Caliber refers to the actual size of the hair shaft, where the area is defined as A = πr² to define the area (A). Coarse hair often provides a better result in one session than finer hair. From a measurement standpoint, fine hair is normally between 38 to 41 microns with coarse hair falling around 80 microns in diameter. Evaluating the caliber of the hair helps the transplant team to determine the number of follicular units that will be necessary in the transplant procedure.

Texture refers to the ‘lay’ of the hair in transplant terminology, not the feel of the hair. This defines how the hair naturally acts: Is the hair wavy? Does it lay straight? Does it curl normally? Is it fine or coarse? We often find that individuals of African descent have hair that has a greater volume. This is due to the hair’s coarse and varying waviness, which covers for a lower density of hair. This is the opposite with individuals of European descent who, on average, have fine, straight hair which has a lower volume than coarse hair but covers in higher density.

Contrast is the last characteristic and this is the color of the hair as compared to the skin tone of the individual. Black hair will look thinner on lighter skin but thicker on persons with darker complexion; less contrast – equals thicker looking hair.

A key factor of interest is the chemical compounds that make up the hair follicles and the hair shafts. A hair follicle encloses the hair’s root; in the transplant process, donor hair is safely removed, from the full base of the hair follicle called the dermal papilla to the tip of the hair (Note: in the pre-op, the donor hair is cut short). Because the hair shaft is made up of chemical bonds of sulphur and amino acids encircling a protein called keratin, it is important to maintain the full structure of each donor hair as a complete set, this helps reduce hair attrition.

Why is the type of hair and its chemical bonds important in a hair transplant? Different parts of your scalp or other donor areas can grow hair with more or less sulphur bonds, creating more than one hair type on your head. Each variation of the chemical bonds changes the degrees of hair curl and texture. This can affect the aesthetic look of the hair transplant.

Here is where modern day technology has improved the process of hair transplanting and the success of implanted hair. In the past, it was necessary to transplant each follicle individually. As you can imagine, this process was time consuming and meant several visits. With Multi-Unit Hair Grafting the process is streamlined and more effective than the past process of transplanting hair. With Multi-Unit Hair Grafting the transplant procedure can be completed in one to two sessions.

By understanding the science behind your hair, we can understand the best way to restore the look that nature originally intended.

There is absolutely no curl pattern in straight hair; it is completely straight. This type of hair is characterized very sleek and normally has a shiny finish. Next, is semi curly or wavy hair that has a natural wave pattern. The last hair types are often interchanged, which is mid-level curly and heavily coiled hair.

In transplanting hair, these factors are evaluated for any type of transplant we perform whether it is for the scalp, eyebrow, beard or mustache. The science of hair types is one part of understanding how hair transplants can be effective for a patient.