Compare Hair Restoration Methods

Different Methods of Hair Restoration and Transplant

An individuals potential solutions to hair loss may include:

Hair pieces, affixed on the bald patches on the
head using various methods.
Medication, such as Minoxidil, Finasteride and Dutasteride.
Hair transplants, of natural hair.
Implant of artificial hair.
Hair loss surgery, such as scalp reductions.

Hair transplant is generally the most elegant, natural and permanent solution. The two general methods of hair transplants are the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) method and the Strip method. The Strip method is the older method. It involves cutting with a scalpel a strip of skin from the donor area of roughly 2 x 10 cm. The skin is then cut up into small grafts containing the hair follicles and the grafts planted into openings in the recipient area. The methods are compared in the table below:

Hair transplant	FUE method (with hair multiplication)	The Strip method
Type of wound	Microscopic grafts of 0.65-0.75 mm	Strip of skin cut, of roughly 2x10 cm
Healing of donor area	Healed within 2 weeks with little discomfort	Healing takes weeks or months and is painful
Healing of recipient area	Rapid healing as grafts fit exactly into openings	Slower healing as grafts don’t fit exactly into openings
Scarring	No scarring	Permanent scar where strip cut from donor area. Small scars in recipient area
Follicles in the donor area	Follicles regenerate and can be taken again, to allow hair multiplication	Skin destroyed and follicles removed completely from donor area