Discover the Distinction: Hair Follicle vs. Graft of FUE Hair Transplants
When considering hair transplants, especially FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) hair transplants, a few common terms tend to come up that can leave individuals feeling a bit puzzled. Among these terms, “hair follicles” and “hair grafts” often emerge as points of confusion.
Whether you’re exploring options for addressing hair loss or looking for viable approaches that could possibly help in terms of your hair’s volume and appearance, knowing the distinction between hair follicles and grafts is a crucial first step.
So, are they one and the same or distinct components of the hair transplant process?
Understanding Hair Follicles
At the heart of understanding hair transplants lies the concept of hair follicles. These minuscule structures serve as the foundation for hair production, yet they remain hidden from plain sight, requiring a microscope for observation.
What Are Hair Follicles?
Hair follicles are akin to tiny tubes or pores that envelop the root and strand of a hair. They reside within the top two layers of your skin and are abundant in your body, with over 5 million scattered throughout. On your head alone, most could probably find more than a million of these follicles.
Anatomy of the Hair Follicle
Each hair follicle has multiple components, including the hair shaft, sebaceous gland, and arrector pili muscle.
The hair shaft represents the exposed portion of your hair that extends above the scalp’s surface, while the sebaceous gland produces sebum, which is a natural oily substance that moisturises and protects the hair. The arrector pili muscle, on the other hand, connects to the hair follicle and can contract, causing the hair to stand.
The Hair Growth Cycle
As mentioned, the primary function of a hair follicle is to regulate hair growth, and this process occurs in cycles within the follicle:
- Anagen Phase: During this initial phase, hair growth commences at the root of your hair follicle. Your hair receives a blood supply and essential nutrients from the dermal papilla, located in the follicle’s base, facilitating its growth.
- Catagen Phase: Following the anagen phase, your hair transitions to the catagen phase, which is also the resting phase where your hair disconnects from its blood supply.
- Telogen Phase: The telogen phase, also the final phase of hair growth, is an inactive period where your hair naturally sheds or falls out of the follicle.
The Role of Hair Follicles in Hair Loss
It is known that hormones, especially androgens like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), play a huge role in impacting hair growth. This is because these hormones instigate alterations in the dimensions of hair follicles and the size of individual hairs throughout multiple growth cycles.
For example, when there are heightened levels of DHT activity within your hair follicles, it can contribute significantly to hair loss in men. This happens as the elevated DHT levels have the potential to shorten the hair growth cycle and reduce the size of your hair follicles, ultimately leading to noticeable hair loss.
Exploring Hair Grafts
Now that we’ve clarified the role of hair follicles, how are grafts any different?
Grafts are often referred to as follicular units, which are essentially a group of hair follicles united in a single tissue unit. This means that in the context of hair transplantation, a graft refers to the surgical process of transplanting not just one hair follicle but a cluster of hair follicles as a single unit. Each graft typically contains between 1 and 4 hair follicles, although in some cases, they may contain even more.
These grafts are extracted from the donor area, usually located at the back and sides of the scalp and prepared for transplantation. And during the FUE hair transplant process, individual grafts are strategically placed in the recipient area.
The Significance of Knowing the Difference
Why is it so important to distinguish between hair follicles and grafts when considering a hair transplant?
Firstly, understanding the distinction between hair follicles and grafts holds practical significance, especially when considering an FUE hair transplant. When you have grasped the difference between these terms, you can engage in informed discussions with your hair specialist or clinic. This way, you can communicate your needs, understand the procedure, and set realistic expectations for your hair restoration journey.
Another key reason is related to cost.
When it comes to understanding the cost of a hair transplant, it’s essential to know that pricing is often based on the number of grafts rather than individual hairs. This means that the more grafts required for the transplant, the higher the overall cost of the procedure is likely to be. Therefore, it’s crucial to gain a clear understanding of the number of grafts necessary when consulting a hair transplant clinic and work closely with a hair specialist to figure out a suitable plan for your unique situation.
So, now armed with this newfound knowledge, you can confidently navigate the landscape of hair transplants, making informed decisions and taking proactive steps toward addressing the damage caused by your hair loss concerns. Don’t let terminology bewilder you—embrace the clarity and embark on your path to hair restoration with confidence.
