Estimated reading time: 0 minutes
Slit grafts are a hair transplant technique that was particularly widespread in the 1980s and 1990s. The term “slit graft” is derived from the two English words “slit” (slit) and “graft” (transplant). In this method, narrow, elongated slits are cut into the scalp, into which small bundles of hair follicles are then transplanted.
In detail, the slitgraft method works as follows: First, the surgeon harvests hair follicles from a donor area of the head, typically from the back of the head, where the hair is genetically resistant to hair loss. These follicles are processed in small groups, often 4-10 hairs per transplant. Tiny slits are then made in the bald or thinning areas of the scalp, just large enough to accommodate the prepared follicle bundles. The slits are created with a scalpel or a special needle.
The main advantage of the slit graft technique is its ability to create greater hair density in one area, as multiple hairs can be placed in a single slit. This made the method particularly attractive for patients seeking more comprehensive coverage of large bald areas. However, the method also has disadvantages: Because the grafts are relatively large, the result can sometimes look unnatural, especially at the front hairline where finer and denser hair growth is required to achieve a natural look.
Over time, more advanced techniques such as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) have been developed. These newer methods make it possible to transplant individual hair follicles or smaller groups of hairs, which leads to a more natural and aesthetically pleasing result. Slit grafts are therefore rarely used today and are considered an outdated technique in modern hair transplantation.
Related terms: Micrografts / Minigrafts
