Great stoic philosophers like Seneca liked to point out that moderation was the key to attaining harmony in the self – ‘a sound mind in a sound body.’ This tidbit of ancient Roman wisdom also holds true for hair transplants. One of the more common questions that our patients tend to ask during consultations is: “Doctor, can we do more?”
We understand you completely. Hair transplants are a big deal for our patients, most of whom (very understandably) want to do as much as possible in a single session, obtain optimal results, and then never have to undergo another surgery again. So back to the question: is more better? Would a massive single transplant of, for example, upwards of 5,000 grafts ever be a good idea? Does having more grafts indicate a better quality transplant? Would using more grafts than recommended and packing them closer together produce thicker, more aesthetically pleasing results? The answer to these closely related questions is- not necessarily. As often happens in medicine, and in life, the answer isn’t always that simple.
Technically speaking, most patients simply don’t need 5,000+ grafts in one go. To give you some perspective, it would take about 5,000 – 6,000 grafts to cover every inch of an entirely bald scalp with adequate density. Most patients end up in our clinic far before that level of hair loss has set in. Most common cases of hair loss involve isolated thinning restricted to certain portions of the scalp. The standard recommended treatment of such cases tends to call for around 2,500 grafts to 3,000 grafts.
Consider this, if it takes 5,000 grafts to cover the entire scalp, we shouldn’t need more than 2,500 or 3,000 to treat thinning of the frontal scalp. Anything more would be simply unnecessary. In fact, it would be very undesirable to force in twice as many grafts as required into a given area; just as it would be highly medically inadvisable to take such grafts from the donor area and then not use them. The donor area only possesses a limited number of grafts and when they’re gone, they’re gone. Hair transplants only address areas of the scalp that are currently thinning or balding. The grafted hair, under normal circumstances, will remain in place for the rest of your life; however, hair transplants do not prevent hair loss in untreated areas of the scalp. Therefore, you may very well want to save some of those extra potential grafts for later.
But what if yours is a case of advanced hair loss calling for around 5,000 to 6,000 grafts to treat? Can we do 5,000 in one sitting then? It depends on several factors. If such a large number of grafts can be safely harvested in one sitting, then certainly. There are some important caveats here though. Firstly, most clinics are simply not equipped to perform a surgery of this magnitude. Secondly, only the FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) procedure would be appropriate for such large cases. FUT also known as the ‘strip’ procedure is somewhat invasive and should only be attempted by highly qualified surgeons in a state of the art clinic. Attempting this level of FUT at a clinic which lacks the adequate experience and resources can only lead to disastrous results. Scarring, destruction of the donor area and of the highly sensitive harvested grafts, risk of infection and/or poor final results are all serious risks involved when practitioners and clinics are pushed past the limits of their facilities and expertise.
Moreover, when considering a massive transplant many factors also depend on the individual patient. The average patient is not physiologically capable of safely rendering 5,000+ grafts in one sitting. The laxity (that is, the potential for movement or the ‘stretch capacity’) of the typical human scalp and/or the donor area density often prevents this. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous clinics will go ahead with a 5,000+ graft transplant anyway. As mentioned above, more often than not the results aren’t pretty.
Certain rare patients do possess a broad donor area and excellent laxity. We can safely harvest a reasonably sized strip from them for use in large grafting procedures. The scalps of most patients, however, can only safely provide between 2,500 – 3,000 grafts at one time. Patients in need of 5,000 – 6,000 grafts to cover the whole scalp would simply need to undergo two procedures instead of one. For advanced hair loss, this eliminates the unpleasantness and many of the complications associated with massive grafting procedures and is how the vast majority of such hair restoration procedures are carried out. Anything else would be an exception, highly qualified by individual factors, and most certainly not the norm.
It is also important to let the scalp heal and not to push too much surgery on it at one go. Scalp laxity tends to return within 12 months of surgical recovery by which point it is perfectly safe to undergo a second procedure. As an added perk, due to our highly specialized grafting technique you will still only ever have one incision scar no matter how many times we harvest from the donor area.
Finally, to address the last question: ‘does putting in more grafts than required produce thicker and more aesthetically pleasing results?’ The short answer is a definite no. There are serious and potentially detrimental consequences associated with purposeful excessive grafting. Here at Modena Hair institute we practice dense graft packing to achieve a full and healthy restoration; however our highly trained and specialized professionals understand that the grafts can only be placed so close.
More grafts do not necessarily produce a better appearance and, furthermore, a region of the scalp subject to excessive incisions will suffer inevitable and irreversible tissue damage. In fact, such tissue damage can even lead to necrosis and infection killing the new grafts and leaving the unfortunate patient with some very nasty scars. There is also no guarantee that badly damaged tissue will be receptive to future grafting. So to go back to our Roman philosophers- moderation is key. A smaller number of judiciously placed and safely harvested grafts, in the hands of our experienced surgeons, will always yield better results than an ill-conceived and equally ill-advised ‘mega graft.’
Want to know how many grafts you may need or may be able to do in one sitting?
For more information about hair loss and cutting edge surgical treatments contact our hair restoration surgery center today. Here at Modena Hair Institute we always strive to provide our patients with the highest standard of custom hair restoration treatment available, directly tailored to their individual needs. Our specialists are eagerly awaiting your visit or digital consultation. Contact us today!
Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.
A hair transplant will give you a beautifully restored head of hair, but does it last? Here at Modena Hair Institute we occasionally hear from concerned prospective patients who, while admiring the fine results of our finished hair transplants, are nonetheless concerned that, given enough time, their newly restored hair will eventually thin and fall out. The good news for you is that this is absolutely not the case. Transplanted hair follicles are harvested from a region of the scalp (called the ‘permanent zone’) that is genetically resistant to hair loss; therefore, most patients can expect their newly implanted hair to last forever.
It is well known that the sun damages our skin, but does it damage our hair as well? Scientific research says yes. Further, chlorine and saltwater will also take a toll on our luscious locks we work so hard to keep soft and healthy. The not-so-pleasant outcome: a few weeks into summer, hair that was once shiny and easily managed looks and feels as stiff and crunchy as a McDonald french-fry. “The ultraviolet rays of the sun actually cook the hair shaft” says world-renowned Hair Restoration Specialist, Dr. Yazdan.
Don’t let these male celebrities fool you – they haven’t always had their flowing locks! Celebs are constantly being put under a microscope to look their best, so it comes as no surprise that these male stars are opting for some surgical assistance when it comes to losing their locks. Today, we live in a day and age were the better we look, the better we FEEL, and the better we feel can lead to endless possibilities in life! Whether it’s getting that job promotion, getting (or keeping) the woman of your dreams, or just being able to look in the mirror with confidence and say, “I look good today.” Whatever the motivation may be, a hair restoration procedure can significantly improve your overall quality of life.
Matthew McConaughey – one man known for his gorgeous appearance and thick lustrous hair. It wasn’t always like that! He had his hair in his youth but by time 1999 rolled around, we started seeing the signs of his receding hairline. Look at him now! As far as career – what has this hunk accomplished since undergoing a hair restoration?
John Travolta – Miraculously, his once thinning head of hair is now just as thick and full as it was in Saturday Night Fever days.
Salt and Pepper, Silver, Pewter, Charcoal – call it what you want to call it, but gray hair is gray hair! If you’ve come early to the graying game, you may blame genetics…
Hair loss is a big concern for most adults as it reminds us that our youth – and hair is slowly withering away. And when natural home remedies, chemically-induced products and hair loss treatments fail to work their ‘magic’, a hair transplant may be last resort for most of us. Unlike using ointments for hair growth which is quite simple, a hair transplantation is a tedious process that should be done under the guidance of an expert hair restoration specialist alike Dr. Yazdan to avoid any 
Not only are vitamins and nutrients essential for a healthy body and bodily function, but they also play a key role in keeping the hair on our heads from shedding. A high-quality multi-vitamin is important and of course, a healthy diet is essential, however, many suffer from nutrient deficiencies due to underlying conditions such as a thyroid problem- both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and a hormonal imbalance. Some people will require additional supplementation to bring us back up to optimal healthy, luxurious hair.
Myth #7: An Unlimited Amount of Hair Can Be Extracted from the Scalp. 
While the temperature of your shower may not be the first thought that comes to mind when it comes to hair care, there are pros and cons to washing your hair in both hot and chilly water! Really, which is better comes down to a few key factors to understand:
Unfortunately, our hair is not alike fine wine and does not get better with age…or alcohol! While alcohol itself does not cause hair to fall out, it certainly contributes and depending how much you drink, it can play a bigger role than you think!
With spring in full effect, not only are the flowers waking up for new life but so is your hair. The life cycle of the cells changes which leads to their accelerated revival! Consequently, the skin begins to peel, and hair loss occurs. Don’t worry – there is nothing wrong with you, this is just a natural occurrence. With that said, are there ways to prevent losing those luscious locks before summer? Yes!
For many people whom lose their hair clump by clump, it may seem more like a nightmare than reality. This condition can have a very deep psychological effect on men and women’s lives. It starts with no warning and can be devastating to anyone who must go through this. Some people will get this periodically throughout their life, and some will lose all their hair completely or see patches that appear suddenly and permanently.
Almost every woman eventually develops some degree of female-pattern hair loss and as many as two-thirds suffer hair thinning or bald spots. It can start any time after the onset of puberty, but women tend to first notice it around menopause, when hair loss typically increases. The risk rises with age, and it’s higher for women with a history of hair loss on either side of the family.
Most scalp conditions will eventually lead to some type of skin rash and unfortunately…hair loss! Whether it’s hereditary, malnutrition or an infection, a pesky scalp condition can occur leaving you wearing hats every day or in severe cases, hermitizing in the comfort of your home waiting for your unsettling condition to subside. Here you’ll find a few common scalp disorders and some helpful recommendations to restore your damaged head of hair.
There’s nothing ‘unmanly’ about wanting to look good. Taking care of your skin and hair is just as critical to men as it is to women. “We’re finally at an era where it’s more acceptable for men to pay attention to skin and hair care” says Southern California and Las Vegas hair restoration physician, Dr. Amir Yazdan. Keep your medicine cabinet stocked and get the latest on grooming essentials, skin care treatments for thinning hair and more here in this article.
If you’ve been familiarizing yourself with the diverse types of hair loss conditions out there, you may have read the scientific term “effluvium” pondering on what that word even means; effluvium is the ‘scientifically correct’ term for the outflow, and anagen and telogen refer to the distinct phases in your hair growth cycle.
Alike good health and youth, most of us take our locks for granted…until they’re gone! For many men and women, a hair transplant can bring back the appearance of a fuller head of hair. If thinning, balding or a receding hairline has you bothered – a hair restoration procedure is one way to have you feeling confident about your looks again.
