Follicular Unit Extraction
The Basics of FUE
Follicular unit extraction or FUE is an alternative procedure for performing follicular unit hair transplantation. However, unlike the predominant follicular unit transplant procedure, in which a strip of donor tissue is removed and dissected under magnification, the FUE procedure uses a small punch to extract each follicular unit one by one.
Both the strip excision and FUE procedures create 1, 2, 3, and 4 hair follicular unit grafts that are then transplanted into the balding area in the same manner. The primary difference between these two procedures is the technique used to harvest the follicular unit grafts.
How It Works
Scalp hair grows in naturally occurring groups called Follicular Units. Each follicular unit contains from 1 to 4 hairs. In Follicular Unit Transplantation, a single strip of skin is harvested from the scalp in the back of the head and then, using special microscopes, the strip is dissected into individual, naturally occurring follicular groups of 1-4 hairs. This technique, performed exclusively at Virginia Surgical has many advantages. They include completely natural results, no scarring in the recipient area, fast healing, and the ability to perform large sessions so that the restoration can be completed in a short time span. The disadvantage of this technique is that it produces a linear scar in the donor area, although the scar is generally very fine.
At Virginia Surgical, we only perform procedures on patients who we can expect to have full yield and growth from the extraction technique. This procedure can be done at any of our three locations in Virginia.
A Follicular Unit Extraction Test can identify those individuals with the optimal hair and scalp characteristics to get maximum benefit from the procedure. In the test, follicular unit extraction is performed in a sample area in the back of the scalp. It is performed under local anesthesia and takes about 15 minutes. Patients who pass the test will be good candidates for Follicular Unit Extraction. If the test is negative, conventional strip removal with microscopic dissection is the best option.
Patients Who Will Benefit from Follicular Unit Extraction
- Patients with limited hair loss or those who require small sessions
- The treatment of small cosmetic areas, such as eyebrow restoration
- Those who wear their hair very short
- Patients with very low donor supply, a scarred donor area or very tight scalps
- Selected repair procedures
- The camouflage of traumatic scars or donor scars
- Athletes who must resume full activity soon after the procedure
- Patients who tend to heal with wide scars
