What is FUE hair transplant?
FUE or “Follicular Unit Extraction” involves removing groups of healthy hair follicles or “grafts” from the donor area, usually the back or sides of the head, and replanting them in the bald or thinning area.
Using this latest minimally invasive hair restoration option, it is now possible to create natural-looking results with faster healing times and minimal scarring. This means that patients can now keep their hair as short as they want in the future without showing any scarring.
The benefits of the FUE method have seen it become the most popular procedure for both men and women.
How does FUE hair transplant work?
While performing this procedure, you will first receive a local anesthetic to numb your entire scalp to make sure you don’t feel anything. You will also be given a mild sedative so you can sit back and relax. He or she will then remove hair follicles one by one from the donor areas on your head where your hair has thickened, usually on the back or sides.
A specially designed micro-instrument called FUE punch trumpet is used to remove the hair follicles. This makes small holes, usually 0.6 – 0.8 mm, and their small size allows them to heal faster and are almost invisible. The collected follicles, called grafts, each containing 1-4 hairs, are then replanted into similar small slits opened in the areas of the scalp where you want more hair to grow.
What is the difference between FUE and FUT hair transplantation?
FUE is one of the two modern hair transplantation methods. The other is the FUT transplant. Both give excellent results but there are some differences.
With FUE, each follicle is collected and re-implanted one by one. The FUT procedure involves removing an entire strip of hair from the donor area. The strip is then cut into smaller pieces and transplanted into balding areas. This leaves a thin but visible permanent scar in the donor area that can prevent short haircuts. FUE leaves no scars, provides a more natural appearance and heals twice as fast as FUT with less discomfort during recovery. It is more expensive than FUT because it takes the surgeon longer due to the skill and precision required to complete the procedure. But the discreet, natural-looking results are well worth it.
Is FUE suitable for me?
You need to talk to our experts to understand whether you are a good candidate for this type of hair transplant. They will do the necessary tests to identify the source of the hair loss and examine the thickness and texture of your hair. If the reason for your hair loss is compatible with transplantation and there is sufficient hair growth in the donor areas, it is likely that the FUE procedure will be suitable for you. However, if your hair loss is due to causes such as alopecia areata or is a side effect of chemotherapy, unfortunately any hair transplant is unlikely to help.
