One procedure results with 2417 FUGs by Bill Reed, MD

[Dr. William Reed]

These photos show one procedure resulting from 2417 grafts including 350 double follicular units (DFUs). This patient has fine hair whose color is low contrast relative to his skin color. These two factors make the use of double follicular units advisable in my opinion. (A fundamental reason underlying DFU use is that "chubby" grafts were once again shown to have higher survival rates in a study by Michael Beehner, MD in last month's Forum. Previous studies support that the small DFU is the quintessential chubby graft.)

The patient's donor thins as it comes forward of the ear so the donor length was restricted to stay behind the ears. This seems prudent since the thinning in these areas has almost certainly occurred since the patient's teenage years and we cannot be sure that the hair that remains is as stable as the more persistently dense hair that is found behind the ears and around the back of the head. If the donor was extended more forward, the number of grafts produced would be modest, the scar could become exposed if thinning progressed and, as mentioned, the grafts from these areas may not be as "permanent" as those from the rest of the donor.

Another feature that this case permits is the styling dependency of one procedure. Note the increased appearance of fullness in the "dry look" as opposed to the "wet look" that also takes the hair length to the rear and therefore does not benefit the balding area anteriorly. The "dry look" is 7 months post procedure; the "wet", 2 years.

 

[Mick from Farjo]

Dr Reed,

 

I like what you have achieved for your patient, especially given his donor hair characteristics.

 

Mick