BHR Hair Transplant Clinic In Brussels, Belgium, FUE, Strip, Repair Surgery, Dr Bisanga

Strip has been the traditional method of extraction for some time, and is still a very good option especially for men with advanced thinning looking for the maximum hair coverage with minimum inconvenience.

This involves the removal of a hair-bearing strip from the back and side of the head. The donor area is sutured to leave a thin, almost invisible line that the surrounding hair grows through and over to cover. Because the closure causes little tension even immediately on the tissue this allows the minimum of strip invasiveness and cosmetic change to the scalp.

It has to me kept in mind that regardless how good the closure is, a scar line will be the consequence, this can be hidden within existing hair and with today’s Tricophytic Closure a person’s hair can be worn shorter than previously, but if shaved close or totally shaved the line would be visible.

Strip/FUT is a proven and successful method of extraction in the right hands but the patient does carry some responsibility with donor care. Superficial healing is relatively quick and generally hidden behind existing surrounding hair; a suture has to be removed at ten days post operation and this is advised to be undertaken by a medical practioner. Once the suture is removed the scalp will start to return to normal pigmentation, do not be surprised if this takes a few months as this is normal. A very important factor is stretch back and you as the patient must ensure over the first two months that minimum pressure or stretching is applied to the scalp; this generally involves less activity or heavy work out sessions due to skin laxity returning to normal without being pulled in differing directions. Even the best closed suture can stretch if too much pressure is applied.

Each FU is separated from the main strip under fibre optic microscopes to maintain the quality of the tissue, deter increase temperature rises, and damage to the graft. This leaves thousands of follicular units in their natural state, divided into their natural groups of single and multiple hairs. Whilst they are being prepared, the recipient site is being created and the grafts are then placed.

Strip procedures, especially mega sessions are a team effort; the Doctor heads the Medical Team, guides and directs the cutting and placement, but it would not be possible to place the amount of grafts without an efficient and technically adept team.

The amount of hair that can be removed is dependent on certain factors, density within the donor area, size of the safety zone and scalp laxity. Scalp laxity can greatly alter the width of the strip removed and the doctor will measure what he feels is safe to extract without putting pressure on the scalp. As with the closure method, the evolution of strip removal has now allowed for larger graft numbers to be achieved even on those with average or lower laxity and density. Dr Bisanga’s strip removal technique has enabled many patients with average characteristics to achieve greater graft numbers than before, with 4000 plus grafts from average patients and even up to 6000 grafts; one of the largest FUT sessions successfully performed worldwide and the largest in Europe.

Even large Strip procedures termed as a Mega Session, 4000 FU plus, can be repeated over again if the donor area is suitable, this allows maximum hair placement in minimal time.Time must be given for the scalp to relax and the laxity/density rechecked, so it is advisable that at least 12 months is given between sessions.

The new Tricophytic closure is now offered as the standard closure to all Strip patients at no extra cost with amazing results. This involves a triple closure of the donor site after the removal of the epithelium on the lower edge. The results are excellent even in Super Mega Sessions.