F.U.E. Technique

F.U.E. (Follicular Unit Extraction – Individual follicle extraction)

Follicular Extraction

The F.U.E. technique is a surgical variation to the Follicular Microtransplant Technique and is considered to be the most advanced Hair Transplant technique that exists today.

It consists of individually extracting the follicles from the donor zone instead of extracting an entire strip.  These follicular units of 1, 2, 3, or 4 hairs are extracted with the surrounding structures (capillary vessels, sebaceous gland, muscle…)

Pre-operation care protocol

First, the surgeon makes the design in the receiving area.  Next the donor zone is marked.  This are needs to be almost completely shaved to get the ideal length for direct extraction of the follicular units under local anesthesia.

For those patients who don’t want to shave but want to have the FUE technique done, the shaved spots will be hidden.

F.U.E. Procedure.

1. Extraction phase
   This is one of the parts that require the most skill and experience from the surgeon and the extraction method.  Different sized, round micro-scalpels are used for the extraction.  The whole hair follicles that are extracted are kept in adequate temperature and hydration conditions until they are ready to be implanted into the previously marked receiving zone.
2. Microscopic preparation phase
3. Microscopic implantation phase

Protocol: Post-operation care

The procedure in minimally invasive and with no stitches, the medication and hygiene care required are simple although very important to the success of the transplant.  All instructions are told to the patient, and given in writing.

The patient doesn’t need to apply any type of bandage after the procedure and they can quickly get back to their normal activities after a few days of rest to avoid complications.

Differences from the Traditional Strip Technique (Follicular Unit Strip – F.U.S.)

• As no incisions are made, there is no scar.  This lets the patient have short hair if they want
• As it is a minimally invasive procedure, there is no pain or alteration of sensitivity in the donor zone
• The donor area recovers more quickly and the extraction points heal in a few days
• Less handling of the follicular units: there are no intermediate steps, the surgeon takes the follicles out and puts them back in.
• It allows the surgeon to extract the number of follicles needed, following exact plans.  This means the F.U.E. technique is an “a la carte surgery"
• There is no time restriction between sessions
• The surgeon can select the follicles for specific receiving areas.  The extraction of follicular units with 1-2 hairs for the front line and 3-4 hairs to give density to other areas, this allows the surgeon to imitate natural hair distribution.