FUE TECHNIQUE
What is the FUE Method in Hair Transplant?
The first hair transplant was carried out in the USA in the late 1950s. Later, as the hair was transplanted in large masses, the obtained results began to be considered as aesthetically unsuccessful. These aesthetic concerns have led to the emergence of new searches in hair transplantat treatments. With the definition of micro and mini grafts in this area, much more natural results have begun to be obtained. These searches for hair transplant have led to the development of FUE technology. With the FUE technology, which is widely used today, quite natural and successful results have begun to be obtained.
Hair begins to shed over time with the effect of aging. The reason for hair loss may be a genetic factor. Besides, environmental factors, stress, seasonal changes, hormonal disorders also cause hair loss problems. Shedding hair causes the scalp to become visible. It can create a lack of self-confidence in the person, as well as make the person look older than they are. Many people desire their shed hair to become abundant as before and therefore apply to hair transplantation. After a successful hair transplant, people’s hair can be at least as abundant and healthy as before.
Different hair transplant methods are used in hair root implant treatment. Among these methods, the FUE method has been one of the most preferred hair loss treatment methods by both doctors and patients, as it provides more effective results, although the session duration of the procedure is longer than other methods. During this method, no incision is made on the scalp and no puncturing is applied on the skin.
The expression FUE stands for Follicular Unit Extraction. This method was first applied in Japan in 1988 with 1 mm punches. For the method to prove itself scientifically and to gain a place in the medical literature, the calendars had to indicate the year 2002.
In the FUE method, the hair follicles are taken one by one from the area chosen as the donor area and placed as an implant in the area to be transplanted. The hair follicles taken one by one from the donor area are transplanted to the desired area not altogether, but again carefully one by one. This situation causes the hair follicle implant to be performed with longer sessions compared to other methods. Today, this method is done with micromotor rather than punches.
Hair transplant with the FUE method is a widely used method. The most important thing is how the method is applied. The method should first be applied by specialist healthcare professionals. Otherwise, there is a possibility that an aesthetic hair appearance may not occur.
Various techniques are used in the FUE hair transplant method. The best results can be obtained with the method to be chosen according to the needs of each patient. The methods used in FUE hair transplant are as follows;
Micro FUE Hair Transplant Technique
Micro FUE Hair Transplant Technique is actually an improved version of the Manual FUE technique. Micro hair transplant technique involves the removal of hair follicles with equipment with micro tips. Micromotors are used in this technique with tiny tips. The tips make holes in the scalp between 0.6 – 0.9 mm. Microcircles opened in the scalp are removed by separating the hair follicle and the tissue structures around the hair follicle.
Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant Technique
Just like the Micro FUE technique, Sapphire FUE and Micro FUE are actually not techniques. It is an innovative method developed only under the FUE technique. The only difference of Sapphire FUE is that the tips used are made of Sapphire, not metal. While it is effective in opening micro chambers in the scalp, it provides the basis for a much less scab. Recovery phases are accelerated in Sapphire FUE hair transplantation. Sapphire-tipped microneedles are much healthier than other needle structures.
Soft FUE Hair Transplant
Although it is referred to as another sub-technique of FUE hair transplant, it is actually a version of the FUE technique combined with another method. Soft FUE involves relieving the patient during the operation by supporting the hair transplant operation with sedative drugs. The relieving medications used do not have any effect on the patient’s consciousness. In other words, there is no loss of consciousness in the patient with this technique and hair transplantation can be performed without feeling any pain.
WHY SHOULD FUE HAIR TRANSPLANT BE PREFERRED?
FUE hair transplant has been widely preferred recently because it provides many innovations and convenience compared to more hair transplant methods. The reason why it is preferred more than the previous methods is that the person’s scalp is not cut, thus allowing the person to recover faster. Therefore, the area where hair transplant is performed is not sutured and the problem of suture scars is eliminated. Since the recovery time is shortened, it is faster to achieve a natural appearance, therefore the FUE method is preferred.
In the patient to be transplanted, since the hair follicles are taken one by one from the donor area are applied to the problematic area, no serious bleeding or no scar occurs in the area where the root is taken. For this reason, it is one of the most important reasons for choosing the FUE method.
FUE hair transplant is preferred by those who want to have a faster hair transplant without pain. The whole hair transplantation process is completed within 6-7 hours with local anesthesia applied during the procedure.
The FUE method is preferred by people with a shortage of donors where hair follicles will be taken. Because, if there are not enough donors in the area where the roots will be taken, hair follicles can be taken from the beard and chest and can be applied to the area to be treated.
For those who are afraid of the possibility of hair loss after hair transplant, in the FUE method, as the hair follicles to be transplanted are taken from areas such as the upper ear and nape, the hair does not shed in the area where the transplantation is performed after the procedure.
HOW IS FUE HAIR TRANSPLANT CARRIED OUT?
Before FUE hair transplant, the hair in the donor area where the hair will be taken is shortened to 1 mm in length. Hair removal from the donor area is started after hair shortening. Before starting the process, the area where the hair will be transplanted and the donor area where the hair follicles will be taken is anesthetized with local anesthesia. General anesthesia is definitely not applied during this method. Besides, no surgical method, i.e. incision and suturing, is included in the scope of this technique.
The donor area is usually defined as the nape which is at the back of both ears. Apart from hair transplant, if transplantation procedures such as mustache or beard are considered, this should be reported to the healthcare professional. Because the hair follicles collected from the donor area have a certain number and are taken one by one.
After local anesthesia is applied, the micro-motor tip separates the hair follicle from the skin towards the exit direction of the hair follicle. After the necessary amount of grafts are taken, hair transplantation is performed in the desired area with the same method.
HOW LONG IS THE FUE HAIR TRANSPLANT PROCEDURE?
FUE hair transplant procedure time varies according to the size of the area to be grafted. The amount of hair follicle and hair tissue required for the transplantation area is important in terms of the duration of the procedure. The graft is a name given to the hair follicle tissue taken from the person, and the word grafting gives the exact meaning of transplantation. During FUE hair grafting, an average of 4000-4500 hair follicles is needed, and a procedure with these numbers can take about 6-7 hours. In some cases, depending on the number of grafts, there are cases where the hair transplantation procedure takes 9 hours. Short-term breaks can be given during the procedure depending on the condition of the session. It may take 2-4 hours to get the grafts during the FUE technique. There is a short break after graft removal.
The size of the area to be transplanted, the number of grafts to be taken according to the size of the area, the experience of the specialist performing the procedure, the number of sessions and session duration preference of the healthcare provider, and the fact that the scalp has a structure that can affect the process are some of the most important factors that determine the duration of the procedure.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE FUE HAIR TRANSPLANT?
Before FUE hair transplant, there are some points that a person should pay attention to. When these points are taken into consideration, the hair transplantation process will have smooth and effective results. First of all, the hair in the donor area should be shortened to 1 mm. Hair transplantation will be performed after this shortening process.
Apart from this, the points that the patient should pay attention to are:
The scalp should be clean before the operation. It should be free from chemicals such as oil, foam, jelly, and spray.
Alcohol consumption should be stopped weeks before the operation. Alcohol dilates blood vessels, creating more blood flow to your skin. Therefore, it may cause increased bleeding during grafting.
If possible, smoking should be reduced or completely abandoned one week before.
One week before the operation, heavy exercises such as cardio should be avoided.
During the operation, the patient should definitely be full and wear comfortable clothes if possible on the day of the operation.
WHAT KID OF PROCESS AWAITS THE PATIENT AFTER FUE HAIR TRANSPLANT?
After FUE hair transplant, some changes may occur on the transplanted hair. The most important of these changes is that the transplanted hair shed in a very short time. Although the loss of newly transplanted hair frightens the person, the shed hair will grow again permanently after a short time. Approximately 6-7 hours after the operation, the patient is sent home for rest. The person is requested not to travel by car or use such vehicles for 6-10 hours after the completion of the operation due to relieving medications. After hair transplantation, care should be taken not to touch the treated area with hands, this area should not be contacted with water. Keeping the head of the patient upright is important for the recovery of edema in a short time. The patient should use the medicines and creams given by the doctor for the recommended time.
Hair washing should not be performed before the date approved by the doctor, and care should be taken to use the shampoo recommended by the doctor. For 15 days after FUE hair transplant, maximum attention should be paid to the area where hair transplantation is performed. The pillow used during sleep is important in terms of protecting the transplanted area and donor area. Pillows that are hard enough to damage the hair follicles should not be used.
Transplanted hair follicles definitely should not be damaged. Sleeping in the supine position can be beneficial in protecting the hair follicles. Care should be taken not to get any impact to the head, and heavy sports should never be done.
Other than slight hair shortening using scissors, important haircuts should be avoided. When all these are taken into consideration, the hair transplant process will be completed successfully without any problems after the procedure.
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