In the past, we might have said any hair is better than no hair, but thanks to advancements in hair transplant technology, we have smarter options. These days we can not only restore hair in a way that looks natural and not ‘pluggy,’ but also improve the survivability of strands through gentler methods for an overall better outcome.
The New Era of Hair Transplants
Thankfully, hair plugs have been phased out in favor of follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE), both of which involve placing individual follicles in the scalp, rather than an entire circle of skin, which was responsible for the doll-like ‘plug’ look. While this definitely improved the look of restored hair, there were still areas for improvement, particularly in making sure strands survived and thrived after transplantation.
“Traditional FUE often uses a manual punch tool, leading to the grafts needing to be removed manually with forceps,” explains Portsmouth, NH plastic surgeon Anthony Wilson, MD. “This causes more trauma to the grafts, decreasing viability.”
Since FUE became the standard for hair transplants over twenty years ago, experts have been aiming to extract hair follicles with less damage to the strand. And in 2017, SmartGraft answered that call.
How the SmartGraft Stacks Up
“The most important difference in SmartGraft compared to a traditional FUE is the handling of the grafts,” explains Dr. Wilson. “In the SmartGraft system the grafts are harvested into a closed system by gentle suction, where they are bathed in saline in a sterile temperature-controlled canister.”
Hair grafts are notoriously delicate, and excess manual handling has been known to cause damage to strands, so that closed system helps keep grafts safe while they’re harvested.
“This technology leads to higher graft viability due to improved hydration and preservation,” Dr. Wilson says. “The SmartGraft procedure reduces follicle trauma, increases efficiency of the procedure, and optimizes graft survival.”
At the same time, the speedier procedure means less time between harvesting and placement, which also increases the chances that a hair graft will survive and thrive.
Who Can Benefit from SmartGraft?
For those who’ve been waiting for a less invasive, more effective way to restore thinning hair, Dr. Wilson says SmartGraft may be the answer. “Patients who have hair loss in some areas but good hair density in other areas are the best candidates for hair transplant, such as patients with male pattern baldness or stable hair thinning at the hairline or crown,” he explains. “In general, any patient that is a good candidate for hair transplant can have SmartGraft.”
With greater graft survival, a faster recovery and results that don’t broadcast “hair transplant,” it’s ushering in a new era of hair restoration. One that’s smarter, subtler and finally worth the investment.
