Mini and micrograft hair transplants are both considered older hair transplant techniques, though they are still in use today. The mini and micro grafting replaced the older plug technique and became the standard hair transplant technique until the mid-90s when the FUE (follicular unit extraction) method took over. The main advantages of mini and micro grafting at the time were that it was faster, required less skill and gave a better result than previous techniques.
Minigrafts were popular mostly during 1985 to 1990 and consisted of 3 to 6 hairs. Micrografts were a significant progression, and contained 1 to 2 hairs. Micro grafts were mostly in use during 1990 to 1995.
Mini and micro grafting can be compared to follicular unit extraction, but is not as advanced. Both mini and micro grafts are removed from the donor supply without respect to the individual hair follicle. In detail, the mini and micro graft procedure involves removing donor tissue with a multi-bladed knife. The tissue is then cut into smaller pieces, often without the use a microscope. A surgeon who employs this technique might even just use a regular ruler. Mini and micro grafts contains more skin than an individual hair follicle. This might require larger holes in the receiving area, which can cause more wounding, and negatively affect the outcome of the surgery.
Typically the mini grafts were used to create fullness to areas behind the hairline while the smaller micro grafts were used primarily along the hairline. A combination of mini and micrografting was also used. Mini-micro grafting usually meant inserting larger grafts at the center and smaller grafts around the mini grafts.
Perhaps the most critical point is that mini and micro grafting leaves the surgeon with less flexibility when it comes to controlling the direction of each follicular unit. This is a major disadvantage, because the way in which the hair units are transplanted in the donor area will determine their final direction after the hair transplant. And angling the hair in the right direction is crucial for a natural looking hair transplant.
Micro and mini grafting has mostly been replaced by more up to date hair transplant procedures using entirely follicular unit grafts, such as the FUE method. Though an FUE method procedure requires more time, a better skilled surgeon and perhaps a bigger expense compared to mini and micro grafts, it can be well worth it.
Most hair transplant surgeons recommend that patients choose the FUE method over mini and micro grafting because it heals faster and results in a natural looking hair transplant.
Photo via konstantin sutagyin
