Analysing Different Ethnic Groups

In medical literature, human hair is analysed and examined through three distinctive groups/races. Asian, Black and Caucasian.

Human hair contains the same chemicals and protein structures in all three of the before mentioned groups.

Though it should be stated that there are differences in a number of factors such as hair density, hair follicle shape, skin toughness, hair shaft diameter as well as a number of other factors.

These factors are extremely important when referring to hair transplants. Whether simplifying the process or increasing the risks of successful surgery. It’s valuable to understand the role race/ethnicity plays in hair transplants.

Asian Hair Transplant

Asian Hair Characteristics:

Have moderate hair density.

On average have single and double hair follicles in a graft.

Hair follicles are round to slightly oval shaped. Produce straight to slightly wavy hair.

Hair Growth: Asians hair grows the fastest.

Asians have the fastest hair growth from all possible races. Around 15.3 cm hair growth in a year.

Hair Shaft Diameter: Asians have the largest hair shaft.

In Asians the number of hair per square centimeter is smaller, but their hair gives off the appearance of thicker hair due to having the largest hair shaft diameter. A thicker hair shaft will require a bigger punch needle size to accommodate for the increase in the usual size. This demonstrates why it’s critical to choose the right clinic and surgeon.

Grafts Count Required: Few but could experience donor shortage.

Asians don’t require many grafts due to their large hair shaft but those who are experiencing hair loss might have a smaller donor area than other ethic races. Therefore would require harvesting follicles from facial/ body hair to increase the quantity of the donor hair available.

Best Hair Transplant Procedure for Asian People: DHI

The hair transplant procedure recommended for Asians is Direct Hair Implantation (DHI). This is an improvement on the classic Folliular Unit Extraction (FUE).

Asians hair follicles contain more active metabolisms than other ethnicities. This can cause issues during the process of hair transplants. The follicles are more vulnerable to water loss; making them unappropriate for any form of storage long term.

In both FUT and the classic FUE procedures, the hair follicles are carefully harvested and stored under specific conditions until the process of transplanting them into the designated area is ready.

In DHI, the grafts are harvested and quickly transplanted right away. Usually the process is carried out in tandem, ensuring they are given the best possible chance of survival by minimising the time they are outside. This is of extremely disadvantage for people of Asian descent.

Black Hair Transplant

Black Hair Characteristics:

Have the lowest hair density.

Have the slowest hair growth.

On average triple hair follicles in a graft.

Hair follicles are oval to elliptical shaped. Produces curly to coiled hair.

Skin Toughness: The toughest skin.

Blacks have the toughest skin. The upper skin ‘epidermis layer’ surrounds the hair follicle. In Blacks this is externally thicker and tighter than other ethnic groups. During the stage of taking grafts, the thicker skin might cause damage to the follicles, break or cause further issues during the transplant stage.

Extraction Difficulty: Very difficult and offers the highest possible risks.

Black peoples hair tends to twist around as it grows. The hair follicle is curled above and more importantly below the skin. This alongside the tougher skin can draw up complications when extracting the follicle because the whole follicle needs to be is extracted including the curl under the skin.

Other possible issues is the developement of “keloid” on scars during the healing process. After the wounds are healed, the body produces excess cells to repair the tissue that can cause abnormal wounds to occur. This is more likely to develop in people in the black race over any other group.

Hair Shaft Diameter: Blacks have the smallest hair shaft.

Although Black people have the smallest hair shaft, they can still achieve a highly volumized appearance because of their hair being curly.

Graft Count Required: Fewer grafts are needed in black people than other races.

Due to the follicles being curly above and below the skin, it is able to provide a more volumized appearance with few grafts then any other group.

Best Hair Transplant Procedure for Black People: FUT

The recommended procedures are Follicular Unit transplantation (FUT) and FUE.

FUT is considered ideal as it by-passes the potential issue of extracting the curly hairs fully. Some black men will have extremely curly hair that it may be very difficult or even impossible to use FUE.

Some experienced surgeons would advise for an FUE procedure. They will use special handmade punch that can encircle the follicular unit and follow the curve to safely extract the follicular units without transecting the grafts.

Black men usually wear their hair very short so FUE is considered beneficial for black men as it doesn’t leave a big stripe scar on the donor area.

Caucasian Hair Transplant

Caucasian Hair Characteristics:

Have moderate hair growth.

On average triple and quadruple hair follicles in a hair shaft.

Hair follicles are oval shaped. Produce straight to curly hair.

Have a moderate-sized hair shaft diameter.

Hair Density: The highest hair density rate is found in Caucasians.

Hair density in the donor area is considered the most important factor for a hair transplant candidate. Caucasian hair ranges from smooth, wavy or curly hair structure and varies in colour from black, different range of browns to blonde and red (Ginger).

Blonde coloured hair contains the highest density; on average 146.000 hair is found. Whilst red hair contains the least density at 86.000 hair.

Graft Count Required: Caucasians need the most grafts on average.

Caucasians experience more hair loss than any other race, therefore require more grafts than other groups.

Extraction difficulty: Easy

The skin makes it easy to extract hair follicles. This is because Caucasians scalp is more flexible than other races making it easy to perform the extractions.

The hair length of the follicles in Caucasians allows for grafts to be collected far easier. This helps to reduce the possibilities of any damage to the hair follicles and minimising the risks when transplanting the hair.

Best Hair Transplant Procedure for Caucasian People:

Caucasian hair has the advantage of usually choosing from a wide range of procedures. It is equally effective through FUE, DHI and FUT.

However, Caucasian hair can vary in person to person so it’s important to find a clinic that will analyse the follicles and understand which procedure is right for your hair.

Choosing the Right Procedure for Your Ethnicity

Find a surgeon with experience in your race

It’s important to find a surgeon that has dealt with your race/ethnicity before. Different races bring with them different complications.

Each and every patient should have a customised tailor fit procedure. NEVER head to a surgeon that uses the same procedure for each and every person.

Your surgeon needs to meet the patients unique attributes (Age, hairline, stage of hair loss, head shape, facial features and most importantly ethnicity).

In a lot of foreign countries surgeons only need plastic surgery qualifications, there expertise doesn’t lie in hair transplants. So due diligence is an absolute must!

Carry out an FUE Test

An FUE test can be carried out before surgery has taken place. This will confirm whether you hair is straight, wavy or curly. This is extremely critical as it helps identify which procedure offers the greatest chance of success.

Usually a surgeon will carry this test out to decide whether you are a the right candidate for FUE or FUT. If the hair is too curly, then FUT might be an more effective procedure to follow.

Understand ethnicity will determine multiple transplant factors

Your ethnicity will determine a lot of factors in your hair transplant. The optimal design of your new hairline for example. In Asian men, a rounded hair line is usually required. A surgeon would use more rows of one-hair grafts than in other ethnicities to create a softer hairline that appears natural.

Black men will prefer straight hairlines. On the other hand, the design of the hairline on Caucasians is similar to a slight M shape, to cover for the recession that has occurred on the temples.

Conclusion

Hair transplants remain one of, if not the best method to get your hair back. It is possible to achieve successful results with no issues but I can’t stress how important doing your due diligence is. If you choose an experienced hair transplant clinic, with a specialist surgeon that has operated on your ethnicity several times with evidence provided.

Alongside the correct surgeon, ensure you are dealing with a professional team that use modern equipment, follow the correct technique and aftercare. If you have done so, then you have given yourself the best possible chance for a successful hair transplant.