Alopecia is the process of hair loss. Hair loss can occur for different reasons, which can be discussed during your free consultation. The most common form is male and female pattern alopecia which is still poorly understood. It is important to realize that the hair on the sides and back of the scalp of even severe cases of alopecia are somewhat immune to this process. This is precisely the area that hair is harvested during hair transplantation. Alopecia can be due to metabolic anomalies that can be evaluated by Dr. Zacco during a scheduled treatment appointment.

What is a hair transplantation?

Even significantly balding men and women will have relatively thick hair on the sides and back of the scalp. This is because the follicles in this region are genetically programmed to resist the usual cause of hair loss. Hair transplantation is a process in which the hair follicles and its surrounding tissue, a graft, is surgically removed from the back and/or sides of the scalp and transplanted where it is needed. The transplanted follicles usually survive for life and therefore the process is usually permanent. The transplanted tissue, or graft, is living tissue we obtain from you that continues to grow hair for life requiring regular haircuts and will gray naturally. It is your living and growing hair, surgically moved. At AZ Hair Restoration, we employ a combination of proven techniques. We don’t believe that one method of hair transplantation fits all. We utilize several different methods to best fit the individual patient. Sometimes we will use two different techniques on the same patient. This requires more effort, experience, and training. At AZ Hair Restoration, we feel our patients deserve the best.

What is the cost of hair transplantation?

The total surface area and severity of alopecia is different from person to person. During your free consultation, Dr. Arthur Zacco will openly and honestly outline the cost and individualized plan for you. There will be no hidden costs. Financing is available for those who qualify.

How successful is hair transplantation?

Very successful. The vast majority of transplanted grafts survive and AZ Hair Restoration is known for producing a natural appearing transplantation that is virtually undetectable. If requested, we have previous patients available from all walks of life that have graciously made themselves available to talk or meet with you. Dr. Zacco has been performing HT surgery in Wake County since 1997.

Can anything be done about large noticeable plugs I have as a result of a hair transplant at another facility?

Dr. Arthur Zacco have been performing corrective hair transplantation from other clinics for years and finds it personally and professionally rewarding. If the grafts are very large in the hairline, part of them can be moved to another area to make the plugs smaller. Also, smaller grafts can be performed around of preexisting large plugs providing the patient with a more natural appearing hairline.

Can anything be done about the scar in my mustache from a cleft palate surgery?

Scars in hair bearing areas can be camouflaged by transplanting your own living and growing hair directly into the scar. This is useful with scars of the scalp, mustache (scar from surgery to repair cleft palate), beard, eyebrow, and pubic region (caused from burns, surgery, or trauma).

Will I have much pain?

As with any skin procedure, there is some degree of discomfort. We make every effort to minimize the level of discomfort. We use our Ouchless Injection Technique and Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas). Almost all patients inform us afterward that they experienced much less discomfort than they had anticipated. After the procedure there will be minimal discomfort.

There are so many different hair transplant techniques -Which one is the best?

Performing hair transplants in Wake County since 1997, Dr. Arthur Zacco has mastered all hair transplant techniques; FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction), Strip FU (Follicular Unit), Strip Linear MFU (Multi Follicular Unit), eyebrow hair transplantation, beard and mustache hair transplantation, and even the metabolic work up for alopecia. Dr. Zacco can use one or more techniques in a single hair transplantation to assure the best possible results for your unique situation.

How do I go about scheduling a free consultation?

Take the first step by calling (919) 615-0577

Multiple Follicular Unit (MFU)

AZ Hair Restoration is your premier destination for natural-looking hair restoration solutions. Led by Dr. Arthur Zacco, the foremost expert in North Carolina, we specialize in the meticulous application of Linear Multiple Follicular Units (MFU) to achieve unparalleled density and authenticity in hair transplantation.

Understanding Follicular Units: The Building Blocks of Hair Transplantation

Hair does not grow out of the scalp one hair at a time, rather it grows in tufts of hair known as Follicular Units. Follicular units are the natural groupings of hair follicles found in the scalp. Each follicular unit typically consists of 1-4 hair follicles, along with associated sebaceous glands, nerves, and blood vessels. These units are arranged in a specific pattern that contributes to the overall density and appearance of the hair.

Hair transplantation surgery aims to recreate the natural distribution and density of hair follicles to achieve a seamless and authentic result. Surgeons carefully harvest follicular units from donor areas, where hair is genetically resistant to balding, and transplant them into recipient areas experiencing hair loss or thinning.

What are Multiple Follicular Units (MFU)?

Linear Multiple Follicular Unit grafts (MFU) are a significant improvement in the field of hair transplantation. Unlike traditional Follicular Unit (FU) grafts, which typically contain only an average of 2.5 hairs per graft, MFUs combine 2 or 3 follicular units per graft or 6 – 8 hairs per graft. This innovative approach allows for the hair transplantation to have the appearance of significantly more hair density resulting in enhanced coverage with natural-looking results. Concerning scalp hair transplantation, Dr Arthur Zacco commonly utilizes FU grafts in the hairline and temples to produce a natural feathered appearance and MFU grafts behind the hairline to provide more density and fullness.

Traditional MFUs vs Linear MFUs

In the past, MFUs were often associated with wide grafts resembling plugs, leading to a less-than-desirable aesthetic outcome. These older versions of MFUs lacked the precision and subtlety needed to achieve seamless density, often resulting in an artificial appearance.

Dr. Arthur Zacco’s innovative approach introduces Linear MFUs, setting a new standard for natural hair restoration density. Unlike traditional MFUs, which may be wide and reminiscent of plugs, Linear MFUs maintain the thinness of standard Follicular Unit (FU) grafts while incorporating multiple groupings of follicles. This unique characteristic allows for the placement of grafts closer together, creating a more seamless and natural-looking density over larger recipient areas.

FUT (Strip Method) vs FUE

The FUT (Strip Method) offers significant advantages due to its ability to move a substantially higher number of follicles in each procedure and ultimately with the total amount of follicles moved. This method can efficiently transplant 2-3 times more follicles compared to the FUE method. By producing both Follicular Unit (FU) and Linear Multiple Follicular Unit (MFU) grafts, FUT/Strip hair transplant allows for greater hair density in the transplanted areas. FUE is for small areas as it has about a 30-50% follicular transection rate. FUT/Strip has about a 3% follicular transection rate. With the FUE hair transplant, the follicles are harvested blindly as the follicles are under the skin surface and the punches are performed without visualizing the follicles. With the FUT/Strip hair transplantation, the follicles are visualized under a binocular microscope BEFORE the grafts are made resulting in much less transection.

The benefit of FUE hair transplantation is that it produces numerous small scars that are better hidden with hair cut shorter. Hair that is cut with a clipper set at #1-2 can hide FUE scars, whereas FUT scars are usually hidden with a clipper set at #3-4. Another benefit is concerning the recovery time for the harvested area (back of the head) for FUE is about 3-4 days, whereas with FUT the recovery time is about 8-10 days. However, it is important to note the recovery time for the area where grafts are placed (recipient area) is 8-10 days for both methods.

This increased efficiency means that with the FUT/Strip hair transplantation, there is a much lower risk of depleting the donor hair supply before achieving the desired coverage for both current and future balding areas. In contrast, the FUE hair transplantation method often faces the challenge of exhausting donor follicles before all areas of baldness, present and future, are addressed. Therefore, if you have a present or anticipated crown and frontal area thinning, the FUE hair transplantation is probably not best for you.

For an extensive comparison of FUE vs FUT/Strip see our Video Comparison

The Expertise of Dr. Arthur Zacco

Dr Arthur Zacco has been performing hair transplantation longer than anybody in Wake and Surrounding Counties. He has been the owner and founder of AZ Hair Restoration since 1996 and continues to be the area’s leading hair transplant authority. Dr Zacco is committed to providing you with the best hair transplant possible. He performs both FUE (follicular unit extraction) hair transplantation as well as FUT (follicular unit transplantation) also known as the strip hair transplantation. Dr. Arthur Zacco utilizes his expertise to craft individualized treatment plans prioritizing natural results and patient satisfaction. He does not leave that up to technicians, sales representatives, or anyone else.

When you schedule a free consultation, Dr Zacco will meet with you personally, answer all your questions, and outline a personalized treatment plan for you. He sees these conversations as an opportunity for education and an honest discussion concerning your best hair restoration options. It will not be a sales pitch. When you meet with Dr Zacco you will understand immediately why he is known as the area’s hair restoration expert. taking your best interest as a priority.

Commonly Asked Questions on MFU

Who performs hair transplant procedures at AZ Hair Restoration?

Dr. Arthur Zacco, a leading expert in hair transplantation, performs all procedures at AZ Hair Restoration. Unlike other facilities where techs perform most hair transplant duties. including donor harvesting, FUE punch graft harvesting, and slits for graft placement. However, Dr. Zacco does not delegate these responsibilities to anyone but himself.

How can I schedule a consultation at AZ Hair Restoration?

Scheduling a consultation at AZ Hair Restoration is easy! Contact our office at (919) 615-0577 to speak with our staff and book an appointment. We offer both virtual consultations and in-person appointments to accommodate your needs and preferences.

Is financing available for hair restoration procedures?

We offer financing options to make hair restoration more accessible for our patients. Our team can discuss financing options during your consultation and help you find a solution that fits your budget. We also offer certain discounts you may be eligible for, so be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with any discounts available.

What are Linear Multiple Follicular Units (MFU) Grafts?

Linear Multiple Follicular Units (MFU) grafts represent a significant advancement in hair transplantation. Unlike traditional MFU grafts, which combine 2 or 3 hair groupings into each round graft as a large clump or plug, Linear MFU grafts are as thin as single Follicular Unit grafts. This innovative technique allows for the transplantation of significantly more density into transplanted areas, resulting in enhanced coverage and natural-looking results.

How does MFU differ from standard Hair Transplantation (FUT)?

While Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) remains a common technique in hair restoration, integrating MFU grafts into the procedure enhances its appearance. Standard FUT typically involves harvesting and transplanting individual follicular units, whereas MFU combines multiple follicular unit grafts with follicular unit grafts to achieve both density and a natural appearance.

Why should I choose MFU for my hair restoration procedure?

Follicular Units produce a natural feathered appearance because the grafts are fine and whispery. In the hairline, a natural appearance is very important. Behind the hairline, density is very important, and the multiple follicular unit grafts do this best.