The history of hair replacement surgery: Micro- and mini-grafting

Hair replacement has come a long way since it was first practiced in Japan during the 1930s. As specialists continued to refine hair restoration treatments in the 70s and 80s, they still had a long way to go before they would develop more sophisticated, modern procedures like FUE and FUT. 

During the 1960s and 70s, the hair restoration surgeries spearheaded by Dr. Norma Orentreich were able to return hair to bald patients, using donor hair from the back and sides of the scalp. However, due to the large size of the grafts, these transplants were not very pleasing to the eye, and did not look particularly natural. These larger grafts were known as "plugs". 

"Mini-micro grafting gave the patient a more natural look."

Mini-grafting
In 1984, doctors began practicing mini-grafting, a procedure that involved using smaller cuts from a strip of donor tissue taken from the back of the individual's scalp. This was a more sophisticated treatment because the grafts were smaller and used small parts of donor tissue rather than punching hairs out directly from the back of the scalp. 

Micro-grafting
Next, hair restoration specialists began performing micro-grafts, which were even smaller grafts consisting of only one or two donor hairs each. This procedure helped to recreate a more delicate look for the hairline. By this time, physicians were using larger grafts in the center of the scalp along with much smaller grafts along the edges of the hairline. This technique became known as mini-micro-grafting, and it gave the patient a more natural look when completed. 

We'll discuss modern hair transplant procedures in our next installment. If you're suffering from baldness and you'd like to know more about the modern hair restoration techniques that specialists use today, schedule a consultation with Dr Marotta today! Dr. Marotta is a dual-board certified facial plastic surgeon with expertise in hair replacement surgery. Visit our website to learn more about FUE and all of the other treatment options we offer to our clients.