What is Follicular Unit Extraction?
Simon Weir, a Scottish actor, after FUE procedure
Have you ever wondered how to kick hair loss to the curb?
Enter the game-changer: Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)!
It’s the undercover hero in the battle against thinning hair, making waves in the world of hair restoration. Imagine a procedure that plucks individual hair follicles, creating the most natural, head-turning results.
That’s the power of FUE, a technique that ensures your new hair looks and feels just like your own. Say goodbye to the stress of hair loss and step into a new era of locks that truly define you. With FUE, your hair restoration journey can be a transformative experience, bringing back your confidence and a natural look.
We’re sharing the science behind FUE so you can start on a journey to rediscover your hair mojo. Let’s make bad hair days history – ride the FUE wave and flaunt that fabulous mane confidently!
Exactly what is Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
Hair follicles from your skin are extracted and transplanted to other body parts during a follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplant.
As a result, the new region’s hair will appear thicker. The “classic” follicular unit transplantation (FUT) method was intended to be replaced by FUE. For this treatment, a complete section of the scalp, including the follicles, was removed, and the skin was then transplanted into the desired location.
Due to its unique advantages, FUE has gained significant popularity over the ‘classic’ follicular unit transplantation (FUT) method. Unlike FUT, FUE is less likely to produce the ‘hair plug’ effect, where patches of skin or hair stand out. Moreover, it leaves no noticeable scars, making it a more appealing choice for many.
A balding or thinning person with sufficient surrounding hair for a transplant is the ideal candidate for a FUE hair transplant. If your hair is too thin or balding to be transplanted to the thinning or balding area, you might not be qualified for a FUE hair transplant.
How does Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) work?
The three-phase hair development and regrowth cycle shorten with age, eventually stopping follicles from producing new hair growth. Everybody’s experience with this technique is unique. While some individuals begin to bald in their 20s, others do it much later in life.
FUE hair transplants help restore hair by using fresh, hair-growing follicles to replace the aged ones. Following the transplant, blood vessels nourish the follicles, causing them to grow hair that was previously bald or sparse.
FUE Hair Transplant Procedure
The FUE process operates as follows:
- Your surgeon will trim the hair surrounding the transplant site and in the region where follicles will be removed.
- They will extract follicles from your skin by using a micropunch tool.
- Next, to inject the removed follicles, your surgeon will create several tiny incisions using a needle or another tiny, sharp instrument.
- After making the incisions, they will insert the follicles.
- For healing, your surgeon will cleanse and bandage the affected area.
Which Cosmetic Solution Does Follicular Unit Extraction Bring?
You might be curious about the solutions that FUE brings to the table.
Here they are:
- Hair Loss: This technique places and harvests individual hair follicles to fill thinning or balding spots.
- Eyebrows and eyelashes: The areas of facial hair that are precisely defined and contoured can be achieved with a follicular unit extraction treatment.
- Shape and size of the forehead: A follicular unit extraction can revitalise the frontal hairline and enhance the forehead’s overall appearance.
Are There the Right Candidates for the FUE Procedure?
The best candidate for a follicular unit extraction is someone who wants to address bald spots or regions where their hair is thinning.
Candidates can sport shorter hairstyles without obvious scarring, thanks to FUE.
If you have inadequate donor sites, hair loss from medication, stress, medical treatments, or any other reversible reason, you should not undergo follicular unit extraction.
What to do Before a Patient Goes for FUE
As a FUE patient, getting ready to have a FUE hair transplant is very crucial.
The following actions may be necessary before receiving a FUE hair transplant:
- Before your procedure, give up smoking for at least one day.
- For at least three days before your procedure, abstain from alcohol.
- If you use aspirin or blood thinners, at least two weeks should pass before surgery.
- Avoid taking any vitamins or nutritional supplements for two weeks before your surgery.
- Try to wait about two weeks before surgery to start taking antidepressants.
- Before the procedure, avoid getting your hair cut.
- To improve blood flow to your scalp, massage it for ten to thirty minutes each day for a few weeks.
- As directed by your surgeon, take any prescribed drugs, including minoxidil (Rogaine).
- Before surgery, get blood tests and an electrocardiogram (ECG).
How Long Does a FUE’s Hair Transplant Patient Take to Recover?
Seven to ten days are typically needed for healing following a follicular unit extraction.
As there is no sutured closed incision and just a small amount of the donor scalp is taken, recovery from follicular unit extraction is marginally less than following follicular unit transplantation.
Most patients resume mild exercise and return to work in a week or so.
Resuming regular hair care can be done in ten days.
For one week following surgery, it’s also advised to abstain from alcohol, steam rooms, swimming, and extreme perspiration.
What are the Pros and Cons after FUE?
A FUE hair transplant will not leave you with scars except small white dots where follicles were removed. Over time, these can fade.
The pros include:
- Smaller scar visible
- Reduced length of time recovering from surgery
- Minimal graft preparation; less equipment and personnel
- You can use body hair (Like the beard hair)
- Possible in situations with tight scalps
- Low chance of nerve damage or severe haemorrhage
- From the donor location, a surgeon might choose specific grafts.
On the other hand, consult your physician if you experience any of the following unusual side effects:
- Signs of an infection.
- Swelling or pain surrounding the surgical site crusting or drainage after the procedure.
- Swollen or drained hair follicles (folliculitis).
- Bleeding after surgery, tingling, or numbness around the incision.
- Transplanted hair that doesn’t match the surrounding hair.
- If thinning and baldness persist after the transplant.
What to do After the FUE Hair Transplant Procedure
FUE recovery is rapid. For roughly three days, you might experience some swelling or discomfort.
Your doctor may provide you with the following aftercare instructions:
- Take no showers or hair washes for at least three days.
- Use mild, unscented shampoos for a few weeks when shampooing your hair.
- To hasten the healing process, take a few days off from work.
- Give your new hair at least three weeks without combing or brushing.
- Until your doctor gives the all-clear, avoid wearing hats, beanies, or other headgear.
- Take a week or longer off from all physically demanding activities.
During the healing process, some hairs may come out. It is typical for this to happen.
Three to four months is usually when you’ll notice a difference.
Your hair might not regrow as thickly as you had hoped, depending on the condition of your transplanted hair.
What is the Estimated Cost of Follicular Unit Extraction?
The cost of a follicular unit extraction treatment might range from $15,000 to $4,000.
The location, board-certified plastic surgeon, extent, and cost of the plastic surgery all affect the final cost of a follicular unit extraction.
Are there Clinics with Finance Options for Their Patients?
Yes!
At Merchant City Medical City Group, through our affiliated financial company Chrysalis, we can give our patients reasonably priced hair transplant financing.
You have various financing options, including 0% interest-free financing for 6, 9, 12, and 24 months.
Furthermore, we have solutions that let you extend the payment over a longer time frame—up to 60 months.
By offering a range of financing solutions, we enable our clients to have the desired procedure.
Therefore, for your FUE procedure, contact us today and get it professionally done!