Scalp Massage Video

THE IMPORTANCE OF MASSAGE PRIOR TO HAIR TRANSPLANTATION

The National Hair Institute’s Dr Rhett Bosnich outlines the benefits that a simple scalp massage can have on hair transplantation:

There are a variety of reasons that some patients obtain more follicular unit grafts (FUG’s) than other patients at the time of surgery. Some of these factors such as the hair density (meaning hairs growing per square cm) and size of our heads cannot be changed. However flexibility of the scalp can.

For follicular unit strip surgery, flexibility determines how wide a strip (an area) we can remove at the time of the procedure. Therefore if flexibility can be increased prior to surgery, more follicular unit grafts (and therefore more hairs) can be obtained than if massage was not performed.

Studies have proven that if vigorous massage of the donor region (back and sides of head) is performed regularly for a period of around 2-6 months prior to surgery, we might be able to surgically remove a strip up to 5mm wider. This small increase in strip width can result in an additional 1000-1250 FUG’s (or 2000–2500 hairs) being obtained within the one procedure! This is a significant difference!

Patients need to very firmly massage (up, down, sideways and circular pressure) for 5-6 times per day for around 6 minutes per session. The donor area is divided into two areas for massage - posterior and sides. Each 6 minute massage session should be divided between these two areas of the scalp.

So if you wish to obtain the maximum number of follicular unit grafts and the best aesthetic result that is possible for you – start massaging!

Click on the video below for a scalp massage demonstration: