The Complete Guide to FUE Hair Transplants

A FUE hair transplant is what?

Hair transplants using follicular unit extraction (FUE) remove individual hair follicles from your skin and place them in different locations on your body. The new area’s hair will appear thicker as a result.

FUE has taken over for the “classic” FUT method of follicular unit transplantation. This procedure involved transplanting a full piece of skin or scalp—complete with follicles—to the desired location.

Because it’s less likely to result in a “hair plug” appearance, where patches of skin or hair don’t match the surrounding areas, FUE has grown more popular than FUT. Like FUT, it won’t also leave a noticeable scar.

A person with balding or thinning hair who still has sufficient adjacent hair to use for a transplant is the ideal candidate for a FUE hair transplant.

If you don’t have enough strong, healthy hair to transplant to the balding or thinning area, you might not be a candidate for a FUE hair transplant.

What is the price of a FUE hair transplant?

Costs for a FUE hair transplant range from $1,500 to $4,500 per session.

The following factors determine the final cost of a FUE hair transplant:

• amount of hair removed and replanted
• How many surgeons are available to perform this procedure in your area?
• the frequency of FUE hair transplants that your surgeon can conduct
• how skilled or popular your surgeon is

Due to the fact that most health insurance policies do not cover cosmetic operations like this, you will likely need to pay for a FUE hair transplant out of your own cash.

You’ll also need to pay for any prescription drugs you might require for pain or other potential side effects of the procedure.

When calculating the cost, you should take recovery time off of work into account. This may entail spending 3–4 days at home. Hair transplants are typically not covered by medical leave insurance at most workplaces.

How do FUE hair transplants function?

The three-phase cycle of hair growth and regrowth shortens as you age until follicles stop producing new hair.

For each person, this process is different. Others go bald much later in life, while other people begin to go bald in their 20s.

By substituting these damaged follicles with fresh ones that are still capable of producing hair, FUE hair transplants restore hair.

Following the transplant, the follicles will receive blood vessel nourishment and start producing hair in the area that was previously bald or had thin hair.

FUE hair transplant procedure

The FUE procedure operates as follows:

• The hair around the transplant location and in the region where follicles will be extracted will be shaved by your surgeon.
• They will eliminate the hair follicles from your skin using a micropunch tool.
• The harvested follicles will then be placed through a series of tiny incisions made by your surgeon with a needle or other small, sharp instrument.
• They will place the follicles within the wounds.
• Your surgeon will clean the area and bandage it for healing.

Places that will receive therapy.

The scalp is where FUE hair transplants are most frequently carried out.
You can even get them done on other parts of your body where there is little or no hair. Your arms, legs, and even your genital region are all candidates for FUE.

Exist any dangers or negative effects?

A FUE hair transplant won’t leave you with any scars other than a few little white dots where follicles were removed. They might disappear with time.

If you experience any of the following uncommon adverse effects, consult your doctor:

• infections signs
• Surgical site discomfort or swelling follicular swelling (folliculitis) discharge or crust
• bleeding from the surgical site tingling or numbness close to the surgical site transplanted hair that does not resemble the surrounding hair
• even after the transplant, there is still some thinning or balding

What to anticipate following a FUE hair transplant

FUE has a rapid recovery time. For around three days, there may be some swelling or discomfort.

Here are some recommendations for aftercare that your doctor might give you:

• For at least three days, avoid taking a shower or washing your hair.
• Once you begin shampooing your hair, use gentle, unscented shampoos for a few weeks.
• Take a few days off from work to hasten the healing process.
• For at least three weeks, avoid using a comb or brush on your new hair.
• Till your doctor gives the all-clear, avoid donning hats, beanies, or any other items of clothing that cover your head.
• Don’t engage in any strenuous exercise for at least a week.

It’s possible that some hairs will come out when the wound heals. That is typical. After 3 to 4 months, you’ll probably start to see a difference.

Your hair may not regrow as thickly as anticipated depending on the condition of your transplanted hair.

How to get ready for a FUE hair transplant

Before having a FUE hair transplant, you might need to undertake the following things:

• At least one day before your procedure, quit smoking.
• Prior to surgery, abstain from alcohol for at least three days.
• For about two weeks before to surgery, avoid taking aspirin or other blood thinners.
• During the two weeks prior to your surgery, refrain from taking any vitamins or nutritional supplements.
• Prior to surgery, try to wait around two weeks before taking any antidepressants.
• Avoid having your hair chopped before the procedure.
• For a few weeks, massage your scalp for 10 to 30 minutes each day to improve blood flow there.
• Take any drugs that your surgeon instructs you to take, such as minoxidil (Rogaine).
• Before surgery, get your electrocardiogram (ECG) and bloodwork done.