Follicular unit extraction or FUE is a type of hair transplant in which healthy hair follicles are taken from the donor area, usually the back and sides of the head, and then transplanted to the areas of hair loss or baldness like crown and hairline. The procedure is a minimally invasive option for hair restoration.
The biggest advantage of choosing FUE is that it gives the best natural results and the success of the hair transplant depends completely on the skills and expertise of the surgeon.
Follow these instructions before you prepare a FUE hair transplant.
· No smoking
· No alcohol
· Discuss with the doctor if you are on aspirin.
· Discuss through medical history.
· Monitor blood sugar levels.
· Do scalp massage.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. Hair follicles are extracted from the donor area at the back or side of the head region using a tiny punch of 0.75-1 mm in diameter. These tiny wounds heal quickly and leave behind no scarring.
The grafts are then implanted following a particular angulation, depth, and hair direction that gives a natural-looking result.
If you are planning for a FUE hair transplant you must know these points.
· Take online consultations with the doctor and discuss your medical history, goal, and expectations. Show your previous photographs to analyze more about hair loss.
· The donor area is trimmed to a short length. This allows easy extraction of hair follicles.
· Premedication protocol includes antibiotics and antiemetics.
· The recipient area is marked
· Local anesthesia is given.
· Using a punch tool, hair follicles are extracted.
· Hair follicles are preserved in a specialized solution that maintains vitality and viability during the transplantation process. Usually, grafts are preserved in cold 0.9 % saline.
· Recipient sites are created based on aesthetic goals. The site is prepared using 18-20 gauge needles.
· Follicular units are transplanted. Grafts are kept moist throughout the procedure.
· After hair transplant procedure, the surgical site is thoroughly cleaned with saline.
· The antibiotic dressing is given in the donor area.
· Antibiotics and multivitamins are prescribed.
· Post-transplant instructions are given.
FUE hair transplant is a safe procedure. Patient may experience slight discomfort but those are manageable using the prescribed medications.
FUE hair transplants are commonly performed cosmetic procedures and have a quick recovery. For 1 or 2 days, one may experience slight discomfort.
Common instructions given after FUE hair transplant are:
· No hair washing for 3 days.
· Use unscented shampoos.
· Do not comb hairs for 3 weeks.
· Do not wear hats.
· Avoid doing strenuous activity.
· Take regular follow-ups
Yes, the FUE hair transplant is a completely safe procedure. One may experience some discomfort after the hair transplant surgery but these are manageable. The side effects are minimal and include swelling and bruising. The scarring is minimal in FUE hair transplants.
FUE hair transplant is done in multiple sessions and each session may take 2-5 hours. The procedure is an outpatient procedure and one can go home after a FUE hair transplant.
One can resume a normal daily routine. One must avoid doing strenuous exercises after a hair transplant.
The cost depends on the case and the number of grafts required. However, FUE hair transplant packages in Turkey are known to be the most affordable.
The cost of an FUE hair transplant depends on:
· Type of baldness
· The expertise of the surgeon
· Technology used
· Prescription medicines
Hair growth begins in 3-4 months and results are visible in 6 - 8 months. Sometimes it may take up to 12 months for the visible results.
The following benefits of FUE hair transplant make it a more suitable treatment option for those fighting baldness and hair loss.
· FUE hair transplant is for both men and women.
· The minimally invasive procedure with no scarring.
· Less armamentarium is used.
· No risk of nerve injury
· Recovery is quick
· Natural-looking results.
· Safe procedure
· Painless
· Less risk of infection.
· Affordable
· Highest success rate.
Conclusion:
FUE is the most advanced hair transplant surgery and involves removing groups of healthy hair follicles from the donor site followed by reimplantation in areas of hair loss like crown, hairline, and temple.
The technique creates natural-looking results and quicker recovery time, minimal scarring, and excellent results