There are two treatments used to treat hair loss:
1. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
2. Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
During the consultation, each option will be discussed whereby a specialist surgeon will determine which treatment would be best for you and your needs.
Follicular Unit Extraction (or FUE) is a hair transplant technique in which a small round punch is used to extract units of hair follicles from an area of dense hair growth to an area of baldness. The procedure differs from the traditional ‘strip’ (or FUT) surgery, in that individual hairs are extracted directly from the patient’s donor area and replanted on the scalp.
FUE is suitable for people suffering from permanent, irreversible hair loss, perhaps where topical applications have not given the desired effect. The surgeon will determine whether this treatment or FUT is more suitable.
In most cases, FUE takes significantly less time to heal than FUT. As only individual follicles are removed it leaves very small puncture scars that are almost invisible to the naked eye. As such people who prefer to avoid a scar line will usually choose this procedure.*
The surgery is performed under local anaesthesia with a light sedative, and usually takes up to eight hours – but this is ultimately dependent on the number of grafts needed.
There may be discomfort after the procedure, and this is managed with painkillers. The hair will begin to grow and results will be seen within three to six months. In some cases a second smaller surgery may be advised – the surgeon will advise you.
FUE generally has a quicker recovery time and lower post-operative discomfort than FUT.*
Follicular Unit Transplantation (or FUT) involves the surgeon removing strips of skin from the patient and cutting them into grafts which are placed by the surgeon to give a natural and full effect.*
It is suitable for people suffering from permanent irreversible hair loss, perhaps where topical applications have not given the desired effect. The surgeon will determine whether this treatment or FUE (see above) is more suitable.*
The wound is prepared so that the hair follicles on the edge of the incision can produce hair that will grow through the scar and over the donor area, creating an almost invisible line.
There may be discomfort after the procedure, and as above, this is managed with painkillers.*