Hair Transplantation and the instrumentation employed have undergone tremendous changes in the last decade; starting from techniques of unsightly plug grafts to micro follicular unit grafts. Harvesting techniques have changed over many years from plug punches, through FUT to the present day FUE.

Though FUT – strip method is still the gold standard of the harvesting techniques for providing the best grafts, FUE grafts have become just as strong & resilient due to the various new instruments available.

The latest in these lines of changes are:

1. Harvesting Tools

Changing from manual punching techniques to the motorised punches was the first step. Now discussion is on the type of force used; whether the traditional rotation force or the vibration or oscillation. The latest machines WAW system, MAMBA system and even the PCID or the Korean ones offer options to control all three of these driving forces. There are many automated and partially automated devices that are available too, but they can be a topic for discussion later.

2. Punches

Punches are the main tool of harvesting and they play the most pivotal role in Hair Transplantation. They decide the number of grafts, follicle count, loss of follicles (transection rate) and the damage to the donor area. Today we have sharp punches, blunt punches and punches that combine the best aspect of both these punches – the hybrid punches. The popular hybrid punches available are the Trumpet punches, the Trivelini punches and U graft punch.

3.Extraction tools

Multiple new tools like forceps, vacuum assisted punches, AtoE extraction forceps help in extracting the punched grafts safely.

4. Holding solutions

Methods that increase the rate of survival of the grafts when they are outside the body is done by the use of holding solutions. Initially saline was used. Then Ringer’s Lactate solution and now cold solutions are used. A number of commercially available holding solutions like Hypothermosol, ATP solution, are also available that increase graft longevity. This has lead to an increase in the number of grafts that can be harvested and thereby increases the areas covered and give better results in Hair Transplantation.

5. Placement techniques

The classical stick and place Hair Transplantation has been modified to accommodate two or three placers by using premade slits. The latest instrument for increasing the rate of placement of grafts is the use of implanters. These Instruments help us to place the fragile grafts without any injury into the recipient area at high speed and from virtually any position. They also help the placers to place grafts at the exact depth and orientation to make the Hair Transplantation look as natural as possible.

At Chennai Plastic Surgery, we include all these elements in our Hair Transplantation surgery to offer the best results to all our clients.