FUE Hair Transplantation

For a lot of us today, the struggle with hair loss is a real issue, impacting not only our appearance but also our self-confidence. In fact, hair transplant has emerged as a highly considered solution for many, offering a new chapter of growth and self-assurance. FUE is one of the least invasive methods in the field of hair restoration, known for its precision, minimal scarring, fast recovery, and natural-looking results.

So, what are the options for hair loss? what method is best for me? how can I harness the power of recent techniques to turn back the clock on hair loss? On this FUE page, you will find comprehensive insights into how the procedure works, its benefits, and whether you’re an ideal candidate. We will also address common concerns and share the latest advancements that make FUE the top choice for hair restoration among men and women alike.

Over the years, hair transplantation has evolved significantly, beginning with Dr. Orentreich’s pioneering Punch Hair Transplant in the 1950s, evolving to the sophisticated Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation (FUT) in the 1990s, and now embracing the state-of-the-art Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) method.  FUE involves extracting individual follicular units using a two-step or three-step process, while the implantation process mirrors that of FUT. This page scrutinizes the FUE methodology, its prerequisites, indications, contraindications, and the procedure itself, while acknowledging its limitations and exploring the latest advancements such as the automated FUE, which significantly increases the number of grafts that can be harvested in a single day by skilled professionals.

What is FUE technique?

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a cutting-edge hair transplant method where individual hair follicles are extracted from the donor area of the scalp using specialized micro punches typically ranging from 0.6-1.0mm in diameter. This technique is unique in that it does not involve removing a strip of skin with hair follicles, thus reducing scarring.

FUE is one of the methods that we harvest hairs from the donor area. As general information, a hair transplantation procedure is moving hair from the area of the head where the hair grows most thick, to the area where the hair is thinning or balding. When harvesting hairs from the donor area, there are 3 methods including FUT, FUE, and combination of FUT and FUE, each method has their own pros and cons, and FUE is the lease invasive method.

Benefits of FUE Hair Transplant
  • No sutures or linear scar
  • Fast recovery on the donor area
  • Not very painful 
  • The survivability rate of grafts is over 95%
  • Great for short hairstyles

Why Maxwell

2-Step Hairline Design

Our doctors will design the most ideal and natural hairline for each individual patients.

Two-stage designing process for the most ideal hairline. By using a special laser, we can find the most suitable hairline for each patient’s facial shape and size, designing symmetrical hairlines. On top of that, the second round of medical staff will manually complete the ideal design considering the characteristics and tastes of each patient.

High Density Transplant

We’ve integrated various medical technologies, traditionally used in bone fractures and wound treatments, to enable denser, more finely packed hair transplants than ever before. You can expect a natural hairline even from just 10cm away.

Crafting a natural-looking hairline for different hair loss patterns is important, and density is key to achieving a genuinely authentic result. A high-density hair transplant isn’t just about closely packing grafts—it’s a complex process that involves understanding different directions of hair, carefully designing the hairline, and transplanting, to ensure the hair grows according to plan. From the moment of extraction to the post-transplant care, the entire procedure must be carried out with precision and stability. At Maxwell Hair Clinic, we meticulously manage every step to guarantee the hair not only grows but flourishes in a manner that appears natural and seamless to your unique hair patterns, without anyone noticing even from 10cm away.

A Fuller Result with Fewer Hairs

It’s not just about the number of grafts but about achieving a fuller look with the same quantity. By arranging transplanted hairs in a grid pattern or interspersing thin hairs amongst thicker ones, we provide a lush and voluminous outcome.

Determining the correct number of grafts for a successful hair transplant requires considering factors beyond just the treatment area. Younger individuals generally need denser grafts due to naturally thicker surrounding hair. Different ages and densities necessitate tailored approaches, with meticulous planning for potential future hair loss and secondary surgeries. Maxwell Hair Clinic’s 20-year tradition of tracking patient outcomes has refined our expertise in not only planning but also precision in graft harvesting and transplantation, ensuring long-lasting satisfaction. Harvested hairs can usually be much more than transplanted hairs, this graft loss can be as high as 30% without skilled execution. Our careful process, supported by an in-house medical team, minimizes graft loss, making the difference of up to a thousand hairs in larger procedures.

As Natural As Your Own Hair

We perform a gradient transplant at Maxwell to achieve a hairline as natural as your own hairline

The natural hairline slowly thickens as it goes backward, so we go through the process called gradient transplantation. It is possible by selecting hair follicles of different sizes before transplanting them. This process requires experience and know-how because it is a sophisticated procedure.

Harvest Without Scars

Our doctors will harvest hairs from donor area with discreet incision, and invisible scars.

To harvest the donor follicles for transplantation, a discreet incision and closure are made at the back of the head. During this process, a fine, thin scar line can remain, which is less than ideal if it’s too noticeable. However, our doctors at Maxwell will perform the procedure using techniques refined through extensive experience and research, ensuring that scars are nearly imperceptible.

A Dense Front, A Lush Crown

The hairline and crown require different transplantation techniques. High density is crucial for the front, while for the crown, it’s important to cover the maximum area by focusing on the angle and direction of hair growth.

Maxwell Hair Clinic takes a meticulous approach to crown hair transplants, focusing not only on density but on the aesthetic flow and caliber of hair for a rich, natural look. We prioritize the implantation of thicker grafts in the crown area and finer ones as we move away, ensuring seamless integration with existing hair. Utilizing advanced techniques and high-magnification tools, we safeguard the delicate native hair while enhancing overall fulness. Our process is designed to amplify the crown’s volume and preserve the natural pattern of hair growth, leading to a superior and enduring transformation.

Preventive Prediction

Hair loss can continue even after transplantation. At Maxwell, we predict the progression of hair loss and transplant follicles preemptively. This ensures that if more hair loss occurs, it remains unnoticeable.

Different strategies are needed for different hair loss stages, this is particularly important for younger patients who are in their 20s to 40s, considering their active hair loss progression. Without predictive measures, you could face the need for additional surgeries within 2-3 years. We ensure that our transplants not only address current thinning areas but also anticipate and cover future balding spots, making maintenance easier and reducing the need for further procedures. Our strategy offers significant benefits, including cost savings, and highlights the importance of choosing experienced professionals for a personalized transplant plan that factors in long-term outcomes.

Target 100% Survival Rate

Transplanted hairs must thrive fully. The best result is the only thing we care. The delicate nature of hair transplantation surgery means that the success rate can vary by up to 30% depending on the surgeon’s experience and skill. We target 100% survival rate at Maxwell.

Maxwell emphasizes precision in hair follicle separation, matching the angle and flow of natural hair growth to save over 500 potential grafts that might otherwise be lost through damage. Due to the dense nature of the donor area, only experienced medical teams can skillfully navigate such intricacies. Efficiency is critical, as follicle viability decreases by 10% every four hours post-separation. Our skilled team completes separation and transplantation within 2-3 hours to maximize survival rates. Moreover, careful transplantation at the correct depth for each individual is crucial to prevent complications and ensure graft survival. We also understand that excessively high densities can be detrimental; therefore, we determine the optimal density unique to each patient for the best results. To further improve graft survival, we employ advanced techniques like magnetic fields to foster cell regeneration and phototherapy to expedite healing, thereby connecting grafts securely and quickly to the blood supply.

Change Your Life in 1 Day

Quick Recovery, Pain-Free

We ensure minimal disruption to your daily life, you can go back to all regular activities in the same day!

The most important thing is the surgery process—we minimize pain and simplify recovery. Through this process, you can return to your daily life for the same day without any problems. You can shampoo the next day and resume daily activities in just two days.

FUE Shaving Options

The FUE hair transplant is a meticulous procedure requiring the donor area to be shaved down to a short length. This step ensures the precise extraction of individual follicular units. Our skilled surgeons at Maxwell Hair Clinic typically offer patients three options to choose from, allowing you to return to your daily life immediately after the transplant. Below are the three options:

Full Shaving

The shaved method is the fastest and easiest way to do the FUE procedure. The hair that needs to be extracted can easily be identified and harvested. The downside is that there will be visible holes on the donor area for a few weeks as the head is healing.

Partial Shaving

The partially shaved method allows you to leave the hair long at the back and only remove hair from the donor section. The shaved area is covered by the remaining hair.

Minimal Shaving

This is the most difficult method which requires the most skill. The doctor will extract the hair from the donor area without shaving the hair.

How it Works

After choosing the appropriate shaving method, you’ll be fully prepared to undergo the surgery. While you might already be familiar with the basics, like the harvesting and transplantation steps involved in hair transplant surgery, there’s so much more insight and helpful details to uncover. Please continue reading for a deeper understanding the intricacies and expert care that go into every stage of the procedure, to understand what makes the most successful and satisfying result.

Consultation

Share the pictures with your doctor, get a comprehensive online consultation including examination, a rough number of hairs, best treatment options, the final quote,  as well as the deposit process and scheduling

Hairline Design

Visit the hospital, have an in-person consultation, and final hairline design based on your skin condition and facial structure, decide  the most ideal hairline with your doctor

Preparation

On the surgery day, you will have a pre-operational preparation with seamless assistance our medical team and translation team

Surgery

The surgery involves harvesting and transplantation, duration depends on the number of hairs and techniques of the surgery.  with decades of experience

Precaution

After the surgery, our medical team and translation team will assist you with a comprehensive education on what  you can expect, and how you can take care of both donor and recipient area, as well as getting the medications in the pharmacy

Post-op Care

On the next day of the surgery, you will come back to the hospital, have a follow-up with your surgeon before leaving Seoul. At the same time, on day-2, we will remove the bandage, provide shampoo service and laser therapy to strengthen hair follicles

FUE Hair Transplant Surgery Process

Step 1: Harvest

On the surgery day, the donor area will be shaved based on the shaving method you have chosen, and local anesthesia will be applied. The doctor will use a special hole punch machine to extract the hair follicles from the back of the head. FUE hair transplantation surgery is still incisional surgery, which will form multiple circular scars spread across larger area, however surgeon’s technique will ensure no scar is visible.  Once a sufficient amount of grafts have been extracted, the doctor then moves on to the transplant phase. If your surgeon suggests using combination of FUE and FUT method, in the most cases, the reason is being able to harvest more hairs than using a single method.

Step 2: Transplantation

After the grafts are extracted from the donor area, the doctor implants them into the recipient area of the scalp. The recipient area is usually around the front, top, crown and sides. The doctor uses a special tool to then implant the hair into the scalp. The doctor takes great care to make sure the hair is inserted in the natural direction of the hair growth.

Begin by using the sharp end of the punch machine to score the skin around a hair follicle.

The professionals then carefully plucks out the hair graft with tweezers. These grafts are kept fresh in certain temparature until they are ready to be placed.

The assistant uses tools to divide the grafts, which ranges from one to several hairs, ensuring a variety of graft thicknesses  necessary for a natural-gradient hair transplant

The experienced doctor will carefully perform the transplantation step. It is crucial to achieve a seamless and natural-looking hairline. Carefully sorting these grafts is a delicate and detailed phase before they are strategically implanted.

Take Away

  • No linear scar
  • No stitches removal
  • Minimal post-op process
  • Fast donor area recovery
  • Go back to daily lift the following day

FUE Hair Transplant Recovery Timeline

Day 1

You may feel pain for the first couple days. The day after surgery, we will provide post-operative care, including removing the bandage from donor area, disinfection dressing, shampoo service and laser treatment for the maximum viability. We recommend using anti-biotic spray for 3 days. Most of the cases, you can fly back to the country leave on the following day after the free shampoo service.

Day 3~14

You can wash your hair by yourself at home starting on the third day. Please do not rub the recipient area for 2 weeks. After applying the recommended bubble shampoo, rinse your hair after 2-3 minutes. You can wash your hair normally after 2 weeks.

Day 15~30

70-80% of the transplanted hair will fall out during this period together with some original hairs, but please do not worry as this is normal during the recovery process. After 3 to 5 months, hairs will start to grow normally.

You can experience folliculitis in the surgical area during this period before hairs start to grow. In most cases, applying the antibiotic ointment (Fucidin, Madecassol cream, etc) will resolve the issue.

This is the period patients worry the most because hairs will be going through shock loss, but also the period new hairs start to grow slowly, mostly growing like 1cm per month, so please do not worry, it takes a bit more time before it begins to resemble the result we are hoping for. 

From about the 4th month, hairs will start to grow slowly. It is normal to look like you are losing the hairs up to 3-6 months, or even look worse than before, however, please do not worry, we just need to be patient a little bit longer.

After 6 months, hairs start to become comb-able.

Month 10

Hairs will actively grow on the recipient area, with hair loss treatment, number of hairs and thickness can even be better in this period.

Year 1

The hair will gain in thickness & length, and may also change in character. It generally takes one year to see the full results of a hair transplant. We recommend to have a 1-year follow up with your surgeon, as 1-year is usually the time that you can expect a full result.

Hair Transplant at Maxwell in Korea

At Maxwell Hair Clinic, we understand that undergoing a hair transplant is a significant decision, no matter where you are in the world. Our experts specialize in providing a seamless and convenient experience for international patients seeking high-quality, affordable hair restoration in the heart of Seoul (South Korea), Gangnam. With extensive experience across a diverse range of ethnicities and hair types, our doctors are committed to delivering personalized treatments tailored to meet your unique needs.

Undergoing surgery in another country may seem daunting. However, at Maxwell Hair Clinic, we developed every process as straightforward and effortless as possible for international patients. Maxwell Hair Clinic is a globally recognized center for excellence in hair transplant procedures. We have assisted patients from the USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, France, Mexico, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and more.

Korea’s medical procedures are noted for their high quality and relative affordability. With hair transplant costs, including accommodation and flight, often cheaper than in North America and Europe, the decision to choose Maxwell clinic becomes even more appealing.

Here are couple important information you may want to know:

Comprehensive Online Consultation

Begin your journey with a simple online consultation. Our consultants will guide you through creating a tailored treatment plan and scheduling your procedure

Travel to Korea

Upon your arrival, we can arrange an airport pick-up limousine based on your flight information, price for airport limousine from Incheon Airport to central Seoul (where Maxwell Hair Clinic is located) is about $80. If you prefer to travel independently, you can utilize the airport bus for approximately $15, or a taxi for roughly $80 to central Seoul.

Cost consideration for travel

Accommodation: Typical rates range between $50-$200 per day.
Meals: Average restaurant meals in Seoul are about $10~$20.
Flights: Prices vary depending which city are you flying from, and when, so we recommend checking a few months in advance to find the best deal.

Meet your doctor

Our dedicated consultants and medical team will welcome you to our state-of-the-art facility for your final diagnosis and personalized hairline design.

Treatment Day

Experience our top-tier service, complete with a personal translator. The duration of the procedure can last between 4 to 9 hours, depending on the number of grafts and the surgical method chosen. Afterward, our consultant will ensure you are comfortably settled back at your hotel.

Chill, Sit back, Recover, Fly home!

The day after the procedure, you’ll have a follow-up check, free shampoo service, and laser therapy for soothing the skin. Then, take the opportunity to explore and relax in Seoul, a city rich in culture and modern conveniences. When it’s time to depart, we’ll provide transportation to the airport so you can head home with one less worry.

Begin today

Request a Consultation

Interested in learning more or ready to take the first step? Submit the consultation form below for a closer look at our services and to request your comprehensive online consultation today!

Our doctors are highly skilled with many decades of experience working on all types of ethnicities and scalp types, you won’t regeret!

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