Men and women suffering from Androgenetic Alopecia have to opt for hair transplants to restore a fuller head of hair. Hair restoration surgery involves two main areas; the recipient area and the donor area. Hair follicles are extracted from the donor area and transplanted into the recipient area. The selection and management of the donor area are critical for the success of the hair transplant.
Every person planning to undergo hair transplant surgery needs to know the importance of choosing the donor site for hair transplant and its impact.
What is a Donor Area For Hair Transplant?
The Donor area for hair transplant is usually the occipital region located at the back of the head. Hair grafts are donated from the back or side of the head to the recipient area. After examination, the surgeon determines the best donor site based on hair density.
Mostly, the hair at the back of the head is DHT-resistant and not prone to genetic hair loss. Depending on the surgical technique (FUE or FUT), the hair follicles are either extracted individually or a strip of skin is cut from the donor area. The extracted hair follicles are processed and prepared for implantation into the recipient (bald) area.
- Weak Donor Area – A weak donor area decimates the chances of a successful hair transplant. Not having enough hair follicles in the donor area complicates the process of hair transplant. A surgeon has to determine the best donor area where enough high-quality hair follicles are available for extraction.
- Unusual Donor Area – It is quite complicated to have a donor area other than the posterior region. Although body hair can be used to fill in bald spots, it can be quite challenging to perform hair transplant surgery using tools not designed for body hair. Transplanting body hair leads to an unnatural and wiry look with a different texture and look.
Factors Influencing the Selection of Donor Area
Choosing the right donor area is critical to the success of hair transplant surgery. Selecting a donor site with poor-quality hair follicles will not lead to the desired outcome.
- Hair Density – Surgeons choose a donor site with thicker, denser hair to generate desired results. They may suggest using special products and following a nutrient-rich diet to improve hair density. Once the hair gets thicker, doctors will determine the best sections of the donor area to extract hair follicles.
- Quality and Quantity of Grafts – The donor region must have enough grafts to fill in the bald areas. The quality of grafts has an important role to play to get excellent results. Good quality grafts can be determined based on the thickness of the graft and the number of hair per follicle graft.
- Patient’s Requirements – Each patient has different needs and requirements, therefore, the surgeon chooses a viable donor site with DHT-resistant hair.
Preservation of the Donor Area
Preserving the donor area is vital for the outcome of the hair transplant surgery. Patients need to understand that this region is not inexhaustible and the grafts extracted will not regrow. Following surgery, it requires the greatest care to not cause the remaining hair in the donor area to fall out.
Besides, preservation of hair transplant is important for the follow-up procedure or second hair transplant.
Donor Hair After Surgery
An experienced surgeon will ensure that the donor area after hair restoration surgery does not look considerably different or visually impacted. Having an identical donor area before and after surgery shows the success of the hair transplant.
Only a surgeon with great expertise can ensure that the donor area remains unchanged even after the extraction of grafts.
Post-Op Care For the Donor Area
Following surgery, the bandage is applied over the donor area and it remains covered for 3 to 5 days. Do not remove the bandage without the surgeon’s permission to avoid complications and infections. Follow the surgeon’s instructions and use the prescribed painkillers and medication to relieve pain and discomfort.
Does Hair Regrow in the Donor Area?
This is the question that surgeons get asked a lot about whether or not the hair will regrow in the donor region. The short and simple answer is no if the hair follicles are properly removed. The only possibility that the hair will grow back in the donor area is that the grafts were not fully extracted.
Scarring
Scarring was a major issue with the old hair transplant techniques. With new extraction methods and tools, there will be no visible wound and the small, dotted scars will heal quickly within a few days of surgery.
Conclusion
Donor hair is donated from the back of the head for natural-looking and long-lasting hair restoration results. It is an ideal section to extract follicles since hair in this region is resistant to DHT.
