FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) technique is the latest and most advanced technique used for Hair Transplant by surgeons worldwide. FUE has significantly replaced the FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant) technique. In FUT technique an entire strip with follicles was used to be extracted from the scalp of the patient.
Though FUE takes more time as compared to FUT but has many advantages over FUT making it the most preferred technique by surgeons and patients both. FUE is considered to be a procedure than a surgery due to its less invasive nature.
In FUE, firstly the hair will be trimmed in the region from where the follicles will be extracted, as well as around the recipient area. This is done to draw the desired hairline for accurate placement of grafts and for right allocation of extracted grafts. It also results in convenient hand movement which assists in better extraction and implantation of grafts.
Then the grafts are extracted individually from the donor area with a motorized micro punch instrument which has a diameter of 0.8 mm to 1mm. For extracted grafts survival, they are dipped in saline and kept in temperature regulated cold chambers. The grafts are counted and segregated as per the number of follicles for implant.
A series of tiny slits are made with fine needles or other similar instrument. This is considered to be the most important part of the procedure and has to be done with precision. It requires special training and skills, because these slits have to be made at the correct angles and in right directions, which result in better density and natural looking hair pattern.
Lastly, the extracted grafts are implanted in these slits using forceps. Making of slits and implanting of grafts is done simultaneously to achieve minimum out of body time of grafts for better results.
The entire procedure is done under local anesthesia and is virtually painless. The procedure may take between 4-8 hours depending on the number of grafts to be implanted.
Since it is a simple procedure, one can get back to his or her work from the very next day after the FUE Hair Transplant.
