Hair Plugs vs. Hair Transplant: Which One is Better?

History has ever known hair loss as a troublesome condition for both men and women, and this has compelled them to seek suitable means of treating their locks. Baldness was treated through hair plugs in the past, but this has been substituted by follicular replacement surgeries in modern times.

Knowing the main differences between these treatments can help you make the right decision should you be thinking of restoring your locks. In this article, we shall explore how hair plugs function, how they compare to hair transplants, their side effects, and why they are no longer commonly used.

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How Do Hair Plugs Work?

Plug-type grafts were an early form of hair transplant surgery to repair baldness. They involved the removal of small, round bits of hair-containing skin—usually from the back of the scalp—and transplanted into areas of baldness.

There were 10 to 30 hairs per plug, creating a patchy and unnatural look for the recipient. The more plugs inserted over time, the appearance was similar to doll-like hair, not a naturally growing hairline.

The largest drawback of the initial hair grafting technique was the unnatural space between grafts. Because these large grafts were being planted in rows, they did not blend particularly well with surrounding locks, and the hair plugs before and after appearance was less than ideal.

Nowadays, people look for information about modern grafts plantations using the term “hairplugs” and its equivalents. To see before and after hair restoration photos, click on the link to see detailed photos and hear patient testimonials.

Key Differences between Scalp Plug Transplants & Hair Replacement

Improvements in grafts replacement techniques such as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), and Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) have replaced the traditional hair grafting techniques. FUE, FUT, and DHI provide more natural results with no unnatural appearance of the old hair plants.

Traditional Hair Restoration vs. FUE

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) takes patient hair grafts out of the donor area without removing a strip of skin. It is a less invasive procedure and prevents the risk of a big scar.

FUE also provides greater density and naturalness than traditional female and men hair plugs. The majority of celebrities, including Elon Musk hair plugs, are believed to have undergone a modern follicular replacement instead of traditional hair implants because the procedure provides smooth and imperceptible grafts restoration.

Hair Implants for Men and Women (DHI)

DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) is a newer version of FUE that uses a unique implanter pen to directly implant the follicles into the scalp without first making cuts. It has better survival of the graft and faster recovery.

DHI allows for increased density and accuracy of the hairline compared to other methods. In a Turkish hair transplant, centers like Dr. Resul Yaman Hair Clinic are DHI and FUE specialists, providing quality outcomes at affordable prices.

Are Hair Plug Procedures Still Being Done?

Thanks to improvements in restoration, practitioners no longer utilize plug-style grafts. Most clinics now switched to newer methods like FUE and DHI since they provide more natural-looking results with fewer side effects.

But some of today’s patients inquire about such things as “How much do hair plugs cost?” in order to find out about current hair transplant prices. For the latest pricing details in Turkey, feel free to send us a message.

Our hair clinic in Istanbul provides advanced hair transplantation procedures that look far more natural than poor-quality surgery in the past.

Side Effects of Old Hair Plantation Methods

Traditional procedures often produced doll-like results and generally didn’t achieve the natural appearance of today’s techniques. Early hair grafting techniques also came with a much higher risk of complications. Possible side effects included:

Scarring: Due to the large graft size, noticeable scars were common.
Infection: Infected hair plugs occur when poor hygiene or technique was used.
Bleeding & swelling: Large grafts would commonly lead to extensive healing time.
Pain & Scalp Numbness: The outdated technique could damage scalp nerves.
Ingrown Hairs: Poor placement sometimes led to follicle blockage.
Displeasing Results: Many people were dissatisfied with hair plugs’ bad results.
Temporary Hair Loss: The trauma from large grafts sometimes caused shedding.

Conclusion

As mentioned in this article, traditional transplant terms are still used when searching for information about modern replacement procedures. As you might expect, grafts plantation techniques have also advanced with medical science and technology progress.

Look at plugged-in hair before-and-after gallery images to see the difference between traditional and modern techniques. Advanced plantations, especially those offered at Dr. Resul Yaman Hair Clinic, provide natural-looking and long-lasting outcomes.

If you are considering a restorative surgery, opting for FUE or DHI over hair plugs is the optimal way to achieve an undetectable, natural hairline. With better pricing information and superior technology, today’s transplant options are more affordable and convenient.