Micrografting Hair Transplant Procedure


When you go into to have micrograft hair transplantation, the surgeon will walk you through everything he/she will do, and will give you instructions for post-operative care. Next, the surgeon should go over the map of where the hairs are to be placed on your scalp to ensure the outcome is the look you desire. In some clinics, you may be given a light sedative to help you relax or sleep during the operation, but you will not be under general anaesthetic. Once you are brought into surgery, your scalp will be numbed with localised anaesthetic which may cause some pain or discomfort, however, the surgery itself will not hurt.

Hair Follicle Removal & Placement

After your head is numb, the surgeon will cut a strip of scalp from the back of your head about half an inch wide. This scalp strip will then be kept cool while assistants or the surgeon begin removing follicular units from the strip of removed scalp using high-powered microscopes to ensure the units are kept intact. The surgeon will also suture or staple the incision back together by connecting the stretchy skin of your scalp. If done properly, you should have as little as 2mm scar where the strip was.


As the follicular units are being removed, the doctor will make small incisions with a needle, scalpel, or laser along the area of the scalp where the hairs are to be placed. The follicular units are then placed in, one at a time, into the incisions. Coagulation will keep the small grafts in place and small scabs over the hairs will appear and last for about a week.

Grading Hair

Some surgeons may combine techniques placing thicker, larger hair grafts towards the back or middle of the balding area while smaller grafts, like follicular units or sometimes even individual hairs, can be placed around the larger grafts to create a more natural looking hairline and to reduce the evidence of cosmetic surgery. This process of starting with thinner hair and moving gradually towards thicker hair is called ‘grading’ and is imperative to form an authentic looking hairline. Ask your surgeon if he/she transplants follicular units, larger grafts, or a combination of the two. It is generally better to stick with follicular units to avoid noticeably graded hair.

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Guide to Micrografting for Hair Loss