The grafts per square centimeter that patients receive depends on its location, the patient's available donor amount, and areas that are thinning as well their amount. How a surgeon layers the number of grafts by each centimeter depends on their technique. Almost always, however, they will first assess which areas require the most grafts and then make a decision from there.
Most studies indicate that the average, natural average density per square cm is 80 to 100 FU. However, thinning only begins to appear noticeable at 40 FU. Any hair transplant surgeon's objective, therefore, is to increase recipient areas' density to at least slightly above this level.
There are also risks involved in placing too many grafts per square centimeter. Some studies indicate the even exceeding 30 FU grafts per square centimeter can significantly decrease the overall yield. However, surgeons use different techniques and must consider each patient differently. Dr. Cole's namesake FUE variant, Cole Isolation Technique (CIT®), enables him to transplant up to 45 grafts per square centimeter.
Among the least intrusive hair transplant options available, CIT® causes less trauma to the scalp than most FUE variants. It also brings a number of other benefits too, not the least being the only FUE option with an average of 30% to 40% donor regeneration with the application of ACell. Put simply, this means for every 1000 single CIT® extractions patients regenerate 300 to 400 donor follicles. Along with maintaining the overall appearance of density, such regeneration also allows patients to undergo future hair transplants if necessary.
One reason Dr. Cole typically prefers never exceeding 45 grafts per square centimeter is finite donor supply. A pioneer in hair transplant surgery, Dr. Cole's overall skill at planning for a patient's aging and future hair loss is one reason his results are so spectacular. Learn more by contacting us today!
