Ethnicities difference in hair transplant and hair loss in Istanbul 2025

When we look in the mirror, we see a part of our identity, our history, and our ethnicity. Hair is an extension of our genes, our culture, and our unique appearance in this diverse world. For this reason, no one-size-fits-all approach can be applied to hair transplantation.

Whether you have thick, curly hair, straight, or even hair somewhere in between, the success of a hair transplant depends not only on the technique used, but also on a deep understanding of the ethnic and genetic characteristics that distinguish each individual.

Hence, Rimo Hair Clinic in Istanbul stands out as a center that combines medical expertise with Ethnicities difference in hair transplant awareness. It doesn't just perform hair transplants; it treats each patient as if their hair were a story to be told with professionalism and respect for their unique identity.

Understanding hair structure by ethnicity

Hair structure is determined by the shape of the hair follicles, and this shape varies depending on your ethnicity. Here's how:

1- African hair: Astounding as it may sound, curly or coil hair is an advantage in harvesting. The reason for this is a natural African hair feature that is gifted by its oval or elliptical hair follicles. However, there is a challenge with extracting curly hair follicles, and that lies in the fact that it remains the only and most appropriate way. Such extraction demands a lot of skill and precise work so that the curvature of the hair is not damaged. African hair has the largest densities of hair follicles meaning that the total number of hairs per square inch of scalp is fewer. The spread of donor areas can thus be limited.

2- Asian Hair: To make an analogy, we could say that the natural hair of an Asian person is equivalent to a dense field of wheat, where the straws are round and sturdy. In the case of Asian people, their hair is most frequently straight, meaning that a curvature of the hair is most of the time not required. It is thus highly recommended that choosing Asian hair for hair transplantation will enjoy the most coverage and density. Although, the characteristics of extremely straight hair lay in the fact that there is no possibility of any gaps or irregular follicles being less noticeable. Therefore, the transplanting process is extremely intricate as branching and the distribution of the hair strand should be as it naturally appears.

3-  Caucasian hair: The hair of white people is quite varied in terms of the texture, and in general, it ranges from straight to wavy and curly. The hair follicles of the people of Caucasian origin are mostly oval, yet the difference in hair texture makes it necessary to carry out hair transplant in a more personalized way. While the Caucasian people have more hair follicles in the donor area, the process of their care is more demanding to keep the hair density of a natural look.

Hair characteristics by race

Using the same technique for all hair types in hair transplant surgery is not a good idea. Given the diverse nature of many hair types, including African-textured hair, and the fact that hair loss is very common in African culture, it can be challenging for people in their early twenties who are experiencing hair loss in Istanbul.

Human hair has been divided into three racial groups over the years based on distinct characteristics: white hair (Caucasian), Asian hair, and African hair:

Ethnicities difference in hair transplant: Characteristics of Asian hair

• Asian hair follicles have a higher metabolic rate compared to white hair follicles.
• Asian hair is circular in shape.
• The cross-sectional diameter or caliber of Asian hair is the largest.
• Asian bulbs are more susceptible to drought.
• Asian hair follicles are distributed in single and double clusters on the scalp.
• Due to the higher risk of hair breakage with FUE technique in Asian hair, it is preferable to use a strong drill while cutting.

Characteristics of white hair

• In white hair, the hair follicles are shorter.
• White hair has a more elastic scalp.
• Its follicles are oval and medium in shape.
• Hair density is medium.
• Receptor sites are smaller compared to Asian and African hair.
• White hair is characterized by triple and quadruple hair follicles in the grafts.
• Hair shaft diameter is medium.
• This structural property of white hair allows grafts to be collected more easily, reducing the chance of damage to hair follicles and minimizing the risk of hair loss.

Characteristics of African hair

• African hair is rectangular in shape.
• The chemical and protein composition of hair is similar among ethnic groups, and there are no differences in keratin types.
• African hair has higher density due to its curly structure.
• African curly hair enhances the natural appearance of the hairline.
• There is a possibility of keloid formation on the scars throughout the healing process.
• African hair has lower tensile strength and breaks more easily than white hair.
• Africans have triple hair follicles in grafts.

Ethnicities difference in hair transplant: Why is it important?

The surgeons at Rimo Hair Clinic, who specialize in ethnic hair transplantation, have a deep understanding of different hair types, curl patterns, and how to address their unique characteristics. Our clinic is committed to this expertise for the following reasons:

1. The hairline design is not the same among the ethnicities; African-American people mostly have a straighter hairline, which is on the forehead, whereas on the other hand, the Caucasians might have an uneven hairline or a more definite one. For Asians, on the other hand, their hairlines are located on the forehead and are of a lower and flatter nature. So, the medical professional has to bear in mind these disparities in order to create a hairline that is both aesthetic and looks natural.
2. Limitations of the Donor Area: The setting of ethnic hair transplants means that there are restrictions on the donor area due to both hair density and the availability of the necessary hair grafts. Namely, the hair density and the type of hair texture are the determining factors in limiting the number of hair grafts from African-American patients, making the possibility of losing their hair very likely.
3. The act of Moving Follicles: In removing curly and wavy follicles from a donor area through some sort of extraction process it is likely that they cause extra tissue damage, and so to prevent this issue, a surgeon must handle those groups of hair with extra care. Then, a doctor has to determine the suitable direction and the right angle of hair growth in real life so that the transplanted hair would grow back naturally and give a fresh look.

Challenges of African hair transplantation

Due to the highly coiled and strong nature of African hair, doctors dealing with it must have had a lot of surgeries beforehand to ensure they get a successful result. There is also the scarcity of donor hair follicles available to patients of African-American and Africa descent, which is another challenge. The reason is that African hair tend to have only a few patches of hair from where the follicles can be extracted, and these patches are usually small, so the surgeon needs to ensure that the grafts are viable during the transplantation procedure.

Moreover, African hair is known to have a slower growth rate than that of Caucasian or Asian people, which is why the outcome of an African hair transplant is likely to take longer before it becomes visible. Thus, patients have to be realistic about the timeframe for their results and be ready to wait for several months for the first signs of growth to be visible.

DHI Hair Transplantation: Who is Suitable?

Asians have higher metabolic activity in their hair follicles, making them more susceptible to dehydration (water loss) and not suitable for long-term storage. Therefore, it is preferable to keep hair follicles outside the body as much as possible.

Fortunately, new techniques have emerged that allow follicles to be preserved for a short period of time before being implanted. This technique is known as the Direct Implantation (DHI) technique, in which Rimo Hair Clinic surgeons use Choi pens to implant hair follicles directly without the need for surgical incisions, which usually take time.

On the other hand, if we consider the transplantation technique suitable for African races, we find also DHI hair transplant which suitable all the Ethnicities difference in hair transplant, you can find also sapphire technique for all races.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do hair transplant techniques differ by race?

Yes, it varies depending on the type and thickness of the hair. For example, African hair requires a precise technique to avoid damaging the follicles.

Does hair transplantation produce the same results for all races?

Results can be excellent for everyone but vary depending on the nature of the scalp and hair growth pattern.

Do people of Asian or African descent need more sessions?

Not necessarily; it depends on the degree of baldness and hair type, not just race.

In conclusion, the technique used in hair transplantation certainly varies depending on the race, but skill and experience remain the primary determinants of the success of an ethnicity's difference in hair transplant procedure, regardless of gender, hair color, or hair texture.

With Rimo Hair Clinic, you and your scalp are safe and look perfect. Contact us via WhatsApp and book a free consultation!

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