Estimating the Number of Lifetime Follicular Units: A Survey and Comments of Experienced Hair Transplant Surgeons

January 2013 in “ Dermatologic Surgery ”

Walter Unger, Robin Unger, C Wesley

follicular units hair transplant male pattern baldness Follicular Unit Extraction strip harvesting cherry picking Safe Donor Area FUs MPB FUE SDA

TLDR Experienced hair transplant surgeons suggest a limited number of hair follicles can be used for transplants, and recommend conservative methods to avoid scarring and depletion.

In 2013, a survey of 39 experienced hair transplant surgeons estimated the number of follicular units (FUs) available for transplantation in 30-year-old males with different hair densities and a potential for developing Type V or VI male pattern baldness (MPB). For Type V MPB, average hair density could yield approximately 6,404 FUs, below-average density could yield 4,963 FUs, and above-average density could yield 7,904 FUs. For Type VI MPB, the yields were 5,393 FUs for average density, 4,204 FUs for below-average density, and 6,661 FUs for above-average density. The study concluded that the number of FUs containing permanent hairs is finite and should be considered when planning hair transplants to avoid overly aggressive procedures. Additionally, the document discusses the practice of combining Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) with strip harvesting and "cherry picking" FUs, acknowledging the risks such as increased sparseness and visible scarring. The conclusion emphasizes the limitations of the Safe Donor Area (SDA) and the importance of conservative approaches in hair restoration surgery to prevent future aesthetic and legal issues.

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Research cited in this study

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research Distribution of Human Hair in Follicular Units

83 citations, April 1999 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

The research found that for a typical hair density, about 11 square centimeters of donor scalp is needed to get 800 hair grafts for transplantation.

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32 citations, September 1997 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Mini-micrografting in hair transplants can give similar density to older methods with fewer sessions.

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community COMPLETE OVERVIEW of the Treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men

26 upvotes 10 years ago

Male androgenetic alopecia is commonly treated with topical minoxidil and oral finasteride, both requiring continuous use. Other options include hair restoration surgery, dutasteride, light therapy, and camouflaging agents.

community Verteporfin and Microneedling

in Treatments 6 months ago

Clinical studies by Dr. Barghouthi and Dr. Bloxham indicate that Verteporfin, when used with FUE and FUT hair transplantation methods, shows promise in hair follicle regeneration and minimal scarring due to its ability to inhibit Yes-associated protein (YAP). Microneedling at depths of 3-3.5mm, combined with Verteporfin, could potentially reactivate dormant follicles, although the optimal dosage and application method are still under investigation. Concerns remain about the DHT sensitivity of regenerated follicles, highlighting the need for further research to optimize trauma levels and Verteporfin concentrations to achieve effective and scar-free hair regeneration.

community So we have 20k dollars human like machines available but no new effective treatment for hairloss since finasteride :)

in Chat 237 upvotes 2 months ago

There have been no new effective hair loss treatments since finasteride, despite technological advancements. Current treatments include finasteride, minoxidil, and RU58841, with ongoing challenges and potential future solutions in research.

community How the average guy dont care about balding?

in Research/Science 128 upvotes 3 years ago

Many people experience hair loss but don't treat it. Common treatments include Minoxidil, Finasteride, and microneedling.

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 4 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community HRT is literal black magic. Fin 1 mg/day @ 4 years, min 2x/day @ 3 years, Estradiol 4mg/day @ 3.5 months, and Spironolactone 100mg/day @ 3.5 months (estra & spiro are medicines you should likely not take if you are a cis man)

in Progress Pictures 118 upvotes 3 months ago

User shared progress on hair regrowth using Fin 1 mg/day for 4 years, Min 2x/day for 3 years, Estradiol 4mg/day, and Spironolactone 100mg/day for 3.5 months. They noted significant hairline recovery and advised against HRT for cis men due to feminizing effects.

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