What is the difference between single hair grafts and multi grafts?

Question

Hello, I had hair transplant done recently 13 days ago. I had 2020 grafts implanted on my frontal hair line. Out of these my doctor said that around 2000 grafts are multi hair grafts and 20 grafts are single grafts. After washing I see that the size of the hairs from the grafts are very small and I possibly cannot see multiple hairs from most of these grafts. Is this normal during the initial phase?

Jonathan Pontell, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi.  In my practice, we use follicular unit grafts.  We place the single hair grafts in the very front of the hairline in a naturally, slightly uneven pattern and the multi-hair follicular unit grafts farther back. Most of the hairs in the grafts will fall out initially and then start to regrow in about 3 months. No need to worry that you can't see multiple hairs in the grafts.  Good luck.

Prima Tossaborvon, MD, MSc · Answer

I think it's too difficult for you to tell the difference between each grafts as they're too small and they're on your head. At 13 days post-op, there could be scabs on the recipient area. They will make it more difficult for you to see the grafts. In case you don't have scabs, some transplanted hair might fall out already.

Joseph MacDonald, MD · Answer

Hi there,
There is a lot of different terminology in the hair transplant world so I will try and explain the most common definitions. Modern surgery involves the transplantation of follicular unit grafts. A follicular unit is a grouping of one, two, three and sometimes four hairs. This is how hair grows naturally on the scalp. Given this definition, it is common to have more than one hair growing out of a single graft. You didn't mention whether you had FUE or FUT. Normally with FUT, since every follicular unit is dissected, you will end up with roughly 25% of the grafts being one hair grafts. This ratio is variable depending on the patient. It would be very unusual to only have 20 single hair grafts from 2020 grafts using the FUT method. On the other hand with FUE you selectively choose the follicular units you excise and may only take grafts with more than one hair in them. It's possible this is what your doctor did. Now there are old techniques of transplantation that involve 'mini grafts' or grafts with multiple follicular units in them. I would talk with your doctor to see if this is what they meant by multi hair grafts. To answer your next question, it is hard to see the size of the graft right after surgery. Its possible that hairs were cut very short, maybe only the root was visible under microscope, perhaps there was transection. The best thing to do is to wait until things heal up and regrow. Ideally you would NOT want multi hair grafts on the hairline as this will leave you with a less natural result. I like to do several rows of one hair grafts on the hairline and then gradually transition to two and then three hair grafts further back as this in my opinion creates a very natural hairline with increased density on the rest of the scalp.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

The standard of care today is to transplant follicular units which contain 1, 2 or 3 hair grafts as they would naturally grow on your head

What is the difference between single hair grafts and multi grafts?

Answers (4)

Answer: Standard of Care

Answer: Standard of Care

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What is the difference between single hair grafts and multi grafts?

Answers (4)

Answer: Standard of Care

Answer: Standard of Care

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Everything you need to know about Hair Transplant

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.