Non-Shaven Non-Incision Hair Transplant

Whether incision or non-incision, if a cut line reaches dermal depth, a scar remains. Non-incision simply extracts follicles one by one with a small punch, so it is less noticeable. The method that shaves several fine lines with taping and calls itself no-shave leaves staff-line-shaped marks of reduced density when cut short. Modi Hair Plant does not use this method.

Full shave

The entire donor area is shaved short before harvesting; the marks show the most.

Line shave

Only several line-shaped sections are thinly shaved; well hidden under long hair.

Partial shave

Every other hair is cut short with a dedicated clipper; volume decreases slightly.

No-shave

Nothing is cut except the harvested follicles, so it is the least noticeable.

A normal scalp has 80,000–100,000 hairs, so even transplanting 4,000 hairs is only about 4–5% of the total. 93% of Koreans have a flat-backed brachycephalic head, making them sensitive to changes in occipital volume, so we set the harvest area around the external occipital protuberance felt on the skull to minimize the visual volume change after surgery. Within that same occipital region, however, we shift the emphasis depending on sex, usual hairstyle, and the hair quality needed.

The harvested follicles are all different. Some have several strands per follicle, some a single strand, and thick and thin hairs are mixed together. A natural hairline comes from a gradation in which thin hairs go in front and thicker, multi-strand hairs go further back. That is why Modi Hair Plant sorts the harvested follicles under a microscope by thickness and strand count into 8 steps before transplanting.

• The very front of the hairline — single thin strands
• Crown and center — areas needing density, with thicker hairs and more strands
• Microscope micrometer (50/80/100µm) to clarify the thickness criteria
• In-house sorting containers and a dedicated cooling plate for compartment-by-compartment sorting and storage

Transplanting immediately while extracting makes it hard to perfectly sort the front-to-back order. So our principle is to sort and transplant after all harvesting is complete. International consensus also recommends cooling follicles and storing them in an organ-transplant solution once ex vivo storage exceeds 6–8 hours; Modi Hair Plant brings the temperature to the right level with a dedicated cooler regardless of time and stores them in Custodiol (HTK). Storing well matters more to graft survival than transplanting quickly, which our institute confirmed through its own experiments.

The evidence behind stem cell science—such as the storage solution and immunofluorescence experiments—is covered in detail on the “Hair Follicle Stem Cell Research Institute” page.

During non-incision harvesting, a small number of follicles unsuitable for transplantation come out. These too contain living hair follicle stem cells that form follicles and skin. Instead of grinding them up to apply topically, Modi Hair Plant separates the stem cells at its in-house research center and injects them directly into the transplant area. Because the cells are derived from the patient's own follicles, they survive long on the scalp and stimulate follicle growth.

• Promotes wound recovery and reduces post-surgical pain and itching
• Creates a better environment for graft survival
• Improves the condition of transplanted hair and eases stress on existing hair

1. 01

   Scalp and hair-loss diagnosis

   We confirm the harvestable hair volume and whether to combine stem cells.

2. 02

   Design and harvest strategy

   We design the hairline and the harvest area tailored to the head shape.

3. 03

   Non-shaven non-incision harvesting

   We harvest follicles with a punch without cutting the hair.

4. 04

   8-step sorting and storage

   After sorting by thickness and strand count under a microscope, we store them cooled in Custodiol.

5. 05

   Hair transplant + stem cell injection

   We transplant according to the gradation and inject the separated stem cells.

6. 06

   Recovery care and progress check

   We check progress with stage-by-stage care and a care program.

The shaving method, the amount transplanted, and whether to combine stem cells depend on the condition of your scalp and hair loss. Start with an accurate diagnosis.