Hair Transplant Growth Success Rate

What is the growth success in 100 grafts that are transplanted?

This is a good question. We really do not know exactly. I suspect that the growth rate success in our hands is over 90%, but it is almost impossible to count the transplanted hairs and compare their numbers to what was moved.

I have had opportunities to transplant a limited number of hairs in a scar, or an area of the head that was easy to separate from the rest of the areas and when I counted them, they all grew. I do test grafting in people with Alopecia Areata when I believe that the disease is inactive. In those patients who have inactive disease, I put in about 20 grafts into various areas of a bald patch of scalp. If the disease is really inactive, all 20 grafts are counted after some 6 months. I do the same for some burn patients where the scars may not support the grafts. When the scars can support the grafts, all grafts are then counted and if one grows, they all grow. This experience does show what is probably the case in our typical hair transplant sessions.

What we stress is a quality control process to minimize those factors that can cause hair loss in the transplant process. For the natural hair that is still present, we use drugs like Propecia before surgery. Various technical systems are enforced which guarantee that the grafts do not dry out (the leading cause of graft death), gentle handling (the second most common cause of graft death) and very experienced technicians (we have no turnover of clinical staff). A good transplant with a high success rate depends upon good team work with employees that know how to work together. Just like a good football team, every player in every position must work at peak efficiency to win the game. Winning the game in hair transplantation is a combination of 100% growth and good esthetics. This is why we show off our patients after their procedures at our open house events and also have a live surgery so that you can see, first hand, what will happen to you both in surgery and then 8 months later.