FUE is a surgical technique for restoring hair that has thinning or balding. Your surgeon will extract individual follicular units from your scalp during the procedure.
They will then implant them using state-of-the-art implant pens that minimize graft damage. The team is skilled at blending the transplanted follicles with your existing hair pattern to create a natural-looking hairline.
Donor Site
FUE hair transplants harvest individual healthy follicular units, also known as grafts, from the scalp. Each follicular unit contains up to four healthy hairs. Unlike traditional strip harvesting techniques that leave large linear scars, FUE harvests these follicles without leaving any noticeable marks on the scalp or head. This allows patients to keep their hair short if desired, and it helps them maintain a natural-looking appearance.
The surgeon will trim the hair in the donor area of the scalp before beginning the extraction process. The follicular units are then transferred to balding or thinning areas of the scalp. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia to ensure a comfortable experience for the patient.
A skilled hair restoration specialist can make the transplanted follicles appear to grow naturally in the recipient areas of the scalp, camouflaging them with the surrounding hairs for a seamless result. Because these follicles will be genetically resistant to future hair loss, the results of a well-performed hair transplant are permanent and long-lasting.
A few patients may need more hair in the safe donor zone on their heads to achieve their aesthetic goals. In these cases, body hair from the beard, chest, arms, and legs can be an alternative donor source. Body hair transplants can be done using the FUE technique as well.
Procedure
FUE is a type of hair transplantation technique that involves taking healthy, permanent hairs from the back and side of your scalp, known as the donor area. These hairs are genetically resistant to hair loss and won’t fall out, even as you age. The surgeon then uses them to fill in bald or thinning areas on your head.
During the procedure, your doctor will clean your scalp and inject medicine to numb it. They will then use an instrument to make a tiny hole in your skin, called a punch, where they’ll extract the follicular units (also called grafts). Each graft contains one to four healthy hair follicles.
Next, they’ll prepare the grafts for transplantation by making small incisions in your scalp’s bald or thinning areas. The follicular units are then implanted into these incisions, where they’ll grow new, healthy hairs that blend seamlessly with your natural hair.
Unlike the classic method of hair transplantation, the strip procedure, FUE doesn’t leave a linear scar on the scalp. Instead, the surgeon creates many tiny punctiform imperfections that are virtually undetectable if you have short hair or a shaved head. The scars will fade as your natural hair grows out, too. This is why it’s essential to find an experienced surgeon who can perform FUE transplants in a way that gives you a natural-looking, full head of hair.
Recovery
Hair restoration doctors recommend that patients refrain from washing or combing their hair for at least three weeks to let the new, transplanted hair settle. This also helps avoid accidental pulling that could result in losing new, healthy hair.
During the surgery, the doctor numbs the scalp, where the grafts will be planted with a needle or scalpel. They then create holes or slits in the skin using their scalpel or needle and carefully place each follicular unit into one of these spots. The entire process usually takes between 4 and 8 hours.
In most cases, patients who undergo an FUE hair transplant experience minimal to no pain and minimal bleeding. However, the treatment is only suitable for some. For example, better options exist for people with dark, thick, or coarse hair. It also is not a good choice for those with certain medical conditions such as blood disorders, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Another thing to note about a FUE hair transplant is that it offers permanent results. The transplanted follicles are genetically resistant to the hormone Dihydrotestosterone, which causes hair loss, so they will grow generally once implanted in your head. However, following all post-procedure care instructions is essential, as failure to do so can impact the growth and quality of your new hair.
Results
A good hair transplant can restore a natural-looking and growing hairline that will blend in with your existing hair. However, the results will vary from person to person and can even be affected by your genetics and several health conditions like DHT. This is why it is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle and regular follow-up appointments to help prolong your results and ensure that the transplanted hair continues to grow and thrive over time.
A Doctor of FUE can produce natural results for his patients. He can perform “mega sessions, ” meaning he can harvest enough grafts to cover a large scalp area in one session. This reduces the number of sessions required, lowering the overall cost and allowing for a more seamless recovery.
The FUE technique also leaves no linear scar on the donor site, allowing you to wear your hair short without a visible spot. The scars left by FUE are small punctiform scars that a close shave can camouflage.
The FUE procedure can be used in many situations, including androgenetic alopecia (Norwood class 3 baldness), limited cosmetic areas such as the widow’s peak, or treating scarring from other dermatologic conditions. It is particularly well suited for patients who cannot undergo a strip surgery due to tight skin on the back of the scalp or other health concerns.
