Given the prevalence of hair thinning and hair loss, this issue can have various and detrimental effects on an individual’s life and mental well-being, potentially causing stress, anxiety, and loss of self-esteem. The decision to undergo a hair transplant often comes to mind in such moments, but the more critical decision is choosing the right and appropriate method for a natural hair transplant. Different hair transplant methods vary based on technique, type of harvesting, type of grafting, cost, and similar factors. Therefore, selecting the right method requires consultation with a specialist doctor and expressing expectations to choose the correct technique for a natural hair transplant with their guidance.
Natural Hair Transplant Methods
In general, a hair transplant involves harvesting healthy hair follicles (resistant to baldness) and placing them in the area requiring treatment. In this process, both the extraction and implantation stages are equally important, as proper extraction of suitable follicles ensures their health, allowing them to grow correctly and quickly after transplantation. Comparing different hair transplant methods leads to the conclusion that the second stage—implanting the extracted grafts—is performed similarly across methods, and the primary difference lies in the method of harvesting or extracting the donor hair follicles.
The final results of a hair transplant typically become visible 8 to 12 months after the procedure. Usually, the transplanted hair begins to shed 4 to 6 weeks post-procedure, which is completely normal and not a cause for concern. After about 3 months, the newly transplanted hair starts to regrow, and its growth pattern will be similar to that of natural hair.
Common Natural Hair Transplant Methods:
✔ FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation): This is a traditional method where a long, thin strip of scalp is removed from the donor area, typically the lower back of the head. The hair follicles are then separated and prepared unit by unit under a microscope. The scalp from which the strip is taken is stitched, and healing takes a relatively long time. If you are prone to keloid scarring, this method may result in a highly noticeable scar on the scalp. This hair transplant method is cheaper than others because the extraction stage is faster, but due to its side effects, it is used in fewer clinics.
✔ FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction): Another traditional hair transplant method, FUE involves using a punch to create a small circular incision in the skin around the hair. The follicle or group of follicles is extracted from the donor area, leaving a small open hole. This process is repeated until the surgeon has enough follicles to cover the treatment area. These small holes result in tiny white scars across the donor area, which may be undetectable depending on the surgeon’s skill. These scars heal faster than those from the FUT method.
✔ SUT (Micrograft): This is a newer hair transplant method, similar to FUE, but the grafts needed for transplantation are extracted using special forceps. As a result, only the follicles themselves are removed from the scalp, leaving no scars in the donor area.
MicroFIT Hair Transplant Method
The MicroFIT hair transplant method, also known as Micro FUE, is one of the latest natural hair transplant techniques and has a significant advantage over other methods. In this method, an implanter device is used for both harvesting and implanting hair follicles. The diameter of this tool is 1 millimeter or less, and it extracts hair follicles one by one from the donor area. By using the MicroFIT method with minimal invasiveness, performed by a qualified surgeon, the follicles are ensured to have high strength and quality. The extracted follicles are stored in a special preservative solution called Hypothermosol, commonly used in organ transplants, which ensures their survival.
Due to the guaranteed health of the follicles in this method, it is possible to successfully transplant over 50,000 hair strands in bald or thinning areas, offering a fourfold increase compared to other methods. In the MicroFIT hair transplant, there is no need to shave the donor area’s hair, as the extraction is done using the implanter. Additionally, this device causes no damage to the scalp, resulting in no scars or marks.
MicroFIT Hair Transplant Compared to Other Methods
As mentioned, the most significant difference between the MicroFIT natural hair transplant method and other methods is the use of the medical implanter tool, which allows for the extraction of grafts without damaging the scalp. Since the MicroFIT natural hair transplant method extracts hair follicles individually, it requires more time compared to other methods. However, the results achieved from this method offer not only significantly higher density but also guarantee successful and completely natural transplants. Another difference between the MicroFIT method and other hair transplant methods is the reduction of potential side effects, as the precision of the MicroFIT method is very high, resulting in minimal scarring, infection risk, or bleeding.
Regarding hair transplants, many people believe that the cost should be based on the number of grafts (hair follicles) extracted and implanted, assuming that the higher the number of grafts, the higher the cost. However, this assumption is incorrect. Although the MicroFIT hair transplant method may involve fewer extracted follicles compared to other methods, it has a higher cost. Nevertheless, this higher cost is considered reasonable and cost-effective when taking into account the final results and the process compared to other hair transplant methods, which may require touch-ups.
Why MicroFIT Hair Transplant Outshines Other Methods
The reduced risks, more natural and denser results, and numerous advantages of the MicroFIT technique make it the superior hair transplant method. The main reasons why the MicroFIT natural hair transplant is superior to other methods include:
- Performed by a certified MicroFIT physician: The transplant stages are carried out by a qualified MicroFIT doctor, not trained technicians, ensuring the consistency and quality of the natural hair transplant.
- Minimal time outside the scalp: The short duration that hair follicles are outside the scalp leads to a high survival rate and better results.
- The most precise method: The MicroFIT hair transplant is considered the most delicate method, leaving no stitches on the scalp and causing minimal pain.
- Guaranteed natural results: The implanter tool allows the specialist to control the angle, direction, and depth of the transplanted hair, unlike any other method, ensuring natural-looking results.
MicroFIT Hair Transplant Benefits Over Other Methods
- Higher success rate: The MicroFIT method has a higher success rate compared to other hair transplant methods, with claims that its modern technique guarantees up to 90% success.
- Shorter recovery period: Unlike other hair transplant methods, particularly in the donor area, there are no wounds or stitches in this method, which reduces the recovery period. This has made the MicroFIT method more appealing to many compared to other methods.
- Faster healing: Naturally, with fewer or no wounds and stitches, along with a shorter recovery period, healing after a MicroFIT hair transplant occurs more quickly.
- No need for shaving: Another advantage is that this method is highly practical for women or men who do not wish to shave their heads, as required in other traditional hair transplant methods.
- High transplant density: Due to the use of specialized tools in the modern MicroFIT method, the risk of damage to extracted follicles is eliminated, ensuring that all transplanted follicles grow. This increases the transplant density by up to four times compared to other methods.
However, it should be noted that choosing the best hair transplant method depends on consulting an experienced specialist, as factors such as the individual’s physical condition, the number of donor hairs, budget considerations, and similar factors may lead to the recommendation of any of the natural hair transplant methods.