posted by ISHRS on November 1, 2004

In the terminology of hair transplantation, the recipient site is where hair is transplanted. It is the area of the scalp where hair follicles and the hair that grows from them are transplanted to correct hair loss. The hair follicles used for transplantation are harvested from the donor site, scalp areas at the side and back of the head where follicles are not influenced by the gene(s) responsible for male pattern hair loss. For more information,see The Donor Site: Savings & Loan of Hair for Transplantation. With minor exceptions, the donor site is the same for both male and female hair transplantation.
The purpose of hair transplantation is to restore aesthetic balance to a person’s appearance-a balance that is lost with balding of the scalp. Whether hair loss is confined to one area (for example, recession of the hairline or balding on top of the head) or over most of the scalp, the aesthetic balance of a person’s face is compromised. The hair loss area can become the feature that draws attention away from the face and dominates overall facial appearance.
Restoration of facial balance-restoration of appearance that pleases the patient-is a process that calls upon the surgical science of hair transplantation and the aesthetic artistry of the physician hair restoration specialist.
Aesthetics of the Recipient Site
The person with hair loss consults a physician hair restoration specialist because he/she is not pleased with the change in appearance created by hair loss. The physician hair restoration specialist listens to the patient’s wishes and concerns and interprets them in the context of:
the patient’s age, location of hair loss, degree of hair loss, progression of hair loss, and availability of donor hair

surgical techniques and procedures that could be used to address the patient’s wishes

how these techniques and procedures can be used to achieve the best aesthetic result given the patient’s age, characteristics of hair loss, and wishes of the patient including time and cost of hair transplantation.
The end result of transplantation should always be optimum aesthetic outcome for the patient as agreed upon between patient and physician. The patient should not be “sold” an approach to hair restoration. Rather, the patient and physician should agree on an approach and an anticipated outcome after full and honest discussion of (1) the patient’s wishes, (2) the physician’s recommendations, and (3) the patient’s concerns about the number of transplant sessions required, cost and potential complications.
Primary aesthetic concerns that must be addressed include:
The hairline: A recreated hairline should be placed at an aesthetically correct position on the frontal scalp, be natural in appearance, be appropriate to the patient’s age, and be congruent with the appearance of other original or restored hair on the scalp. The skilled and experienced physician hair restoration specialist also takes into account how a recreated hairline will “age” as the patient ages. The hairline should remain appropriate to the patient’s age over a period of time; a hairline that looks natural when the patient is 28 should continue to appear natural when the patient is 48.
The part:Unless the patient intends to habitually have a very short hair style such as a crew cut, he will usually comb his hair with a part. If he had a part before hair loss, he should have a part after hair restoration unless circumstances individual to the patient make this impossible. A natural-appearing part usually begins at a point where the frontal hairline curves inward and upward from the forehead. From the origin of the part at the frontal hairline to its termination at the center of the scalp, the placement, density and quality of hair on either side of the part should promote comb-styling and naturalness of appearance.
Natural appearance and ease of styling: “Natural appearance” is the key phrase describing hair transplantation today. The type of donor hair selected, graft placement, size of grafts and overall transplant technique are selected to assure that transplanted hair is as “natural” in appearance as original hair and is amenable to styling as appropriate to the patient’s wishes. (For information on donor hair characteristics, see The Donor Site: Savings & Loan of Hair for Transplantation.
Science and Surgical Technique at the Recipient Site
Preoperative planning is directed toward achieving an optimum aesthetic result at the recipient site-a result that meets the expectations of the patient as agreed upon after full and frank discussion between patient and physician hair restoration specialist. Optimum aesthetic result is achieved by the physician hair restoration specialist’s skillful and experienced use of:
knowledge of hair follicle biology and its application in the processes of hair transplantation
the physical characteristics of hair (caliber, color, texture, curl) and how to use these characteristics to maximum aesthetic effect at the recipient site
transplantation grafts ranging in size from single-hair to multiple hairs, and which types of graft are appropriate for use in the patient to achieve the optimum aesthetic result
surgical techniques of donor hair removal, preservation of donor grafts between removal from donor site to implantation in the recipient site, preparation of scalp skin for graft implantation, and implantation of grafts at the correct depth and angle to assure survival and subsequent hair growth at the angle appropriate for natural appearance and ease of styling.
It is fortunate for both patient and physician that there are a variety of transplantation techniques available today, all of which can be used to produce natural results. Several techniques may be used in combination-for example, mini-grafts (5 hairs or more) where density is a primary objective, micro-grafts (cut to size with 1 to 4 hairs), and follicular unit grafts (natural groupings of 1 to 4 hairs) where finely defined effects are needed.
The number of transplant sessions needed to accomplish the anticipated aesthetic outcome varies from patient to patient. Multiple sessions over a period of months may be recommended. This allows the physician hair restoration specialist to assess the outcome of each session and use this assessment to guide the choice of size, type and placement of grafts for following sessions to assure a final natural-looking appearance. For example, single-hair or micro-hair grafts of two or three follicles might be used to complete the natural-looking appearance of a given scalp area.
Completion of hair transplantation in one densely-packed “mega-session” has recently been made possible by advances in surgical technique. However, one must understand that hair loss is an on-going condition-i.e., the patient may lose hair in the future. In such an event, more surgery may be required than is recommended at present. Mega-sessions should be carried out only by a skilled and experienced physician hair restoration specialist in selected patients.
The choice of multiple sessions or mega-session should be individualized to the patient’s needs and wishes. The “best” choice is the one best for the individual patient.