What is the difference between mini/micro grafting and follicular unit grafting?
Hair in the scalp grows in small naturally occurring bundles known as follicular units. The transplantation of the hair follicles in these same groupings is termed follicular unit transplantation or follicular unit grafting. By definition microscopic dissection of the donor tissue is required. Mini/micro grafting is a technique by which small grafts are transplanted which do not necessarily correspond to the original follicular units. These hair grafts are usually obtained from a strip harvested with a multi-blade scalpel and without microscopic dissection. There are multiple advantages to using the newer follicular unit transplantation method, including: • higher graft yield • improved naturalness • higher density • Smaller graft size and correspondingly smaller recipient sites, which heal more quickly with less scarring. For more information on follicular unit grafting please visit our Microsurgery section.
