Graft Camouflage: Correcting Bad Hair Restoration Results
In the past, hair restoration techniques were relatively effective, but they were necessarily limited. Given the limitations of technology, it’s no surprise. Hair plugs, for instance, were a go-to hair restoration technique for decades, but they could result in poor aesthetic results that looked unnatural. The hair plugs might be too evenly distributed, or densely clustered in a single spot rather than dispersed. This led many people to say the hair plugs resembled doll’s hair.
Thankfully, our Chicago, IL hair restoration specialists offer various ways to repair of older hair transplant techniques. Graft camouflaging is particularly effective at addressing old problems using a modern approach.
Are Pluggy Grafts a Problem Today?
Thankfully no. Modern hair restoration techniques now harvest small follicular units, which help create a natural appearance in terms of density and overall hair quality.
Using these modern techniques, we can actually help people with old plugs have better looking hairlines.
How Graft Camouflage Works
Graft camouflage refers to the placement of follicular units around and between the plugs and holes where old hair grafts were placed. By covering up these areas, the obvious/pluggy grafts of the past are hidden. Patients wind up having a much more natural hair restoration result, one that doesn’t need to be hidden with hats or hairpieces.
Ideal Candidates for Graft Camouflage
The best candidates for graft camouflage are people who have experienced poor results with hair restoration surgery in the past. This could mean bad plugs as well as poor cosmetic results from a more recent hair restoration procedure. They should have realistic expectations about the surgical procedure and what it can achieve, and be well aware of the risks and benefits that are involved.
The Graft Camouflage Procedure
Using FUT or FUE techniques, a hair transplant surgeon carefully places hair grafts around the spotty portions of the hairline. The distribution of the grafts will be staggered to conceal the plugs and improve overall hair density along the hairline. The number of grafts required will vary from patient to patient depending on their needs.
The Results of Graft Camouflage
The results of a graft camouflage can be quite dramatic. Before the procedure, a man may have visible plugs and/or sparse hair along he front of their hairline. Following a graft camouflage, the signs of plugs are gone. Patients will feel more confident with their full head of hair that looks natural and normal.
Alternatives to Graft Camouflage
When graft camouflaging is not an ideal option, there are other corrective procedures to consider. Some patients may opt for the removal of the old plugs themselves, which eliminates the poor appearance of the plugs but does not restore the hairline. Excision of the plugs may be followed by placing new hair grafts with modern techniques.
We can discuss options for hair plug correction in greater detail during your visit to the practice.
Learn More About Advanced Hair Restoration
For more information about graft camouflage and other options to conceal previous hair restoration procedures, be sure to contact Chicago Hair Institute. We will help you achieve excellent results and a head of hair that you can feel proud of.
