How Do I Know If I’ll Have Enough Donor Hair for Another Transplant Later?

Dr. Rassman, i have had a hair transplant using the strip method. I have a long scar across my head. You can not see it however as it is unnoticable. My question is, i only had a transplant in the temple area for a receding hair line and the areas are very small. I had good density however the length of the scar looks massive in relation to how many hairs have been transplanted. If i need another transplant later in life will there still be enough donor hair. Obviously you havent seen me so you couldnt tell me , but with strip methods is there any left over hair as they can determine how many hairs there will be. Im worried that they have used all my donor supply. I am happy with the transplant.

Most people will be able to get about 5,000 grafts from their donor area. Clearly, that depends upon the donor density and the scalp laxity you have. I have seen some people exploit their donor density after 3,000 grafts, but that is unusual. I have taken as many as 10,000 grafts in others. The efficiency of the harvest is critically important. Discuss this with your doctor and he/she should give you good answers to this question, as it relates to your donor supply and scalp laxity.

For more, see:

• Scalp Exercises (video)
• Follow-Up: Are Doctors Promising More Grafts Than Can Possibly Be Delivered?
• How Many Donor Grafts Does an Average Person Have?
• Density and Scalp Laxity