How Many Grafts Will I Need for a Hair Transplant?
The number of grafts needed for a hair transplant can vary depending on the severity of hair loss the individual experiences and the size of the area to be transplanted. For individuals with sparse hair, 1500-2000 grafts may normally be sufficient. For an area that has no hair at all, 4000-5000 grafts may be required.
The number of grafts may vary depending on the method of the transplant procedure, the individual’s expectations of the treatment and the density of the hair in their donor area. Taking such criteria into account and asking for your opinion, your doctor will determine the number of grafts required for the treatment. This allows detailed planning of how many grafts will be taken before treatment, and how densely and where these grafts will be planted.
What is a Graft?
The graft is a small piece of tissue taken from the donor area that contains hair follicles in hair transplant procedures. Grafts are usually taken from the nape area because this area is resistant to hair loss. Each graft typically contains 1 to 4 hair follicles. During a hair transplant, grafts are carefully removed from the nape area, stored in a special fluid and carefully placed in the areas where hair loss is present. In a hair transplant, graft adhesion is certainly one of the most important factors that affects the success of the procedure. Therefore, great care must be taken when extracting the grafts, preserving them prior to transplant and placing them in their new areas.
Graft Requirements: Hamilton-Norwood Scale
For hair transplant procedures, the Hamilton-Norwood scale can be used to calculate the amount of graft required for an individual.
- Stage 1: At this stage, hair loss is minimal. Therefore, the individual does not need a hair transplant.
- Stage 2: At this stage, hair loss has become more obvious, there are gaps in the temporal region and usually around 500-1000 grafts may be sufficient for an ideal hair look.
- Stage 3: Hair loss is clearly noticeable and the hairline has receded. Typically, a hair transplant of 1500-2000 grafts will be sufficient to create a natural hair look.
- Stage 4: Receding hairline and hair loss in the vertex area is quite obvious, 2500-3000 grafts may be required for a hair transplant.
- Stage 5: Severe hair loss. 3500-4000 grafts may be required to create a natural and dense hair look.
- Stage 6: Almost total hair loss. 4000-5000 grafts are required for a hair transplant.
- Stage 7: This stage is characterized by complete loss of hair in the affected areas in male pattern hair loss. Typically 7000+ grafts are required for a hair transplant.
During the hair transplant process, your doctor will evaluate your head structure, hair, donor area and expectations to determine the number of grafts required.
