Follicular unit extraction is one of two primary techniques for harvesting hair follicles (groups of 1 to 4 hairs found naturally) for hair transplantation, performed under surgical supervision by an experienced plastic surgeon.
This method works by taking single hair follicles out and transplanting them elsewhere on your scalp, where they will continue growing naturally – with no visible evidence of extraction like with other methods like grafts and wax – a completely non-invasive way of hair restoration.
It is safe
Follicular unit extraction is an increasingly popular solution to remove white hairs and other unwanted hair. While generally safe, its results should still look natural; there are a few risks you should be aware of before undertaking such a procedure. Most importantly, be sure to carefully follow all aftercare instructions; this will minimize bleeding risks while protecting both donor and recipient sites from injury, plus prevent scabbing afterward; to do this successfully it is wise to avoid strenuous activities for several days following.
Follicular unit extraction offers several advantages over strip harvesting: no visible marks at the donor site after treatment; lower pain threshold; faster recovery time than strip method; leaves little white dots that fade with time or are concealed by new hair growth; it also requires no surgical interventions to achieve results.
Doctors performing follicular unit extraction typically utilize a hollow, cylindrical “punch” to cut away and dissect tissue around each hair follicle, leaving intact blood vessels, nerves and other structures of the follicular unit intact for best results. Doing this allows each follicle to continue growing even after it has been transplanted elsewhere.
Follicular unit extraction requires using a punch with an opening diameter of at least 0.8 mm to make insertion and extraction simple, followed by placing them in a solution on ice until transplantation can take place.
Some doctors use motorized follicular unit extraction systems, which come equipped with multiple modes of operation to make the extraction process more effective. Examples include Ellis FUE, Devroye WAW, Neograft SmartGraft X and Trivellini Mamba systems that feature rotating, oscillating and suction modes that can be adjusted according to each individual patient.
Electrolysis was traditionally the only effective solution for removing white hairs; however, this procedure has numerous drawbacks such as folliculitis and post-inflammation hyperpigmentation. Furthermore, electrolysis only removes outer portions of hair follicles, leaving dermal papilla behind. At Elegance clinic we use an 0.8mm burr for virtually scarless removal of white hairs.
It is effective
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is an innovative type of hair transplantation, in which individual hairs are extracted one at a time from one part of your body to another using minimally-invasive procedures such as FUE. FUE provides several advantages over previous strip methods used, which resulted in unsightly “hair plug” appearances; FUE also reduces scarring risks and minimizes discomfort in donor areas.
FUE, or Follicular Unit Extraction, uses a small punch-like tool to extract intact follicular units containing glands and blood vessels essential to hair growth from areas of balding on either the scalp or other parts of the body that have experienced hair loss. Once extracted, these follicular units can then be implanted back into any affected areas without altering color of remaining hair; additionally it leaves behind a small hole which heals within days.
FUE can also be an effective treatment option for other forms of hair loss, being less invasive and faster than other techniques; plus it can even be performed under local anesthesia to limit discomfort and speed healing time.
Follicular unit extraction (FUE), unlike laser or radiofrequency methods of white hair removal, permanently eradicates white hair using melanin pigment in hair follicles to achieve lasting solutions to white hair problems. FUE should be chosen by those seeking long-term relief for their white hair issues.
White hairs are most often removed from eyebrows and beards, although they can also occur on neck and shoulders. This process relies on melanin being present in these follicular units that prevent cells from producing other colors than black or brown pigmentation.
FUE transplants can be an ideal solution for women suffering from thinning hair in the top or front of their heads, adding density to both their crowns and hairlines. While not every follicular unit will produce hair in this area, if some are too close together then Dr. Griffin can dissect them into two individual grafts and place them separately at different sites.
It is affordable
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is an advanced hair transplant technique that reduces scarring from traditional methods while being more cost-effective than alternatives such as electrolysis. Furthermore, FUE can also be used to harvest body hair in other locations like beard or chest areas in individuals who are hirsute; though this type of body hair transplant requires more time and skill.
FUE procedures involve harvesting hair follicles from the back of the scalp where dense hair growth exists, then implanting these into areas with thinner or missing tresses. This procedure may be conducted by either a plastic surgeon or hair restoration specialist.
To ensure optimal results, it is crucial that a qualified plastic surgeon be selected. They should possess experience using the FUE technique as well as various other approaches for the scalp, eyebrows and other parts of the body. A great surgeon should provide before-and-after photos from previous patients along with answers for any inquiries the patient might have.
FUE procedures involve extracting hair from the scalp with a micro punch, then transplanting it to areas that have lost volume due to balding or thinning. It has become more popular as its results produce a more natural appearance compared to Fut’s plug-style results; moreover, FUE is widely considered one of the safest hair restoration procedures; however it is essential that any potential risks be discussed prior to surgery.
There are various FUE devices on the market, such as Ellis, Devroye (WAW), Neograft, SmartGraft and Trivellini Mamba systems. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages – for instance Ellis has only rotational mode while Neograft and SmartGraft provide vibration. But Trivellini Mamba stands out with three modes (rotation, oscillation and suction). Furthermore it comes equipped with customizable punch sizes to suit patients of varying skin tones and hair colors.
It is fast
Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is an innovative form of hair transplantation that involves harvesting individual follicles from the scalp and transplanting them directly onto areas with thinned or balding areas on the head. The process is less invasive than its counterpart strip harvesting technique, leaving no visible scars after healing is complete.
However, patients wishing to keep their hair long may find this procedure more costly. Follicular unit extraction involves making a small incision with a circular punch in order to separate individual hair follicles from their surrounding tissues, then placing the extracted grafts into an icy solution until ready for transplanting.
White hairs can be difficult to get rid of due to a lack of melanin chromophore and resistance to photoepilation treatments such as laser and wax-based methods. Follicular unit extraction provides an effective and safe means to permanently get rid of white hairs.
FUE hair transplantation usually does not cause discomfort for most patients; however, for some they may experience mild pain that can be managed with oral medications. Patients should inform their provider regarding any discomfort experienced during the procedure.
Some patients may be concerned about recovering from an FUE hair transplant. Although recovery time tends to be faster than with traditional transplants, patients should still allow a few days after their procedure for their body to adjust and recover fully from surgery. It may help if physical activities are avoided for at least 48 hours post procedure in order to speed up healing time and accelerate recovery.
FUE hair restoration has quickly become the preferred method, due to its less-than-satisfactory results in traditional strip hair transplantation, such as creating the “hair plug” look or significant scarring on the scalp. Instead of FUT cutting out strips of skin to transplant hairs onto, FUE uses micro punches that leave tiny marks that eventually heal over and are no longer visible once healed. Furthermore, FUE can even be used to transplant hair from other areas of your body like chest or beard transplantation for fuller appearance when treating balding or thinning scalps.
