For anyone researching hair transplants, you’ve probably come across the term “graft.” How many grafts are needed for a hair transplant? What’s the cost per graft? Some may still be confused about what exactly a graft is. Let’s get to know “hair grafts” in more detail.
What is a Graft?
The number of grafts refers to the number of hair clusters needed for the transplant. In one graft, there can be 1, 2, 3, or even 4 hairs, depending on the individual’s natural hair. On average, however, most grafts contain 2 hairs.
Graft Density in Hair Transplantation
Typically, human hair density is about 80-90 grafts per square centimeter. The standard density for a hair transplant is 45-55 grafts per square centimeter, which is about 50% of natural hair density. This density is enough to ensure the scalp isn’t visible, as each graft contains 2-3 hairs, making the transplanted hair density similar to natural hair.
Learn more: How much does a hair transplant Thailand cost?
How to Estimate the Number of Grafts Needed
To calculate the number of grafts needed for a hair transplant, multiply the total area by the density, which gives you the total number of grafts. Here’s an example of how to calculate the number of grafts based on the table below:
| Area (Square Centimeters) | Density (Grafts per Square Centimeter) | Number of Grafts |
| 20 | 50 | 1,000 |
| 30 | 50 | 1,500 |
| 40 | 50 | 2,000 |
| 50 | 50 | 2,500 |
Is Using a Large Number of Grafts for a Hair Transplant a Good Thing?
Patients need to understand that hair cannot be transplanted repeatedly. Hair transplantation does not increase the number of hairs but involves moving permanent hair from the back of the head to the desired area. This means the patient’s permanent hair is “limited.” The FUT method generally doesn’t pose as many problems, but with the FUE method, there’s a risk, especially if too many hairs are harvested from the donor area (over-harvesting), which can result in thinning.
What Happens if Too Many Grafts are Taken?
Over-harvesting grafts can cause thinning in the donor area. If the person excising the grafts lacks experience and fails to distribute the excisions properly, it can lead to patchy thinning. Once this happens, it’s tough to fix, and the only solutions might be to grow the hair longer to cover the area or consider scalp micropigmentation.
How Many Grafts Can One Patient Have?
The answer depends on the quality of the patient’s hair. If the donor area is full and thick, with FUE, up to 5,000-6,000 grafts can be harvested. In one session, a maximum of 4,000-4,500 grafts can be transplanted. If more grafts are transplanted in one session, the process takes longer, which increases the time the grafts are outside the body, reducing their survival rate.
Some clinics count the number of hairs transplanted, while others count grafts. Patients should clarify how the pricing is calculated to avoid misunderstandings. If you would like a preliminary assessment of the number of grafts needed, feel free to send a photo via the clinic’s Line account using this link: https://lin.ee/vck3d3J.
Conclusion
A graft refers to a cluster of hair extracted from the donor area by the doctor. Each graft may contain 1-4 hairs. Estimating the number of grafts is just as important as any other part of the hair transplant process. At Hairsmith Clinic, the density used for patient evaluations is 45-55 grafts per square centimeter, which exceeds the international standard set by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) of 40 grafts per square centimeter.
