Hair Transplant Terminology: What is the Difference Between a Hair Follicle, a Follicular Unit, and a Follicular Unit Graft?
This question comes from a member of our [tag]hair loss[/tag] social community and discussion forums:
I recently started researching [tag]hair transplant surgery[/tag], and I’m confused about the difference between a hair follicle, a [tag]follicular unit[/tag], and a follicular unit graft? Are these the same? How do they differ? How do they relate to [tag]hair transplantation[/tag]?
Admittedly, these terms can be confusing to those just beginning their [tag]hair restoration[/tag] journey. However, “hair follicle,” “follicular unit,” and “follicular unit graft” are each different and unique elements of hair restoration, and should be clearly understood by any individual seeking [tag]hair loss[/tag] treatment.
A hair follicle is a regenerative dermal organ responsible for creating hair in the human body. Follicles are composed of a series of stem cells, glands, sheaths, and vessels, and regenerate hair by cycling through three distinct stages: anagen (growth), catagen (cessation), and telogen (rest). Follicles are responsible for creating the single visible hairs on the scalp, and shrink and spend an increased amount of time in the telogen (resting) phase when exposed to Dihydrotestosterone ([tag]DHT[/tag]) – the “hair loss hormone.”
In the scalp, hair naturally grows in 1 – 4 hair follicle “clusters” known as follicular units. By observing the natural growth pattern of hair on the scalp, it’s apparent that these follicular units contain anywhere from 1-4 hair follicles, with 2-3 follicle units being the most common. What’s more, because these follicular units represent the natural pattern of follicular distribution and hair growth within the scalp, these entities are what [tag]hair transplant surgeons[/tag] extract, dissect, and implant during hair restoration surgery.
When a naturally growing follicular unit is extracted (either via [tag]Follicular Unit Transplantation[/tag]/[tag]FUT[/tag] or [tag]Follicular Unit Extraction[/tag]/[tag]FUE[/tag]) and implanted during hair transplant surgery, it becomes a follicular unit graft. By only using natural follicular unit grafts during hair transplant surgery, [tag]hair restoration physicians[/tag] are able to recreate the natural pattern of hair growth in the scalp and achieve excellent results.
Altogether, the difference between a hair follicle, follicular unit, and a follicular unit graft is important, and must be understood by any hair loss sufferer researching hair restoration.
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Blake Bloxham – formerly “Future_HT_Doc”
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
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