There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to hair transplants. The design and implementation of a hair transplant will be influenced by the nature and texture of your hair, the curl pattern you experience, your unique hair follicle structure, the texture of your scalp, and even the direction your hair naturally grows.
This is particularly important when considering the hair transplant of Afro-textured, very curly hair or tight curls.
Are you researching an Afro hair transplant in Perth and have you asked yourself: “Is the process different to a normal FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)? It certainly does – but not because of the principles of how hair transplantation works, but due to the far more precise technique of how the curly follicles are extracted and inserted.
How does afro & curly hair differ?
Hair transplanted from follicles with naturally straight hair grow into a straight hair growth pathway beneath your skin, however afro & curly hair follicles take a uniquely curved path underneath the skin.
This is why what grows out of the skin doesn’t give an accurate picture of where the hair follicle travels underneath the skin, and is a tricky problem for the FUE hair transplant technician.
If the tool or the angle of insertion doesn’t match the direction of the hair follicle under the skin, there’s a high likelihood of what’s called a ‘follicle transaction’. This is also why studies that examine FUE hair transplantation on Afro hair types with tight curl patterns highlight these technical challenges with normal techniques, stressing the importance for technicians to be able to work with different hair types.
Is FUE hair transplant possible with afro & curly hair?
Yes it is! Just because you have Afro hair, you don’t automatically preclude yourself from a hair transplant. However, procedure will more than likely require very careful expertise from consult right through to the surgical process itself.
When you see the doctors and surgeons at Evolved Hair Restoration, they consider the specific characteristics of your particular ethnic hair and curl pattern- whether that’s 4A, 4B or 4C –as well as assessing the quality of the donor area, to create a plan for you that preserves as many healthy donor grafts as possible to naturally and beautifully restore your hair.
Why is extraction more difficult?
The main difference tends to be how the follicle is extracted. With an afro or tightly coiled hair texture, a surgeon must take into account where the follicle goes as it travels underneath the skin, not just in which direction it grows out. To achieve successful removal, several crucial elements must be factored in: assessment of the donor hair correct selection of hair transplant tool careful placement of extraction tool delicate extraction around the curved follicle to prevent damage minimise follicular transaction careful handling of delicate curly grafts * maintenance of density in the donor area The tools Evolved Hair Restoration use are of bespoke size, and chosen for each individual’s curl type, to facilitate the safest extraction with a view of retaining the donor area for future treatments.
Is implantation difficult?
Beyond extraction, planting hair in the intended areas also requires care. Once the follicles are harvested, they need to be placed into the designated areas with proper angle, depth and direction so they can blend with the existing hair. For curly hair, this means placing follicles in such a way as to allow the new implants to integrate seamlessly into the natural curls.
For example, a hairline restoration involves the meticulous placement of grafts to create a naturally stepped and curved look rather than a linear and harsh outline. Our doctor-directed implants are placed into site created with fine pen style instruments, known as our advanced modified FUE/direct implant technique.
Is there any advantage to afro & curly hair?
Unsurprisingly, there is.
Because Afro & curly hair can coil back on itself and spring out rather than lay on the scalp flat it can sometimes create an illusion of density with fewer hairs present. This means depending on the extent of the hair loss, how your donor hair presents and the density required, you may need fewer grafts than expected (though this can not be guaranteed). When determining a hair transplant in Perth that can be ideal for people with Afro and curly hair, preserving the health and longevity of your donor hair is of paramount importance.
What areas can be treated?
Afro & curly hair transplants can be performed on the following areas, depending on your pattern of hair loss: * Hairline – Careful gradual implanting is important for a natural-looking result.
Temples – Precise implantation ensures the surrounding hair blends seamlessly. Crown – Utilising the natural direction of hair growth here. * Thinning – Implantation in mid scalp, requires exquisite precision to ensure adequate blending and density creation.
Is an afro hair transplant more difficult?
Yes it is technically, at least when it comes to the extraction of follicles. Due to the inherently curved path of the follicle under the skin in afro hair, follicle collection is much more complicated and studies have raised concerns around increased risk of follicle transaction during normal FUE methods on afro hair without the specialised approach.
But ‘technically more difficult’ doesn’t mean it’s not possible!
It just means that the factors listed above, from how you’re consulted, to the skill of the surgeon, the preservation of the donor grafts and the methods used, need to be considered for future needs as well. You should not choose hair restoration based solely on the number of grafts.
What should you ask a Hair Transplant Clinic?
If you have afro or curly hair and are contemplating a hair transplant, be sure to ask:
1.How much experience does the surgeon have performing transplants on Afro-textured hair?
2. How will the curved nature of the follicle be addressed when extracting the grafts?
3. What surgical instruments (punches) will you use, and what size, for the collection of my donor hair?
4. How will you prevent the transection of the hair follicles during extraction?
5. Which technician or surgeon will perform my procedure?
6. How will you work to ensure my new hair blends with my existing curl pattern?
7. How will my donor area be preserved should I wish to have further treatments in the future?
8. What realistic outcome can I expect given my hair type, hair loss pattern, and desired goal?
At Evolved Hair Restoration, with all surgical procedures being doctor-led, your surgeon will consult and perform your procedure; utilizing their advanced modified FUE/direct implantation technique and will consider preservation of your donor hair for future possibilities.