Confused By The Different Hair Transplant Techniques Being Offered – Is There One Gold Standard?

I’ve been researching hair transplantation online and I’ve become very confused. It seems that a lot of doctors have developed their own techniques and claim they are unique. I’m reading about FUE, FUT, FIT, BHT, follicular unit grafting, follicular unit coupling, megasessions, dense packing, lunch time FUE and the list seems to go on. Is there one gold standard for hair transplantation? – Markus
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Dear Markus,

Funny you should ask!

This is an excellent question so thank you for taking the time to write. For a very long time, few surgeons specialized in hair transplantation, and those surgeons worked to refine the techniques for naturalness, aesthetic appeal, obtaining grafts, decreasing scar formation, etc. Often, surgeons would come up with similar techniques and name it themselves – hence the proliferation of multiple monikers for essentially the same thing. Now that the internet has provided a nationwide (and, indeed, worldwide) forum for this procedure, all the different names get tossed in the same pot of information – and it is up to the consumer to sift through it! This is no easy task, and even I sometimes have trouble keeping track.

Differences among the list you mentioned usually relate to the techniques used to GET the grafts from the back of your head, and how they PLACE them on the top/front/crown. The bottom line is; choose a surgeon who transplants individual follicular units as close as possible with maintaining maximum survival rates. This is the gold standard and this will give you optimal results.

Finally, know that many hair surgeons do quality work so any claims of being the ONLY and BEST should be taken with a grain of salt. The early days of hair transplantation saw a vigorous amount of inter-physician competition, and rivalries were common. Understandably, claims of uniqueness proliferated to gain an edge. The best thing to do is to meet with the physicians you are considering and talk to previous patients to see which one is the best fit for YOUR goals. It sounds like you are off to a good start with your research and many of the physicians who are serious about hair transplantation and respected in the field will belong to the ISHRS, ABHRS and organizations like this one. Good luck!

Warm Regards,
Sara Wasserbauer MD
Member, International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons
Member, American Hair Loss Association

Sara Wasserbauer, MD Dr. Sara Wasserbauer is Board Certified by the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery and is currently located in the Bay Area, outside of San Francisco, in Walnut Creek, California. She completed her undergraduate studies with a B.A. in Classical Archeology and minors in Chemistry, Biology and Psychology at the prestigious Dartmouth College. She then went on to earn her medical degree from the renowned Medical College of Ohio where she was designated Class Leader. After finishing her training in Internal Medicine, Dr. Wasserbauer discovered she had a natural aptitude and eye for aesthetic surgery. Growing up in a family that experienced severe hair loss in both the men AND women, she found herself drawn to hair restoration and the dramatic change it could have on one’s appearance With the technological advancements in hair restoration surgery over the past 10 years she saw the potential of natural follicular unit hair restoration surgery to transform a person’s outward appearance and inner self esteem. She states, “Hair loss can have debilitating effects on an individual’s self image, impacting all facets of their lives from social to professional.” Dr. Wasserbauer felt that with her surgical skills, training and natural empathy she could make a true difference in her patient’s lives. Dr. Wasserbauer is a member of the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons and recommended by the American Hair Loss Association. Visit Dr. Wasserbauer's Website: www.californiahairsurgeon.com

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