As Stephen has said, Afro hair presents unique challenges and therefore requires specific expertise. The natural shape and design of the hairline can be vastly different than caucasian and asian patients. As opposed to the mostly straight follicle of Caucasian and Asian patients, typical characteristics associated with afro hair follicles are that the hair tend to be thicker and tightly curled. Such curvature of the hair extends below the scalp. The natural curvature of the follicle can be significant, often to the extent that the follicle when removed is actually in the shape of a letter C, meaning that it is essential to have a surgeon who has knowledge and experience of working with afro hair.
A profound understanding of the punching and extraction protocol is essential when FUE is the most appropriate technique, as due to the curvature of the hair, transection presents a higher risk. Another crucial element is that your surgeon must have the appropriate punches and tools to best handle and manipulate afro hair.
For the same reasons that the characteristics of afro hair present unique challenges, when a restoration procedure is performed correctly, these same hair characteristics offer great benefits. The naturally thicker and curlier hair can achieve an impressive illusion of density with a lesser graft count compared to most other hair types.
