Step by step

The operation, drawn step by step

What happens to a follicular unit between the donor area and its new home.

Four stages

1

Step 1 — Donor harvesting

A strip is taken from the mid-occipital band at a width set by measured scalp laxity, and closed immediately using the HUMS protocol.
2

Step 2 — Microscopic dissection

The strip is slivered and then separated into individual follicular units under stereo microscopes, with each unit keeping its protective tissue intact.
3

Step 3 — Sorting and holding

Units are sorted into singles, doubles and triples, then held cool and hydrated until placement. Time out of body is tracked.
4

Step 4 — Site creation and placement

Recipient sites are cut to match each graft, then filled: singles at the leading edge, larger units behind for density.

Immediately after surgery

The recipient area looks worse than it is: tiny scabs at each placed graft, some pinkness, and often forehead swelling on days two to four. All of it is temporary.

The donor area is a thin line under the hair that was never shaved to reach it. Most patients are presentable to strangers within a week and to colleagues within two.