Graft survival rate is the percentage of transplanted hair follicles that successfully take root and produce permanent hair growth. The standard range is 90-95% for FUE, FUT, and DHI procedures when performed by experienced surgeons. Your individual rate depends on several measurable factors that you can assess before committing to a procedure.
What Graft Survival Rate Means
If a surgeon transplants 3,000 grafts at a 92% survival rate, approximately 2,760 grafts will produce permanent hair. The remaining 240 will not take root. This is normal biology, not a surgical failure. The goal is to stay within the 90-95% window by controlling the factors you can influence.
Why Survival Rate Matters for Planning
Surgeons account for expected graft loss when planning your procedure. A target of 3,000 surviving grafts at 92% survival means the surgeon will transplant approximately 3,260 grafts. Understanding this math helps you evaluate quotes and set realistic expectations.
Factors That Affect Your Graft Survival Rate
Surgeon Skill and Experience
This is the single largest variable. Experienced surgeons who perform 3-5 procedures per week maintain consistent technique and minimize graft handling time. Key metrics to evaluate:
- Transection rate: Percentage of grafts damaged during extraction. Below 5% is excellent.
- Out-of-body time: Time between graft extraction and placement. Under 4 hours is ideal; beyond 6 hours, survival drops measurably.
- Placement density accuracy: Ability to place grafts at correct angles and depths without damaging adjacent grafts.
Graft Storage and Handling
Between extraction and placement, grafts must be stored in a holding solution at controlled temperatures. Standard solutions include chilled saline and more advanced options like HypoThermosol. Proper handling protocols include:
| Factor | Optimal Condition | Risk if Missed |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 4-8 degrees C | Cellular damage above 10 degrees C |
| Hydration | Fully submerged in solution | Desiccation kills exposed grafts in minutes |
| Handling | Minimal touching, forceps on surrounding tissue | Crushing or pulling on the follicle damages it |
| Time outside body | Under 4 hours | Each hour beyond 4 reduces survival by 1-2% |
Patient Health Factors
Your body's ability to heal and supply blood to the recipient area affects graft survival:
- Smoking: Reduces blood flow to the scalp. Surgeons require patients to stop smoking 2-4 weeks before and after the procedure.
- Diabetes: Impaired wound healing can reduce graft survival. Well-controlled diabetes (A1C under 7) is generally acceptable.
- Blood-thinning medications: Must be discontinued before surgery to prevent excessive bleeding that dilutes the graft site.
- Scalp blood supply: Previous surgeries or scarring in the recipient area may reduce local blood flow.
Procedure Type
All three major techniques achieve similar survival rates when performed correctly:
| Procedure | Survival Rate | Recovery | Max Grafts/Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| FUE | 90-95% | 7-10 days | 5,000 |
| FUT | 90-95% | 10-14 days | 4,000 |
| DHI | 90-95% | 7-10 days | 3,500 |
The technique matters less than the surgeon's execution. A skilled FUE surgeon and a skilled FUT surgeon produce comparable survival rates. Review the differences in our complete Norwood scale guide.
How to Estimate Your Graft Survival
Step 1: Assess Your Norwood Stage
Your Norwood stage determines how many grafts you need, which directly affects how many surviving grafts you can expect. Use our AI hair loss analysis tool for a free, photo-based Norwood staging assessment using 468 MediaPipe facial landmarks.
Step 2: Calculate Graft Needs by Zone
Different scalp zones have different density requirements:
- Hairline (first 1-2cm): 35-45 grafts/cm2
- Frontal zone: 25-35 grafts/cm2
- Mid-scalp: 20-30 grafts/cm2
- Crown: 20-25 grafts/cm2
Multiply the area of each zone (in cm2) by the target density to get your total graft requirement.
Step 3: Apply the Survival Adjustment
Multiply your total graft need by 1.05-1.10 to account for expected graft loss. If you need 2,500 surviving grafts, plan for 2,625-2,750 transplanted grafts.
Step 4: Check Against Donor Supply
The safe extraction limit is 45% of your available donor follicular units. If your donor area has 170 FU/cm2 across 180 cm2, your total supply is approximately 30,600 FUs, and the safe extraction maximum is roughly 13,770 grafts. Most single procedures need far fewer than this limit.
Maximizing Your Survival Rate
Before the Procedure
- Stop smoking at least 2 weeks before surgery
- Discontinue blood thinners (under doctor guidance)
- Start finasteride or minoxidil if recommended (stabilizes existing hair)
- Avoid alcohol for 1 week before the procedure
- Get adequate sleep and hydration in the days leading up to surgery
During the Procedure
You cannot control surgical technique, but you can control your choice of surgeon. Verify board certification (ABHRS is the gold standard in the US), review before/after photos of patients with similar hair types and Norwood stages, and ask directly about transection rates and graft storage protocols.
After the Procedure
- Follow all aftercare instructions precisely
- Avoid touching, scratching, or bumping the transplanted area for 10-14 days
- Sleep at a 45-degree angle for the first 5-7 nights
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 2-3 weeks
- Use prescribed medications (antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, finasteride) as directed
- Attend all follow-up appointments
Get Your Personalized Assessment
Your graft survival estimate starts with knowing your Norwood stage, graft requirements, and individual risk factors. Get a free, instant analysis at myhairline.ai/analyze. The browser-based tool requires no account, stores no data, and delivers results in under 60 seconds.
FAQ
Is AI-based Norwood staging accurate?
AI-based Norwood staging using facial landmark analysis achieves accuracy comparable to dermatologist assessment for most patients. The myhairline.ai tool uses 468 MediaPipe facial landmarks to measure hairline position, temple recession, and vertex thinning. It performs best for Norwood stages 2-5, where visible hairline changes are clearly detectable from photos.
Do I need an account to use the tools?
No account is required. The myhairline.ai analysis tool runs entirely in your browser. You upload a photo, the AI processes it locally using your device's computing power, and results are displayed immediately. No personal data is stored on any server, and no login or email is needed to access the full analysis.
How does myhairline.ai compare to a clinical assessment?
The AI tool provides a strong starting estimate for Norwood stage and graft requirements, but it does not replace a clinical assessment. In-person examinations can evaluate donor density, scalp laxity, hair shaft diameter, and miniaturization patterns that photos cannot capture. Use the AI tool for initial planning and cost estimation, then confirm with a surgeon consultation.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a board-certified dermatologist or hair restoration surgeon for personalized recommendations.