When it comes to achieving natural-looking results from a hair transplant in the UK, few steps are as critical as canal opening, also known as the incision phase. This stage is where art meets precision, and where the direction, density, and final appearance of your new hairline are carefully designed.
If you’re considering a hair transplant in London and want long-lasting, natural results, understanding this step is essential.
Let’s walk you through what this phase involves, why it matters, and how our clinic ensures it’s performed with the highest level of care and expertise.
🔍 What Is the Canal Opening Phase?
After the hair follicles are extracted during Phase 1 of an FUE or DHI hair transplant, they’re ready for implantation. But first, tiny incisions (or canals) must be made in the recipient area — where the hair is thinning or balding.
These canals aren’t random holes. They are meticulously crafted to determine:
Direction – Which way the hair will grow
Angle – How flat or upright it will sit
Density – How many follicles will be placed per cm²
When done with precision, this step results in a natural, seamless hairline. If rushed or performed poorly, the final result can look unnatural — with uneven spacing or mismatched growth direction.
That’s why, at our London hair transplant clinic, the canal opening phase is always performed by a qualified doctor.
🧪 Why We Use Sapphire Blades
For this stage, we use sapphire-tipped blades — a modern alternative to traditional steel tools. These medical-grade instruments are sharper and smoother, allowing for:
✨ Minimal trauma to the skin (faster recovery, less swelling)
✨ Smaller, tighter incisions that better anchor each graft
✨ Natural-looking hairlines with accurate direction and spacing
✨ Lower infection risk, thanks to reduced inflammation
This is why sapphire hair transplant techniques are becoming increasingly popular across the UK — they support better outcomes, quicker healing, and higher patient satisfaction.
⏱️ How Long Does Canal Opening Take?
The incision phase usually takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on:
The number of grafts
The size of the transplant area
The complexity of your hairline design
During this time, all extracted follicles are carefully stored in a protective solution to keep them alive, hydrated, and ready for implantation.
🧑⚕️ Performed by Our Doctor — Not a Technician
Creating a natural hairline requires not just medical skill but also aesthetic judgment. That’s why this phase is always handled by our experienced doctor, ensuring that every detail — from the angle of each graft to the density in each zone — is aligned with your facial features and long-term goals.
We take into account:
Your facial symmetry
Existing hair pattern
Age-appropriate hairline design
Future hair loss projections
No two patients are the same — and your treatment plan shouldn’t be either.
📸 Why Canal Opening Determines the Final Look
It’s common to focus on graft numbers, but how and where those grafts are placed is what truly makes the difference. Improper canal opening can lead to:
Unnatural hair direction
Sparse or irregular coverage
Poor graft survival
Slower healing
That’s why we treat this phase as the foundation of your result — and why it’s one of the most carefully executed parts of the procedure at our UK hair transplant clinic.
💬 Thinking About a Hair Transplant in the UK?
Whether you’re just starting to explore options or already comparing hair transplant clinics in London, understanding each phase of the journey — especially canal opening — helps you make confident, informed decisions.
At our clinic, we use the latest sapphire technology and a doctor-led approach to ensure natural, long-lasting hair transplant results.
📍 Book your consultation today at our London office and take the first step toward your transformation:
👉 cliniccenter.co.uk/book-london-consultation
