Have you thought about getting a FUE hair transplant but want to know a bit more about the procedure, such as how safe it is and what the side effects are?
Any Follicular Unit Extraction transplant is a complex procedure, and in this article, I'll cover common questions you may have about the process.
What is a FUE hair transplant?
Basically, in a process called “blunt dissection”, 1-4 round punches of hair and tissue are collected. Using forceps, a follicular unit is extracted, which can then be transferred and implanted into the balding area using a stereo microscope.
The aim of such a procedure is to fill in the missing hair on a bald spot for a more natural, dense appearance that blends in with the rest of your hair.
How is FUE different from a standard hair transplant?
A standard hair transplant usually refers to something called FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation).
In this method, the surgeon takes a strip of skin from the back of your head, where hair tends to be thicker, and then cuts this strip into smaller pieces, each containing a few hairs.
These tiny pieces are then implanted into the balding or thinning areas of your scalp.
In a FUT hair transplant, scars are created as strips of scalp are removed from the donor area. FUE, in contrast, does not cause such scarring.
FUE, by contrast, is a bit more modern and less invasive. Instead of taking a strip of skin, the surgeon individually extracts hair follicles directly from the scalp. These follicles are then implanted into the thinning or balding areas
Because this method doesn’t involve removing a strip of skin, it leaves minimal scarring, and the recovery time is usually faster.
The individual hair follicles need to be dissected and individually implanted into your scalp, which is extremely time-consuming for a surgeon. About 500-600 individual follicles are placed in a day.
This is partly why FUE hair transplants are considered better because they can be carried out in half the time. The downside to this is that it is about double as expensive as a traditional hair transplant.
The main differences are in the technique and the scarring.
- FUT involves a strip of skin and can leave a linear scar
- FUE involves individual follicles and leaves tiny, less noticeable scars.
Both methods aim to give you a fuller head of hair, but go about it in slightly different ways.
FUE Hair Transplant: Side Effects, Cost, and Safety
Hair transplants, specifically FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) procedures, can have potential side effects. It is important to be aware of these before undergoing the procedure.
This method requires some recovery time, with bleeding being a primary side effect at first. It soon subsides, and other side effects become apparent.
Common side effects include:
- Pain at the transplant site is often treated with medication
- Swelling and crusting of the scalp
- Bruising
- Redness in the donor and recipient areas
- Infection of the hair follicles can lead to the rejection of implanted hairs
However, these effects are usually temporary and subside within a few days or weeks. To ensure a safe and successful procedure, it is essential to consult with a qualified and experienced hair transplant specialist.
FUE hair transplants have been shown to have a faster healing time and a lower rejection rate, but standard hair transplants prevail because they are so much cheaper than FUE, but have almost comparable results.
What Do I Need to Know Before Getting a FUE Hair Transplant?
The first thing you need to look for is a reputable surgeon whom you can trust. Look for positive testimonials, and read the negative reviews too.
Use your best judgment, too. For example, are the negative reviews from people who seem to have too high expectations? Are the positive ones from people who have only just had the procedure done and haven't seen results yet?
If you want to get a hair transplant, make sure it is within your budget. Do not get into debt to get a FUE hair transplant
Another thing to think about is effectively communicating with your surgeon, once chosen. Find out how soon you should see results. Tell them your worst area of balding so they can cover as much of that as they can in the first session so you can see results there first.
Is There a Hair Transplant Alternative?
There are simple and natural things you can do to try to cure your balding without resorting to the pain, inconvenience, and cost of a hair transplant.
These include:
- Reducing stress
- Addressing Nutrient Deficiencies
- Eat a healthy diet
These all depend on what is causing you to go bald or your hair to fall out. For example, a Vitamin D deficiency is a common cause of hair loss and can be remedied by getting enough sunshine every day or taking a supplement.
The best alternative to hair transplants is using Profollica. This is a 2-part supplement-based hair regrowth system that has thousands of happy customers from all over the world who have successfully regrown previously bald or thinning areas on their scalps.
It comes in easy-to-take tablet form alongside a topical treatment. You can treat common deficiencies that cause hair loss while encouraging growth from the inside out.