What is FUE method?
Follicular Unit Extraction. In other words, known by (FUE). Earlier, the FUE hair transplantation method had been used since the middle of the 2000s. More importantly, the FUE method depends on extracting the hair grafts from the donor area. After that, transplant the hair grafts in the recipient area (baldness area). On the contrary of FUT (the old method), the FUE hair transplantation method does not need to take any strip of hair or sew process. Meanwhile, the FUE hair transplantation method is the most advanced and recommended method by hair restoration surgeons. Finally, FUE hair transplantation method consider as the permanently solve for hair loss problem.
Usually, the FUE hair transplant procedure can perform in many techniques. As a result, to obtain the final natural results. Thus, the common point between these techniques is they share the same way to extract hair grafts. But, using different medical devices and tools in each technique. As a result, reducing the recovery period, the scars resulting from the procedure, and provide the natural final looking.
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What is FUE Hair Transplantation?
Hair transplantation considered the best permanent treatment solution for hair loss problems. Therefore, the hair transplantation procedure is transferring the healthy unaffected with hormone DiHydroTestosterone (DHT) hair follicles/grafts from a specific unaffected part of the scalp (that is most resistant to the progression of baldness) called The “Donor Area”. After that, transplant into a thin or baldness area “Recipient Area“.
Generally, this procedure (Hair Transplantation) can be medically classified as a microsurgical procedure. As a result, it carries out with combines of magnification with advanced diploscopes. And, specialized precision tools, various operating techniques. As well as, a highly qualified physician with a minimum surgical intervention contrary to commonly known kinds of surgeries.
What are the main techniques used for FUE Hair Transplant Procedure?
As mentioned above, FUE is the main method to extract hair grafts from the donor area. But to implant the hair grafts in the recipient area, there are Three techniques as the following:
- Classic FUE hair transplant, or known for others by “Soft FUE”. A steel blade tool with specific dimension used in this technique.
- Sapphire FUE hair transplant. A blade made by sapphire with specific dimension used in this technique.
- DHI hair transplant, or Choi Implant Pen used in this technique.
Generally, the main difference between the three techniques is, the medical tool used in the transplantation stage of the procedure. For example, if we talk about the classic FUE technique, a manual micro tool used to create the microchannels. Thus, offers opportunities to determine the angle and depth of the transplant hair grafts. But, with the DHI technique, a special hair injector used to transplant hair graft. Therefore, it offers a good opportunity to protect the hair graft from breaking during the transplanting stage. Finally, the sapphire blade technique offers the opportunity to form regular harmonized microchannels in the recipient area and reduce the time for microchannel formation to transplant the hair grafts.
As a conclusion, if you are planning to have hair transplant procedure. In this case, we always advise to Ask Dr. DEMIR for more details about the proper technique, And, the number of hair grafts according to the donor area. As a result, obtaining satisfactory successful natural look results which meet your expectation.
Who can successfully GET FUE Hair Transplantation?
Generally, everyone above the age of 18 can have a FUE hair transplant procedure. But must have a surgeon consultant first, because If the donated hair for a person is still affected by the hormone DiHydroTestosterone (DHT), it means the hair will continue to fall down. Therefore, it is possible that some of the newly transplanted hair may fall down over the years
But, the best candidates for FUE hair transplantation are persons between 24 to 60 years old. In addition to:
- Persons who have androgenetic alopecia. Therefore, the hair transplant procedure is the most effective, approved and permanent solution for them.
- Persons who have scars in the head, due to, old surgery or accident.
- Persons who had lost the hair, due to different reasons. Such as genetic reasons, or using some kind of medications, or having accidents, can safely undergo the hair transplant procedure.
Successful Pain Relief for FUE Hair Transplantation
Due to long experience, the Conscious Sedation is the pain relief methods that apply during hair transplant procedure by our anesthesiologist team. Therefore, this technique will help you to stay almost awake, reduce anxiety and discomfort. As a result, feeling relax (a sedative), and block pain (an anesthetic). Overall, it will give you a pain-free feeling. On the other hand, we apply it to increase the patient outcome during the hair transplant procedure.
Consultation Session for FUE Hair Transplantation
Usually, every single patient planning to have a FUE hair transplant procedure, first must have a face to face consultation session with Dr. DEMIR. During the consultation session, the doctor will listen to patient concerns due to hair loss. And, will review the patient’s medical history. For example, if the patient had a hair transplant procedure before, or if the patient using some kind medicines, or if the patient had allergic to a specific medicine and many other issues related to the patient’s health. At the same time, the doctor will check:
- The hair graft nature in the donor area.
- The direction of growth for the original hair.
- The density of hair in the square centimeter.
- The future possibility for losing more original hair
All of these will help the doctor to determine the required number of hair grafts for hair transplant procedure, and to set up the patient’s post-operative treatment to prevent losing more hair, and recovery plan, as well, will help the doctor to re-design the right hairline for the natural final result.
Besides that, and during the consultation session, the doctor will make blood test for the patient to check Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. As well as, to check the level of vitamin D, vitamin B, zinc, iron, TSH, CBC. This will help to improve the recovery treatment plan for the patient.
For woman, there are another blood test required according to woman age and many other factors. You can find more details about the required blood test for man and woman in Patient Portal.
The patient will have the opportunity during the consultation session to ask Dr. Demir about the final results, recovery periods, best practice to follow after the procedure to have the final natural results, and any other questions related to the procedure.
Hair Densitometry & Decay ratio
During this stage of consultation session. Dr. Demir will examine the patient’s donor area scalp, by a digital Densitometer device. Thus, will determine the quality of individual hair graft unit, and the density of hair per square centimeter. Besides that, the doctor will be able to specify the degree of decay ratio of the patient’s hair. That is genetically sensitive to the effects of the hormone DiHydroTestosterone (DHT). As a result, shrinking over time and eventually causing baldness. Therefore, the decay ratio of hair can indicate future hair loss for the patient. Finally, hair Densitometry & decay ratio is important to determine the proper patient’s donor area.
Designing of Hairline & Treatment plan
During the consultation session. Dr. Demir will be able to have an idea and make a decision about the treatment plan and the final hair design. Therefore, the doctor will decide the best harmonizing distribution for the hair grafts that will be transplanting. As a result, to get the best final natural look. Besides that, the design of the hairline, and how to restore the crown shape. The final decision will be taken in collaboration with the patient’s real needs and requirements.
Steps of FUE Hair Transplant Procedure
Generally, all FUE hair transplant techniques share the same steps. Further, FUE hair transplantation is a minimally-invasive surgical operation. And, performed under conscious sedation / local anesthesia. Therefore, the standard session can last up to six hours or more depending on the number of hair grafts that will be transplant.
Hair Transplant Procedure divide into the following steps:
I. Pre-Procedure (pre-pro) preparations
Some preparations must be taken. Besides that, there are instructions have to follow in days and weeks before the hair transplant procedure. Such as, abstaining from alcoholic beverages before the procedure in three days. And, abstaining from aspirin and smoking for seven days prior to the hair transplantation date. Besides, avoiding caffeinated beverages on the day of the procedure. Further information and instructions are available in Patient Portal.
II. Procedure’s day Consultation Session
Furthermore, on the day of the hair transplant procedure, Dr. Demir will re-design the final hairline position. Similarly, as determined before in the first consultation session. Therefore, and during this session, the patient will have the chance to review the procedure steps again with the doctor. And, ask for any questions related to the procedure. Then, when the patient is ready, feeling comfortable and satisfied, the hair transplant procedure will begin.
III. Applying Conscious Sedation / Local Anesthesia
The patient will change his clothes, and the vital signs will be check. After that, he will be accompanied to the surgery room. The anesthesiologist team will start applying conscious sedation / local anesthesia. this will take up to 3 minutes. After that, the patient will feel ZERO pain but will stay aware of what is going around. Now, and after this point, the patient is ready for the next step.
IV. Hair Grafts (Follicular Unit) Harvesting
The major step in hair transplant procedure is harvesting the hair grafts (follicular units) from the donor area. In this case, the hair follicular units will extract one-by-one. Therefore, the success of this step related by using the right needles diameter size of the medical micro-device. Which, depends on the length of hair follicular units, and the number of single hairs in each follicular unit. Besides that, choosing the right punch shape is important factors that affect directly on the success of the hair follicular extraction. Because the wrong punch will increase the risk of breaking and damaging the hair follicular units. Dr. Demir will determine the right needles diameter size. As well as, the right punch shape according to the patient’s hair checking results during the consultation session.
During this step, the medical team will classify the extracted hair grafts into groups according to the nature of each hair graft (hair graft containing single hair, hair graft containing double or more hair). As a result, this will help to distribute the transplanted hair grafts in the recipient area in perfect way to get the harmonized final natural result.
V. Microchannels Formation (Recipient Site Creation)
The most important and critical step in the hair transplant procedure is forming the microchannels (the tiny holes in the balding area where the harvested grafts will be placed). However, this step can be called “Creating Recipient Sites”. During this step, a special sharp medical blade will use to create sites in the recipient area of the scalp. Therefore, this must be done by taking into consideration the right depth and growth hair angle of the incision to get the required outcome. In addition, the size and density of sites, and the distance away from existing hairs.
The final natural results count on the success of this step, and the success of this step count on the long, high experience and professionalism of the surgeon.
That is why Dr. DEMIR always recommends the prospective patient to search for the real and experienced doctor to have this procedure. It is not necessary to have the procedure with Dr. DEMIR, but it is necessary to be sure that you give permission to a real and experienced doctor to treat and improve your hair and get the final natural look.
VI. Hair Grafts (Follicular) Placing
Considered one of the major steps. During this step, the harvested hair grafts will be implanting (by using the right technique) into the recipient area which created before. Therefore, this done by transplanting the hair grafts one-by-one, with a certain right angle and depth. As a result, achieving accurate placement and obtain final natural results. More importantly, this step must perform with high care. Since the injury or breaking of the grafts or improper insertion into the creation site can inhibit the growth.
VII. Post-procedure (post-pro) Consultation & Recommendations
Ordinarily, after 48 hours of the hair transplant procedure. The patient will have the first post-pro hair washing under the supervision of Dr. Demir. During this stage, the doctor will explain the right practices that must be follow by the patient during having the hair wash (within the next 10 days after the procedure). Besides, the right practice to remove formed shells and drying the hair. Then, the patient will have a final consultation session. As a result, the doctor will explain the recovery periods and the expected time to get the final natural results.
Besides that, and according to the patient’s blood test results (that had done before the procedure), the doctor may prescribe some medicine or vitamins to use for a limited time to support the growth of the newly transplanted hair. Further, Dr. Demir will provide the patient with post-pro instructions and recommendations that must follow. Such as abstaining from alcohol for three days. And avoid smoking for fourteen days after the procedure. More importantly, is following the post-pro instructions to ensure optimal healing and growth of the newly transplanted hair.
VIII. Post-Procedure Growth (Recovery) Periods
After the hair transplant procedure. As a result, the growth process will start. But, the actual time for complete recovery period is variable depending on many factors. Such as the patient’s body physiology, nutrition type, using medications and vitamins, living environment conditions, … etc. In general, the final result of the hair transplant procedure begins to appear between ten months to one year.
Generally, after the procedure. The transplanted hair grafts will begin shedding the hair they contained at the time of the transplant. However, the follicles remain. Due to being permanently rooted in the scalp after the operation in 10 days. As a result, start to produce new hairs in two to three months after the procedure.
Besides that, another physiological reaction will appear called “Shock loss”. However, this is a normal reaction response to scalp trauma. Therefore, existing non-transplanted hair will fall out in the vicinity of the transplanted hair. But, it does not cause any damage to the newly transplanted follicles. In addition, the existing hair will grow back again.
