FUE Hair Transplant – Details about the Procedure

The loss of hair can cause many people to try and find a way to restore some of the hair that is no longer on their scalp. The most natural method, that also provides permanent results, is a hair transplant that moves hair from one part of the body to the area of the scalp where the hair loss has occurred. Want to learn more how a FUE hair transplant is performed? If so, take a look at the informative article below!

FUE Hair Transplant Explained

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant is performed when the surgeon takes individual hair follicles from the body and places them in pre-made incisions in the balding area of the scalp. The hair grafts are generally taken from the donor area of the scalp which is the back and sides of the scalp. The hair in this area is resistant to balding and will not follow the same pattern of balding as the hair that was originally in the scalp. If there is not enough high-quality donor hair located in the donor area of the scalp, the hair can come from other areas of the body such as the beard or the chest.

One to four hair grafts are moved from the donor area at one time. A small sharp, or dull, punch instrument is used to create a tiny incision so the doctor can remove the hair grafts. In addition, a technician will use forceps to grip the hair above the skin in order to make it easier to extract it. The medical team then counts and sorts the hair grafts before they are placed, using an implanter or forceps, into the incisions that were made in the balding area of the scalp.

FUE Candidates

Ideal candidates for FUE hair transplant include patients that suffer from typical patterned baldness. Other ideal candidates include someone that has enough high-quality donor hair on the body to perform a hair transplant.

Popularity of FUE

FUE grew in popularity because it does not leave a linear scar on the scalp as seen in Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). FUT is performed by removing an entire strip of skin (containing the hair follicles) from the donor area of the scalp. The removal of the strip of skin leaves a visible scar that others can view.

FUE Cost

The total cost of FUE depends on the amount of hair grafts that are needed to achieve the desired results and the cost per grafts charged by your surgeon. Other items that go into the cost of the surgery include the area of the country where it is performed and any fees charged by your doctor or the medical facility where the surgery is performed.

You should be aware of the fact that FUE hair transplant is normally not considered to be “medically necessary” which means your health insurance plan will likely not cover the cost of the procedure.

FUE Hair Transplant Recovery

When it comes to the recovery period after the procedure, you will likely experience some swelling after the surgery. The swelling will start to occur the first few days after surgery and will mainly be seen around the eyes and the forehead.

There might be some scabbing on the area where the grafts were placed for the first four or five days. They will be apparent until you are able to wash your hair more aggressively.

There is also a condition that is known as shock loss which is a loss of hair due to stress to the scalp during the surgery. This loss can begin a few days, or a few months, after the hair transplant is performed. The hair impacted by the shock loss will eventually grow back.

FUE Final Results

The growth of the new hair will not happen overnight so you will need to be patient waiting for the final results. In general, the growth of new hair can begin anywhere from three to four months after the procedure. The hair will continue to grow and the final results can start to become visible anywhere from nine months to a year after the FUE procedure.

The final results of a hair transplant are natural in appearance as well as permanent. Once the final results are visible, you will enjoy results that last a lifetime.

FUE Hair Transplant Consultation Appointment

Now that you have reviewed the FUE process, you might have more questions or you might be ready to take the next step and undergo a Los Angeles hair transplant procedure. Please contact us at your earliest convenience to schedule your consultation appointment with either Dr. Mohebi (Los Angeles and Beverly Hills hair transplant procedures) or Dr. G (San Francisco hair transplant surgery). Our board-certified and experienced surgeons will examine your scalp to determine if you are an ideal candidate for a hair transplant and also answer any questions or concerns you have about the hair restoration process.

– MA