FUE At A Glance
One of the most common reasons people hesitate to have follicular unit extraction (FUE) is a lack of knowledge about the surgery. Are you interested in learning more about FUE? Here are a few of the most common questions we get regarding FUE:
Before and after FUE transplant with 2014 grafts – 12 months elapsed
How does it work?
FUE is a surgical procedure that removes individual hair follicles or 1-4 hair follicular units from the donor area. FUE can be performed either manually or by an automated method. The total surgery time varies between patients but FUE normally takes between 4-10 hours depending on the number of grafts placed by the doctor.
Are there any advantages or disadvantages to the procedure?
Much like any other surgery, there are both advantages and disadvantages to having FUE. Some of the advantages include less discomfort for the patient after the surgery, no linear scar and the ability to use donor hair from the scalp as well as the body or beard. One disadvantage is the fact that only a limited number of grafts can be extracted during the surgery so multiple days might be required to complete the hair transplant.
Are there ideal candidates for FUE?
In general, FUE is a good option for patients who want to wear a short hairstyle since the surgery does not involve the removal of a strip of scalp. It is also a good option for patients who have any scarring from a previous FUT surgery since the scar can be concealed by placing FUE grafts into the scar line.
How much does it cost?
The total cost of FUE varies per patient because each person has different final results in mind The final cost is based on the number of grafts used as well as the technique performed by the doctor and any facility or anesthesia fees.
How long does it take to recover from FUE?
Each patient heals at an individual rate but, in general, most people allow 2-7 days for recovery. Keep in mind that it takes up to 10 days for the donor area to have an appearance of being scab free and healed. Following the surgery, there might be some discomfort as well as swelling or itching but these conditions will resolve within a few days.
How do the results look and are they long lasting?
The results from FUE should last a lifetime as long as the patient follows the post-op instructions from the doctor and the grafts are selected and placed in an experienced and careful manner. The final results take 12 or more months to become visible and the transplanted hair should be so natural looking that it will not be apparent to others that the hair was transplanted.
Do you have more questions about FUE? We’ve gathered some of the most frequently asked FUE questions on one page to help make the decision process easier for you.
