Besides surgical techniques, there are several factors that can increase the risk of hair transection during a hair transplant. One of these factors is the thickness and texture of the hair being harvested. Thick, curly hair can be more difficult to extract without damaging the follicle, compared to thin, straight hair. The experience and skill of the surgeon or technician also play a role, as a less experienced practitioner may be more likely to accidentally damage hair follicles.
Hair transection can also affect the quality of the hair follicles available for transplantation. Hair follicles that have been damaged or cut may not produce the same quality of hair as healthy hair follicles. The hair may be weaker, thinner, or more prone to breakage, resulting in a less natural-looking hair transplant.
How Can Hair Transection Be Minimized?
- Use magnification: Magnification tools such as loupes or microscopes can help the surgeon to clearly see the hair follicles and surrounding tissue, and to identify healthy follicles. This can reduce the risk of accidentally cutting or damaging hair follicles during extraction. It also assists with more precise incisions in the recipient area, improving the results.
- Use a high-quality punch tool: The punch tool used for extracting hair follicles should be sharp and of high quality. And it should also be the proper size – as small as necessary. This will ensure that the tool cleanly cuts around the hair follicle without damaging it.
- Use proper technique: The surgeon should be well-trained in the proper technique for extracting and implanting hair follicles. This includes using the correct angle, force and depth for extraction and implantation.
- Avoid over-harvesting: Over-harvesting refers to the extraction of too many hair follicles from the donor area. This can lead to damage and transection of hair follicles. The surgeon should carefully assess the donor area to determine the maximum number of hair follicles that can be safely extracted.
- Careful handling: Hair follicles should be handled with care during extraction and implantation. They should be kept moist and at a consistent temperature to ensure their survival.
Finally, the type of hair transplant procedure being performed can also affect the risk of hair transection. There are two main types of hair transplant procedures: follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT). In FUE, individual hair follicles are extracted using a punch tool and then transplanted to the recipient area. In FUT, a strip of skin is removed from the donor area, and then the hair follicles are extracted from that strip of skin and transplanted to the recipient area.
While both procedures carry some risk of hair transection, FUE is generally considered to be less invasive and carries a lower risk of damage to hair follicles. FUT, on the other hand, requires a larger incision in the donor area, which can increase the risk of transection.
Overall, the key to minimizing hair transection during a hair transplant is to choose a skilled and experienced surgeon who uses high-quality tools and techniques. At Advanced Medical Hair Institute, we consistently work to remain on the cutting edge of developing our skills and working with emerging technologies to give the best possible results.
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