What does the Elche hair graft consist of?
The Elche hair graft that we perform at the clinic of Dr Vanesa Pérez Ortiz is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that enables the improvement of hair thickness in patients suffering from different types of alopecia. The hair transplant with micrografts, transplants follicular units (FU) from the occipital area (which is genetically more “resistant” to alopecia) and these are implanted in the areas with alopecia.
Hair transplant as a therapy
The Elche hair transplant is a therapeutic tool that should never be a substitute for medical treatment, but should be used as a complement to this.
Hair transplant surgery is performed in an operating theatre under local anaesthetic and the whole process takes place on the same day. This surgery does not require hospital admission and patient recovery is quick.
Initially, the transplanted grafts have the appearance of short hair with a scab and, two weeks after surgery, the hair shafts will begin to detach. After 5-6 months, the new follicles will begin to grow and the patient’s hair thickness progressively improves over the length of a year, by which time the final results are normally seen.
Types of Elche Hair Graft procedures
There are 2 techniques for performing hair transplants using micrografts; the strip technique (known as the “FUSS” or “strip”) and the FUE technique (follicular unit extraction).
1. The strip technique
With this technique, a strip of skin is removed from the occipital area, and the wound is then closed with a direct trichophytic suture. The advantage of this technique is that it does not need the hair to be shaved, but special care needs to be taken in patients with very short hair, as the scar from the donor area may be visible.
2. The FUE technique
With this technique, the follicular units are extracted one by one from the occipital area using small punches of 0.70-0.80 mm, for which it is necessary to shave the patient’s donor area, but not the area receiving the transplant. The small marks that remain where the follicular units were removed close by secondary healing and are hardly perceptible. Currently, this is the most widely-used technique, as it gives a more natural result.
Once the follicular units have been obtained, the next step is to implant them into the receiving area. Before implantation takes place, small incisions (holes) are made into which the UFs will be inserted.
If you have any questions relating to the process, we advise you to contact an Elche trichologist, such as Dr Vanesa Pérez Ortiz.
Locations of interest
How long does the hair transplant last?
The duration of the procedure is between 7 to 9 hours.
What is the best age to have a hair transplant?
Although hair transplants depend on each individual case, they are not recommended before 23 years of age. People younger than this may not be the best candidates, as their pattern of hair loss may not yet be fully established.