FUE
If you’re getting the FUE procedure, the surgeon’s team will shave the back of your scalp. Then, the doctor will remove hair follicles one by one from there. The area heals with small dots, which your existing hair will cover.
Like the FUT technique, Follicular Unit Excision involves transferring hair grafts from the “permanent area” of the scalp where hairs are genetically programmed to continue growing for life (the ‘donor area’) to areas affected by hair loss.
The difference is that rather than removing a strip of donor skin from which to dissect the follicular units as in FUT , FUE extracts individual follicular units directly from the scalp, leaving only tiny dot scars.
FUE is a less invasive procedure than FUT (follicular unit transplantation), as it does not involve removing a strip of skin from the donor area. Instead, the hair follicles are removed one at a time using a small punch tool. This means that there is no need for stitches to close the wound at the donor site. FUE can be an effective treatment for hair loss, but it is not suitable for everyone. FUE may not be as effective as FUT in treating certain types of hair loss, and it can be more time-consuming and costly.
Discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of FUE with Dr. Hernandez to determine if it is the right treatment for you. She will be able to assess your individual situation and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.
Like the FUT technique, Follicular Unit Excision involves transferring hair grafts from the “permanent area” of the scalp where hairs are genetically programmed to continue growing for life (the ‘donor area’) to areas affected by hair loss.
The difference is that rather than removing a strip of donor skin from which to dissect the follicular units as in FUT , FUE extracts individual follicular units directly from the scalp, leaving only tiny dot scars.
FUE is a less invasive procedure than FUT (follicular unit transplantation), as it does not involve removing a strip of skin from the donor area. Instead, the hair follicles are removed one at a time using a small punch tool. This means that there is no need for stitches to close the wound at the donor site. FUE can be an effective treatment for hair loss, but it is not suitable for everyone. FUE may not be as effective as FUT in treating certain types of hair loss, and it can be more time-consuming and costly.
Discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of FUE with Dr. Hernandez to determine if it is the right treatment for you. She will be able to assess your individual situation and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.
Advantages of FUE
No linear scar – FUE has the benefit of avoiding the linear scar left by FUT. Individual follicular units are taken, leaving only tiny dot scars which are barely noticeable to the naked eye. This makes it good for those who wish to return quickly to strenuous activity.
Ability to wear hair short – Because of this minimal scarring FUE is particularly suitable for people who like to keep their hair short, such as a number 1 or number 2 haircut. Even a number 0 cut is possible.
Good for relatively small transplants – FUE may be suitable for younger patients or those who only require a relatively small number of grafts in the hairline.
Ability to wear hair short – Because of this minimal scarring FUE is particularly suitable for people who like to keep their hair short, such as a number 1 or number 2 haircut. Even a number 0 cut is possible.
Good for relatively small transplants – FUE may be suitable for younger patients or those who only require a relatively small number of grafts in the hairline.
The Process
At the start of the procedure the donor area of the scalp is shaved and follicular unit grafts are extracted individually, using a 0.8mm to 1mm ‘punch’. The procedure can be carried out manually or using one of several different surgical tools.
Meanwhile, the surgeon will make microscopic slits in the receiving area of the patient’s scalp, and the individual grafts will be placed into these recipient sites. In order to achieve a natural look, our surgeons pay extreme care and attention to the positioning of the grafts.
Whereas the FUT technique leaves a linear scar, following FUE there will be a series of tiny dot scars on the scalp which are so small as to be scarcely noticeable.
Again, FUE requires only a local anaesthetic and is almost completely pain-free, but it is significantly more time-consuming than FUT. A typical FUE treatment would require extracting up to 2,000 grafts and might take 10 hours, while larger cases may require more than one day in surgery. At The Maitland Clinic, we make sure your time in the clinic is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible – you can relax, watch films or use iPads while in theatre.
The new hairs will begin to grow approximately four months after surgery and will continue to grow through for the next 10 to 15 months.
Meanwhile, the surgeon will make microscopic slits in the receiving area of the patient’s scalp, and the individual grafts will be placed into these recipient sites. In order to achieve a natural look, our surgeons pay extreme care and attention to the positioning of the grafts.
Whereas the FUT technique leaves a linear scar, following FUE there will be a series of tiny dot scars on the scalp which are so small as to be scarcely noticeable.
Again, FUE requires only a local anaesthetic and is almost completely pain-free, but it is significantly more time-consuming than FUT. A typical FUE treatment would require extracting up to 2,000 grafts and might take 10 hours, while larger cases may require more than one day in surgery. At The Maitland Clinic, we make sure your time in the clinic is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible – you can relax, watch films or use iPads while in theatre.
The new hairs will begin to grow approximately four months after surgery and will continue to grow through for the next 10 to 15 months.