Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a highly advanced hair restoration technique that involves the careful removal of individual hair follicles from the donor area, typically at the back of the head. Each follicular unit graft is excised one at a time using small, precise circular incisions. In most cases, the donor area is trimmed or shaved for clear access; however, with the No-Shave FUE option, the procedure can be performed without shaving the entire area, making it less noticeable post-surgery. The tiny openings created during extraction heal quickly, usually within a few days, leaving virtually no visible signs that a procedure was performed.
One of the key benefits of FUE is that it does not leave a linear scar on the back of the head, making it an excellent choice for individuals who prefer to wear their hair short. The meticulous nature of this procedure ensures a natural-looking result, with no obvious indications of a hair transplant. FUE is particularly well-suited for patients who seek a discreet, minimally invasive solution for hair restoration, allowing them to regain their hair and confidence with minimal downtime and recovery.
The healing process after an FUE hair transplant is typically quick and smooth. By the third day, you may notice minor redness and small scabs at both the donor and recipient sites. These begin to fade by day five, with the donor area showing clear signs of healing. By day ten, enough hair will have grown back in the donor area to make it appear normal again. Many patients opt to have their hair stylist trim the donor area and lower part of the crown to blend and match the hair lengths, ensuring a seamless appearance.
While the donor area will look mostly normal at this stage, some patients might still notice a slight pink hue where the hair grafts were transplanted. This is usually more noticeable in individuals with fairer skin but generally does not draw attention unless specifically pointed out. Overall, the healing process is discreet and allows you to return to your usual routine with minimal downtime.
| Aspect | FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) | FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure | Individual follicular units are extracted directly from the scalp using a punch device | A strip of scalp is removed from the donor area, and follicular units are dissected from the strip |
| Scarring | Leaves tiny, dot-like scars that are less noticeable, and virtually invisible | Leaves a linear scar at the donor site, which can be noticeable with very short hair |
| Recovery Time | Faster recovery time; small sites heal in a few days | Longer recovery time due to the larger incision; stitches and staples are required and removed at 2 weeks |
| Pain and Discomfort | Minimal post-operative discomfort due to the absence of an incision. Feels like a light sunburn | More post-operative discomfort and potential for tightness at the donor site and a light dull ache |
| Cost | Generally more expensive, approximately 25% higher than FUT | Generally less expensive compared to FUE |
| Suitability | Ideal for those who prefer short haircuts or have fewer grafts to transplant | Suitable for those requiring a large number of grafts |
| Shaving | Typically requires shaving of the donor area, but can be done without complete shaving (no-shave option) | No shaving of the donor area required |
| Procedure Time | More time-consuming due to the individual extraction of follicles | Generally quicker as the strip method allows harvesting of multiple follicles at once |
| Post-Op Appearance | More noticeable due to shaving donor area | Less noticeable incision which can be hidden by longer hair |
FUE is particularly suitable for patients who require a smaller number of grafts, making it an excellent choice for those needing up to 1800 grafts in a single session. However, we do offer 2 day FUE sessions to achieve 3000 grafts.
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) hair transplants offer a permanent solution to hair loss. Once transplanted, your new hair will continue to grow for the rest of your life because of the resilient nature of the transplanted hair follicles.
During the procedure, individual hair follicles are moved from a donor area to areas where hair is thinning or absent. These transplanted follicles maintain their natural growth cycle, ensuring permanent natural-looking results. We do recommend that every patient whom has had a hair transplant takes some type of long term maintenance such as Finasteride.
The FUE procedure is typically low on the pain scale. Local anesthesia is administered to numb the donor and recipient areas ensuring minimal discomfort during the procedure.
Patients often report feeling pressure rather than sharp pain during the procedure. Following the operation, some individuals may experience mild soreness or swelling, which can be effectively managed with prescribed pain relief medication. Individual pain tolerance and anxiety levels may affect how discomfort is perceived, but advancements in FUE techniques prioritize patient comfort throughout.
Overall, FUE is designed to be minimally invasive, making it a well-tolerated option for effective hair restoration.
Yes, patients are awake during the FUE procedure. Most of the time our patients watch a movie and talk with Dr. Heinis about cars and sports.
The duration of the FUE hair transplant procedure at DiStefano Hair Restoration Center varies depending on individual factors.
Typically, the procedure takes several hours, taking into account variables such as the extent of hair loss and the number of grafts required. Our experienced team ensures a meticulous and efficient process to make sure all of your harvested grafts are healthy before planting them.
On the day of the procedure, patients generally arrive at 8:30 AM to complete preoperative paperwork. The numbing process begins shortly after, followed by the procedure itself, which continues through the morning and into the early afternoon.
Larger surgeries involving a higher number of follicles or grafts require more time compared to smaller procedures. Throughout the surgery, adequate time is allotted for meals, snacks, and breaks for both the patient and the surgeon. We tell all patients to plan an 8:30AM to 5:00PM day.
The recovery period following a Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant is relatively short versus other hair transplant procedures.
Initial healing generally takes about a week, during which patients may experience minor redness and swelling. Most individuals can return to their normal activities within a few days, though strenuous exercise should be avoided for two weeks.
Patience is important because the full recovery and visible hair growth may take several months. Remember, it took you years to lose your hair. Give yourself some time to heal!
Following postoperative care instructions diligently—such as gentle hair washing and avoiding specified activities—is essential to achieve optimal and successful outcomes from a FUE hair transplant.
Patients can anticipate minimal downtime following the surgery. It’s advisable to take about 5 days off from work after the procedure, although it is possible to return to work the following day.
Initial recovery typically spans about a week, during which redness and swelling gradually diminish.
Generally, both the donor and recipient areas heal and return to normal within 5-7 days.
Hair growth following an FUE hair transplant varies. Hair growth is a gradual process; some patients start noticing new hair growth as early as 3 months, while many others see growth around the 6-month mark. In rare cases, it may take a bit longer.
Initial growth is promising but typically does not reflect the complete outcome. For some patients, it can take 9 to 15 months after the procedure for new hair to fully grow in and achieve the final cosmetic result.
FUE hair transplants are generally safe when performed by experienced surgeons. However, like any medical procedure, there are potential risks and side effects. These may include an infection called folliculitis, bleeding, minor scarring, or poor hair growth in the transplanted area due to ingrown hairs. All very treatable.
It’s crucial to follow our pre- and post-operative care instructions carefully to minimize risks. Any concerns or unusual symptoms should be promptly discussed with us immediately.
At DiStefano Hair Restoration Center, the cost of an FUE hair transplant typically ranges from $7,000 to $15,000. The final price depends on various factors, including the extent of hair loss, the number of grafts needed, and the personalized care required. This investment in your appearance and confidence is tailored to your specific needs, ensuring you receive the best possible results. Additionally, you are assigned your own dedicated team that will be with you throughout the entire day of your procedure. Our team, led by Dr. Heinis, is dedicated to providing top-quality care and exceptional outcomes, making the procedure permanent, guaranteed, and well worth the cost. We also guarantee our procedures for life.
At DiStefano Hair Restoration, we bring over 110 years of combined experience to every procedure, offering you the highest quality hair transplants at the best prices in the area. We’ve been in business for over 30 years and have completed more hair transplants than any other clinic in New England—over 15,000 successful procedures.
While many practices use a similar method of follicular unit extraction (FUE) with other tools, our methodology and technique are far superior. Unlike other clinics that may extract hair follicles in a way that can damage the roots—leading to poor growth—we take extra care to preserve the integrity of each graft. Additionally, some practices store patients’ grafts in chemical solutions for hours until they are ready to be transplanted, which can harm the grafts and reduce their survival rate.
With our FUE hair transplant methods, each follicle is carefully removed from the donor area and immediately transplanted to the host site after a thorough inspection under a microscope. This meticulous process ensures higher graft yields, with a graft survival rate of 98% at DiStefano, compared to just 85% at other clinics. Why settle for 85% of what you’re paying for when you can achieve superior results with us?
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