Essential Guide to FUE Hair Transplant Procedure:
About 80 % of males and 40 % of females across the globe are affected by hair loss, and hair restoration procedures offer them a wonderful chance at having a head full of hair!
The two most sought-after hair transplant procedures are – FUE and FUT. Both help restore your hair, promising you naturally thicker and fuller hair.
Understanding the FUE Hair Transplantation:
In FUE, the grafts are excised as individual follicles in a two-step technique and then implanted. The ultra-modern revolutionary FUE technique promises to vanquish the limitations of FUT.
Hair transplants have come a really long way from the time of Punch Hair Transplant during the 1950s to FUT in the 1990s to the ultra-modern FUE. With the arrival of FUE on the scene, the probability of no visible scarring in the donor area has become a reality. Let’s dive into the FUE!
What is FUE Hair Transplant?
FUE or Follicular Unit Extraction is a hair restoration procedure that is minimally invasive. Hair follicles usually from the back of the scalp are excised as individual follicles and planted into the recipient area where the hair is thin or there’s no hair at all.
The History and Evolution of FUE Hair Transplant:
Dr. Norman Orentreich is the ‘father of hair transplant surgery’. He pioneered the 4 mm punch grafting technique to extract grafts.
Dr. Bobby Limmer pioneered the ‘Follicular Units’ in the 1990s. He dissected the strip into individual follicular units, a pivotal point in the development of FUE.
Dr. William Rassman discussed the possibility of revisiting and Dr. Robert Bernstein modified Dr. Norman Orentreich’s punch grafting technique so that follicular units could be excised from the scalp without cutting out a strip.
Dr. Masumi Inaba, in 1988 used a two-step technique to excise grafts.
Dr. Rassman and Dr. Bernstein were inspired by Dr. Masumi Inaba’s work and researched and coined the term FUE in 2002. They used a 1 mm punch to excise individual follicles. The punch enters the dermis, and the graft is excised using forceps.
How does FUE Hair Transplant work?
FUE works on the principle that the site where the arrector muscle is attached to the follicular unit is the tightest zone. Once this loosens and separates from the dermis, the segment is excised easily. Your doctor will use small micropunches of size 0.6 to 0.8 mm and thus the resulting scar is minuscule.
The Procedure of FUE Hair Transplant:
FUE is a delicate art that provides natural-looking results by extracting individual hair follicles, one by one, and transplanting them to the recipient site without causing large unsightly scars.
Pre-Procedure Assessment and Planning:
The Step-by-Step Process of FUE Hair Transplant:
- The hair in the donor area will be trimmed on the day of the surgery. This makes the process of extraction of individual hair follicles easier.
- Local anesthesia will be given so that there’s no pain and discomfort.
- Using a micro-needle or a punch device, individual hair follicles will be extracted from the donor site. Your surgeon will excise the follicles individually; and thus small circular scars will be left behind, which won’t be seen at all once the hair grows back.
- The recipient site is prepared by making tiny incisions in the scalp.
- The extracted grafts are sorted and prepared for the transplant.
- The surgeon will put the follicular units into the recipient area, paying close attention to the angle and direction and angle to make sure, the results look natural.
- Hair grows at different angles. It is an art to place the grafts in the correct place, perfect angle, and the right direction for a natural and seamless appearance.
- The FUE needs to be conducted by an expert who will replicate your own hair characteristics to establish a natural flow, symmetry and appearance.
Post-Procedure Care and Maintenance:
The days following the hair transplant surgery are a very important time for healing and recovery, and the recovery phase has a huge bearing on the results of your procedure.
You will be prescribed post-surgery instructions that you absolutely must follow. There will be mandates on how you should wash your scalp, steer clear of specific activities, eat a wholesome diet, a list of dos and don’ts and take prescribed drugs. It is also vital that you rest as much as possible post your hair transplant. Not only is your body tired after the surgery and needs loads of rest, but also resting helps speed up recovery.
FUE Recovery Phase:
- The recovery phase is fairly short and you can resume your routine in about 15 to 20 days.
- After 3 months the transplanted follicles begin to naturally grow new hair.
- You will reach full natural hair growth by 12 months after the procedure.
Advantages of FUE Hair Transplant:
FUE is most definitely trailblazing and it has drastically improved the procedure and results of a hair transplant surgery.
Minimally Invasive Nature of FUE:
FUE is minimally invasive with virtually no scarring at all. Instead of excising large strips of hair that leave huge scars, FUE excised individual hair follicles, without any linear scarring. The extraction site is less than 1 mm, so, scars are not visible at all.
Higher survival rate of the grafts:
Quick Recovery:
Natural and Permanent Results:
FUE yields completely natural results so much so that the hair grafts can not be distinguished from your hair. During the surgery, the grafts are transplanted at an angle that is similar to your own. Consequently, the transplants blend in seamlessly with your hair in a natural way. What’s more, the results of an FUE last a lifetime.
Lower Risk of Infection:
Potential Risks and Complications of FUE Transplant:
Understanding the Potential Risks:
- Slight bleeding is bound to occur post-FUE surgery, around the stitches at the donor site. Your doctor will bandage the area to manage the condition, applying constant pressure with your palm for 5 stems the bleeding too. Also, when a graft gets dislodged, the incision site might bleed. Immediately get in touch with your doctor.
- Numbness after FUE hair transplant is an unfortunate but typical temporary side effect of hair restoration surgery. This happens around the donor area and recipient area. It generally lasts from three to 18 weeks and this varies from patient to patient.
- There will be a very slight degree of pain and discomfort during the procedure, but, the pain medications will deal with it beautifully well.
- Mild swelling after the procedure is known to occur. There will be a little inflammation around the eyes and on the forehead, ice application along with certain medications helps cope with this immediately.
- Cysts are a common side effect of the FUE hair transplant. They develop immediately after the procedure. They are 2 to 3mm in diameter and tend to fade away on their own.
FAQs:
After the surgery, you will immediately see the shape of your new hairline. You need to embark upon your hair transplant aftercare.
- The scalp will be bandaged to keep the incisions clean. The bandages must be kept in for a day or two.
- You must wear a protective cap you protect your scalp. Your doctor will tell you how long you must wear the cap.
- Stick to your medicine schedule -oral as well as application and keep your scalp absolutely healthy.
- Follow all instructions laid down by your surgeon.
- Follow-up consultations with the doctor are mandatory.
Make sure that you have the medications as directed by the doctor to expedite the healing process. Alongside this, ensure that you adhere to the surgeon’s post-operative instructions diligently.
Day 1 to 5:
The first 14 days post the surgery, the scalp is fragile and the grafts have not been secured firmly. Any impact on the scalp during this period has a detrimental effect on the outcome of your surgery. During the first fortnight, you are most susceptible to injuring your scalp, thus, keep it well protected by wearing a cap.
You may also have some swelling in the scalp, near the forehead and around your eyes, ensure that you follow your doctor’s instructions to perfection.
Day 5 to 14:
On day 5, you may wash your hair very gently, using the shampoo prescribed by your doctor. A detailed list of guidelines will given to you in the aftercare package. By 15 days, the grafts would have adapted to the transplanted area and wouldn’t get dislodged.
15 days to 3 months:
After about a month, the transplanted hair will fall out. This is completely normal and the hair will start to grow back.
3 months:
Post 3 months, new hair starts to appear and will start filling up your scalp.
12 months:
After a year, the final results of the FUE will be visible. You will be able to enjoy having a head full of hair, and your confidence and self-esteem will return as well! Follow the instructions and mandates outlined by your doctor to ensure you continue to have healthy hair.
The results of FUE are fairly permanent, however, the outcome depends largely upon how well the procedure has been carried out and how dedicatedly you follow instructions written down by your doctor. The hair that’s been transplanted will shed approximately 3 weeks post the surgery and the hair will grow back healthier over 1 year.
The hair at the back of the head is dubbed the ‘permanent area because the hair here is resistant to hair loss, and that’s why they make good donor hair.
If the surgery is conducted by an experienced surgeon, the results will last a lifetime. However, do bear in mind that, though the transplanted hair will last forever, the hair around the transplant will fall out eventually.
Your trichologist will advise you to adopt alternative non-surgical hair loss treatments that will preserve the existing hair and stave off the recession of hair. Post the surgery, your doctor will recommend a multi-pronged approach comprising – medications such as Minoxidil or Finasteride, laser therapy or minimally invasive techniques like PRP or GFC.
- After the surgery, make sure that you sleep in a raised position for about 10 days. Do not sleep on your belly.
- Do not take part in strenuous activities – exercising, gyming, or playing contact sports for 15 to 20 days.
- Your scalp should not be exposed to direct sunlight for two weeks.
- Wash your hair 5 days after the surgery, using a mild, doctor-approved shampoo.
- Do not consume alcohol for 20 days, post-surgery.
Calculating the number of hair grafts required for a successful hair transplant isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.
the number of grafts that you need varies, and it depends upon diverse factors –
- The degree of balding and the area that needs to be covered. This varies from person to person. Those having little hair thinning need fewer grafts than those with advanced baldness.
- The quantity of hair at the donor site and the availability of hair follicles in the donor area have a pivotal role to play.
- The hair volume that you want plays a big role too. If you want a fuller head of hair, you need a lot more grafts compared to someone who wants a small patch covered.
- Your hair characteristics, such as texture, thickness and colour decide the number of follicles you need. When you have thick or curly, it gives you a lot more coverage and you need fewer grafts to achieve a high-volume look, compared to someone who has thin hair, and fine hair.
- The skill and knowledge of the surgeon