Hair transplant has been used as a time-tested and permanent hair restoration procedure. Still, graft survival is one thing that continues to haunt the patient and surgeon. The truth is not all the grafts survive the surgery. To ensure graft survival to the maximum, you should opt for a skilled hair surgeon who utilizes advanced techniques. One such facility is SB Trichology, the leading clinic for Hair Transplant in Gurgaon, where the skilled hair surgeon Dr. Shilpi Bhadani is. Here, the doctor uses the minimally invasive advanced Hair ART technique to bring a high graft survival rate while providing pain-free, scar-less results without downtime. In this article, we discuss what determines graft survival and what to expect from the treatment.

An Overview of Hair Growth Cycle

First, you must understand the natural hair growth cycle to learn about graft survival. Human hair goes through several hair growth phases. It includes the following:

1. Anagen Phase: It is the phase where hair grows out from the hair follicle actively, and the duration is supposed to take some years.
2. Catagen Phase: This is the short transition phase where hair stops growing and detaches itself from the follicle, thus lasting for weeks only.
3. Telogen Phase: Here, the hair will still be dormant. Therefore, the hair resting phase is resting and can last up to several months.
4. Exogen Phase: This is the exfoliating phase of hair.

The spontaneous hair growth cycle varies from one individual to another. During hair transplant, surgeons attempt to take hair follicles from the donor area, generally the back or sides of the head, when in the anagen phase.

These follicles are considered the strongest and most likely to survive transplanting. Still, not all transplanted hair will survive despite the best care and graft selection due to several factors.

Factors Affecting Graft Survival:

Numerous factors affect graft survival post-hair transplant. Some of these are as follows:

• Technique of Hair Transplant:

FUE is the most popular hair transplant technique in recent times. In this technique, instead of strips, follicle grafts are used for extraction from the donor area. After processing these grafts in the lab, they are implanted on the bald area of the scalp.

The treatment can leave minimal scarring, pain, and falling of some grafts. On the other hand, Hair Art is an advanced hair transplant technique with no pain, scar, or downtime. It is a completely safe and secure treatment. The graft survival rate with Hair ART is relatively higher than FUE and traditional FUT.

• Skill and Expertise of the Surgeon:

Besides the hair transplant technique, the surgeon's skill and experience also play a significant role in graft survival. An experienced surgeon knows how to extract, handle, and transplant grafts carefully to minimize or reduce damage. The use of precise instruments and advanced techniques can improve graft survival rates.

• Graft Handling:

The grafted areas should be handled gently to minimize graft damage during the transplantation process. Any harm or negligence can cause damage to the grafts and decrease the chances of survival.

• Blood Supply:

Apart from the above requirement, the blood supply to the recipient site is another condition for graft survival. A good vascularized recipient site is beneficial for graft survival.

• Postoperative Care:

Patients must be instructed on their surgeon's postoperative care. For example, you should avoid heavy activities, steer clear of the grafts with your hands, and take all the prescribed medicines. The success of any transplant relies upon proper care after the surgery.

• Graft Quality:

The quality of the grafts is greatly important. The thicker the grafts are and how healthy they appear, the more chances they have to survive. Surgeons even choose the best grafts during the harvesting process of the transplant.

Such important patient features include a patient's physiology, skin condition, and capacity for healing. Others simply just are more graft survival-friendly.

• Donor Region:

The state and quality of the hair follicles in the donor region can determine graft survival. Any sort of hair loss or scarring in this area is likely to weaken transplantable grafts.

• Environmental Factors:

Factors that might influence graft survival include the humidity and temperature of the operating room environment. The process of transplant should be under optimal conditions.

• Complications:

Sometimes, complications like infections or inflammation may play a part in affecting graft survival. Their effects would be minimized if such complications were promptly identified and treated.

• Graft Density:

The density of graft placement also determines graft survival. Overcrowding grafts in a small area can reduce blood supply and increase the risk of graft loss.

• Immune Response:

The recipient's immune response can determine graft survival. The body may treat the grafted pieces as foreign matter, which leads to graft rejection. To minimize this risk, surgeons may prescribe immunosuppressive medications.

What is the Graft Survival Rate?

Although hair transplant surgeries tend to have very good results in most cases, an absolute 100% graft survival rate is extremely unlikely. Most often, 5% to 10% of the grafts may fail to grow or grow quite slowly, so an average failure rate is 5% to 10%. Despite this, the overall result often demonstrates considerable hair density and aesthetic improvement.

Management of Failure of Grafts:

If some grafts don't take, that's not a reason for panic since surgeons typically anticipate some loss for an appropriately natural and aesthetically balanced outcome. The holes can be filled with further surgeries. Be patient because the hair normally will take a few months to grow in and fill in, and the surgery results are typically reviewed 12 months later.

Consult the Best Hair Transplant Surgeon in Gurgaon for Hair Transplantation!

Hair transplants have advanced to incredible lengths in treating people with hair loss problems. Not all grafts survive after hair transplant, but with skilled surgeons who treat the graft carefully, plus proper care during the postoperative course, graft survival rates become highly enhanced.

For more accurate detail, consultation with an experienced surgeon, and an expert like the best hair transplant surgeon in Gurgaon, Dr. Shilpi Bhadani, would be advisable. You can consult her at SB Trichology and discuss the appropriate technique for maximum hair graft survival rate and other hair loss control and restoration options. Pay a visit now!