Hair transplantation is based on the concept of “donor dominance” in MPB (Male Pattern Baldness). If a graft is taken from an area destined to be permanently hair bearing, and is transplanted into an area of MPB or future MPB, it will, after an initial short period of effluvium, continue to grow hair in its new site for as long as it would have in its original one. Thus all planning is predicted on an accurate assessment of the ultimate extent of alopecia and counterpart-the permanent donor rim.

In females, on should be fairly certain that a sufficiently large area of permanently dense hair will persist. Some woman develops diffuse thinning that affects all areas of the scalp hair and therefore are not suitable candidates for hair transplanting. Others maintain relatively dense rim hair in parial and/or occipital areas, and are excellent candidates.

Mega sessions of thousands of micro grafts and mini grafts in a single sitting and dense packing have been suggested as means of accomplishing more in less time. Unfortunately, sessions of 8 hours or longer are necessary and may be medically unwise for some individuals.

Hair involves the removal of a strip of superficial layers of hair bearing scalp from the back and sides of the head (donor area). The strip is dissected into fine follicular units with the help of magnification and are transplanted on to the bald area (recipient area). Same procedure is followed for men & women. This procedure is known as Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT). The commonest procedure for hairtransplant.

Although this method leaves a scar in the donor area, by virtue of the latest advancements in the technology, this can be minimized by a technique called tricophytic closure. This method helps in minimizing the scar which is almost invisible after some time and new hair grows through it. This method is the most reliable one. Strip method of dissection will have a lesser chance of graft wastage than FUE method.

This method involves extracting single follicular units from the back portion of the scalp (donor area) and transplanting them onto bald area (recipient area). These follicels should be extracted from the permanent hair bearing zone.

As this is a blind technique it involves lot of wastage. These follicles are extracted using a punch. There are several types of punches for extracting FU s but the sizes of punches are very important. Generally sizes less than 1mm are preferred. This method is not very popular with plastic surgeons as a lot of wastage occurs. Though FUE doesn’t leave a linear scar like FUT, it leaves tiny scars at the donor site in some patients giving mottled appearance.

The importance of improved donor area harvesting technique in the last 5 to 10 years cannot be overstated. It has revolutionized what can be accomplished with hair transplanting. Conceptually, one exercises an appropriately sized portion of the donor area and sections it into the desired number and types of grafts. Around 2500 – 3500 plugs can be harvested amounting to 3500-5000 individual hair follicles. Hence, in a single go one can expect good result even with one session covering around 100-120 sq.cms area if implanted at an average density of 50 FU per sq.cm. in general, in an average case one can expect around 2500-3500 plugs.

• Patient conscious and comfortable during the procedure & whole surgery is done under local anaesthesia.
• The operating field should be clean, sterile & hair bearing strip is harvested from back of the scalp.
• Tricophytic closure technique done to minimize the scar at the donor area.
• Dissection to make follicular units (bench surgery).
• Implantation of the plugs in the bald area.
• Sterilization methods adapted by the surgeon. (very important as these prevent post operative infections ).
• Presence of number of qualified doctors in the team (bigger team reduces the duration of surgery).
• Surgery should be completed in 5-7 hours.
• As it is an OPD procedure the patient goes back the same day

1. Age is not a bar for hair transplantation as it can be done even at the age of 70.
2. A good donor area is a pre-requisite for good results.
Results take around 4-6 months and the patient is on minoxidil 5% lotion & finesteride 1 mg tablets after the transplant (but these two medicines should be stopped prior to surgery.

Our Clinic is located on Theatre Road, Kolkata. Just half an hour journey from the Airport or the railway station. If you feel like staying at night before or after hair transplantation in Kolkata, you can do so at any nearby hotel at Park street which is about 5 minutes walking distance from here.