Hair harvesting is a vital step in hair transplant. In the past, doctors would harvest the hair manually. Hair transplant Los Angeles uses various hair harvesting tricks; They all depend on the hair type, the type of follicle, and the donor area.

The hair harvesting methods are divided into two major categories. Follicular unit transplant (FUT) is where the hair is harvested as a strip of the scalp. The strip leaves behind a linear wound that is stitched together. They would heal, leaving behind a linear scar.

When the strip is harvested, the surgeon separates it into micrografts. The micrografts would contain one or two follicles. The reason why they are subdivided into such small units is to give you natural-looking results. This method is suitable for all hair and follicle types.

The other method is Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). In this method, the surgeon extracts one follicle at a time. Thus, the method takes longer and is more delicate since you can easily spoil the hair follicles.

There are several ways of hair harvesting under the FUE method. Also, each choice depends on desired outcomes, the nature of the follicles, and the hair and follicle type. Most of the time, the follicle type depends on the race of the patient. Different races have different hair types. Thus, each one should be handled differently.

Let’s discuss the methods of hair harvesting under FUE.

Total Excision Technique

The total excision method is good for patients who had a previous hair transplant. The method is proper when you are having a FUT transplant. The process ensures you do not have more than two narrow scars after several sessions. Also, it ensures you do not over-deplete grafts from the donor area.

Neograft

Neograft is the hair transplant method that involves a robotic machine. The doctor does not handle hair extraction directly. Instead, they use a device to extract one follicle at a time. The process is quick as the machine can pull more than one follicle at a tie. Also, machines work faster than humans.

The method is fast. The harvesting and transplanting happen at the same time. However, the tools need a qualified doctor to set it to a patient’s needs.

ARTAX iX

This is another robotic method to extract hair. It uses AI and robots to extract follicles from the donor area. Thus, it reduces human contact with hair harvesting. The method is designed for harvesting hair follicles and planting them in the recipient area.

The ARTAX iX is precise. Thus, it prevents scarring and infections. Also, the transplant outcomes are high. However, a patient will need to pay more to get this hair harvesting method,

Punch Excision

The method suits well the FUE transplant. The doctor uses tools that punch around the follicle and extract it. It can be a manual or robotic method.

The tool uses a circular punch on a manual handle, robotic tool, or motorized hand device. The tool makes hair harvesting faster. However, it has to harvest one graft at a time.

The punch excision is the most common hair harvesting method. It is easy to operate, and novice surgeons can harvest grafts without damaging them. It is also suitable for afro hair which has a coiled follicle.

You can use a punch excision to extract follicles from any part of the body. The tool is versatile, and you can set it for different parts. Thus, it makes FUE transplant easier and quicker.

Reverse Rake Scalp Elevator 

There’s a section of the scalp that is most desirable for hair harvesting. However, the section may not have enough grafts to cover a bald spot. Thus, it would help if you extended the donor area downwards. The doctor needs to apply the reverse rake method to get grafts from the lower back scalp. The rake is reversed and pressed on the scalp. As a result, the lower area rises, making it possible for the doctor to extract lower scalp grafts with ease.

Hair Cloning

Hair cloning can happen with any of the other methods above. But it is unique since it needs fewer extractions. Hair cloning is the process of creating new follicles in the lab. The technicians will need a few of your hair follicles for the process. Then they regenerate the cells in a way to create new strands. The cells grow with artificial skin.

The method is still under trial. When the tech is finally approved, patients will sacrifice fewer follicles from donor areas. The method will also make the hair transplant method longer. However, every patient will need to wait a few days as the lab technicians run the hair cloning process.

Conclusion

Hair harvesting methods are dynamic. You can get the full information at hair transplant Los Angeles clinics- They offer a wide range of hair harvesting techniques to suit every patient. They check the state of your scalp, hair type, and follicle type to select the method. The methods help to protect the follicles and increase the survival rate.