Question:
Is there a difference between a slit graft and a punch graft and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Answer:
Yes, there is a difference between a slit graft and a punch graft.

A slit graft is a linear or rectangular shaped graft that can have anywhere from two to six hair follicles present and a punch graft is a circular shaped graft that can have anywhere between one and ten hair follicles depending upon the size of the punch.

There is a newer technique that is being performed by many of the hair restoration physicians called FUE which stands for Follicular Unit Excision. This is actually a very tiny punch-type graft that circles a single follicular unit either of one, two or three hair follicles.

Slit grafts are often used in patients that have very curly hair including those in African Americans or in patients with white or light colored hair where there is a concern that if over dissection of the donor tissue is performed addition damage to the follicles will be caused.

It is because of this potential damage that physicians sometimes choose to use slit grafts. Another term sometimes used to describe the same type of graft is a DFU or a double follicular unit graft that is shaped more in a rectangular pattern.

Posted by: Dr. Charles