u/Key_Enthusiasm8307

I'm 36 years old getting a hair transplant. I have a strong donor area with 8,000+ available grafts. My clinic offered two density options: 45 grafts/cm² (3,750 grafts) or 50 grafts/cm² (4,150 grafts).

Context about my situation:

• On TRT (therapeutic levels, not blasting)
• Using only topical finasteride and minoxidil — no oral finasteride
• Native hair will likely keep thinning over time
• Crown area is NOT being treated in this session
• Have SMP microblading (not tattoo) on scalp
• Prefer crew cut / buzz cut hairstyle long term
• Do not want a second hair transplant if avoidable but maybe have to have one later.
• Buzz cut or shaved head is acceptable as a worst case outcome

Questions: Clinic gave me option to choose from 45 and 50 cm2. Should I go with 45 or 50 grafts/cm²? Will 50 grafts/cm² look unnatural or fake? How will either density blend with my existing native hair (which is untreated and at natural density)? What are the long-term risks of each option given my likely continued hair loss and TRT use?

50cm per square m

I got quoted for 45cm and 50cm density, I have understood that for graft survival 45 is much safer option, but will 50cm look more 'premium' or is the after result difference so small to the human eye that theres no point going for it? Or is the graft survival risk acutally much increased with 50cm?