A Biofibre hair transplant is an innovative approach to the artificial hair transplant. It allows those who are not candidates for a natural hair transplant to undergo FUE hair restoration surgery.
People with conditions that make it impossible for a natural hair transplant, such as scarring alopecia and late stages of male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness, as well as victims of hair graft overharvesting, are possible candidates for this procedure, broadening the hair restoration process.
During the 70s/80s, the artificial hair transplant was a dangerous and controversial process, causing many problems and eventually being banned by the FDA. In 1995, the modern Biofibre procedure (developed in Italy) was certified and therefore recognised as a safe medical procedure, ensuring only qualified individuals could perform it [1].
The Wimpole Clinic doesn’t offer Biofibre hair transplants. Instead, we specialise in FUE and FUT procedures that use your own follicles to regrow your hair, giving you more natural-looking results.
If you’re interested in learning more about Biofibre hair transplants, you’ll find everything you need to know in this article.
Where other hair restoration techniques transplant healthy hair follicles into the affected area of the scalp, a Biofibre hair transplant implants synthetic fibres (hairs) into the scalp. The result is immediate, allowing the individual to have control over their hair loss.
In this procedure, there are two types of hair thickness to choose from. Biofibre 4.0 is the standard hair used for procedures, with 1,000 fibres being equivalent to 3,000 hairs. The high-density Medicap High Density (MHD) has three hairs implanted per follicle, allowing for a fuller appearance. MHD hairs are recommended to be used for crown hair transplants, while the standard Biofibre hairs are used to lower the hairline [2]. All Biofibre hairs are focused on medical use and have a safety grade of VI on the medical polymer scale, meaning they are completely safe and appropriate for hair restoration.
A Biofibre hair transplant uses hooked needles to implant the hairs, meaning there’s less post-transplant downtime. Biofibre hairs must be implanted deeper beneath the skin to prevent substantial shedding as there’s no follicle to root the hair in place. It takes around 20-30 days for the hairs to anchor. The process may need to be repeated every 5 weeks, in order to produce the desired amount, density, and length.
The procedure has a success rate of around 95-98%. However, research has shown that 2% of cases resulted in the extraction of fibres due to hair transplant infection [3]. Biofibre hairs are synthetic, so the body may reject the artificial hair implants.
For this reason, it is essential to have a tolerance test performed before the procedure to ensure that it is safe for the patient to undergo the surgery.
Biofibre hair comes in a range of lengths from 15cm to 45cm, and 13 colours. The fibres won’t lose their colour or go grey like natural hair. This can be a good thing if you’re completely bald and want a hair transplant. However, most male and female patients retain at least some of their natural hair, so Biofibre hair can look unnatural as your existing hair ages.
Biofibre hair shouldn’t be bleached or dyed, so it can be a challenge to keep your hair colour consistent as you get older.
Biofibre hair transplants are only suitable for the head. Areas such as eyebrows, beards, and other body parts are not compatible with the procedure due to the sensitive nature of these areas. Learn more about beard transplants and eyebrow transplants.
For a Biofibre hair transplant to go ahead, the patient must have generally good scalp health, and not have any autoimmune conditions, including alopecia areata. After the procedure, the patient must follow a strict aftercare routine, ensuring that good scalp care and hygiene is followed, and that there are no harsh manoeuvres on or around the scalp. A good surgeon will advise you on the best way to care for your hair, such as washing your hair after a transplant, and the hair transplant recovery timeline.
Though the Biofibre hair transplant is labelled as a transplant, it is actually a hair implant. This means it introduces foreign bodies into the scalp and because of this, patients are usually prescribed a 7-day course of antibiotics to prevent infection.
A Biofibre hair transplant can last for around 7-8 years. The fibres shed at a rate of approximately 10% per year. You will need to undergo a yearly implant re-touch due to fibre loss.
If you wear a wig which covers areas of the scalp affected by hair loss, the wig must not cover any newly implanted areas. Covering the implanted area can lead to infection.
There are significant differences between natural hair and Biofibre hair. The most obvious is that Biofibre is synthetic and natural hairs are organic. Natural hairs are transplanted into the cutis, which is under the surface of the scalp; the natural hair relies on the root to anchor it. A Biofibre hair is implanted deeper, into the galea capitis layer of skin. This secures the fibre in the absence of the anchoring root.
If you’re wondering what sets Biofibre apart from natural hair, here is a brief list:
There are, of course, pros and cons to when it comes to the Biofibre hair transplant:
Experiencing hair loss can have a negative impact on your mental health. That’s why it’s important to address it with a professional who can answer any questions. If you are unsure about what to ask, check out our list of questions to ask before a hair transplant so that you can get the most value out of your free hair loss consultation.
When you’ve ruled out any underlying conditions, you may decide that you want to begin your hair restoration journey.
At the Wimpole Clinic, we’ve been providing expert hair restoration services for over 45 years. From our trichology team to our specialist surgeons, we’re on hand to assist you with any enquiries, concerns, or simply to help guide you along the best path for your hair journey.
We offer a range of services, surgical and non-surgical, from FUE hair restoration and FUT hair transplants to alternative hair loss treatments. Book your free consultation with our team to find out more.
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