Afro hair transplant

What makes Afro hair different?

In straight hair, the root usually follows a straight line beneath the skin. In Afro and very curly hair, however, the hair curls not only above the skin but also beneath it. We cannot fully see from the outside how the root runs beneath the skin.

The basic steps of a hair transplant stay the same: we take the grafts one by one from the donor area and place them in the recipient area. The difference is that we take this curl into account at every step.

How do we take and place the grafts?

In the FUE method, we take each graft by separating it from the surrounding tissue with a fine tip. Trying to take a curved root along a straight path can damage it. That is why we adjust the tip diameter, the angle and the depth to the course of the root beneath the skin.

This stage requires patience and usually takes longer than with straight hair. Even though we work carefully, grafts are more likely to be damaged than with straight hair because the roots are curved; we take this into account as well when we make the plan.

Placement

Curved grafts take up more space. That is why we open the channels to suit the size of the grafts and, when placing them, pay attention to the direction of the curl and the angle at which your surrounding hair grows. We place the grafts into channels opened beforehand (for example, Sapphire FUE) or, where suitable, with an implanter pen (DHI); we decide during planning which one we will work with.

What do we look at during the examination?

With Afro hair, the examination is the most important part of planning. Together, we look at:

• Whether previous wounds have left raised or thick scars
• Whether the scalp, especially at the nape of the neck, has acne-like bumps or a condition that leaves scars
• Whether there is hair loss caused by styles that pull on the hair, such as braids, hair extensions or tightly pulled-back styles
• The actual hair density in the donor area
• The thickness and elasticity of your scalp

Keloids and a tendency to scar

In every hair transplant, small wounds are made in the skin at the points where grafts are taken and placed. In some people, the skin responds to these small wounds with raised, thick scar tissue; if this tissue grows beyond the edges of the wound, it is called a keloid. This tendency is more common in people with darker skin.

If you or anyone in your family has this kind of tendency to scar, be sure to tell us during the examination. If the tendency is pronounced, we shape the plan accordingly; in some cases, we do not recommend a hair transplant.

Apparent density and actual density

Curly hair usually covers the scalp more than straight hair does. This can work in your favor in the recipient area; however, it can also make the donor area look denser than it really is. That is why we carefully assess how many grafts we can take from the donor area.

Limitations

• If a scalp condition that leaves scars is active, it needs to be diagnosed and treated first; this may also require an assessment by a dermatologist. We can only discuss a transplant once the condition has been inactive for a long time.
• Even if the condition has calmed down, it may become active again after the transplant; transplanted hair may also find it harder to take hold in an area with scar tissue.
• If the donor area is limited, it may not be possible to cover a large area as densely as you would like.
• Transplanted hair keeps the characteristics of the hair in your donor area; a transplant does not change your hair type.

During the examination, we talk openly about what is possible for you.

The process and aftercare

The process consists of the initial call, examination and planning, the day of the procedure, and follow-up. We harvest and place the grafts under local anesthesia.

In the first few days, you may notice redness, mild swelling or scabbing. On darker skin, the points where grafts were taken and placed may also become lighter or darker during healing; how long this color difference lasts varies from person to person, and it may not always fade completely. At follow-up appointments, we monitor your healing together, especially any scar formation. If you notice a raised scar, let us know without waiting.

In the weeks after the procedure, some of the transplanted hair or the hair around it may fall out temporarily; this is called shock loss. New hair, on the other hand, takes months to grow. Both the extent of shock loss and when the result becomes clear vary from person to person; we review your progress together at follow-up appointments.

We give you written aftercare instructions for the first wash and daily care; always follow those instructions rather than the general information on this page.

Frequently asked questions