to sweat or get caught in the rain the colour can run. Also, if it is used too thickly, for too long it can cause an inflammation of the hair follicles but used correctly, it has a very good safety record.

Toppik

Some of our patients choose to camouflage their grafts after their procedure using a product called Toppik, which is a formula made up of tiny, microfibre "hairs" that blend with your own hair to give a more dense appearance.

It is easy to use by shaking it gently over the area you wish to cover. As this product is charged with static electricity, it bonds securely with your own hair; the microfibre "hairs" stay in place as long as you want them to.

It also comes in a range of colours which can be mixed to match your hair own hair colour. Please ask our staff to assist you in choosing the correct colour for you.

Haircuts

Depending on the number of grafts you have you may choose to grow your hair a little longer which will help to hide the grafts as well as the donor area at the back of the head.

Hairstyles

Often patients are looking to update their hairstyle or to make the most of the available hair so should you want to see a hairdresser, who understands our procedures, feel free to speak to us here and we will provide you with contact details.