Beyond the Curl: Hair of Istanbul Highlights Scalp Assessment in Afro-Textured Hair Transplant Planning

An educational guide examines why follicle curvature, scalp characteristics and donor-area assessment matter when planning FUE procedures.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY, September 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Visible curl is only part of the picture when assessing tightly coiled hair for transplantation. Hair of Istanbul's educational guide reviews published research on the characteristics beneath the scalp that can influence follicle extraction and explains their relevance to individual treatment planning.

In Afro-textured hair, the visible direction of a strand may not reveal the full path of the follicle beneath the skin. This makes donor-area assessment an important consideration in follicular unit excision, or FUE, in which follicular units are removed individually for transplantation.

The guide discusses follicle curvature alongside scalp thickness, skin firmness and donor capacity, drawing attention to why extraction settings should be considered individually.

Research Looks Beyond Visible Curl

A 2023 study published in Dermatologic Surgery retrospectively evaluated a skin-responsive FUE technique in 64 patients of African descent across seven clinics. Within that study, skin thickness and firmness had a greater effect on the maximum graft transection rate than hair curliness.

The findings support considering scalp characteristics alongside curl when assessing extraction difficulty. They do not establish that curvature is unimportant or that one technique is suitable for every patient.

The research evaluated a particular device and technique rather than all FUE methods. Lead author Sanusi Umar disclosed financial and patent interests related to the device, an important consideration when interpreting the findings.

Transection describes cutting across a follicle during extraction. It should not be confused with the separate question of whether a transplanted graft subsequently survives and grows.

What This Means for Patient Assessment

Hair of Istanbul's guide explains how donor mapping and small test extractions can inform planning. Examining sampled grafts allows the treating team to assess the response to initial settings before proceeding with more extensive harvesting.

The guide describes instrument selection, entry angle and extraction depth as considerations that may require adjustment according to the individual donor area.

For patients, the practical questions extend beyond the number of grafts proposed: How will the donor area be assessed? How will extraction settings be selected? What findings could change the treatment plan?

The guide also addresses the cause and stability of hair loss, donor availability and scalp health as factors in determining whether transplantation is appropriate.

The research discussed is attributed to its original authors and is separate from Hair of Istanbul's own clinical outcomes. The guide presents it as educational context for individual consultation.

The guide, medically reviewed by Dr. Ahmet Dilber, is available on the Hair of Istanbul website: https://www.hairofistanbul.com/afro-type-hair-transplant/

About Hair of Istanbul

Hair of Istanbul provides hair transplantation services in Istanbul, Türkiye. Its website offers information about hair restoration procedures, patient assessment and aftercare.
Website: https://www.hairofistanbul.com

Research Reference
Umar S, et al. "Follicular Unit Excision in Patients of African Descent: A Skin-Responsive Technique." Dermatologic Surgery. 2023;49(10):949-955.
DOI: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000003881
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37530735/

Mehmet Veysel Akdemir
Hair of Istanbul
hairofistanbul@gmail.com
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