FUE Hair Transplant

Details

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a method of hair transplantation based on the collection of hair follicles in the donor region one by one without creating a linear incision. The harvested follicular unit grafts can be removed directly from the back and sides of the scalp using a small, round, 7 mm staple-like instrument. This minimally invasive method of removing and implanting hair follicles one by one is an advanced hair transplantation method that offers maximum density without causing any linear scarring in the donor area.

Who Is This For?

• Men who have androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness
• Women who have a distinct pattern of baldness
• Individuals with enough donor hair on their head or other parts of the body (e.g. beard).

Treatment Duration

4 to 8 hours.

Potential Risks & Side Effects

• Infections
• Pain and tenderness
• Bleeding
• Itching and swelling
• Inflammation of hair follicles (folliculitis)

Recovery Time

• Antibiotic or anti-inflammatory medicines can be prescribed for several days after the procedure.
• Some surgeons may also prescribe the hair-growing drug minoxidil to support hair growth.

Success Rate: 90-95%.

Alternative Treatments

• Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
• Direct Hair Implantation (DHI)
• Stem Cell Hair Transplant

Before / After

How Does it Work?

Follicular Unit Excision is an effective hair transplant technique that is gaining popularity among different patients. The difference between the FUE and FUT technique is in the extraction process. FUE hair transplant is a minimal invasive method in which your hair follicles are harvested – using a special micro punch – from the donor to the receiving area while you are under local anesthesia. Your surgeon can extract 500 to 5000 grafts in one session.  Hair follicles are usually harvested from the back and sides of your head, but if the number of follicles that will be extracted is not sufficient, your surgeon can also extract the follicles from your beard or chest.

Your scalp skin will fully recover in a number of days post-surgery. Patients usually prefer the FUE technique because the approach minimizes scarring.

For your online consultation, we will kindly ask you to send your photos as shown in the Photography Guide down below, so we can evaluate your case.

What Does FUE Hair Transplant Surgery Involve?

Each and every FUE Hair Transplant surgery is tailored to suit every individual’s needs, preferences and the clinic’s best practices. But the procedure normally includes the following 7 stages:

1.     Consultation for FUE hair transplant

First things first, an online consultation (between you and FUE Hair Transplant specialist) will be conducted –this is done in order to make sure that you’re a suitable candidate for the hair transplant surgery. You will be asked to send some pictures of your face and head (from the top, front, left, right, and back angles). After a Hair Transplant specialists reviews your pictures, you will be told the approximate number of grafts that you need. During the online consultations, expect the following questions:

• Have you ever had a beard transplant before?
• Do you have any medical conditions that we should be aware of?
• Are you currently taking any medication?
• Is your hair loss hereditary?
• When did you start losing hair?  

It is during this consultation that your surgeon will learn about motivation, expectations, and goals –in regards to the surgery.

2.     Planning your trip and choosing the clinic

When you decide to have a beard transplant, our first step will be to present to you several detailed options of clinics and doctors. After you have chosen your preferred clinic and doctor, we will then set up an operation date and arrange your trip. All the dates are set according to your preferences!

This surgery is usually performed in the morning or afternoon, so we always recommend that you arrive in Turkey a day before the surgery –so that you can have enough time to rest.

3.     Final Consultation with Your Surgeon

When you arrive at the clinic, you will have a face-to-face consultation with your beard transplant surgeon. Part of the discussions will be about your expectations and goals. After this, the surgeon will make an illustration of what to expect by drawing marks of your new hair line. 

4.     Medical Examinations

Before the surgery commences, your surgeon will conduct physical and blood tests to make sure that you are in a good health state. Every patient is required to undergo medical tests so as to ensure that nothing can hinder the success of the surgery.

5.     Preparation for Surgery

To make you feel comfortable during the surgery, your surgeon will give you local anesthesia. Your surgeon will also shave the donor area, but some surgeons prefer performing the procedure without shaving the donor area. If you have Trypanophobia (fear of needles), you should let us know so that we can offer you doctors who can give you anesthesia without using needles.

6.     FUE Hair Transplant Surgery

When the preparation phase is done, your surgeon will start the procedure. Expect your surgeon to follow these steps during the surgery:

a)     Extracting of the grafts:

While you are still anesthetized, your surgeon will extract hair grafts one by one, then he/she will place them in a container filled with a special solution that helps keep the grafts alive.

b)     Making the incisions:

Upon completing the extraction process, your surgeon (or a team of expert technicians) will begin to make incisions – on the recipient area – using a microblade and 0.6 to 1.0 mm special micro punches. The incisions will determine the growth direction of the hair, and they will have an angle to make a consistent pattern for a natural look.

c)     Implantation of the grafts:

Hair grafts are inserted into the recipient area soon after the incisions are made. Hair transplant surgery can take between 4 and 8 hours, and it is performed on the same day. To avoid boredom, we have seen some patients read a book, watch a movie or take a nap during the surgery. Considering that the surgery is quite lengthy, you will have breaks during the surgery.

Your surgeon can offer you PRP treatment as a complementary procedure so as to accelerate the healing process. PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) treatment is usually performed during the transplantation or after the grafts are implanted.  

7.     Check-up after the operation

When the transplantation is over, the nurses will cover your head with bandages, and they will give you meds in case you feel any pain or discomfort. If you have travelled just to have this treatment, we will make sure that you spend the night in a 5-star hotel after the surgery. We will also transport you to the clinic on the following day for medical review with your surgeon. It is during this review that your surgeon will give you instructions you need to carefully follow during the recovery period.

What Should I Expect after FUE Hair Transplant?

a)     First 2 weeks:

It is normal to feel some bits of pain in the first 2 days after the surgery —so there is no need to be alarmed. You should also expect your scalp and forehead to be tender, red or swollen in the first 2 weeks post-surgery. Some patients notice pimples on the recipient area. Scabs will be given to fall off in the 2nd week after the surgery –this is normal and we urge you not to panic when this happens.

b)     Between 2^nd and 8^th week:

During this period, expect 90% of your transplanted hair to fall off. This is an ordinary occurrence that happens in 95% of the time. Some of the natural hair located next to the transplanted hair can also fall off; this situation is known as ‘shock loss’. Shock loss is natural and temporary, and surgeons consider it as part of the recovery process.

c)     2^nd and 6^th months:

What happens between the 2nd and 4th month is regarded as the steady phase of the recovery. Expect 5% of your new hair to begin to grow during this period. From the month 4 up to month 6, you should expect 20% to 25% of the transplanted hair to start growing.

d)     Between 6^th month to the 1^st year:

Between the 6th and 9th month, expect to see 75% of the transplanted hair to start growing. At this point, the hair will be getting denser and thicker.

After month number 9, an additional 20% to 25% of new hair will begin to grow. In some instances, it may take up to 18 months for the hair to fully grow.

Things You Should do Before Surgery

• A week prior to the surgery, you should stop taking Aspirin or any other blood thinners.
• If you are allergic to any drugs, you should inform your surgeon before the surgery begins.
• 24 hours before the surgery, you should avoid smoking because it might lengthen your recovery period.
• Any alcoholic beverages should be avoided 24 hours before the surgery. Anesthesia doesn’t well with alcohol. 
• If you are taking medication for chronic or acute diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, you should inform your surgeon as soon as possible.

FAQ

Is FUE Hair Transplant Painful?

You may feel pain or soreness after the procedure is done. However, your surgeon may prescribe painkillers to relieve this pain and discomfort.

Does FUE Hair Transplant Leave a Scar?

Considering that the FUE technique requires hair units to be removed one-by-one, there is no linear scalp scar is created in the donor area.

Is FUE Hair Transplant Permanent?

Since transplanted hairs will behave as they are in the donor area, it is not guaranteed that a hair transplant will last forever. But your new hair will probably stay with you for a very long time.

Costs