Is Density More Important Than Hair Thickness for Hair Transplants?

A few surgeons have told me that the density in my donor area is pretty low, but I have really thick hair. I have read online that you need around 60 grafts per square centimeter to get a dense-looking result. What is more important, having dense hair or thick hair?

Great question. Hair transplant surgery takes a lot of critical planning. How and where the surgeon places grafts is vital to the appearance of fullness. When you’re considering coverage, you have to look at the surface area and volume. For example, the surface area might be 200 square centimeters (cm2). To fill this surface area, the volume of the hair follicle is crucial. Human hair follicles are between 45 to 100 microns in diameter. Now, let’s say a person with 45-micron hair follicles receives 100 grafts per cm2. Conversely, a person with 100-micron hair follicles receives 50 grafts per cm2. Who is gonna look like they have more hair? Take a look at the graph below.

Thicker hair will always prevail because volume covers the surface area. The texture of your hair will also play a role in the appearance of fullness. For example, curly hair tends to cover the scalp better than straight hair. The best of both worlds is thick curly hair.

What Makes A Dense Hair Transplant?

Several factors contribute to a dense hair transplant. The first factor is surgical planning. The second factor is the placement of the grafts. The third factor is your hair characteristics, i.e., thick, thin, curly, straight. The last factor is the number of grafts. Most people assume that the number of grafts will dictate everything, but that isn’t true. One surgeon can place an equal number of grafts on two different patients and get a completely different appearance.

Conclusion

Surgical planning is crucial. Making sure you choose a surgeon who knows how and where to place grafts to achieve maximum density is vital. Not all surgeons are created equal their skill, experience, and results vary widely, as do their results. To create a master plan and determine how many grafts you will need for a hair transplant, click HERE to schedule a free virtual consultation with an approved hair transplant surgeon.