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What are Follicular Units? Human hair grows in tiny bundles called follicular units. Although this
fact had been recognized for some time by histologists (doctors who study
human tissue), the existence of follicular units has been largely ignored
by physicians performing hair restoration surgery.
The follicular unit of the adult human scalp consists of 1-4 terminal
(full thickness) hair follicles. In areas of the scalp affected by genetic
balding, the healthy terminal hairs are gradually replaced by hairs of
smaller diameter and length called "miniaturized" hairs.
In addition to the full terminal hairs, the follicular unit contains 1-2
fine vellus hairs, sebaceous (oil) glands, a small muscle, tiny nerves
and blood vessels, and a fine band of collagen that surrounds the unit
(the perifolliculum). The follicular unit is thus the hair bearing structure
of the skin and should be kept intact to insure maximum growth.
The follicular unit is seen on the surface of the scalp as a tiny group
of hairs that appear to be growing together. They are best viewed under
a microscope where they are seen as well-formed structures in the skin. What is Follicular Unit Transplantation? Follicular Unit Transplantation is a technique, pioneered by the physicians
at the New Hair Institute, in which hair is transplanted from the permanent
zone in the back of the scalp into areas affected by genetic balding (and
some other types of hair loss), using only the naturally occurring, individual
follicular units. In order to remove follicular units from the back of
the scalp without damaging them, the donor tissue must be removed in one
piece. This technique, "single strip harvesting," is an essential
component of follicular unit transplantation as it not only preserves
the follicular units, but also prevents damage (transection) to the individual
hair follicles. It differs dramatically from the minigrafting and micrografting
technique of using a multi-bladed knife that breaks up follicular units
and causes unacceptable levels of transection of hair follicles.
Another essential component of Follicular Unit Transplantation is "stereomicroscopic
dissection." In this technique all of the follicular units are removed
from the donor tissue under total microscopic control to avoid damage.
Complete stereomicroscopic dissection has been shown to produce an increased
yield (as much as 30%) of both the absolute number of follicular units,
as well as the total amount of hair. (This procedure differs from minigrafting
and micrografting in which grafts are cut using minimal or no magnification.)
A major advantage of follicular unit transplantation (besides preserving
follicular units and maximizing growth) is that it allows the surgeon
to use small recipient sites. Grafts
comprised of individual follicular units are small because follicular
units are small, and because the surrounding non-hair bearing tissue is
removed under the microscope is not trans-
planted. Follicular unit grafts can be inserted into tiny needle-
sized sites in the recipient area, that heal in just a few days, without
leaving any marks.
When performed by a skilled surgical team, Follicular Unit Transplantation
can produce totally natural-looking hair transplants that maximize the
yield from the patient's donor supply to give the best possible cosmetic
results. Because the tiny follicular unit grafts (and the very small wounds
they are placed in) allow large number of grafts to be safely transplanted
in one procedure, the total restoration can be completed in the fewest
possible sessions. |
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Hair Loss information
on this site has been contributed by hair loss specialists
and surgeons who have years of experience in the field of hair
loss.
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