Mega Hair Transplants Explained: How They Work and Who Can Benefit

If you suffer from significant hair loss, you know just how much of an impact it can have on your life. Not only will you appear older than you feel on the inside, but it can also have a negative effect on your self-confidence, causing you to make decisions that you may not normally make with a full head of hair. There are a variety of different hair restoration techniques that are used to help, and one that has been gaining quite a bit of traction in the industry is the mega transplant. 

As the name suggests, mega hair transplants are viable options when a larger surface area needs to be covered. Keep reading to learn more about what Mega hair transplants are, how they work, and who can benefit from them.

Want to find out more? Call Houston Hair Transplant Center at (713) 864-2300 and schedule a consultation.

What Are Mega Hair Transplants?

Mega hair transplants refer to a type of hair transplant procedure that consists of large numbers of grafts being transplanted in one session. Unlike standard hair transplant surgery, which may include 1,000 to 2,000 hair grafts, a mega session can include 3,000 to 5,000 or more grafts. Having a mega hair transplant means you’ll get more extensive coverage, which is ideal for many people with advanced hair loss.

How Do Mega Hair Transplants Work?

For a mega hair transplant session, we will use either Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) or Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). Here’s a quick overview of how each method works, so you can have a better understanding of which one is right for you.

Follicular Unit Extraction or Excision (FUE)

For follicular unit extraction or excision, we will remove individual hair follicles from the donor area, which is usually on the back or sides of your head where the hair is most resistant to balding. Each follicle is meticulously removed using a small punch tool, then we transplant the grafts to the recipient area.

One of the biggest advantages of FUE is that it leaves minimal scarring and has a quicker recovery time compared to other methods. FUE is often the right choice for people who prefer shorter haircuts, since there’s no linear scar afterwards.

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)

Follicular unit transplantation is sometimes called the strip method because it involves removing a strip of scalp from the donor area. Once the strip is removed, it’s divided into individual follicular units, which are then implanted into the area of need.

When you have an FUT procedure, we are able to transplant a larger number of grafts in a shorter time, making this a viable option for mega hair transplants. One thing to remember about FUT is that it does leave a linear scar where the strip is removed, which could be an issue if you prefer having a shorter hairstyle. With modern hair transplant techniques, we can achieve nearly the same density. 

Who’s a Good Candidate for Mega Hair Transplants?

Mega hair transplants are a good choice for anyone experiencing significant hair loss who wants to achieve a fuller look in fewer sessions. Here are some common profiles of people who may benefit from this hair transplant procedure: 

Men with Advanced Male Pattern Baldness

If you’re a male in the advanced stages of male pattern baldness (Norwood scale 5 or higher), you likely require more extensive coverage, and a mega transplant can provide you with the density you need to create a natural-looking hairline and fill in larger areas of baldness.

Women with Extensive Hair Thinning

If you’re a female and you’re experiencing diffuse thinning on your scalp, you may also be a good candidate. Women often lose their hair in a more scattered pattern than men, and mega hair transplants can help cover large areas and improve overall hair density.

Individuals Seeking Significant Coverage in One Hair Restoration Session

If you need significant coverage and you prefer to have it done in one session rather than multiple smaller hair transplant sessions, a mega hair transplant may be the right choice. It allows you to experience a more dramatic transformation in a shorter time frame.

Patients with Limited Donor Hair

If you have limited donor hair, scheduling a mega hair transplant session allows us to maximize the use of available grafts, which provides you with the best possible results from the donor area which could include body hair including the chest, abdomen, arms and legs. 

Those Looking for a Cost-Effective Solution

While the initial cost of a mega hair transplant might seem high, it can be more cost-effective in the long run because it often eliminates the need for multiple procedures. Also, the price per graft is generally based on a sliding scale. More grafts translates into a lower price per graft. 

What to Expect

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect before, during, and after a mega hair transplant procedure.

Before the Procedure

Before your procedure, we’ll have a thorough consultation to assess the extent of your hair loss, the availability of donor hair, and your overall health. Your hair transplant surgeon will help you decide which procedure makes the most sense based on these factors and your personal preferences.

Some of the preparation steps may include:

During the Procedure

On the day of the transplant, your doctor will start by numbing the donor and recipient areas with local anesthesia. Depending on the number of grafts being transplanted, the procedure can take anywhere from 6 to 10 hours. For mega transplants, it’s not uncommon for the session to last even longer, especially if we need to move a significant number of grafts.

After the Procedure

Once the procedure is complete, it’s important for you to follow our instructions about post-procedure care. You can expect some swelling, redness, and mild discomfort in both the donor and recipient areas, but these effects can be minimized by caring for your scalp properly. Some tips include:

Within a few weeks, the transplanted hair will fall out, which is a normal part of the process called “shock loss.” After that, new hair will start to grow in about three to four months, with full results typically visible after about a year.

The Benefits of Mega Hair Transplants

Mega hair transplants are popular for good reason. They offer long-lasting benefits that can really have a positive impact on your life. Here are some advantages to consider:

Potential Risks and Considerations

Like any surgical procedure, mega hair transplants come with some potential risks. It’s important to weigh these factors when deciding if this surgery is the right option for you. 

Choosing the Right Surgeon and Clinic

The surgeon and clinic you choose for your mega hair transplant can play a significant role in the results you get. Look for an experienced and board-certified hair transplant doctor with extensive experience in both FUE and FUT techniques. You’ll also want to have access to a wide range of before and after photos, patient testimonials, and detailed information about what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure. 

At Houston Hair Transplant Center (HHTC), our hair transplant surgeon Dr. Goran Jezic, is a double board-certified hair restoration specialist with almost 30 years of experience and is a leader and innovator in the hair transplant field. 

Is a Mega Hair Transplant Right for You?

Making the decision to have a mega hair transplant is a personal decision that you should make with the help of our team of experts and your family members if they are part of the process. It’s important to have realistic expectations and understand that even though a mega transplant can provide you with significant coverage, it may not be a permanent cure for your hair loss. Your goal is to achieve natural-looking results that will boost your self-esteem and quality of life, so take all the time you need to make sure that this procedure is something you want to pursue. 

If you are found not to be a candidate or even if you are, we offer a number of non-surgical hair restoration procedures and services such as stem cell therapy, laser hair therapy (LaserCap), PDO threads, exosomes, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), topical compounds, stem cell shampoo/conditioner, vitamins, and other products and supplements as an alternative or complement to your hair transplant procedure. 

If you’d like to learn more about mega transplants or any of our other services, get in touch with us today to schedule a complimentary consultation.

References

1. Dr. Goran Jezic. Mega Session FUE. Jezic, Goran (hairphysician.com). Published November 22, 2021. Accessed September 4, 2024. https://www.hairphysician.com/mega-session-fue/#:~:text=A%20mega%20session%20Follicular%20Unit 
2. Dr. Alan Feller. What is a Hair Transplant “Mega Session?” | Feller & Bloxham Medical. Fellermedical.com. Published April 15, 2024. Accessed September 4, 2024. https://fellermedical.com/hair-transplant-mega-session/ 
3. NHS Choices. Hair transplant. Published 2024. Accessed September 4, 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/hair-transplant/#:~:text=A%20hair%20transplant%20is%20usually 
4. Chicago Hair Institute. Published 2024. Accessed September 4, 2024. https://www.chicagohairinstitute.com/megasessions/#:~:text=Meeting%20a%20patient 
5. Dr. Jonathan Huber. Megasession Results – 3,000 Grafts and Beyond – Toronto Hair Transplant Surgeons. Toronto Hair Transplant Surgeons. Published August 2019. Accessed September 4, 2024. https://torontohairtransplant.com/megasession-results-3000-grafts-and-beyond/#:~:text=Mega%20session%20hair%20surgery%20provides 
6. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Published 2024. Accessed September 4, 2024. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/hair-transplantation-and-restoration/safety