A punch for removing hair follicles from a donor site comprises a generally tubular body having a proximal end region terminating in a tissue-cutting edge, a distally-extending segment of reduced outer diameter—preferably a generally concave segment—terminating at its proximal end at or near the cutting edge and terminating at its distal end with a diameter substantially the same or greater than the diameter of the cutting edge. The punch further includes a follicle-receiving chamber defined by an inner wall extending distally from the proximal end of the punch. Preferably, at least a portion of the chamber lying within the external region of reduced diameter is generally converging in the distal direction.