Plug Removal

Plug Removal

Until the mid-1980s, hair transplantation was performed by transplanting large, circular grafts of hair and skin, more popularly referred to as “plugs”. These hairs were obtained from the back of the head and used to provide patients a “pluggy” or “corn-row” look. As this method was the only way of performing a hair restoration surgery for over 40 years, a large number of patients are still suffering from the problem of having unnaturally large grafts.

Large grafts have a high density within the hair plugs while the density between the grafts being very low. Hence, as the large grafts contract after transplantation, the hair density in the grafts increases and the space between the grafts widens, providing patients with an unnatural looking hairline or “pluggy” appearance.

At MedLinks, our surgeons have rich experience in performing the plug excision procedure wherein the hair graft of a patient is either completely removed from the recipient area or only a portion of it is excised.

We then transplant these removed grafts back onto a patient’s scalp at the right location (central area of the scalp) and in a more natural distribution. Our plug (graft) excision process involves the following steps:

• Removing the unnatural looking, large grafts from the recipient area
• Suturing the holes created due to the removal of grafts
• Dissecting the plugs skillfully into individual follicular units
• Re-implanting these follicular units back in the recipient area at the right angle and in a natural distribution

Our qualified surgeons carefully suture close the holes after the removal of grafts, which helps in bringing together the normal skin on either side of the excision and provides patients with best cosmetic results, while minimizing the risk of scarring. For better results, we recommend patients to undergo one or two sessions of FUT or FUE after the plug excision procedure.

FAQ’s

1. How Long Do Hair Plugs last?

Though the hair transplant’s longevity depends on factors such as age, the severity of hair loss, hair type, and lifestyle, the hair plugs can last for a lifetime. This is because only the healthy hair follicles are transplanted into the balding sites to give a natural, permanent, fuller hair look.

2. What does plug mean in hair?

The term “Plug” or “Hair plug” refers to the conventional type of hair transplant performed from the 1950s until the early 21st century. The surgeon extracts hair follicles and places them in a plug-like fashion on the balding areas of the scalp. Hence the name “Hair plug.”

3. Are hair plugs painful?

The hair plugs involve extracting larger sections of the scalp and placing them. The hair plugs can be painful, and the patient may experience pain during and after the procedure. 

4. Are hair plugs a good idea?

Hair plugs are the initial type of hair transplant solution for people having balding issues. Hair plugs gained popularity over time and also advanced with creating natural-looking hairlines. Hair plugs have helped many over the years and can be helpful to people considering natural methods of hair restoration.