Design and the FUE hair transplant

Designing hair
– Nature is our inspiration

Performing a hair transplant is as much about craftsmanship and design as it is about micro-surgery. Each case is different and a successful result depends on the client’s demands and wishes being understood and carried out by the doctor, who not only has to be a skilled surgeon but an artist as well.  The Ilter Clinic specializes in customizing individual solutions. Despite no hair transplantation being like another, we strive to attain a result that is unique, and natural every time.


FUE IM hits the right angle

The design process

The design goal is to forge a balance between density and diffusion in the recipient area. The proper balance will achieve a look that blends naturally with the rest of your head and face. Hairlines are never straight in nature, in fact they are always slightly irregular. Our grafts are carefully transplanted according to the hair’s natural direction of growth. For this, we imitate natural hair by paying close attention to hair direction as we match the transplants to the original hair density. Also, the hairline for men usually peaks up, while it is more circular for women. We strive for symmetry, but we know that perfect symmetry looks unnatural and therefore aim for the golden ratio when we set the hairline.The angle of the inserted graft is also an important factor. With FUE IM we set every graft individually. It is extremely important that all incisions are made at the correct angle, depth and density.

The angle and direction of the hair is vital in achieving this goal. The hair’s natural three-dimensional pattern of growth must be considered so that the transplanted area consistently follows the original hair pattern down to the very last detail.

“The more you angle the grafts, the fewer grafts are needed to make an area look dense. Since it is easier to control the angle of the grafts, it is in favor of the patient if the doctor uses lateral slits.” – Dr. Ilter

These factors and more play a pivotal role in the design and cosmetic result of hair transplantation. For the final appearance, it is a matter of cooperation between the surgeon and the client.  We are not satisfied until you are.

FUE IM and density
There is a concern among patients that FUE cannot really achieve great density. On the contrary, with microsurgical tools, density can be maximized because grafts can be placed closer together. This is called “dense packing.” The total number of grafts available for transplant depends on the density of hair in the donor area. The Ilter Clinic consistently places 60 grafts per sq cm (equal to about 120 hairs) from the average hair density observed in our Scandinavian clients.

Plan for the future
If one of the most important issues is to have a natural look, the other is to have a plan for the future. Consider a scenario involving transplanting 5,000 follicular units with dense packing around the hairline. Mathematically, we will have a 4cm belt with very high density. It may look impressive today, but the question is what happens when the patient lives longer and hair loss continues. We will have a very thick patch in the front, but not enough hair in the back to match the density. This is why a plan for the future is essential to ensuring a client can have a natural look for the whole of his or her life.