This article provides information about Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), a surgical technique for addressing hair loss.
What is Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Hair Transplant?
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), also known as follicular unit excision, is a hair transplant procedure. Individual hair follicles are extracted from a donor area (typically the back of the scalp, but other areas like the beard, chest, or legs may be considered) and transplanted to areas experiencing hair thinning or baldness (the recipient area). The goal is for the transplanted follicles to grow new hair in the recipient site.
FUE Hair Transplant Procedure: What to Expect
- Consultation & Assessment: Before the FUE procedure, a thorough consultation with a qualified hair transplant surgeon is essential. This assessment includes:
- Evaluating the cause of your hair loss
- Assessing the condition of your donor area
- Determining the number of grafts needed
- Reviewing your medical history
- Evaluating donor hair density and quality
- Considering your hair and skin type
- Local Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is administered to numb the scalp and ensure patient comfort during the procedure.
- Small Incisions: Tiny incisions (less than 1mm in diameter) are made in the donor area to extract the hair follicles.
- Follicle Extraction: Individual hair follicles are carefully extracted through these small incisions.
- Follicle Implantation: The extracted hair follicles are then meticulously transplanted to the recipient area, following a natural hair growth pattern.
Donor Hair Sources for FUE
The most common donor area for FUE is the back of the scalp (occipital region). However, depending on individual needs and availability, hair follicles can also be harvested from other areas, including:
- Beard hair transplant
- Chest hair transplant
- Leg hair transplant
- Other body hair (body hair transplant)
The aesthetic doctor will determine the most suitable donor area during your consultation.
Who is a Good Candidate for FUE Hair Transplant?
FUE hair transplant suitability depends on several factors:
- Medical History: Certain medical conditions or medications may make FUE unsuitable.
- Donor Hair Density: Sufficient healthy hair follicles in the donor area are crucial. It's important to note that a small percentage of donor follicles may be damaged during the procedure.
- Cause of Hair Loss: FUE is often effective for androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness). Other types of hair loss may require different approaches.
- Hair and Skin Type: Hair characteristics (straight, wavy, curly, coiled) and scalp characteristics (medium, soft-thin, thick-firm) can influence the outcome.
FUE Hair Transplant Risks and Considerations
- Pain: Some discomfort, especially after the procedure, is common.
- Scarring: While FUE typically results in minimal scarring, some small scars at the donor sites are possible.
- Swelling: Swelling in the donor and recipient areas is possible after the procedure.
- Telogen Effluvium: Temporary hair shedding (telogen effluvium) can occur after FUE.
- Downtime and Recovery: The donor area usually heals within a week, and the recipient area within 1-2 weeks. Rest and activity restrictions are typically recommended.
- Hair Growth Timeline: New hair growth in the recipient area usually becomes noticeable within 2-3 months, but full results can take longer.
- Multiple Sessions: While one session is often sufficient, some patients may require multiple FUE sessions to achieve their desired results.
- Contraindications: FUE may not be recommended for individuals with certain medical conditions, such as active infections, severe scalp inflammation, or certain types of hair loss.
FUE Hair Transplant – Frequently Asked Questions:
- Is FUE painful? Local anesthesia is used to minimize discomfort during the procedure. Some pain or discomfort can be expected after the procedure.
- Is FUE safe? FUE is generally considered safe when performed by a qualified and experienced surgeon. However, like any surgical procedure, post-surgery complication risks are present to a certain extent.
- What are the side effects of FUE? Potential side effects include minor scarring, swelling, pain, and temporary hair shedding.
- How long does FUE recovery take? The donor area typically heals within a week, and the recipient area within 1-2 weeks.
- When will I see hair growth after FUE? Individual results vary. The aesthetics doctor will explain in detail based on the individual's consultation outcome and reaction to the treatment.
Absolute Contraindications
- Sepsis: Severe blood infection
- Open Wounds or Scalp Inflammation: Active infections increase complication risks
- Autoimmune Conditions or Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss: FUE may be ineffective if hair loss continues post-treatment.
Schedule a consultation to speak to our doctors.
Disclaimer: Information presented is accurate at the time of print. Websites and references listed are not endorsed by 21 Medical Aesthetics and do not necessarily reflect the views of our medical team. Information is researched and displayed for demonstrative purposes only. It should not be used for personal diagnosis or as a substitute for professional medical consultation.
External Links
| Advanced Medical Treatment Address Hair Loss - Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy For Hair Loss |
| Singapore Medical Resources & Associations |
| Navigating Hair Restoration: A Guide to International Medical Journals |
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8719976
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9311372
https://www.ishrs-htforum.org/content/28/1/1.1
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8202483
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14429008
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9249093
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4271303
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2956961
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3764754
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8719975
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12893-024-02655-1#Tab6
Sources For Reference To Check Reliability:
| Journal | Relevant Information Extracted | Reliability |
| https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8719976/ | Overview of follicular extraction. | Published on pubmed. Impact factor 0.8. Peer reviewed. Open Access. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery. |
| https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9311372/ | Follicular transplantation - Patient evaluation and surgical planning. | Published on pubmed. Impact factor 2.4. Peer reviewed. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. |
| https://www.ishrs-htforum.org/content/28/1/1.1 | Redefining the “E” in FUE: Excision = Incision + Extraction. | Published on pubmed. Impact factor 2.4. Peer reviewed. Open Access. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. |
| https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8202483/ | Follicular Unit Extraction [FUE] - One Procedure, Many Uses. | Published on pubmed. Impact factor 0.429. Peer reviewed. Open Access. Hair Transplant Forum International. |
| https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14429008/ | Autografts in alopecias and others selected. dermatological conditions | Published on pubmed. Impact factor 5.675. |
| https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9249093/ | A new universal follicular unit excision classification system for hair transplantation difficulty and patient outcome. | Published on pubmed. Impact factor 2.765. Peer reviewed. Open Access. Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology. |
| https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4271303/ | Side-effects from follicular unit excision. | Published on pubmed. Impact factor 1.332. Peer reviewed. Open Access. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. |
| https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2956961/ | Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Transplant. Healing time | Published on pubmed. Impact factor 1.332. Peer reviewed. Open Access. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. |
| https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3764754/ | FUE transplant recovery/ growth time | Published on pubmed. Impact factor 1.332. Peer reviewed. Open Access. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. |
| https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8719975/ | Not all types of hair loss are suited for FUE/Hair Transplant in general Only 1 session was done for “good” results | Published on pubmed. Impact factor 0.8. Peer reviewed. Open Access. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery. |
| https://www.nsc.com.sg/patients-and-visitors/Health-Library/Conditions-And-Treatments/Pages/Hair-Loss.aspx | Hair growth rate | National skin centre in singapore |
| https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12893-024-02655-1#Tab6 |
