FUE Hair Transplant Method
Follicular unit extraction is a new modification of standard follicular unit transplantation. The planting of follicular units into the recipient area is identical in both techniques and, thus, both offer transplant growth without “plugginess”.
The difference is found in the method of harvesting the hair from the donor area. Instead of excising a strip of hair, suturing the area together, and then dissecting the follicular units underneath a microscope, the follicular units in the FUE method are removed from the scalp individually, one by one. Therefore, there is no wound to be stitched and there is no need for microscopes.
The follicular units are removed by placing a 1 mm punch around a single follicular unit and cutting a small circle through the skin around that follicular unit. The follicular unit is then grasped and gently pulled away from the loose connective tissue surrounding it underneath the skin.
Once it is removed, no further preparation is necessary. It is ready for implanting. The small hole left behind is left to heal in by itself which it does over one to two weeks. This process is repeated hundreds of times until the desired number of follicular units are obtained. Rather than having a white, linear scar as with standard follicular unit transplantation, the patient is left with numerous 1 mm round white scars.
Proponents claim the advantage is less noticeable scarring and no tightness of the scalp (because no tissue has been brought together and sutured as in standard follicular unit transplantation).
Although good in theory, follicular unit extraction does have some major drawbacks. One of the greatest is that not every patient scalp is amenable to follicular unit extraction. In these patients, the follicular unit tends to tear while it is being teased out of the skin. Damaged follicular units will not grow as well, if at all. Frequently, a test procedure is recommended to check whether the patient’s follicular units remain intact during extraction.
Another major problem is that is difficult to perform large sessions. The extractions are slow and tedious. Patients desiring large sessions may have to return multiple days rather than a single day as during standard follicular unit transplantation. (unlike the DHI hair transplant technique which is performed the same day)
The capacity for long term growth is a theoretical concern. During extractions, the follicular units are gently torn from the underlying tissues. The deepest component of the connective tissue beneath the follicles tends to be absent in these grafts. Its absence could possibly lead to weakening of the follicular unit over time.
Since this is a new technique, hair transplant surgeons cannot be sure of the long term results. Finally, patients must understand that they will get scars in the donor area either way. Follicular unit extraction leads to hundreds or thousands of tiny round scars in the back of the scalp. Whether that is preferable to a linear scar is debatable.
This would particularly affect:
- Patients with limited donor material remaining due to tightness of the scalp,
- Patients who tend to heal with wide scars after suturing,
- Patients with loss of eyebrow or moustache hair that require follicular units of a particular size,
- Patients in the military who must keep their hair in the donor area very short.
Conclusion
It is our opinion that standard follicular unit transplantation used to be useful, however the DHI technique and the FUE technique are far superior with a similar cost, so in essence, patients are getting better treatment, better results for the same price.
Patient Testimonials
Aside from achieving fantastic results, we believe that keeping in touch with our patients before, during and after their hair transplantation procedure is paramount – it helps to keep our patients feeling calm and in control. We’re always on hand to provide guidance, support and aftercare advice. Time and again, our patients tell us that this is what sets us apart from other clinics.
You can read our great reviews of FUE hair transplants over on Google and TrustPilot
Louis Robson8 June 2023Great service and advice would dr Mumir was brilliant and full of great advice
John P Ronan30 March 2022Very few can deliver a professional service whilst ensuring that all clients receive first -class personalised treatment, turning what can be a daunting experience into something of relative ease. Both Kevin, Dr Karla, and their surgical team certainly did this (and then some!) Once my mind was made up to have hair loss treatment, I was keen to get my transplant done asap. Kevin exceeded all my expectations with this - it’s hard to believe that my journey from first consultation to surgery happened in the space of one month. Efficiency did not stop there - on the day of surgery, my transplant was completed in less than 6 hours, all the while ensuring that I was comfortable and pain-free. Security is the best word that comes to mind to describe Dr Karla’s care -you know you’re in experienced hands! Now I can look forward to the results over the next few months, with the added peace of mind that the Harley Street Clinic team are only a phone call or email away to address any concerns. They will be the first name I will recommend to anyone looking for effective hair loss treatment, and I hope to make use of their service again in the future should I need it.
anees haseem27 March 2022Dr karla is an excellent Dr gives out great advice and is so friendly I have enjoyed meeting the team overall kind and friendly team 10/10
Matty B1 March 2022I got a hair transplant and PRP for my hair. Im 19 years old and it’s the best decision I made so far. Manchester hair transplant clinic have been amazing. They were brilliant at welcoming me into getting a hair transplant and amazing at doing the job right. I will defiantly be going to them later on in my life if/when another is needed due to my age. I would highly recommend their service to anyone interested 😊
Bharat Bapodra10 February 2022I was quite scared before going into surgery, but Dr kalra reassured me the procedures were straight forward and easy going. And he was amazing and so were the team. Everyone was polite and professional and I will recommend this team to anybody else :)
Mark A31 January 2022Massive Thankyou to all the team . After months of indecision as to wether to have a hair transplant or not ,i finally made the decision to make that first call,im so glad i did,im so pleased i went with Dr Khalra and his team. I first spoke to Kevin he come across as a very honest and genuine guy who was certainly very knowledgable about all the procedure ,after speaking to him i decided that these were the people i wanted to go with. On the day of the procedure i was very nervous,but on meeting Dr Kalra and his team i was immediately put at ease ,he was very reassuring and such a lovely friendly guy as was his team,It was all very proffesionally done in a lovely clean and modern clinic in Bury. Throughout the day i felt i was in really good hands with Dr Khalra and his team Naz and Raz ( hope ive spelt it right). Im now 7weeks into my Fue hair transplant and looking forward to the coming months to see the results . Ive no hesitation in recommending Dr Khalra Kevin and the team ,they are definitely the right people to go to if you are considering having a procedure done . Again i cant thank you enough . Mark..
Rhys Jones24 January 2022Great experience, Kevin walked me through every step of the process beforehand and helped with any questions I had along the way. Dr. Kalra and the team looked after me on the day which went great. Thanks guys for your help, amazing experience.
Martin Nikolli21 January 2022Was good job from Dr Kalra and the staff were very nice This experience was better than i was thinking about hair transplant And thanks to Kevin 👍
Ynit Star21 January 2022
