It’s no secret that everyone’s hair journey is different. From the subtle intricacies of colour to growth patterns – even the rate at which some of us lose it – our hair is unique. Our race is also a deciding factor in how our hair behaves. Even down to its core, each race has different hair texture, growth, and density. Because of this, when conducting a hair transplant in our Toronto clinic, we must evaluate the way that we treat hair loss and hair restoration, tailoring it to each patient. To accommodate the differences in hair density, considerations must be made. For example, because people of Asian descent typically have one hair per follicle, the follicular unit extraction (FUE) method is noted as the most effective hair restoration treatment for Asians, as hair is harvested one follicle at a time. Additionally, whether a person has straight, curly, or kinky hair can impact the results tremendously. As the surgery itself is so delicate, even putting aside the technical differences, the aesthetics resulting from improper follicle placement due to a failure to consider growth patterns and the way hair falls, in any race, can be wholly undesirable.
These technical differences should not be overlooked, as they can affect the outcome of the surgery significantly if not executed correctly. When harvesting grafts from a patient, the doctor should discuss realistic expectations as well as inquire about the patient’s propensity for scarring. This can – and should – dictate which procedure the doctor opts to employ. While FUE usually limits visible scarring, an alternate method, FUT (follicular unit transplant) does cause scars, which limits the patient’s options for hairstyles and is a telltale sign of the treatment. However, regardless of procedural methods or race, recipient areas typically show no sign of scarring whatsoever.
African-American Hair
When it comes to performing the hair transplant, both the surgery itself and the placement of the harvested follicles is vastly different from that of Asian or Caucasian hair. The overall design and arrangement of donor hair is less forgiving due to the distinctive root and growth patterns of the hair.
Determining the ideal type of procedure is integral to the prevention of scarring. Due to the darker pigmentation and the greater likelihood of raised or thick scars, called keloids, the FUE method of transplantation is preferable for African Americans.
Asian Hair
When it comes to migrating the donor hair, the placement requires a highly aesthetic approach and attention to detail, taking into consideration the patient’s facial structure to recreate the commonly flatter, lower hairline most often seen in Asians. Designing a natural-looking hairline demands strict care put into the angle and location of each individual shaft, as the hair is typically incredibly dark in colour, leaving any mislaid hairs quite noticeable.
In any case, the proper diagnosis of hair loss is the best way to ensure ideal results. Predicting a patient’s possible future hair loss patterns is paramount in determining adequate donor areas, and it’s necessary to confirm that those areas are healthy and stable. In most patients, these patterns are not apparent until after 30 years of age. To explore your options and determine whether you are a candidate for hair transplant surgery in Toronto, we invite you to contact us at 647-351-0061. Our staff, led by Dr. Torgerson, is highly skilled and well-versed in the various methods of hair transplants for all races.
