About the Technique: FUE

While the other leading method of hair transplant surgery, FUG [make this a link] begins with excising a strip of scalp and then dissecting it into individual follicular unit grafts for transplantation, Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), can be thought of as a “one-hair-at-a-time” method. Using the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technique, a surgeon extracts hairs in their naturally occurring 1, 2, 3, and 4 hair follicular units from areas of the scalp that are resistant to balding. He then transplants them into tiny incisions in the balding areas.

Both FUE and FUG produce completely natural-looking results. Both techniques place hairs the way they would naturally grow. The big difference is the way in which the hairs are extracted. While FUG excises long, thin strips of scalp, FUE makes a tiny circular punch around each follicular unit. While FUG leaves long, thin scars that are difficult to detect, even on close inspection, FUE leaves only tiny circular marks that are typically totally undetectable. There are no sutures or bandages.

The FUE procedure has some important advantages and disadvantages when compared to the other leading method, Follicular Unit Grafting (FUG) [make this a link]. We are proud to offer both as well as this brief comparison of the two methods.

Advantages of FUE

• No Visible Scars

The tiny circular marks where the donor hairs have been extracted are usually completely undetectable. This may be an important consideration for men who wear their hair very short.

• Faster Recovery

Because FUE is so minimally invasive and there are no sutures, recovery is faster than with FUG.

Disadvantages of FUE

• More Expensive

Because transplanting one hair at a time is more time consuming and labor intensive, this procedure is a more expensive alternative than FUG.

• More Sessions Required