What is Sapphire Hair Transplant?
Sapphire hair transplant is a type of follicular unit extraction (FUE) surgery that uses special sapphire blades with improved outcomes, better graft survival, and quicker recovery for patients.
In both regular and Sapphire FUE, individual follicular units are extracted from a “safe donor zone” at the back of the scalp. This strip of hair is resistant to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for pattern baldness. Therefore, it ensures permanent growth after being relocated to the balding areas of the scalp.
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In the implantation phase of the surgery, Sapphire FUE uses v-tipped blades made with sapphire instead of metal to make incisions for graft placement. These blades are less traumatic for the scalp and offer the advantage of achieving more natural-looking results.
Am I suitable for a Sapphire Hair Transplant?
The sapphire FUE procedure is suitable for anyone who is a good candidate for traditional follicular unit extraction.
However, it might be more suitable for those who are looking for:
Sapphire blades create more precise, small, and clean incisions, which then allow for the accurate placement of hair follicles, giving more natural-looking results.
Sapphire blades can help patients recover faster than traditional FUE. It reduces tissue damage and causes less trauma to the scalp, resulting in less downtime and a quicker return to normal activities.
With Sapphire hair transplantation, a better graft survival rate is generally guaranteed, giving you an improved overall outcome.
Between Sapphire and direct hair implantation (DHI) surgery, Sapphire is preferred when implanting more than 3,000 grafts. Both methods involve creating smaller incisions and result in less scar tissue. However, DHI sessions are limited to 3,000 grafts due to the time required to load grafts into the special implanter pen used during the surgery.
Sapphire Vs Metal Blades
One of the main differences between the sapphire blades used in Sapphire FUE and the metal blades used in regular FUE is their level of bluntness – the former being sharper than the latter.
Because of the bluntness of the metal blades, the surgeon needs to apply relatively more pressure to create incisions in the scalp, which could then cause more trauma. With every 1,000 slits that are created in the scalp, this blade also needs to be changed because it becomes blunt. In contrast, a sapphire blade has a sharp tip and is relatively less traumatic.
Shaving
Sapphire hair transplantation typically requires shaving the entire head. However, it’s important to clarify that only the donor and recipient areas need to be trimmed, not necessarily all of your hair.
If you have long hair around the balding area, shaving it may not be required. For example, if you wish to fill in your frontotemporal recesses (temples), you may not need to shave the hair at the front, top, or crown, of course, with the exception of the donor area. However, your surgeon will make this decision.
Graft Extraction
Under local anaesthesia, Sapphire FUE will begin with the extraction of follicular units/grafts from the donor area using a 0.8-1 mm punch tool, which penetrates the skin around each graft at a depth of about 2-3 mm.
Once the attachments surrounding the graft have been released, it is gently taken out of the scalp using tweezers and stored in a chilled solution of adrenaline and isotonic water.
Incision-Making
After the grafts have been taken out, the surgeon will use the sapphire blades to create the incisions in the balding areas – the extracted hair grafts will be placed into these incisions. The size of these slits can vary depending on the type of graft being used in a particular area of the scalp.
For instance, the hairline is filled with 1 and 2-hair grafts, and its incisions are the smallest. Their size can be bigger in the central area where generally grafts with 3-4 hairs are implanted to create an appearance of density, although the periphery might be filled with 2-hair grafts. In the crown, the graft size can become smaller towards the centre.
The surgeon is also careful in following the angulation of the existing hair so that the newly transplanted hair grows out in a similar, natural-looking fashion. The angles are generally lower at the front and temples but increase as we move backwards.
Furthermore, the slits can be oriented in one of two ways: sagittal (going from front to back) or coronal (going sideways). A combination of these can be used, with the latter being preferred for creating an illusion of density (which can be useful where fewer grafts are used).
The depth of the incision is also controlled by the surgeon and is decided in accordance with the length of the graft itself. And once the slit-making process is finished, trained and experienced technicians begin placing the grafts.
Graft Placement
Graft insertion marks the final stage of the surgery. Two skilled technicians carefully handle each graft using tweezers and place it into each slit/incision. Care is taken to place the grafts into the slits according to their respective sizes and in the proper direction.
The time taken for the entire surgery can vary from 6-8 hours, but it largely depends on the amount of work involved. Since it is an outpatient procedure, you’ll be discharged the same day with bandages on your donor area and a session of platelet-rich plasma injections for the transplanted area.
Results
While hair growth usually starts 3 months after the surgery, it can take 12 to 18 months for you to see the final outcome of the procedure. Keep in mind, however, that results can vary between patients depending on different factors, such as type of hair, donor density, scalp skin, and the health of the patient.
Kay's Sapphire Hair Transplant Journey
Patient Journey
How much does a Sapphire Hair Transplant Cost?
The cost of hair transplant surgery varies significantly depending on the location of the clinic. The Turkish hair transplant price for a Sapphire FUE can be around £2,000, whereas in the UK the same procedure can cost between £4,000 and £5,000.
Sapphire FUE tends to be slightly more expensive than traditional FUE due to its use of laser-cut sapphire blades. Despite the higher cost, this tool offers better precision and results.
At Longevita, a Sapphire hair transplant in Turkey is priced at £1,800 for an all-inclusive treatment plan. This price is fixed regardless of the number of grafts, ensuring affordability for patients.
Frequently asked questions about Sapphire Hair Transplants
Yes. Sapphire FUE hair transplants can be performed without shaving the recipient area.
Yes. The cost is higher because of the surgical equipment used for Sapphire FUE.
It depends on the area(s) where you’re balding and the total number of hair grafts you need. DHI is not recommended for the crown/vertex region. In addition, in direct hair implantation, the surgeon can harvest a maximum of 3,000 grafts, while with Sapphire FUE, the surgeon can harvest almost 6,000 grafts in one session.
Specialists will perform different parts of the surgery. However, the hair transplant surgeon will make incisions with the Sapphire blade in the balding region.
Yes, the clinic in which you will undergo a Sapphire hair transplant in Turkey is registered with the Ministry of Health.
The doctor performing your Sapphire FUE will have insurance against malpractice.
