Patient’s Question:

Hello Dr. Friedman,

I’ve been considering a hair transplant procedure for about two years now. I know the procedure had advanced quite a bit in the last few decades, but I still hear the word “hair plugs” being used on TV and in movies. Are doctors still actually giving people hair plugs? How can I make sure I don’t get hair plugs? To be honest, this phrase has made me nervous about getting hair transplant surgery.

Dr. Friedman’s Answer:

The words “hair plugs” refer to an antiquated hair transplant procedure utilizing a 4mm in diameter punch over the donor region to obtain follicles for transplantation.  Since the mid-1980s, most respected hair transplant surgeons have stopped using plugs since it resulted in a doll’s head appearance with 15-20 hairs within each plug, giving an unnatural appearance.

In the mid to late 1980’s most surgeons switched to mini grafts and micro grafts which is also considered antiquated.  For the past 15-20, years most full time hair transplant surgeons perform Follicular Unit Transplantation transplanting natural occurring 1, 2, 3, and 4 hair grafts.

Unfortunately, the media likes to make fun of people and therefore chooses to use outdated terms such as “hair plugs” to get laughs.

Thank you for your inquiry. Please call us at 480.500.7443 or send us an EMAIL if you have any further questions.

— Dr. Shelly Friedman, DO
Board Certified Hair Restoration Surgeon
Arizona’s Most Trusted Hair Loss Doctor
Named Phoenix Magazine’s Top Doc – Hair Transplant Surgeon

 

 

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Written on August 28, 2017 | Categories: Hair Transplant Questions | Tags: