Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant: Expert Guide(5 Advantages)

If you’ve been researching hair transplants, I am sure that you have come across the term Sapphire FUE hair transplant.

To date, there are still quite some misunderstandings around this method.

This is not strange since many experts are divided over this tool used during FUE Hair Transplant procedures.

Within this blog, I will first tackle the fundamental misunderstanding about the Sapphire Fue Hair Transplant.

I will also explain in detail what it is and what its benefits are.

By the time you finish reading, you will know more than many experts in this field.

How, you might wonder?

Well, we’ve worked with both traditional slit and sapphire, so we speak from experience.

But before I take off, let me quickly introduce myself(skip this part if you know me by now😊).

I am James. I co-founded Tecnifue International in 2012, which has become one of Turkey’s preferred hair restoration clinics today.

I’ve guided thousands of individuals in their hair restoration journey at our clinic in Istanbul.

So you could say that I have some experience to my name.

But don’t take just my words for it.

Read our reviews and my work and decide for yourself if I deserve the title of Hair Restoration Expert in Turkey.

But enough personal PR about me 😊.

Let’s get back to you and why you landed on this page.

Let’s dive in with the basics of the Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant.

More precisely, with the common misunderstanding about it

Let’s get started, shall we?

Quick note: If you are interested in a Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant Package or Service, visit our Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant Service page.

Basics Misunderstanding about Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant

Let’s start with the most common misperception about the Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant Method.

Many patients think the Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant is a different hair transplant method.

Let me correct this; it’s not!

I will explain.

We are still dealing with the FUE Hair Transplant method.

If you are new to hair transplant methods, I strongly recommend that you read our Blogs on the FUE Hair Transplant and DHI Hair Transplant methods.

Reading those blogs will give you the perfect understanding of how it works.

But let’s assume you know what these methods are.

As you know, the FUE Hair Transplant has three stages: graft extraction, channel opening, and graft implantation.

Now, let’s focus on each stage and see if they are the same or different in any way.

Graft Extraction FUE vs. Sapphire FUE     

Exactly the same. No Difference

Channel Opening FUE vs. Sapphire FUE    

Standard FUE steel blades are used, whereas, with Sapphire FUE, Sapphire blades are used.

Implantation FUE vs Sapphire FUE   

Exactly the same. No Difference

This is pretty clear, wouldn’t you agree?

So, it’s the material that is used for channel opening during the FUE Hair Transplant methods that determines whether we call it FUE or Sapphire FUE.

It’s not a different method, but a different material is used for channel opening.

Now that we have this clarified let’s dig a bit deeper.

Let’s dive in.

What is a Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant?

As I explained, Sapphire refers to the material used for channel opening.

The more technical term is slit creation(recipient site incisions).

Here’s what you should know.

The alternative material used for channel opening is semi-canonical blades cut in different sizes.

Some confuse the material used for the incision creation with the incision itself.

Even experts do.

An incision is a slit, but they will say, for example, we use slit to open channels.

Whereases they should say we use blades to open the slits at the recipient site.

It’s a bit of a technical story here, but I think it’s essential for you to know.

I like to provide complete info on the topics that I cover.

So again, Sapphire is a material used to open channels/slits at the recipient site.

Expert Opinions on the use of Steel blades vs Sapphire Blades

There is a group of surgeons, who I would like to call the old school movement, which favors steel blades for slit opening over sapphire blades.

Here are some of the arguments they offer.  

Some arguments are that blades offer more precision for depth and diameter.

Another argument is that these blades cause less damage to the vascular structure under the skin.

Is this true?

Well, we have to look at it from the correct angle.

The research papers claiming these benefits need to be updated since Sapphire today offers a solution to all the above-mentioned problems.

Most of the research papers are from when Sapphire did not exist yet.

Here’s the thing about Sapphire Blades.

Sapphire Blades come in different diameters and cause less tissue and vascular damage than steel blades.

But more on the benefits of Sapphire below.

Let me share our own experience here.

We used steel blades before Sapphire’s innovation.

We were also skeptical firsthand.

However, we stopped using steel blades in 2017 and have been using sapphire blades ever since for our FUE Hair Transplant Treatments.

I will share pictures of patients treated with steel blades and others with sapphire blades the day after the operation.

See the difference yourself and make up your mind accordingly.

Both tools work, that’s for sure, but why not choose a superior innovation?

Let’s see what these are and what the advantages of Sapphire Blades are.

Advantages of Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant

Sapphire has offered great advantages and improvement in the channel opening phase.

I have listed a few of these advantages.

One advantage is that sapphire blades offer more precision due to the pre-cut shapes and sizes.

How is this important?

Pre-cut blades allow less room for human error in the cutting of blades for slit creation.

But it gets better.

Sapphire Blades Cause Less Tissue Damage

We have noticed less tissue damage due to the more durable nature of sapphire blades compared to the traditional nature of semi-canonical blades and their shape.

Why is this important?

Let me explain.

Less tissue damage means, in this case, also less scar tissue.

We have also seen better visual results in terms of scar tissue visibility at the recipient site.

Let me share my professional view on this part.

I can, for example, see that the slits created with the use of blades show a small scar tissue.

This is like a small bump where the hair emerges from the skin.

Based on what I have seen at our clinic, this is not the case with Sapphire blades.

What does this mean?

Sapphire Blades Allow for more dense Channel Opening

Less tissue damage also means less under-skin trauma; thus, the channels can be opened more densely.

Let me clarify this a bit more.

In other words, it’s possible to open more slits per square cm.

More grafts next to each other means a higher density.

A higher density is associated with more natural-looking, healthy hair.

Sapphire Blades Allow for higher Hair Density

High density is one of the main concerns of many individuals considering a hair transplant.

This is quite understandable since low hair density is associated with thin or thinning hair, which many people perceive as an indication of hair loss.

The whole idea of a Hair Transplant is to get rid of that look, right?

 Sapphire Blades Allow for shorter healing Times

One last advantage I have seen is the healing time; I have seen channels opened with sapphire to heal faster.

This is logical since there is less tissue damage.

But there is another benefit to this as well.

The scab formation with the sapphire channel opening is also cleaner.

The scabs tend to be smaller, and washing them off with the final wash after the initial recovery period is much easier.

There you have it.

This is how we see matters regarding the advantages of Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant.

Here’s an expert tip If you are considering a FUE Hair Transplant.

My advice would always be to check which tool is used to open slits and ask why they prefer a particular method.

You now have more in-depth and technical knowledge to value what will be shared with you.

I know it’s been a long read for you, but the FUE method is the most performed method globally, and I sincerely believe that thorough due diligence is critical to a successful outcome.

This Blog wouldn’t be complete without some Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant Results, wouldn’t you agree?

Let’s share a few results before I sum up.

Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant Results

Summing Up

Here’s a summary of the most critical aspects I shared previously.

This overview can be used as a reference if you want to read this again in the future and refresh your memory.

• Misunderstanding: Many think Sapphire FUE is a different method; it’s not. It’s still the FUE method with a different tool for channel opening.
• Expertise: We’ve worked with both traditional and Sapphire tools.

Basics of Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant

• Common Misconception: It’s the same FUE method with different tools for channel opening.
• FUE Stages:

• Graft Extraction: Same for both methods.

• Channel Opening: Traditional FUE uses steel blades; Sapphire FUE uses sapphire blades.

• Graft Implantation: Same for both methods.

What is a Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant?

• Sapphire Material: Used for channel opening (slit creation).

• Technical Details: Sapphire blades are pre-cut in various sizes, causing less tissue damage and allowing for more precise incisions.

Expert Opinions: Steel Blades vs. Sapphire Blades

• Old School Movement: Some surgeons prefer steel blades, citing precision and less damage.

• Updated Research: Sapphire blades now solve previous issues, offering less tissue and vascular damage.

• Our Experience: We switched to sapphire blades in 2017 and have seen better results.

Advantages of Sapphire Blades for Channel Opening

• Precision: Pre-cut shapes and sizes reduce human error.

• Less Tissue Damage: More durable than steel blades, leading to less scar tissue and better visual results.

• Higher Density: Less trauma allows for more channels per square cm, resulting in a natural look.

• Faster Healing: Channels opened with Sapphire heal quicker, with smaller scabs that are easier to wash off.

Expert Tip

• Tool Inquiry: Always ask which tool is used for slit opening and why. Understanding the tool’s advantages can help you make an informed decision.

Final Note

I want to touch on a subject I believe you should know about.

This is also a topic that I will focus on in some of our Blog Posts.

I frequently study social media accounts and websites of other hair transplant clinics.

It’s frustrating to see often the results being shared on their websites and social media accounts as good results.

I see so many unnatural results and technical errors made.

The results could have been so much better.

I believe this is because many patients don’t know how to do their due diligence.

For that reason, I sometimes go into so much depth, knowing that our attention span cannot handle such long content easily anymore.

But it must be told.

So come back a few times if you have to our site.

The content is serving you mainly.

It will give you insights many clinics won’t want you to know since you will ask the hard questions.  

As I said, I will focus on this matter more often.

It just comes down to this.

Do your due diligence.

Good due diligence needs time.

Take the time, and don’t rush an aesthetic/medical decision. You owe this to your future self!

Yes, I am a bit fanatic and passionate on this one.

Let finalize.

Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant Consultation

Contact us if you are looking to have a Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant.

Our seasoned Medical experts are here to support you.

We welcome patients from over 28 countries at our hair clinic in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey is the leading global hub for hair restoration procedures.

If you are new to this topic and would like to ask me, as an expert in Turkish hair restoration, what you should know about hair restoration procedures in Turkey, I have two blogs I highly recommend for further reading.

These are:

Hair Transplant in Turkey: Expert Guide to Succes(15 Tips)

Best Hair Transplant in Turkey: Expert Opinion(10 Tips)

A Hair Transplant is a permanent choice.

Make sure that you understand the importance of your choice.

Reach out to us and lets us help you in your Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant journey.

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