Hair Transplantation
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. The area of the head where hair grows the tickets and usually never goes bald is at the back of the head, and is called the donor area. The area of the head where the hair is transplanted to, which can be the front, top or crown, is called the recipient area.
FUE Transplantation
Harvest
FUE is a method whereby the hairs from the donor site are removed one at a time. The way it works is the doctor will use a special hole punch machine to extract the hair follicles from the back of the head. Once a sufficient amount of grafts have been extracted the doctor then moves on to the transplant phase.
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.
FUE Characteristics
- Takes around 6-9 hours
- No sutures or linear scar
- Fast recovery on the donor area
- Not very painful
- The survivability rate of grafts is around 70%-85%
- Great for short hairstyles
FUE Options
Shaved
The shaved method is the fastest and easiest way to do an FUE. The hair that needs to be extracted can easily be identified and harvested. The downside is there will be visible holes on the donor area for a few weeks, while the head is healing.
Partially Shaved
The partially shaved method allows you to leave the hair long at the back and only remove hair from the donner section. The shaved area is covered by the remaining hair.
Unshaved
This is the most difficult method that requires the most skill. The doctor will extract the hair from the donor area without shaving the hair.
Step 1
Consultation with the doctor
Step 2
Consultation with the doctor
Step 3
New hairline design
Step 4
Administer anesthesia
Step 5
Hair harvesting from donor site
Step 6
Transplanting
Step 7
Recovery
Timeline
Post-operative care will begin 1 day after the surgery; with shampooing, disinfection and laser treatment for maximum viability.
Growth usually begins
Hair transplant starts to become comb-able
The hair will gain in thickness and in length and may also change in character. It generally takes a year to see the full results of a hair transplant.