This is the most common question I hear from my patients now a days. If I say 3500 grafts the next question is the clinic A has said me 2000, clinic D has said me 3000 hairs(1500 grafts) and clinic C has said me 2500.Why there is so much variation?
Let’s calculate how many grafts are required for a good density for any hair transplant. We have a normal density of 70-100 grafts per sq.cm.Looking at this we may have 50-75000 grafts (not hairs) in the entire scalp. Let’s assume that you have lost ZONE 1(first 2cm of front hair line) and ZONE 2 (next 5 cm of hair line).
To calculate the number of grafts needed you have to know the area which is empty. To calculate the hair line density for first two cms measure the area from left to right of the hair line. Usually it’s between 14-18 cms. If we take a average of 16 cms the area becomes (16×2) ie 32 sq cms. Now look at the density which you need. I recommend 50-70 grafts per sq cm for hair line including temple closure as that’s what will decide your hair transplant results. So a good dense hairline will need somewhere between 1900-2200(density neededx32) grafts.
Now look at the ZONE 2 which is another 5 cms behind it. We usually don’t need a density of 60-70 grafts per sq cm in zone 2.But even a density of35- 40 grafts per sq cms will consume 1500 -2000 grafts. So even you have hair loss in front two zones you will need somewhere between 3500-4000 grafts for good density.
Creating good density is also and an art and will vary from surgeon to surgeon.Angles at which grafts are placed, distribution of grafts; placement density will all decide the final results.
ANYTHING LESS THAN 3000 GRAFTS (5000-6000 HAIRS) WILL NOT GIVE GOOD DENSITY IN HAIR TRANSPLANT.
3000 grafts is an easy job in hands of a good surgeon. Surgeons with very low transaction rate (follicles cut at the time of extraction) can extract 3000-4000 grafts in less than 4 hours.
Inference is that if you are looking for hair transplant plan it with due research. In India there is trend for calling hair as grafts. Check for number of grafts (approx 2 hair per graft).
Never divide your procedure in two or three days. This can affect results as little swelling on scalp on next day of your procedure can change the angle of the new transplant later.Continous trauma and anesthesia is also not good for the already placed hair. Wait for at least 6 months before repeating the procedure