There are constantly new advances in hair transplantation. However most important advances in this field is the use of the Stereo Microscope in the retrieval and dissection of hair follicle units and dense packing which I have used since I started my private practice in Hair transplantation. There are other physicians who came to similar conclusions and have since incorporated the stereo microscope into their practices after our clinical studies. It is the Gold standard by which all transplantation results will judged. I personally use it to prepare each and every follicular unit. As most people explore the area of hair transplantation they become aware that hair follicles and shafts do not grow from the head one by one, but rather in follicular units consisting of one to four hairs. This includes the pilo-sebaceous structure which lubricates the hair shaft but also is part responsible for hair growth. These follicle units must be preserved intact during dissection to insure survival and growth. The older methods of dissection involved minimal magnification of .5x to 3x. With the level of magnification employed by the stereo microscope (20x), full appreciation of this delicate follicle unit can be realized. Using the lesser magnification it is possible to transect through portions of this follicular unit rendering some of the grafts useless to the hair transplantation process causing a waste of precious hair.

The use of the Stereo Microscopic Follicle Recovery System ensures that the pilo sebaceous structure is preserved intact. Hair follicle units as small as one hair units for the hairline region can readily be utilized. Larger hair follicle units of 2 to 3 may also be harvested in their entirety. This translates into a number of positive results for the patient. The first is greater viability and survival of grafts. Next is the ability to dense pack the recipient area with the smallest grafts. The utilization of the stereo microscope is the most accurate method of obtaining the highest quality hair follicle unit grafts. We attain a growth rate in excess of 99%. This is due to the fact that we also retrieve and utilize the resting hairs from the donor site. These hairs would otherwise go unseen and wasted with lesser magnification. In addition, many patients have lowered hair density, have had multiple procedures with resulting scar tissue, or have a greater degree of baldness. The use of the stereo microscope is imperative with these candidates as each and every available hair follicle must be accurately retrieved and fully utilized. In addition, since excess tissue is trimmed away from the grafts, the resulting follicle grafts are smaller. Therefore smaller incisions are needed allowing for dense packing of grafts. Patients are therefore completed sooner and are generally happier because the hairs are replaced exactly the way they come out of the scalp, resulting in a completely natural look. The Stereo Microscopic Follicular Recovery System is the most precise method for dissection and preparation of grafts in Hair Transplantation. It is the standard by which other means will be measured. - Dr. Joseph C. Gallagher Published in Regrowth 1998 Revised 2000/2006