
Follicular Unit Excision(FUE)
In this method, each individual follicular unit (FU) is obtained directly from the scalp, rather than from a strip of donor tissue that has been removed from the scalp. Previously it was called Follicular Unit Extraction. But it has been modified as ‘Follicular unit Excision’ recently. In FUE hair transplant surgery, an instrument is used to make a small, circular incision in the skin around a follicular unit, separating it from the surrounding tissue. The unit is then extracted (pulled) directly from the scalp, leaving a small open hole. This process of extracting each follicular unit repeatedly is a tedious process. This process is repeated until the hair transplant surgeon has harvested enough follicular units for the planned hair restoration. This process can take 6-8 hours and in large sessions, may be even completed over two consecutive days. The donor wounds, approximately 1 mm in size, completely heal over the course of seven to ten days, leaving tiny white scars buried in the hair on the back and sides of the scalp. These scars are usually very small and will be virtually invisible amidst other hairs which grow in a downward direction.
Advantages of FUE method:
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shaving the head without any noticeable scarring (to wear hair <2 mm.)
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no sutures, no permanent linear scar
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decreased healing time, comfortable healing process. Can resume work almost
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immediately after surgery.
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less post-operative pain
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Very few restrictions after the surgery. Can resume the work the next day.
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extends the donor area
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useful if limited number of grafts are needed
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ideal to repair donor scar
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removal of undesirable hairline grafts
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body hair harvest
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no permanent distortion of hair growth angles