Donor Removal

Upgraded Site.

Welcome to our new look. We are here to help you achieve your “new look”, too.

If you watch ‘The NHI Experience’ video now, you will find that our featured patient, journalist Ralph Blunsom’s appearance has changed dramatically. We’ve added his interview at 9 months after his op. The difference his new hair has made to his appearance, let alone his confidence, is clearly evident.

I have also added one or two photos to our ‘before’ and ‘after’ spots, including my own ‘bald’ photo. Truth is, I had lost the only photograph I ever had of myself prior to having my hair transplanted, then found it again recently.

F.U.E . (Follicular Unit Extraction)

However, there is one change to my site that I would especially like to draw your attention to; and that is my views on F.U.E.

I have always been skeptical of removing donor hair by F.U.E. (Follicular Unit Extraction) in comparison to the more commonly used method of ‘donor’ removal using the ‘Strip’ technique.

My objection to the process has always been based on one particular aspect of the procedure that I found unacceptable. Namely the failure rate expectancy of the individually removed roots when replanted. This can be anything between 20 to 40% of the hairs transplanted, depending on the skills of the operating surgeon.

However, recent changes by our surgeon to the F.U.E procedure have mellowed my attitude toward the procedure. For one, all follicular units are microscoped to check for damage before planting. Rather than the usual method of harvesting and replanting without checking.

Our surgeon also has asked me to inform his prospective patients that he is using the very latest instrumentation for ‘harvesting’ follicular units. It’s called ‘EliptoGraft’ and is used to remove two grafts simultaneously.

This new technology allows for much higher numbers of grafts to be harvested in one session. Our team are now able to offer a procedure with up to 3000 hairs .

Naturally, with the F.U.E procedure taking up to 3 times longer than the ‘Strip’ method, the costs are considerably higher. I will be happy to advise you on consultation.

Whether your choice of ‘donor’ removal is ‘Strip’ removal or ‘Follicular Unit Extraction’ (individual root removal) NHI Clinics Athens can assure you of one thing above all.

With the ‘Choi’ Implanter (needle) technique, you will get much more volume/density in one session than any other method and at considerably less cost.

You can send me a couple of digital photos of your hair loss area for assessment, and I will respond with an estimated cost.

For your consideration, here are the two ways of harvesting ‘donor’ hair for hair transplantation.

The ‘Strip’.

The most widely used method of ‘donor’ removal is called The ‘Strip’ method.

A narrow strip of hair-bearing skin is removed by the surgeon using a scalpel. The roots (containing the hair shaft) are then dissected from the ’strip’ by assistants/technicians using blades, and then processed ready for ‘planting’

This process is quick, painless and has a minimal failure rate. As you can see from the photos, the scar is easily disguised immediately after the donor has been removed.

 

F.U.E. ‘Follicular Unit Extraction’.

This method requires the surgeon to remove individual roots (containing the hair shaft) with a tiny ‘punch’ tool. The donor site is first shaved to ’skin’. The surgeon then places the ‘punch’ above the newly shaven hairs and ‘punches’ out a section of skin containing the root and hair shaft.

As the root is beneath the skin, the surgeon can only estimate where the root lies. Often, the root is not where it is perceived to be. It may be off-centre to where the hair is located and the ‘punch’ tool can damage the root beyond use.

It is estimated that anywhere from 20% to 40% of the harvested roots can be damaged by the ‘punch’ during ‘harvesting’ and fail to grow. This is very much dependant on the expertise of the operating surgeon.

However, our surgeon checks that the roots are undamaged before transplanting. So virtually all the hairs planted will grow. He is also using the very latest F.U.E. removal tool called ‘EliptoGraft’. It allows him to remove two grafts simultaneously, allowing for higher numbers of hairs harvested in one session.

Naturally, removing donor hair this way is a slow and drawn out process. Our team can plant up to 3000 hairs in one session. However the procedure can take up to 10 hours.

Remember to send me photos and I’ll let you know how NHI Clinics can help restore your youthful appearance and your confidence.

Malcolm Mendelsohn

November 2008.