GRAFT ORIENTATION

The direction that the hairs are placed in the scalp has received an incredible amount of attention as hair restoration continues to be refined. At Gabel Hair Restoration Center, we believe that orienting the grafts in a horizontal or lateral orientation offers the most natural results, allowing Dr. Gabel to achieve the highest graft density as well as a more natural appearance.

Looking at natural growing hair, the follicular units appear to be lining up in a horizontal line or perpendicular to the direction the hair grows. Because the follicles lie side by side instead of behind one another, the hair looks much thicker due to the support of the hair behind it. This random arrangement of hair prevents light from shining through the scalp because it is blocked by the hair behind it; this produces an appearance of thicker, denser growth.

The angle in which the graft is placed is a crucial element of the transplant, so that the transplanted hairs appear like the native hair. Because the slits are horizontal or lateral, the graft can only grow in the exact angle that the blade was placed into the scalp. This means that every graft is angled precisely at the exact and proper orientation to the scalp. The only movement of the graft is from side to side, permitting more variability and irregularity to the hairs, diffusing light and thus appearing denser. When closely examined, the new transplanted hair will grow in the same orientation as found in nature.