The Procedure of Follicular Hair Extraction – FUE

Among various hair transplant methods, follicular hair extraction (FUE) wears the crown at ensuring the best results in hair loss cases. Its popularity is due to its minimal invasiveness and painless procedure along with its permanent and satisfying results. Here are the stages of this surgical procedure:

Consultation and treatment planning

After previous consultations, on the day of the operation, high-quality photos are taken for assessing the result of the treatment. After making the final consultation, the surgical procedure is planned. The surgeon will take into consideration the following factors:

• The number of hair follicles to be extracted
• The thickness and number of the hair shafts contained in the follicles
• The orientation of the hair shafts
• The sites of transplantation and their density

A fruitful treatment comes from meeting the patient’s “realistic” expectations by performing a skillful operation. However, the facial features of the patient and other physical factors are to be taken into account.

Planning the hairline

The line where the hairy scalp meets the forehead is called hairline. The natural looking hair transplantation needs delicate and undistinguished hairline which is determined by the patient’s facial symmetry and forehead structure. Single and thin hair shafts in a follicle are suitable for making the hairline. Nobody wants people to know that they have undergone a hair transplantation surgery. In order to achieve an accepted result, the hairline should be planned by a qualified plastic surgeon specialized in the area, with all-inclusive knowledge about facial aesthetics, and who has performed an acceptable number of hair transplantation operations.

Haircut

In order to be prepared for the surgery, the patient has to get a grade one haircut. This will make the time of procedure shorter because the surgeon will be able to extract the hair follicles more easily. If not too much hair is needed, then just strips of the scalp have to be shaved and there is no need for a complete haircut.

Anesthesia

FUE is a totally pain-free procedure, due to the local anesthetics that are administered to the location. The patient just feels a minor pain while the anesthetics are injected. The anesthetics also prevent from bleeding during the procedure.

Extraction

The extraction of hair follicles is performed by a specially designed micromotor (tipped with micro-punches of 0.6 to 0.8 mm in diameter) without making any incisions. All the procedure is conducted under a magnifier device. The punches and extractions are confined to the level of the follicles, therefore, there is just very minimum, not to say no, damage. Each follicle is removed and extracted one by one. The hair follicles that have three or four shafts are preferred. The small hole created after a follicle extraction will heal within a few days. The extracted follicles are carried carefully and kept inside a special solution in a cooled place.

Recipient canals and implantation

This stage is the artistic and architectural part of the procedure. Some canals should be made in accordance with the architectural plan that establishes a successful treatment. The direction and density of the hair follicles should be determined which ensures a normal appearance. The canals are made by the use of special blades of about 0.7 mm in diameter. The length and width of the canals are determined by assessing each individual follicle. The extracted follicles are inserted into the canals at the proper depth with the appropriate angle without interfering the blood circulation in the scalp. They should be inserted one by one into every single canal without skipping any of them. The rate of success is close to a hundred percent. No observable scar is left and the patient can resume the ordinary life thereafter.