The average number of donor hairs that can be extracted during a Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant procedure can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the patient’s individual characteristics and the skill of the surgeon. However, here are some general guidelines:
- Density of Donor Area: The donor area is typically located at the back and sides of the scalp, where hair tends to be denser. The density of hair follicles in this area can vary from person to person though on average there is between 5000 – 6000 useable donor hairs in total in this finite region. On average, there are about 75 to 100 follicular units (groups of 1-4 hairs) per square centimeter in the donor area.
- Donor Area Size: The size of the donor area that can be used for extraction will also vary among individuals. Some people may have a larger donor area, while others may have a smaller one.
- Quality of Donor Hair: The quality of donor hair can impact how many grafts can be harvested. Thicker and coarser hair tends to provide better coverage than fine hair.
- Technique and Skill: The skill and experience of the surgeon performing the FUE procedure are crucial. A skilled surgeon can often extract more grafts with minimal damage to the donor area.
- Patient Goals: The number of grafts extracted also depends on the patient’s goals and expectations. Some individuals may want more conservative results, while others may desire denser hair coverage, which would require a larger number of grafts.
As a rough estimate, a typical FUE session might involve the extraction of anywhere from 1,000 to 3,500 grafts, depending on the factors mentioned above. Some individuals may undergo multiple FUE sessions spaced over time to achieve their desired hair density.
Here’s an example of 3214 grafts extracted via 0.8mm FUE.
