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What is a FUE Hair Procedure?

We are all familiar with the jokes about toupees and comb-overs, but it is no fun feeling self-conscious about your hair every day and, in many cases, watching as your hair loss progresses over time. Hair loss can seriously affect self-esteem, and until recently, the only way to deal with it was to cover up the area concerned. Fortunately, hair transplant techniques like the FUE are now available to provide excellent – even life-changing – results.

The FUE Hair Transplant is different from other types of transplants, for example, the FUT ( Follicular Unit Transplantation). These more traditional methods involve the removal of a thin strip of skin complete with hair follicles which are then sliced into strips of two or three follicles and implanted in the area affected by hair loss. In skilled hands, this is a safe technique that can give excellent results; however, it can leave a linear scar at the donor site. By contrast, the FUE involves the removal of individual follicles, causes minimal scarring, and allows clients to wear whatever hairstyle they wish afterward apart from an extremely short-shaved style.

What does the FUE involve?

Before the transplant begins, you will have a consultation with your surgeon who will decide on the area to be treated, the donor area and the number of follicles to be removed.

On the day of the transplant, the donor area will be shaved so that the surgeon has good access to the follicles to be harvested. After administering a local anesthetic to ensure minimal discomfort, the surgeon will make a circular incision around each donor hair follicle and remove the whole follicle or unit intact. The harvested follicles are kept at minus 8 to 10 degrees centigrade until the surgeon is ready to implant them. This process will be continued until the required number of follicular units has been removed. The surgeon will then turn to the area to be treated and make tiny incisions on your scalp into which the harvested follicles are inserted.

How long does the FUE hair transplant take?

Although the word ‘transplant’ suggests an operating theatre, patients find the experience more like a visit to the dentist. Albeit quite a lengthy appointment! The process of harvesting and transplantation is very labour intensive. It can take between six and ten hours, depending on how many hair follicles are needed to achieve the desired effect. You should expect to be at the clinic for the whole day, but the team at Dr Nyla’s Medispa will make sure that you are comfortable and relaxed during the procedure.

How long will it take to recover from hair transplant surgery?

You will be able to go home without an overnight stay, and the recovery time after the transplant is minimal. However, you will need to take extra care of your hair and scalp for a few weeks afterward as the follicles re-establish themselves and your skin heals. The graft removal process will leave 1 mm holes on your scalp, which will heal within a week to ten days. You can wash your hair carefully after three days but should not use any heat to dry it for the first couple of weeks. It is also best to avoid curling, colouring, or dyeing your hair for three months post-transplant.

Depending on the area treated, it may not be immediately apparent that you have had the procedure as you won’t be wearing a bandage or dressing. Some patients with long hair can hide the donor area. It may be possible to incorporate this shaved area into your style with a ‘fade’ if you have short hair. Don’t worry; the hair at the donor site will grow back, and the transplant results will undoubtedly make the sacrifice worthwhile in the long run!

How soon will I see the results?

You should expect to see the full benefit of the procedure after 6 to 9 months, although this can vary as everyone’s hair grows at a different rate. There may be tiny circular scars at the donor sites, but even most short hairstyles will hide this. Within a few months, you will be able to style your hair as you wish and participate in all types of sport without feeling self-conscious.

HAVE A LOOK AT SOME BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES HERE

Am I a good candidate?

The FUE transplant is suitable for both men and women. The ideal candidate has a receding hairline or hair loss at the top of the head or crown and has thick growth at the back of the head.

Men suffering from male pattern baldness are generally good candidates once their hair loss has progressed beyond stage 3 on the Norwood Scale. Hair transplants can be carried out on anyone above the age of 18, but young men experiencing male pattern hair loss are not good candidates for any kind of transplant at this age. The balding process is likely to continue for a few years, and until the final position of the hairline is established, a transplant is not recommended.

The ARTAS Hair Transplant

Hair transplant techniques are constantly evolving. The latest innovation is the use of robotic technology. The ARTAS hair transplant is the world-leading robotic hair transplant system, and Dr Nyla Medispa is the first UK clinic to offer this ground-breaking technique. The process is the same as the FUE, but the transplant is performed by a robotic transplant system under the surgeon’s control rather than manually.

The importance of a pre-transplant consultation

The success of the transplant can be affected by various factors specific to your hair and scalp. The thickness of your hair shafts and whether your hair is curly or straight, even the colour, can affect the final appearance. These are all issues that your surgeon will discuss with you at an initial consultation. It is essential to understand what is achievable before you embark upon a transplant. A full head of hair may not be possible, but a fuller head of hair can still look great!