How many grafts are needed for a hair transplant?
Determining the number of grafts you need is one of the most crucial aspects of a hair transplant procedure. The quantity of grafts mainly depends upon individual requirements, needs, and other factors assessed by your doctor. Read on to learn all about hair grafts and how you can estimate the number of grafts prior to a consultation or evaluation.
In a Nutshell
| How many? | Depending on hair loss |
| Bold areas | Hairline, Front Third, Front Half |
| Other factors | Donor Region, quality of hair |
| Grafts per Norwood type | e.g. NW 3: 1,500 - 2,700 |
What are hair grafts?
A strip or segment of skin containing hair is called a graft. Grafts are commonly extracted from donor sites on the back and sides of the head or other parts of the body such as the chin or breast areas. The number of grafts needed to perform a hair transplant depends on factors such as the density of hair and the extent of hair loss.
The main goal behind hair transplantation is to remove tissue from the healthy donor region and transplant it to the balding region. These grafts are harvested from the donor areas through different methods depending on the chosen hair transplant technique.
In the case of Follicular Unit Transplantation or FUT, the graft is extracted in the form of a strip of skin from the back of the head. The strip is then dissected through special equipment into follicular units and implanted into the balding region without damaging the follicles. Each follicular unit consists of around two to three hairs.
On the other hand, Follicular Unit Extraction or FUE, another popular transplant technique, involves the individual extraction of follicular units from the scalp. These individual units are then preserved and transplanted into the desired areas.
| Donor Areas | Average Donor Capacity |
|---|---|
| Back of the head | 4.000 - 6.000 Grafts |
| Side of the head | 1.000 - 2.000 Grafts |
| Beard | 0 - 2.000 Grafts |
| Breast | 0 - 1.000 Grafts |
- Free
- Fast
- Non-binding
How many grafts per bold area?
- The Hairline: Some patients may seek a hair transplant due to their receding hairline or temple hair loss. Typically, your doctor might recommend anywhere from 800 to 1,500 grafts to cover the hairline region, depending on the severity of hair loss. If the temples are also included, you might need 150 grafts on each side as well.
- Front Third: This area consists of the central core of the head and the hairline including the tuft of hair at the front which gives a dense look to the hair. Patients looking for transplantation in the first third are typically recommended around 2,000 to 2,500 grafts.
- Front Half: This is a larger area, almost 100 cm in size. To cover this, doctors usually recommend anywhere from 2,500 to 3,000 grafts.
- Front Two-Thirds: Bigger than the front half, the front two-thirds cover almost the entire scalp area and is around 120 cm in size. It requires 3,000 to 4,000 grafts.
- The Crown: The top of the head or the crown can be 60 to 100 cm in size and requires around 800 to 1500 grafts. Before deciding the right graft number for the crown, doctors have to ensure that the front two-thirds of the head is covered to the client’s satisfaction. Otherwise, hair transplant results may look patchy and unprofessional.
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| Norwood Scale | Number Of Grafts |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0 |
| 2 | 700 - 1.500 |
| 2a | 700 - 1.500 |
| 3 | 1,500 - 2,700 |
| 3a | Front: 1,500 - 2,700 | Crown: 500 - 1,000 |
| 4 | Front: 1,900 - 3,200 | Crown: 800 - 1,100 |
| 4a | 2,700 - 3,900 |
| 5 | Front: 2,400 - 3,700 | Crown: 1,000 - 1,500 |
| 5a | 2,700 - 3,900 |
| 6+ | Front: 3,200 - 3,900 | Crown: 1,600 - 2,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hairs does 1 graft have?
How much do 5000 hair grafts cover?
What is the maximum number of grafts per operation that is advisable?
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