How many FUE grafts for crown area? (Photo)

Question

I was Norwood 4; 5500 FUE grafts performed on my scalp including crown, over two sessions. I'm really thrilled with the result. However, my crown is still a little weaker than the rest. Upon speaking to my surgeon, he strongly recommended I do an extra1000 grafts for my crown. I am mainly concerned about my donor supply. Moreover, I'm not even sure 1000 grafts would significantly improve it. I have attached photo of my hair in full lighting. Please could you advise on reinforcing the crown

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

Hair transplant is not about how many grafts you need but understanding your goals and expectations. 1000 grafts may be enough for some but may not be enough for you if your expectations are different. The results also depend on your hair color to skin color contrast, hair texture, hair style, etc.It is best to speak with a doctor in person so you donor supply can also be assessed.

Ali Gurlek, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos
the number of grafts a patient will need depends on the thickness of their hair and the extent of their hair loss, which can be determined by the Norwood Scale below.
During a hair transplant, grafts are usually removed from the ‘donor area’ located on the back of the scalp and relocated to a balding area. The back of the scalp makes a good extraction area due to the high volume of hair follicles that congregate within that region that are not affected by the balding process. Specialist surgeons will remove a small amount of tissue that can grow hair and relocate it to the desired area of the head without damaging them.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello, great question. If you had 5500 grafts I’m guessing your donor area has been depleted. I suggest you have a Scalp Micropigmentation  (SMP) procedure to help cover the areas you can see through. Good luck to you.

Artur Kierach, MD · Answer

You can take an obvious visual look at your donor area today and what the previous grafts have done to the hair density and cosmetic look. Or you can take a more technical approach and look at your starting hair density measured against your hair density now. The chances are after 500 being removed it has already been over harvested. Unless the FU were split to make up more grafts of course. 1000 to your crown would make a difference but whether this meets your expectations is different. You cannot expect total thickness with no scalp visible. Trying to place this density especially within your existing hair could result in impairing the hair growth. Best wishes with your next step

Sagar Patel, MD · Answer

You are willing to accept the donor area looking thin. I know I have no clue on the befores and afters but my guess is the crown will look better but the donor area will look bad so it's a bad trade off. You look like you got a good result so leave it and if you are interested in more get an in person consult where they calculate the donor area density.

Glenn Charles, DO - Account Suspended · Answer

Whether or not you still available donor follicles to do another 1000 FUE grafts to the crown area really depends on what your donor density was to begin with and what state is in now. The crown in general is a little harder to give the appearance of thickness because the hairs are often directed in more of a spiral pattern versus other areas of the head where all the hairs are aligned in the same direction which gives a better layering effect.

Taleb Barghouthi, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Considering the numbers you had previously and the relatively smallish crown loss, I think SMP ( micro pigmentation is the more sensible option. You can also get any donor area see through spots covered at the same time.

Arslan Musbeh, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Since you had 5500 grafts transplanted, the donor area cannot permit for a second implantation.
we would prefer to see some pictures of the donor area before and after the hair transplant.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

With 5500 grafts, I would expect that your donor area is already depleted and you may have a see-through donor area. I would recommend scalp Micropigmentation to fill in the crown.

How many FUE grafts for crown area? (Photo)

Answers (9)

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