OVERVIEW
One of the most recent advents in hair transplant, Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), also known as Follicular Transfer, involves the direct extraction of individual follicular units from the donor area (back and sides of the scalp) as opposed to excision of a strip of tissue. The follicular units are then inserted into areas with hair thinning or balding.
What is a Follicular Unit?
In case you are not familiar with the term, by follicular unit we mean a single hair follicle, which is a sac-like structure under the scalp in which 1 to 4 hair roots are embedded. It nourishes and promotes growth of the hair originating from it.
Procedure
FUE is considered to be a minimally invasive procedure since it does not involve the overall excision of a strip of tissue using a blade, as is the case with FUT. In FUE, the donor area having hair is numbed and a punch is used to excise individual follicular units, about 1,000 to 1,500 grafts per session. Completed in consecutive sessions, the challenging process involves precision, skill and practice so that an experienced surgeon will be able to deliver good results, since follicular units could get damaged and wasted if not punched out correctly.
The individual follicular units are then inserted into areas where hair is lacking. FUE is also a good alternative in cases where the scalp is too tight to undergo a strip excision procedure.
PRE- AND POST PROCEDURE
Consult with your surgeon a few days before the procedure to receive detailed pre-surgery guidelines according to your medical history.
Compared to traditional methods, Follicular Unit Extraction has a significantly less recovery time since it does not involve large surgical wounds, thanks to the punching approach used to attain follicular units. Discomfort after the procedure is also minimal, allowing you to return to your daily routine just a day later.
Few weeks after the procedure, the transplanted hair falls off, only to grown again in four months’ time, with hair restoration being apparent in six months, achieving maximum density in up to a year.
OUTCOME
The punch harvesting method used on follicular units in FUE results in ‘pit scarring’ which are small, round, hardly noticeable white scars on the patient’s scalp that can easily be hidden under hair of normal length. Due to this light scarring, FUE is often referred to as a ‘No-Scar’ technique.
Due to the fragility of grafts used in FUE, hair density might be compromised even in cases of slight carelessness or imperfections in execution of the procedure. That is why we recommend you the top hair transplant surgeon in Pakistan in order to get maximal results.