Graft Placement & Blocking Light Reflection

[Hattingen Hair]

A vital aspect to achieve an aesthetically pleasing result is the placement of the follicular units in the recipient area.

As one loses their hair the styling can become more difficult with less options, and it is one reason why many elect to shave their hair after a while as the contrast between hair and scalp becomes less obvious. This basic is a fundamental of a hair transplant procedure also, but in reverse; hair of a certain length is required to give that contrast and illusion of fullness.

Hereditary hair loss (MPB) causes the hair shaft to shrink, become finer as well as lose colour or pigmentation, this process is known as miniaturisation. The reduction of the hair diameter inevitably leads to the loss of coverage over the head. The effect is not immediate but as the miniaturisation and hair loss increase more scalp becomes visible and this accentuates the reflection of light off the scalp showing clear signs that the genetic hair loss is in progress.

Although a hair transplant cannot replace like for like hair, which is impossible, the goal is to create the illusion of enough thickness of hair to block out the light from reflecting off the scalp giving the appearance of a dense head of hair.

The longer the hair, the more shadow is produced and the more coverage is achieved. To achieve the best result from a hair transplant the hair must be a certain minimum length; this is a prerequisite to achieve the desired coverage and result.

There are exceptions to this with the right hair characteristics, low hair to skin colour, the angle of placement being more acute to the scalp but in general not many candidates will have all these aspects to achieve a very short hair cut.

If the hair is cut too short the result can look below par as there is little or no coverage of each hair over the next, the hairs basically do not lay over the next; this is a physical fact. It comes down to simply the law of physics that thick long hair will cover the scalp better than thin short hair.

With thick and long hair the light does not penetrate so easily to the scalp and reflects back less according to skin colour. As the goal of a hair transplant is to block the appearance of the skin there needs to be a reasonable compromise between graft density and the hair characteristics to achieve this. Therefore, it is aesthetic sense the transplanted hair is left to grow a little longer in order to increase their optical efficiency.

Other issues also help in producing a cosmetically acceptably looking density, the placement of the different graft sizes, 1,2,3 and 4 hair units, the angle and orientation of the placement and the actual density placed, dependent on the hair characteristics of the person. All have to be taken into account dependent on the goals of the person and the resources of the donor area.

 

[topccat29]

Always nice to see a good explanation of a very important point. Also a good reason why most of the density should be placed well behind the hairline in my opinion and most especially behind the center forelock area as most hairstyles are combed in some type of forward direction.

I think too many young guys fall into the trap of having a very dense hairline because in fact they don €™t understand this principal of blocking light reflection along with the principle of limited donor.

One of the best illustrations was the picture of a blade of grass that was posted. It was perfect with the shadow it cast on the light €¦ €¦ €¦ €¦ €¦ €¦..it was a great example and something I always remember.

 

[Hattingen Hair]

topccat29 wrote:

Always nice to see a good explanation of a very important point. Also a good reason why most of the density should be placed well behind the hairline in my opinion and most especially behind the center forelock area as most hairstyles are combed in some type of forward direction.
 
I think too many young guys fall into the trap of having a very dense hairline because in fact they don €™t understand this principal of blocking light reflection along with the principle of limited donor.
 
One of the best illustrations was the picture of a blade of grass that was posted. It was perfect with the shadow it cast on the light €¦ €¦ €¦ €¦ €¦ €¦..it was a great example and something I always remember.

Thanks topccat for your comments, and as you say, understanding the supply and demand limitations combined with the distribution pattern is vital.

A perfectly good HT result could be performed but if it does not meet the goals of the person they will not be happy. This goes both ways, the doctor/clinic being open to the pros and cons and the candidate being open as to their goals. Very few are the "perfect HT candidate" and not everyone maybe able to achieve their ultimate personal goal, but with knowledge and acceptance of the pros and cons it does not mean they cannot be happy with their result armed with the knowledge they have gained.

 

[garageland]

A very good post that explains the benefit of correct placement and hair length. I always find my hair is best a certain length which has been nicknamed 'The Sweet Spot'

 

[topccat29]

Yes I agree. I think young guys sometimes need to be advised that their intention to style their hair in a way that goes against the natural direction and angle of most specifically the frontal area including hairline while possible might not be the best goal in the long run.

Going from thin to thick away from the hairline seems to be the most logical and safest approach yet I also understand young guys don €™t get it and want that super thick hairline and if they see scalp they freak out like something is wrong when simply changing the hairstyle to use the principle you have posted on would be best for them in the long run. Maybe forget the updo and go with the natural flow.

Many will pay the price down the line when the real density they need will be in the midscalp but there very well could be not enough donor left to achieve what is needed. Adding to that by not using this light reflection principle to one €™s advantage and overloading the hairline area to compensate one can easily cause a need for more donor then needed to rebuild the side temporal areas should they recede, as a thick hairline in this case draws the eye and looks abnormal.

BTW many young guys unconsciously understand the principle when they style their hair to compensate for hairloss by styling forward. They would be much better offer sticking with that when considering a hair transplant and most especially young guys that know their hairloss will continue.

Thanks for the post.

 

[Hattingen Hair]

BTW many young guys unconsciously understand the principle when they style their hair to compensate for hairloss by styling forward. They would be much better offer sticking with that when considering a hair transplant and most especially young guys that know their hairloss will continue.
 [/size]
Thanks for the post.
[/quote]

Hi Topccat,

You bring up a great irony in hair loss and hair restoration, an isue that is rarely discussed.

As you say, when one starts to lose their hair they play with hair styles to make the most of what they have. A HT is in some ways not a great deal different but simply with more hair to play with, but it ´s not a full head of hair.
It ´s important to understand this is not to say a hair transplant cannot give a person a good looking head of hair but to try an illustrate that there are limitations that need to be appreciated to ensure a person is happy with their result.

Planning is vital; no one under estimates the psychological effects of hair loss, but being realistic about hair restoration is important short, mid and long term to ensure you reach a stage after 1,2, or maybe more procedures that you are happy with the result you have achieved.

 

[Bigmac]

Good post as styling your hair plays a big part in making the most of your transplanted hair Or whatever natural hair you have remaining.