Consultations with different graft estimates

[Spoony]

I've been having consultations with UK based Drs. All have good reviews and their results seem good (natural, not low straight pluggy hairlines etc) but the variance between the upper graft count and lower is about 1500.

I appreciate each Dr will have their own approach and it's not just about graft numbers, but at this stage , how does one differentiate and make a decision?

 

[Understanding Hair]

Hi @Spoony , you need to question the clinics planning and distribution of grafts, for the highest to the lowest quote, as one maybe underquoting as much as another over quoting. Look at the hairline design, if the positions are about the same height and style, temple recession. Look at graft distribution, how far into your existing hair they are going to place grafts, some clinics like to go deep into your existing hair. Confirm the are using intact follicular units, natural groups of 1 to 4 hair units, on a procedure around 1500 to 2500 the average should be around 2-2.3 hairs per graft. If a clinic splits natural groups they can increase the number of grafts without increasing the hair count, so ideally get the graft/hair count after your procedure. Ask the clinics to show you similar hair loss patterns, hair colour and characteristics to yourself using a similar graft count to the quote.

It´s for the clinics to justify the graft numbers, nothing wrong for you to say you are researching and the graft counts differ greatly, it´s a valid concern.

 

[Spoony]

Hi @Spoony , you need to question the clinics planning and distribution of grafts, for the highest to the lowest quote, as one maybe underquoting as much as another over quoting. Look at the hairline design, if the positions are about the same height and style, temple recession. Look at graft distribution, how far into your existing hair they are going to place grafts, some clinics like to go deep into your existing hair. Confirm the are using intact follicular units, natural groups of 1 to 4 hair units, on a procedure around 1500 to 2500 the average should be around 2-2.3 hairs per graft. If a clinic splits natural groups they can increase the number of grafts without increasing the hair count, so ideally get the graft/hair count after your procedure. Ask the clinics to show you similar hair loss patterns, hair colour and characteristics to yourself using a similar graft count to the quote.

It´s for the clinics to justify the graft numbers, nothing wrong for you to say you are researching and the graft counts differ greatly, it´s a valid concern.

Thankyou, this is really helpful!

Can I ask a question about density as well? I'm seeing all different figures ranging from 35 up to 60 grafts per cm. I appreciate different Drs have different approaches and it will depend to some extent on hair type, but what range should I be considering? Is there a big material difference between 45 and 50 for example ?

 

[Understanding Hair]

Thankyou, this is really helpful!

Can I ask a question about density as well? I'm seeing all different figures ranging from 35 up to 60 grafts per cm. I appreciate different Drs have different approaches and it will depend to some extent on hair type, but what range should I be considering? Is there a big material difference between 45 and 50 for example ?

Hi @Spoony , glad it was helpful.

The objective of a good hair transplant is to block the scalp from being visible through the hair coverage, as a result, there will be a minimum hair density required which will be dependent on the hair characteristics, the size of follicular units and area being treated. For example, the immediate front of a hairline requires single hair units for the first few mm´s, as a result the placed density needs to be high to create the look of fullness. Behind the layers of single hairs, the placed density can drop as 2,3 and maybe four hair units are placed. Even though the density placed is reduced there will still be more hairs per cm², maintaining the look of fullness.

Occasionally, clinics like to place a higher hair density, overly dense pack areas, this will unnecessarily use more hair/grafts in an area and potentially affect treating higher hair loss patterns. Placing a lower than necessary density to spread the hair over a larger area will leave the scalp visible though the hair coverage and a below par look.

When you hear figures about the density of hair placed you need to factor in hair characteristics, coarseness, curl, colour, but importantly the amount of hair per graft/follicular unit, placing a forty density per cm², can be literally forty hairs or 120 hairs, or anywhere between. While the density is important the figure is a calculation the doctor must make considering factors. What you want to be concerned with is will the hair coverage be enough so when grown out it´s full enough to block the scalp from being visible, while preserving your donor quality for a time, if you need further restoration. As with the number of grafts you are quoted, if you have outlying quotes, low or high, question why.