How Many Grafts Will I Need For a Hair Transplant?
How many grafts does the average person I need is one of the most commonly asked questions at RESTORE® Hair. Understandably, prospective patients are curious because the total number of hair grafts is invariably tied closely to the final price of a hair transplant.
Frustratingly, it’s challenging to deliver an answer to this question in advance. To give you a totally accurate answer, we will need to meet you, see your head, evaluate your current state of hair loss, and gain a sense of your restoration goals (conservative or aggressive). However, for the sake of this article we will speak of a common scenario.
Understanding the Total Number of Grafts That Can Be Safely Harvested
The average man has roughly 6,000 grafts available in the “safe zone” of the donor area, although some have as many as 8,000 as some as few as 4,000 graft count. These follicles are critically important, because they exist within the “horseshoe” pattern around the back and the sides of the head that are typically genetically resistant to hair loss.
Although every man is different, harvesting close to (or more) than 6,000 grafts risks “overharvesting” and producing an undesirable aesthetic around the back and sides of the head. Therefore, for most men, 6,000 grafts, can be considered the absolute ceiling except under abnormal circumstances.
Additionally, moving 6,000 grafts may be considered a substantially large hair transplant surgery, and may require more than one day, more than one doctor, and additional help in the surgery room. For this reason, some doctors won’t transplant 6,000 grafts in one surgery. Consequently men who wish to move the maximum amount will often do so spread across two hair transplants, often space 6-12 months apart.
How Many Grafts Can Be Used in a Hair Transplant for the Average Person?
For the sake of simplicity, we can divide the head into two areas. The front half and hairline, which is approximately 100cm squared, plus the back half and crown, which is an additional 100cm squared. Thus, the rough total area of a balding head is 200cm squared.
Theoretically, a man who is completely bald would need to place hair grafts across all 200cm. However, men typically prefer packing the front of the head with more hair grafts to create a hairline with a substantially higher density than the back half. For nearly all men, this results in a more desirable aesthetic as opposed to the “even distribution” approach across both areas.
For example, in a case where 6,000 grafts are needed, doctors will often recommend transplant 4,000 grafts into the front half of the head, with the remaining 2,000 grafts for the back half.
The number of grafts needed for hair restoration can vary significantly depending on the level of hair loss on the Norwood scale. Here’s a general guideline:
- Norwood Level 1: Minimal loss, often requires 500-1,000 grafts.
- Norwood Level 2: Slightly more loss, typically needs around 1,000-1,500 grafts.
- Norwood Level 3: Moderate loss, usually requires 1,500-2,500 grafts.
- Norwood Level 4: Advanced loss, often needs 2,500-3,500 grafts.
- Norwood Level 5: Significant loss, generally requires 3,500-4,500 grafts.
- Norwood Level 6: Severe loss, may need 4,500-6,000 grafts.
- Norwood Level 7: Extensive loss, typically requires 6,000 or more grafts.
These are rough estimates, and the exact number can depend on factors like hair density, scalp elasticity, and the individual's hair characteristics. Consulting with a hair restoration specialist can provide a more tailored assessment.
How Many Grafts Will You Need?
Simply put, the more male pattern baldness you are experiencing, the more hair grafts will need to be transplanted.
This particular part of the answer is the most challenging part of the equation, because we would strongly prefer to assess your head and hair loss in person. However, for some very rough estimates, a receded hairline with no accompanying hair loss whatsoever in the back of the head might require between 1,200 and 2,000 grafts.
As the amount of hair loss progresses, the number of grafts increases accordingly. However, it’s important to remember the earlier point about aesthetics, as it’s typically considered more desirable to pack the front of the hairline rather than the back of the head. Therefore, baldness in the back of the head does not typically require as many hair grafts as balding in the front of the head.
How Many Grafts Are Needed For the Average Person in a regular FUE vs a RESTORE® No-Shave FUE™ Hair Transplant?
This will be driven by several factors, including the extent of the hair loss, the desired density, and the type of FUE technique used.
In a traditional FUE procedure, the hair transplant surgeon shaves the donor area (typically the back of the head) to efficiently extract hair follicles. For the average person with moderate hair loss (typically Norwood Level 3 or 4), this approach requires anywhere from 1,500 to 3,500 grafts to achieve a natural-looking result. Traditional FUE is often favored because the shaved area allows the surgeon to work with greater visibility and precision, which can help maximize the yield and quality of transplanted grafts.
The RESTORE® No-Shave FUE™ technique, on the other hand, is a discreet option that allows patients avoid shaving their head, making the procedure less noticeable during recovery. This method is especially appealing for individuals who wish to avoid a noticeable change when undergoing a hair transplant surgery, but may require a slightly different approach when it comes to graft count.
Due to the complexity of extracting individual follicles during No-Shave FUE procedures, those procedures tend to be more time-intensive. This can impact the number of grafts that can be extracted in a single session. For the average person, a single No-Shave FUE session may typically involve up to 2,500 grafts, which may be sufficient for minor to moderate hairline restoration or filling in sparse areas around the temples. However, for those with more advanced hair loss, additional sessions might be necessary to achieve the desired density and coverage.
One important consideration in both traditional and No-Shave FUE is that, while the graft count can be similar, the approach to hair distribution may differ. Traditional FUE allows for a greater number of grafts to be placed in larger areas in a single session, making it ideal for addressing extensive hair loss.
In contrast, No-Shave FUE is more suited to individuals with smaller areas of hair loss or those prioritizing minimal downtime and discretion. Both techniques can yield natural, lasting results, but the number of grafts needed—and the way they’re distributed—will depend on each patient's unique needs and aesthetic goals. Our team of hair restoration doctors can determine the best technique and graft count for your individual case.
Get a Free Consultation To Find Out How Many Grafts You May Need
Ultimately, you should consult with a doctor to determine your exact needs and the price. Thankfully RESTORE Hair offers quick, easy, 100% free consultations, and we encourage you to contact us so that you can have concrete answers about how many grafts can be transplanted on your head! Just select your Norwood stage below and get started.