FUE hair transplant offers a less invasive experience with significantly less discomfort and a faster recovery time. This is especially true when compared to other methods, such as FUT.
Additionally, FUE does not leave linear scars in the donor area. As a result, you can wear your hair short without having to worry about visible scarring.
Donor Sites
FUE hair transplant is a surgical procedure that uses an instrument to remove individual hair follicles from the scalp. These follicular units are then implanted into the bald or thinning areas of the head to create a complete, natural-looking head of hair. The technique has been refined and evolved to make it a safer, minimally invasive, almost pain-free treatment.
Mainly, your surgeon will harvest follicles from the back and side of your head. It will typically require shaving the hair in these regions to get a better look at the donor area. It allows your surgeon to extract a more significant number of healthy follicles for the surgery.
Your surgeon may also use body hair in your transplant, although this is not a common choice. Using body hair to treat scalp loss or baldness is a last resort, as this type of hair has a different texture and growth pattern that would likely stand out when transplanted to the scalp.
Your doctor will determine how many grafts are needed to achieve the desired results. This complex process considers factors like age, family history, and the degree of hair loss or baldness. In addition, your doctor will assess your hair follicle density to ensure you have enough healthy follicles for the procedure.
Preparation
When it comes to follicular unit transplantation, there is a lot of information available. You might have read about various methods, including robots, handheld motors, suction devices, manual punches, and “no incision” techniques. These descriptions confuse you when researching your options.
During an FUE hair transplant, your surgeon will shave the area where they will be working and around it. They will then use a tool to make tiny skin holes containing hair follicles. These follicular units are called grafts, including 1 to 4 hair follicles each.
After the follicles are removed, they will be implanted into your balding or thin hairline area using state-of-the-art implanter pens that minimize damage to the follicles. When correctly performed, there is little to no scarring left in the donor area (less than a millimeter in diameter). These scars will be almost undetectable, even with a short haircut or shaved head.
FUE is less invasive than the older MDEE technique, which requires a long incision on the back of the scalp and stitches to close it. However, some patients may have both procedures done to achieve optimal coverage. Your doctor will explain the benefits of both techniques during your consultation. It is also possible to have a “mega session” in which many grafts are harvested in a single session rather than over multiple sessions.
Procedure
FUE hair transplants are performed in a doctor’s office and can be done in several sessions. During your first session, your surgeon cleans and numbs the area around the scalp where you’ll have follicular unit extraction. They then make tiny holes or slits with a tool (usually a needle) in the balding or recipient area of your scalp. The follicular units are then carefully placed in these slits.
This is a minimally invasive procedure, with the only visible scars being tiny, round marks easily concealed with hair. These are much smaller than the linear scars left behind by other techniques, making them virtually undetectable.
Extracting follicular units is also significantly quicker and more precise than other methods, with fewer complications. This is due to the latest innovations in hair restoration technology, new instruments, and a surgeon’s technique.
In the past, surgeons used a sharp punch to separate the follicular unit from its surrounding tissue. This method was only possible to do with damaging the follicle. However, newer tools can reduce the risk of damaging the follicles by using a three-step technique. It consists of scoring the epidermis with a sharp punch, then bluntly dissecting the follicular unit using a twisting movement. It decreases the transection rate of the follicular unit and prevents damage to the surrounding skin.
Recovery
The FUE technique requires minimal downtime, and you can return to work within a day or two if your job doesn’t require strenuous activities. But before you return to your routine, give yourself time to rest and recover from the surgery.
During this period, you should avoid any physical activity that could cause an injury or strain to the scalp. It includes swimming, playing sports, and using hair styling tools on your hair. You should also avoid wearing your hair up, which can expose the incision sites to bacteria.
To minimize damage and infection, wait three days before showering or using the bathroom’s steam or hot tub. These steps are essential because you’ll need to give your hair follicles time to heal and establish themselves in their new locations.
When you are ready to shower again, use a mild, unscented shampoo. Using a harsh shampoo can cause your transplanted follicles to shed, affecting your hairline’s appearance.
Once your hair is fully healed, you can enjoy your natural, full head of hair that will last a lifetime! While some patients may have better results than others, FUE hair restoration can provide a permanent solution for almost any type of hair loss.