The most important thing after a hair transplant is 'naturalness.'
The concerns most often raised by those considering a hair transplant are "Will it be noticeable?" and "Will it look too artificial?"
In reality, what determines the quality of a hair transplant is not simply how many hairs are implanted.
Above all, it is important to create a 'gradation hairline' that is natural at the front and becomes fuller toward the back.
At Modi Hair Plant, we operate a system that classifies each and every hair follicle in detail to achieve these natural results.
How is a natural hairline created in a hair transplant?
If you look closely at a person's natural hairline, it is not uniform.
At the very front are thin, soft hairs,
and toward the back the hairs gradually become thicker and fuller.
This natural transition is called a gradation hairline.
If only thick hairs are implanted from the very front,
the hairline may look unnatural and artificial.
That is why thin hairs are placed at the front,
medium-thickness hairs in the middle,
and thick follicles with many hairs at the back,
so that natural results resembling your own original hair can be achieved.
The key to a hair transplant is 'follicle classification.'
A hair transplant is a procedure that harvests healthy hair follicles from the back of the head and transplants them to the areas where they are needed.
However, the harvested follicles are not all the same shape.
Some follicles have only one hair,
while others have two, three, or four hairs together.
Moreover, even among 2-hair follicles, some have both strands thick,
while others have one thin strand and one thick strand.
Single-hair follicles can also be further subdivided into thin hairs, medium-thickness hairs,
and thick hairs.
In other words, the number of hairs per follicle alone is not enough;
detailed classification that also considers the thickness and shape of the hair is important.
Why simple 4-compartment classification is not enough
The follicle classification containers commonly used often consist of 4 compartments.
However, in actual surgery,
the types of follicles are far more varied,
so it is difficult to distinguish them adequately with just 4 compartments.
In addition, since the number harvested differs for each type of follicle,
making all compartments the same size
can cause some compartments to overflow
while others are hardly used.
Ultimately, such issues
can also affect the efficiency and accuracy of the surgical process.
Modi Hair Plant created its own follicle classification container.
Modi Hair Plant determined that the desired level of classification was difficult to achieve with commercially available products alone.
So we revised the design ourselves multiple times
and produced a custom follicle classification container using a 3D printer.
We adjusted the compartment sizes to match the types of follicles,
and continuously improved it to suit the actual surgical environment, completing its current form.
A structure that also considers the cooling system
It is important for follicles to maintain optimal condition even during surgery.
Because plastic has low thermal conductivity, it is difficult to sufficiently cool follicles.
Therefore, at Modi Hair Plant, we have used a method that combines
a 3D-printed classification structure placed inside a stainless steel cooling container.
Currently, we use a solid stainless steel custom follicle classification container produced through multiple rounds of improvement in actual surgery, designed to enable more systematic classification while stably maintaining the condition of the follicles.
We will continue to research and improve even the smallest details for better surgical results.
We classify each one while checking under a microscope.
At Modi Hair Plant,
we do not classify follicles with the naked eye.
Using a microscope,
we check the thickness and shape of the hair
and then classify them into follicles suited to each location.
However, judging
"thin"
"thick"
with the human eye alone
can lead to varying standards.
Therefore, at Modi Hair Plant,
we directly apply a thickness reference plate (micrometer) that can be used with a microscope.
We verify hair thickness numerically.
At Modi Hair Plant,
50㎛,
80㎛,
100㎛
We use a transparent acrylic reference plate marked with these standards.
By comparing the actual hair with the reference lines under a microscope,
we classify follicles based on objective criteria.
This system
reduces subjective judgment that can vary from person to person,
and enables more consistent and accurate follicle classification.
We record the classified follicles down to their actual use.
At Modi Hair Plant, we do not stop at simply classifying follicles.
Before surgery, we classify the number and thickness of follicles in detail under a microscope, and transplant the follicles suited to each location according to the plan.
And after surgery, we issue a transplanted hair count certificate so that patients can directly verify which types of follicles were actually used and how many.
The certificate records not only the total number of transplanted hairs but also how many of each — single-hair, 2-hair, 3-hair, and 4-hair follicles — were used.
In other words, it is a system that is managed systematically so that you can verify how the follicles classified before surgery were actually used during surgery.
The process of classifying follicles in detail and the process of keeping a record of the follicles actually used are all connected as one system, and these records can also be directly reviewed by patients.
Small differences create natural results.
A hair transplant is not simply a procedure of implanting many follicles.
Which follicle,
at which location,
and in what order they are implanted
determines the quality.
Modi Hair Plant
carefully classifies down to each follicle,
and applies its self-developed classification system and objective criteria
to work toward creating a more natural hairline.
These small differences, which are hard to notice,
can be important factors in enhancing naturalness and satisfaction after surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Why do follicles need to be classified separately?
Because each follicle has a different number and thickness of hairs. To create a natural hairline, it is important to select and transplant follicles suited to each location.
Q. Do all clinics classify this finely?
The follicle classification method and criteria may differ from clinic to clinic. Modi Hair Plant performs more detailed classification using a microscope and its own criteria.
Q. Does follicle classification affect the results?
It is one of the important factors in achieving a natural hairline. However, the final result is influenced by various factors such as the patient's hair loss condition, hair characteristics, and surgical plan.
Modi Hair Plant's differentiation begins where it cannot be seen.
The quality of a hair transplant can differ not simply in transplanting many follicles, but in how carefully each and every follicle is managed and placed.
Modi Hair Plant will continue to research and improve its surgical system so that these small differences can lead to better results.
References
- Headington JT. Transverse microscopic anatomy of the human scalp. A basis for a morphometric approach to disorders of the hair follicle. Arch Dermatol. 1984;120(4):449–456. PubMed
The above paper is a classic study that first established, by transversely sectioning the scalp, that hair follicles exist grouped as follicular units, and it serves as the academic foundation for the concept of follicle classification.
This content has been published after review by medical staff.