Ask a doctor

Explain "hair splitting" for hair transplants and why do it?

Doctor Answers 4

Why split hairs?

May 12th, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
I believe you are referring to the practice of taking a naturally occurring multi-hair follicular unit and cutting it into 2 or more smaller grafts. Sometimes this is done to generate more single hair grafts than occur naturally, when large numbers of single hair grafts are needed (e.g., to restore a hairline including the temples). But some clinics that charge by the graft routinely split up grafts in order to artificially inflate the total number and charge more. This usually does a disservice to the patient, since it is generally believed that keeping follicular units intact whenever possible (e.g., preserving a single 3-hair graft as opposed to cutting it into 3 single hair grafts or a single and a double) contributes to better survival and growth. It is important to research and interview your surgeon carefully.
Jonathan Ballon, MD


Atlanta Hair Restoration Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 17 reviews

Sometimes two or three hair grafts can be split into single hair grafts to be used for front hair line work.

May 14th, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Sometimes two or three hair grafts can be split into single hair grafts to be used for front hair line work.  

Web reference: https://newhair.com/

Jae Pak, MD

Jae Pak, MD
Los Angeles Hair Restoration Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 100 reviews

Hair splitting

May 13th, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
If you are asking about making two grafts out of one, this is done when single hairs are needed for the frontal hairline. It is a difficult process and great care should be taken not to damage the growth centers. We do this under high powered magnification when we do it, but it is rarely done. 
William Rassman, MD

William Rassman, MD
Los Angeles Hair Restoration Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 27 reviews

Split grafts

May 13th, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
is done to generate singles to make a hair line.  It can also be done to generate more grafts when the patient doesnt have enough or to simply inflate the numbers in less scrupulous clinics. 
Rashid M. Rashid, PhD, MD

Rashid M. Rashid, PhD, MD
Houston Dermatologist
4.6 out of 5 stars 9 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.