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Hair transplant grafts and quality: follicular units, donor density and saving grafts for the future

Hair transplant grafts and quality: follicular units, donor density and saving grafts for the future

In short: A graft is not a hair. It is a follicular unit, a natural group of one to four hairs, so two transplants with the same number of grafts can move very different amounts of hair. What limits every transplant is the donor area at the back and sides of the head: its density, the thickness of the hairs and the number of hairs per unit set a ceiling that no technique can raise. A good plan spends grafts where they change your appearance most, handles them carefully so they survive, and keeps a reserve for the hair you may lose in ten or twenty years. In Tunisia, a hair transplant remains significantly cheaper than in Switzerland; the exact price is given in a free personal quote.

This guide is for people living in Switzerland, including expatriates in Geneva, Zurich, Basel and Lausanne, who are comparing hair transplant offers and wondering what the number of grafts really means. Our earlier guides explain the techniques and growth month by month, diagnosis before surgery and what results to expect. This one goes deeper into the « currency » of hair surgery: what a graft contains, how the donor area is measured, how much can be taken safely, what makes a graft survive, and how to protect your hair capital for the future.

Contents

What exactly is a graft?

Is a graft the same as a hair?

No. On the human scalp, hairs do not grow singly but in small natural groups called follicular units. Each unit usually contains one to four hairs, along with its own small glands and tissue. Modern hair transplantation moves these units intact, which is why the Indian dermatology association’s standard guidelines describe follicular unit transplantation as the gold standard: it preserves the natural architecture of the hair and gives natural results. When a clinic talks about « grafts », it means follicular units, not individual hairs.

How many hairs does an average graft contain?

It varies from person to person and from one part of the donor area to another. In a small study published in 2018 in the World Journal of Plastic Surgery, ten men having FUE had on average about 2.3 hairs per extracted graft, with individual values ranging from about 1.7 to 2.8. This means that the same number of grafts can carry noticeably more hair in one person than in another. Medespoir’s page on the number of grafts makes the same point: a donor area rich in multi-hair units provides more hair for the same number of grafts.

Why do clinics count grafts rather than hairs?

Because the graft is the unit that is extracted, stored, counted and implanted, and each one requires a separate incision in the recipient area. The number of grafts also reflects the work and time involved. Counting hairs would be more informative for the final look, but it is slower and less standardised. A serious clinic therefore gives you both: an estimated number of grafts and an explanation of what that means in hairs and in coverage for your type of hair.

Why do grafts matter more than technique names?

Because « FUE », « DHI » or « sapphire » describe tools and steps, not results. Medespoir’s hair transplant page stresses that FUE is neither a brand nor an automatic promise of density, and that the team’s skill, the time grafts spend outside the body, sorting and design remain decisive. In other words, what happens to each graft from the moment it leaves your scalp until it is implanted is what you are really paying for.

What is new in 2025 and 2026?

What did the 2025 ISHRS practice census show?

The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) published its 2025 practice census on 13 May 2025, based on members’ data for 2024. It found that first-time surgical patients were young, with the large majority starting between the ages of 20 and 35, and that more women were seeking surgery. It also reported growing interest in non-scalp procedures such as beard, moustache and eyebrow transplants. Most importantly for anyone comparing offers, nearly three in five members said that « black market » clinics, where unlicensed people who are not doctors perform the surgery, operate in their city, and members reported that about one in ten of their repair cases followed such a transplant, up from about one in sixteen in 2021.

Why does that matter for the number of grafts?

Because the most damaging consequence of a poor transplant is often not a bad hairline, which can sometimes be corrected, but an over-harvested donor area, which cannot be refilled. Repair surgery needs donor hair, and a patient whose donor area was depleted in a first operation has fewer options. Medespoir has a dedicated page on correcting a failed hair transplant.

What does recent research say about donor complications?

A review by Romera de Blas and colleagues, published in February 2026 in Frontiers in Medicine, analysed the literature up to September 2025 on complications of FUE. It grouped donor area problems into pale spots (hypopigmentation), thickened scars, small cysts and donor depletion, and noted that complications depend both on the patient (other diseases, smoking, medicines) and on technical factors. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery concluded that hair transplant surgery is generally safe, with pain, swelling and oedema at the donor site being the most frequently reported problems.

Grafts and hairs: reading the number correctly

What types of grafts exist?

Grafts are usually sorted by the number of hairs they contain, and each type has its job.

Graft type Where it is usually placed Why
One-hair units The very front of the hairline, temples, eyebrows They create a soft, irregular transition, as in a natural hairline
Two-hair units Just behind the hairline, transition areas They build density progressively without a « doll’s hair » look
Three- and four-hair units Central area behind the hairline, mid-scalp, crown They give the most coverage per graft, where density is most visible

A good plan does not use the richest units at the front, where they would look unnatural, and does not waste single-hair units in the middle of the scalp, where they give little coverage.

Can two quotes with the same number of grafts give different results?

Yes, for several reasons. One donor area may provide more multi-hair units than another. One team may distribute grafts better across the zones. One may handle grafts more carefully, so more of them survive. And one may implant at a density adapted to your hair, while the other spreads grafts too thinly or packs them too tightly. Medespoir’s page warns that a number announced without this reasoning is too poor to be compared seriously with another offer.

Does hair thickness change how many grafts I need?

Yes. Thick hair covers more scalp than fine hair at the same density. Medespoir’s page notes that a patient with thick hair can often achieve satisfactory coverage with a more moderate estimate than someone with fine hair aiming for the same look. Wavy or curly hair also covers more, while a strong contrast between dark hair and pale skin makes thinning more visible. Grey or light hair on light skin blends more easily.

Characteristic Effect on perceived coverage
Thick hair shafts More coverage per graft
Fine hair shafts Less coverage; more grafts needed for the same look
Wavy, curly or afro-textured hair More volume and coverage per graft
Dark hair on pale skin Contrast makes the scalp more visible
Light or grey hair, or hair close to skin colour Less contrast; thinning less visible

Our guide to special cases explains how afro, curly and grey hair change planning.

The donor area: what is measured

Where exactly is the donor area?

It is the band of hair at the back and sides of the head, sometimes called the « safe donor area » or donor crown. In typical male pattern baldness, hairs in this zone are less sensitive to the hormonal mechanism that miniaturises hair on top of the head, so they tend to keep growing when moved. Medespoir’s page calls the donor crown the real ceiling of every project: you cannot transplant more than the reserve allows.

What does the surgeon look at?

  • Density: how many hairs or units grow per square centimetre.
  • Composition: the proportion of one-, two-, three- and four-hair units.
  • Calibre: the thickness of the hairs.
  • Uniformity: whether the density is similar over the whole zone, or thinner in places.
  • Surface: the height and width of the usable band, which varies with head size and the pattern of hair loss.
  • Miniaturisation: whether some donor hairs are already thinning, which reduces the true reserve.
  • Scalp laxity: how mobile the skin is, which matters mainly for strip surgery (FUT).

How is density measured?

Usually with a magnifying instrument or a dermoscope (trichoscopy) that lets the doctor count hairs and units in a small marked area. Photographs at high magnification can be taken in Switzerland before travelling, but a final assessment is always made on site, during the consultation before surgery. That is why a quote sent from photos is always an estimate, to be confirmed in person.

What is a typical donor density?

It varies widely between people and ethnic groups. In the 2018 FUE study mentioned above, the average count in the donor area of ten Pakistani men was about 155 hairs per square centimetre. That figure is useful as an illustration, not as a benchmark for you: your own count, measured on site, is what determines your plan.

Can the donor area be affected by hair loss too?

Yes, in some people. A minority of men show thinning that extends into the sides and back, and in women the loss is often diffuse and can involve the donor area. Medespoir’s page on graft numbers notes that in women the donor area may itself be affected, so a careful examination and often a medical opinion beforehand are essential. If the donor zone is unstable, the transplanted hair may not be permanent, and surgery may not be advisable at all.

How many grafts can safely be taken?

Is there a maximum number of grafts per person?

There is no universal maximum, because it depends on the donor area. What exists is a biological ceiling for each person: the number of units that can be removed without leaving the donor area visibly thin, even with short hair. Removing beyond that point creates a « moth-eaten » or see-through look at the back of the head, a problem described in the literature as donor depletion or over-harvesting.

How much of the donor area is taken in one session?

Only part of it. In the 2018 FUE study, the hairs extracted per square centimetre represented roughly a third of the total density on average, with a range across patients of a little under a third to a little over two fifths. The authors concluded that because donor density varies, FUE should be performed with caution. A careful team spreads extractions evenly over the whole donor zone rather than concentrating them, so that the remaining hair still hides the extraction points.

What are the signs of an over-harvested donor area?

  • Visible patches or a « polka dot » pattern when the hair is short.
  • An obvious difference in density between the donor area and the sides or neck.
  • Many white dots (scars) close together, visible in bright light.
  • Very few multi-hair units left in the donor area.

If you have had a previous transplant, show your donor area to the surgeon early; it changes what is possible.

Can a depleted donor area be repaired?

Only partly. Options include redistributing hair from denser parts of the donor zone, using beard or body hair in selected cases, camouflaging scars with scalp micropigmentation, or wearing the hair longer. None of them restores the original reserve, which is why prevention is far better than repair.

Graft quality: why some grafts grow and others do not

What happens to a graft between extraction and implantation?

It is removed with a fine punch, inspected, sorted by the number of hairs, counted and kept in a storage solution until it is implanted. Medespoir’s hair transplant page describes this chain: grafts are sorted, counted and kept in suitable conditions, and implantation follows the design, angle and planned density. At every step, a graft can be damaged by drying, crushing, heat or being out of the body too long.

What is transection?

Transection means that the follicle is cut during extraction, so that part of the root is damaged or left behind. A transected graft may grow poorly or not at all. Transection depends on the angle of the hair under the skin, the curl of the root, the punch size and depth, and the operator’s skill and concentration. A 2020 study by Ahmad and Mohmand in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, with 25 patients having more than 2,000 grafts, found that transection increased markedly between the start and the end of the session, and that the increase was larger in bigger sessions. The authors concluded that the surgeon’s workload increases hair transection during FUE.

Does a bigger session mean worse grafts?

Not necessarily, but it is a risk to manage. Very large sessions mean many hours of repetitive precision work, longer storage times for grafts extracted early, and more fatigue for the team. Well-organised clinics plan breaks, rotate tasks and adapt the session size to the donor area and the hair type. Medespoir’s page mentions that breaks can be organised during the day.

What else influences graft survival?

  • Time out of the body: the shorter, the better; grafts are kept moist and cool.
  • Gentle handling: grafts are held by the surrounding tissue, not squeezed at the bulb.
  • Recipient sites: incisions adapted to graft size, at the right angle and depth, not too densely packed for your scalp’s blood supply.
  • Your health: smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and some medicines can affect healing.
  • Aftercare: not rubbing or knocking the grafts in the first days, sleeping as advised and washing as shown.

Our aftercare guide covers the days after surgery in detail.

Do « premium » add-ons improve survival?

Some clinics advertise special storage solutions, PRP or other additives as improving graft survival. Medespoir’s page is cautious: some offers put forward adjuncts whose benefit is not always demonstrated, and a standard, well-performed transplant is preferable. If PRP interests you as a treatment for your remaining hair, read Medespoir’s page on PRP for hair and ask what evidence supports each add-on.

Who does what during the procedure?

Why does it matter who extracts the grafts?

Because extraction is the step where the donor area is either preserved or damaged, and where transection occurs. The ISHRS position on qualifications for scalp surgery is that diagnosis, surgical planning, donor harvesting, hairline design, creation of recipient sites and post-operative care are the responsibility of a licensed physician, and that operators of FUE devices must be physicians. Technicians may help with sorting and placing grafts within that framework.

What should I ask?

  • Who will examine me and design my hairline?
  • Who will perform the extraction, and who will make the recipient incisions?
  • How many patients does the team operate on the same day?
  • How are grafts stored and counted, and will I receive the count?
  • Who will I contact after returning to Switzerland?

Medespoir’s page on choosing a hair transplant clinic (in French) lists similar checks: the qualification of the medical lead, the team’s real role, traceability of grafts, the quality of results and the organisation of follow-up.

Want to know what your donor area can offer? Send clear photos of the front, top, crown and back of your head through the free quote form. You will receive an estimate of grafts by zone, to be confirmed at the consultation.

Your lifetime hair budget

Why think about the future before the first transplant?

Because male pattern hair loss usually continues. A hairline that looks perfect at 28 can look isolated at 45 if the hair behind it keeps thinning. The donor reserve has to cover not only today’s bald areas but also the areas that may thin later. Medespoir’s page puts it simply: the patient does not want « as many grafts as possible », but « enough grafts, well distributed, for a credible and lasting density ».

How do surgeons protect the future?

  • They design a mature hairline, slightly higher than in adolescence, that will still look right later.
  • They treat the front and mid-scalp first, because that is where hair frames the face.
  • They are cautious with the crown, which can absorb a large number of grafts and keep extending.
  • They keep a reserve for a possible second session.
  • They recommend medical treatment to slow the loss of the hair you still have.

Why are very young patients a special case?

Because their final pattern of hair loss is not yet known. The Indian standard guidelines advise caution in very young patients whose early hair loss is still evolving, and in men with advanced baldness (Norwood VI or VII) and poor donor density. The ISHRS census shows that many first-time patients are in their twenties and early thirties. For them, a conservative plan and medical treatment first are often wiser than an aggressive first session. Our guide on diagnosis and the Norwood scale explains the stages.

Which medical treatments help preserve the reserve?

The ISHRS 2025 census found that finasteride 1 mg, oral minoxidil and topical minoxidil are the treatments that hair surgeons prescribe most often alongside surgery. They aim to slow the loss of native hair, so that grafts are not « chasing » a retreating hairline. They require a prescription and medical follow-up, and their effects and side effects vary from person to person. In June 2025, a European review led by the European Medicines Agency confirmed suicidal thoughts as a side effect of finasteride tablets, with an unknown frequency; discuss this, and any history of depression, with your doctor in Switzerland before starting.

How can I picture my budget?

Use of the donor reserve Priority Comment
Hairline and temples High Frames the face; fine single-hair units needed
Front and mid-scalp High Gives the most visible improvement per graft
Crown Medium, case by case Large spiral area; may keep extending
Reserve for later Essential Protects you against future loss and the need for repair

FUE, DHI and FUT from the donor’s point of view

What does FUE mean for the donor area?

Follicular unit extraction (FUE) removes units one by one with a small round punch. It leaves tiny round scars spread across the donor area, which are usually hidden by hair of normal length but can show as white dots with a very short cut or after an aggressive harvest. Its advantage is flexibility: the surgeon can choose units across the whole zone and avoid a linear scar.

Is DHI a different way of harvesting?

Usually not. Medespoir’s page explains that in DHI the units are generally extracted according to the FUE principle; the difference lies mainly in the implantation, which uses an implanter pen (often called a Choi pen) to control angle, direction and depth. So, from the donor area’s point of view, DHI and FUE are usually the same.

What about FUT, the strip method?

In follicular unit transplantation (FUT), a thin strip of scalp is removed from the donor area and divided into units under a microscope, and the wound is closed, leaving a fine linear scar. It is less used than FUE today, but some surgeons still value it for certain patients, for example those who always wear their hair long, because it can harvest from the central donor zone without leaving the dots that FUE creates. A strip scar can sometimes widen; Medespoir has a page on correcting an FUT scar.

Technique How grafts are obtained Donor scar Main donor consideration
FUE Units extracted one by one Small dots spread out Even distribution to avoid over-harvesting
DHI Usually FUE extraction; implanter pen for placement As for FUE Same as FUE
FUT (strip) Strip removed, then divided One fine line Scalp laxity and the risk of a wider scar

Does the « sapphire » technique change anything for grafts?

Sapphire refers to the blades used to open the recipient sites, not to the extraction. Medespoir’s page warns against treating the word as an advertising argument: a precise blade does not replace analysis of the donor area or the quality of the design.

Beard and body hair as extra donor sources

Can beard hair be moved to the scalp?

Yes, in selected men with a dense beard. Beard hair is usually thicker and can add coverage, particularly in the crown or to thicken areas behind the hairline. But its texture and growth cycle differ from scalp hair, so it is rarely used at the hairline. The ISHRS census notes that non-scalp procedures are attracting more interest, but body hair remains a complement, not a substitute for a good scalp donor area.

What about chest or other body hair?

Body hair is generally finer, has a shorter growth phase and may not reach scalp length. It can help in specific repair situations, but results are less predictable. Expect a specialist discussion rather than a routine option.

Can I use my donor area for a beard transplant and still keep enough for the scalp?

Yes, but it is a trade-off to plan carefully. Beard and eyebrow transplants usually take hair from the same scalp donor area. If you expect to need scalp grafts later, discuss the total budget before using part of it for the face. Medespoir has a page on beard transplants in Tunisia, and our beard and eyebrow guide covers those procedures.

One large session or two smaller ones?

What are the advantages of a single session?

One trip, one recovery and one period of changed appearance. For moderate hair loss with a good donor area, a single session is often sufficient.

What are the advantages of splitting into two sessions?

Medespoir’s page lists them: splitting spares the donor area, makes it possible to observe the growth from the first session before planning the next, and allows the plan to be refined according to the real result. The downside is a longer timeline and, if needed, a second stay. Some surgeons also feel that two moderate sessions keep transection and storage times under better control than one very large session.

Question One large session Two moderate sessions
Trips to Tunisia One Two, usually about a year apart
Donor area More extracted at once Extraction spread over time, easier to judge
Graft handling Longer day, more fatigue to manage Shorter days
Adapting the plan Decided in advance Second session adapted to the first result
Time to final result Shorter Longer

When is a second session considered?

Usually once the result of the first has matured, which takes many months. The Indian guidelines remind patients that proper growth can be expected only after about nine months, and Medespoir’s page says that growth often continues up to about a year. Judging too early leads to wrong decisions. Our results guide explains how to assess your result objectively.

Women: a different donor logic

Why is graft planning different for women?

Because female hair loss is more often diffuse, with a widening parting and an overall loss of density, while the hairline is frequently preserved. Medespoir’s page on graft numbers notes that the estimate must take this diffuse pattern into account, as well as the quality of a donor area that may itself be affected. Blood tests for iron, thyroid function and other causes are generally recommended before any decision.

When is a transplant reasonable for a woman?

When there is a stable donor area and a localised problem: a high forehead, a widened parting in a stable pattern, thinning at the temples, or a scar. For widespread diffuse thinning with an unstable donor area, medical treatment and other options are usually better. Medespoir’s page on female hair transplants describes the options, and our female hair loss guide covers alternatives such as PRP and minoxidil.

Can women avoid shaving?

Sometimes. Techniques without full shaving, or with partial shaving hidden under longer hair, may be possible when the number of grafts and the technique allow. Medespoir’s hair transplant page says that shaving can be adapted in such cases, and that the team can say during the assessment whether a discreet option seems compatible with the project. The final aim and the protection of the donor area take priority over a few days of discretion.

How to read a quote expressed in grafts

What should a good hair transplant quote contain?

Medespoir’s page on its hair transplant service says that a quote should not be reduced to an amount: it should explain the proposed method, the priority zones, the estimated number of grafts and the practical organisation. Concretely, look for:

  • the estimated number of grafts, preferably broken down by zone;
  • the target density in each zone, or at least the intention for each zone;
  • the technique for extraction and implantation;
  • whether shaving is needed;
  • the length of the stay and what it includes;
  • who performs each step;
  • how follow-up is organised after your return;
  • a note that the number will be confirmed after examination on site.

Which quotes should make me suspicious?

  • A very high number of grafts promised without anyone having seen your donor area.
  • A fixed « unlimited grafts » offer.
  • No explanation of the hairline design or the zones treated.
  • Vague answers about who extracts and who makes the incisions.
  • Pressure to decide quickly or to add a crown « while you are there ».

Medespoir’s page summarises the first mistake: choosing a clinic only on the number of grafts announced. A high number without diagnosis or verification of the donor reserve is a sales argument, not a medical estimate.

Is a higher number of grafts always better value?

No. More grafts than you need waste donor hair you may want later, and more grafts than your scalp can host at once can reduce survival. The best value is the number that achieves a natural, credible result now while protecting your future options.

Planning in Tunisia, follow-up in Switzerland

How does the process work with Medespoir?

You send clear photos and describe your goal. The team studies the file and sends a personalised proposal, with the estimated number of grafts. In Tunisia, the consultation on site confirms the number and the design, followed by extraction, preparation of grafts and implantation, then written instructions and a first check. Back in Switzerland, follow-up continues with photos at the recommended stages and, if needed, a check with your GP or a dermatologist in your canton. Medespoir does not have a clinic in Switzerland; preparation and follow-up are organised from your canton, while the procedure takes place in Tunisia or Turkey.

What language will the consultation be in?

In Tunisia, consultations and medical documents are in French. If you prefer English, ask in advance how communication will be handled, especially for the hairline design, which is the moment to express your wishes precisely.

How should I prepare my donor area before travelling?

  • Do not cut your hair very short in the weeks before unless you are told to; the team needs to see your natural density and hair length.
  • Avoid tattoos, scalp micropigmentation or new hair fibres in the donor area just before the consultation.
  • Bring any records of previous transplants, including the number of grafts and the technique used.
  • Tell the team about all medicines, especially blood thinners, and about smoking.
  • Follow Medespoir’s guidance on how the procedure day unfolds.

What follow-up should I plan in Switzerland?

Take standardised photos at fixed intervals, with the same light, angle and dry hair, as Medespoir’s page recommends. Continue any prescribed medical treatment with your doctor. Have the donor area checked if you notice persistent redness, lumps, numbness or pain. And keep your operative report: any future surgeon will want to know how many grafts were taken and from where.

Four typical situations

Case 1: Luca, 27, Zurich, early recession

Luca’s temples are receding and his crown is starting to thin. His donor area is good but his father is very bald. The surgeon proposes medical treatment first and a conservative hairline restoration, keeping a large reserve for later, and advises against treating the crown now.

Case 2: James, 41, Geneva, advanced loss with fine hair

James has extensive loss and fine, light-brown hair. His donor density is average. The plan concentrates grafts on the front and mid-scalp to frame the face, with a realistic density, and leaves the crown for a possible second session after a year if the donor area allows.

Case 3: Daniel, 35, Basel, after a transplant elsewhere

Daniel had a large FUE session abroad several years ago. His donor area shows visible thinning with short hair. The surgeon first assesses what is left, suggests wearing the hair slightly longer, and proposes a limited correction of the hairline using beard grafts in part, plus scar camouflage rather than another large harvest.

Case 4: Anna, 46, Lausanne, widened parting

Anna’s parting has widened over several years. Blood tests are normal, and examination shows a stable donor area with good density. The surgeon proposes a moderate transplant along the parting, without full shaving, combined with medical treatment to preserve her native hair.

Price and insurance

How much does a hair transplant in Tunisia cost?

A hair transplant in Tunisia is significantly cheaper than in Switzerland. The exact price depends on the technique, the surface treated, the estimated number of grafts and the services included in the stay, and is given in a free, personal quote in your name. Medespoir does not publish a standard amount for hair transplants because projects are not comparable; see its hair transplant price page (in French) for the factors involved.

Is the price based on the number of grafts?

The number of grafts is one of several factors, along with the technique, the time required and the stay. Be wary of comparing offers on a « price per graft » basis alone: it says nothing about graft survival, the protection of your donor area or follow-up.

Does Swiss insurance pay for a hair transplant?

Generally not. Basic insurance does not cover cosmetic hair transplants. Some exceptional reconstructive situations, for example after an accident or a burn, may be handled differently; ask your insurer in advance.

Can I compare Tunisia and Turkey?

Yes. Medespoir performs hair transplants in its clinics in Tunisia and in Istanbul. Both destinations remain significantly cheaper than Switzerland, and the quote can compare the two. The number of grafts, the technique and the follow-up should be compared as carefully as the price.

This article provides general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Only a doctor who has examined your scalp and donor area can estimate the grafts you need and the reserve you should keep.

Ready to find out? Request your free personal quote with photos of your whole head, including the back. You will receive a proposal explaining the zones, the estimated number of grafts and the organisation of your stay.

Sources

  • International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), 2025 Practice Census results, 13 May 2025: ishrs.org
  • Romera de Blas C. et al., Complications in follicular unit excision hair transplantation: current evidence and practical approaches, Frontiers in Medicine, 2026: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  • Khatib M. et al., Complications following hair transplantation: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2025: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  • Humayun Mohmand M., Ahmad M., Effect of follicular unit extraction on the donor area, World Journal of Plastic Surgery, 2018: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  • Ahmad M., Mohmand M. H., Effect of surgeon’s workload on rate of transection during FUE, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  • Patwardhan N., Mysore V., Hair transplantation: standard guidelines of care, Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2008: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  • European Medicines Agency, finasteride and dutasteride containing medicinal products: ema.europa.eu
  • Medespoir (in French): number of grafts, hair transplant in Tunisia, choosing a clinic, hair transplant guide

Frequently asked questions

How many hairs are in one graft?

Between one and four, usually. On average, often a little over two, but it varies from person to person.

How many grafts can my donor area give?

Only an examination can say. It depends on density, the composition of units, hair thickness and the size of the donor zone.

Will the donor area grow back?

Extracted follicles do not grow back. The surrounding hair hides the extraction points if the harvest was spread evenly and kept within safe limits.

Is it better to take as many grafts as possible in one session?

No. The right number is the one that gives a natural result while keeping a reserve for the future. Very large sessions also require careful handling to protect graft quality.

Can I have a second transplant later?

Often yes, if the donor area was preserved during the first one. That is the main reason to keep a reserve.

Does DHI use fewer grafts than FUE?

No. DHI is mainly a way of implanting; the number of grafts depends on the area and density you need, not on the instrument.

Should I start medical treatment before a transplant?

Often yes, to stabilise the hair you still have. Discuss benefits and side effects with your doctor in Switzerland.

Can women have a transplant if their hair loss is diffuse?

Only if the donor area is stable and the problem localised. For widespread diffuse loss, medical treatment is usually the first option.

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