Hair transplant|Preparation of transplant

These are microscopic grafting techniques which have replaced the once popular punch graft method. 

The use of smaller grafts produces a more natural transition from thinning or baldness to increased hair growth.

The tiny grafts do not give the clumped “doll’s head” appearance after surgery that the punch grafting technique was famous for.

Scalp reduction:  A strip of redundant bald skin is removed from the middle of the scalp and the two opposing edges are brought together and stitched. 

This is particularly useful for the posterior crown of the head where graft procedures are not as successful, and in cases where large areas of baldness limit the amount of donor hair available for grafting methods.   

Strip graft:   A strip of hair from the back of the head is transplanted into an area of baldness.  This technique is commonly used for eyebrow replacement surgery.

Flaps:  This procedure is used much less often than other methods.  A flap of hair is taken from the side of the head and pivoted over the balding area on top of the head in Hair transplant.

Micro, Mini and Slit Grafts   

Micro, mini and slit grafts are the most common surgical methods to restore hair growth. 

The same principles of pre-operative, operative, and post-operative care apply to the other procedures as well.  What is cut and where is it placed is what varies.

The following steps are those taken in preparation for a transplant procedure:

• It is advisable not to drink any alcohol or take medications containing acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) for 10 days before the surgery, since these substances encourage bleeding. 
• It is also important to inform the surgeon of other medications you might be taking as these could have adverse effects, particularly with respect to bleeding.  If indicted, blood tests may be ordered.

• The hair is allowed to grow at least 3 inches prior to the surgery.
• The hair is shampooed with regular shampoo the night before or the morning of surgery.  Hair spray and other grooming products should not be used once the hair is clean.

The first step is to remove the graft from the donor area, or back and sides of the head:

• A row of hair at the back of the head is raised, and taped or clipped out of the way.  Then the hair to be transplanted is trimmed close to the scalp in Transplant therapy.

• The area is anesthetized locally and narrow bands or strips of skin and hair are removed.  The density of the hair in the area will determine the number of grafts that the strips will yield.  Two strips will usually yield 20 to 300 grafts of 1 to 5 hairs in Transplant therapy.

• While the donor site is being sutured closed, the strips are cut into mini grafts which are trimmed and spicules of hair (hairs with no roots) are removed.  The grafts are then stored in cool saline while the recipient slits are being prepared on top of the head in Transplant therapy.
• The taped hair above the donor site is released to hide the sutures.

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