What is my donor zone max grafts capacity? Is my density below average, average, or above average?

Question

Hi I'm after two face to face consultations, told me to do FUE with starting only my front and mid scalp with 3500 grafts at 50 grafts per cm square, on the other consultation was suggested 40 grafts per cm square with 2200 grafts Additional online consultation told me I'm not good candidate in contrary to the previous as I'm having diffuse hair loss pattern. In addition when I wear my hair short the nape area of my donor zone looks bit different, even slightly sparse. Should I have FUE or FUT?

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. Based on your photos, the 1000-1500 grafts might be good option for you, but it would be wrong to say something for sure. You should see a board certified surgeon. You can then plan the process together and discuss the results. I wish you all the best.

David P. Melamed, MD · Answer

Hi, you have several different question we should approach individually.What is the maximum density to harvest from your donor area?  From the great pictures you've provided you have fine and light-colored hair with average density. This makes your donor area appear very thin, and the scalp easily visible. Your density is approximately 50-60 hairs per cm squared. Using the FUE technique it is reasonable to harvest 25% of the hairs. This accounts to 12-15 hairs per cm squared, or approximately 1,500 grafts.Which treatment option is better: FUE v. FUT?  Since your hair is fine and light colored, and you wear your hair short, you should request an FUE technique. The FUT technique will leave a linear scar that will be visible on your scalp (donor area).Keep in mind that most FUE treatments are limited to 1,500-1,700 harvested donors per full day session. Some harvested units can be very dense with 2+ hair follicles.  Consequently, each harvested donor can yield more than one hair that can be implanted in the front of your scalp. It is therefore possible for 1,500 donors to yield 2,000-2,500 grafts.  With the density of your scalp I do not see the possibility of receiving any more than 2,200 grafts in a single full-day session.

Baldev Singh Sandhu, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

The only patient that needs FUT over FUE is the patient who is not agreeable to shaving the donor site for harvesting. How many hair can be harvested depends on the depth of your follicles, how tightly bound they are to the subcutaneous tissue and the skill and experience of the surgeon. This will determine how many hair can be harvested without leaving your donor site looking depleted.
It is impossible to predict before you start a procedure how many hair can be harvested. Most experienced surgeons, like any other professional,  quote fees based upon their charge for a day of time and not on a per graft quote which is simply a method to bamboozle the patient and ring up a sale.

What is my donor zone max grafts capacity? Is my density below average, average, or above average?

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What is my donor zone max grafts capacity? Is my density below average, average, or above average?

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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.