Donor Zone Assessment
Placeholder: surveying the permanent, DHT-resistant fringe of scalp.
- ~10–12k: Donor follicle capacity (placeholder estimate)
- Lifelong: DHT resistance (placeholder note)
- Occipital/lateral: Zone location (placeholder note)
- 70–90/cm²: Typical density (placeholder figure)
Why this zone is permanent
Placeholder: androgen receptors here resist miniaturization signals.
Mapping density
Placeholder: trichoscopy estimates units per square centimeter.
Planning the harvest
Placeholder: surgeon caps extraction to preserve donor coverage.
Follicular Unit Extraction
Placeholder: a small punch isolates each follicular unit individually.
- 0.7–1.0mm: Punch diameter (placeholder figure)
- ~500–800/hr: Extraction rate (placeholder estimate)
- <5%: Transection risk (placeholder target)
- 4–8 hrs: Session length (placeholder range)
The punch mechanism
Placeholder: a rotating micro-punch scores around the follicle.
One unit at a time
Placeholder: sequential extraction avoids scarring, unlike strip harvest.
Handling extracted grafts
Placeholder: units are kept chilled and hydrated immediately.
Graft Sorting & Preparation
Placeholder: technicians sort grafts under magnification by hair count.
- ~20%: 1-hair units (placeholder split)
- ~55%: 2-hair units (placeholder split)
- ~25%: 3-hair units (placeholder split)
- ~4°C: Storage temp (placeholder figure)
Stereo-microscope sorting
Placeholder: magnification prevents damage while counting hairs.
Placement strategy
Placeholder: single-hair units reserved for the hairline edge.
Minimizing time out of body
Placeholder: chilled holding solution preserves graft viability.
Recipient Site Implantation
Placeholder: incisions receive grafts at natural angle and density.
- 30–45°: Insertion angle (placeholder figure)
- ~30–40/cm²: Recipient density (placeholder target)
- Blade or needle: Site creation (placeholder note)
- Slider-linked: Coverage cap (depends on grafts planned)
Angle matches native flow
Placeholder: implant angle follows surrounding natural hair direction.
Density gradient
Placeholder: denser packing centrally, finer density at hairline.
Placement order
Placeholder: hairline defined first, crown filled afterward.
Growth Cycle & Permanent Result
Placeholder: shedding, dormancy, then permanent regrowth follow.
- ~2–8 wks: Shock-loss window (placeholder range)
- ~3–4 mo: Regrowth starts (placeholder range)
- ~12 mo: Full result (placeholder estimate)
- ~90–95%: Long-term survival (placeholder figure)
Shock loss is expected
Placeholder: transplanted hair sheds before the follicle resets.
Follicle stays alive
Placeholder: the dormant root survives beneath the surface.
Permanent by design
Placeholder: regrown hair keeps donor-zone DHT resistance forever.