Maximum number of FUE grafts that can be taken?

Question

I understand that the average human head will have around 10,000 FUE grafts to take from the donor zone. However, what is 1) the maximum that can be taken from there roughly, and 2) the maximum that can be taken without significant donor depletion. If in the case if the absolute maximum taken, can SMP create a reasonable illusion of hair on the sides?

Sanusi Umar, MD · Answer

The safe donor zone which supplies DHT resilient follicles is not a fixed area, but differs across each individual. At my office, the Dr.U Hair and Skin Clinics in Los Angeles, we estimate an average quantity of up to 7,000 grafts which can be safely extracted from the back of the scalp without severe donor depletion. Patients who have reached severely bald stages at Norwood 6 and 7 should not rely on head hair alone for restoring their coverage through a hair transplant surgery.  Doing so will run the risk of depleting the donor area. Certainly SMP can improve the appearance of hair density. But the safe extraction of body hair offers the approach of expanding the overall donor supply available to you. As specialists in this area, we’ve designed our own patented technology Dr.UGraft ™ which overcomes the top factors of graft damage and transection to produce successful coverage for patients.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

If you have 10,000 donor FUE grafts, it does not mean you can use all 10,000 FUE grafts or you will be bald in the donor area (with no hair).  You can imagine taking about 4,000 FUE grafts before your donor area looks thin.  SMP only colors in the scars.

Sait Gokhan Bircan, MD. · Answer

Hello, In one session if it will be extracted this huge amount of grafts, so it is high probability that necrosis can occur there. It is always more logically to make two session with less amount of grafts without damaging the donor side and keep it look healthy. It is wrong decision to extract in one session maximum grafts and close it with tattoo or SMP.

Arslan Musbeh, MD · Answer

The maximum grafts extracted per session is around 3500-4000 grafts. The surgeon will define the number according to the donor area density level and the hair quality. The estimation number is calculated aso according to the baldness level. at young age, it is not recommended to get 4000 grafts from the first session since the hairloss might continue and the patient might need a second surgery in the future. More than 4000 grafts in one session, it will damage the donor area and 5-10 % the transplanted grafts wont survive after the implantation.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. The maximum number of grafts one can give is ~3500-4000. This of course depends on your hair quantity and quality. One thing to remember this is in total. If you are young and could possible need another procedure in your later years you have to make sure you have enough for more than one procedure. My best advice is be conservative!Most Wishes,Dr. T

Neil Verma, HBSc, MD, FCFP - Account Suspended · Answer

The human head does have approx 10-12K donor grafts available....however in order to harvest the region without making the area seem depleted no more than 50% of it should be extracted.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

The donor area in the average Caucasian male has ~12,500 Follicular Units of which possibly up to 60% can be taken for hair transplants. For FUE without becoming over-harvested, about half of this amount (30% or 3,750 grafts) can be taken with FUE to be safe. The thickness of the hair shaft (fine, medium or coarse) alter this number (lowers if for fine hair and increases it for coarse hair). The question to ask, is how much hair do I have to leave behind to keep my donor area LOOKING healthy and full enough not to reveal that I was transplanted.

Maximum number of FUE grafts that can be taken?

Answers (7)

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