Follicular Unit Extraction: A Step-By-Step Guide
Choosing to undergo a Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) procedure is an excellent first step towards hair restoration for people who have experienced hair loss. However, that’s merely the beginning of the process. In our many years of providing hair restoration services, we have found that detailing the steps of a procedure like FUE can be very reassuring to patients. That’s why we wanted to provide this simple step-by-step guide to Follicular Unit Extraction for anyone who might be curious about exactly what’s involved.
Step #1: Consulting With a Hair Loss Expert
As with any medical procedure, the FUE process begins with a consultation appointment with the professional who will be performing your transplant procedure. This is important to confirm that you are a good candidate for FUE and determine the optimal number of grafts to be transplanted, as well as exactly where they should be placed. Additionally, during this appointment, we will provide all the information on pre-procedure preparation steps that you will need to take.
Step #2: Extraction of Donor Grafts
As the procedure begins, the specialist will use a special tool to extract the hair grafts from the patient’s donor site (commonly the lower back of the head). In some cases, alternative donor areas like the side of the head may also be used. This donor area is often referred to as the horseshoe area.
Step #3: Preservation of Donor Grafts
Once the donor grafts have been successfully extracted, they must be preserved as we prepare to complete the Follicular Unit Extraction. This preservation process includes cleaning the graft, sorting it by the number of hairs it contains and submerging it in an active solution meant for preservation, as well as refrigerating the grafts until the implantation procedure.
Step #4: Implantation of Donor Grafts
Once a sufficient amount of grafts have been extracted, we can begin implanting them into the areas of loss. The hair transplant specialist will then make a series of very small micro-incisions with a small tool where the extracted hair grafts can be carefully inserted.
Step #5: Post-Operative Care & Recovery
We perform Follicular Unit Extraction as an outpatient procedure, under local anesthesia, meaning no hospital stay will be required. In order to enjoy the smoothest recovery and best results possible from your surgery, it is essential to follow post-op care instructions carefully. This includes gently washing the donor and implant areas at the appropriate times, and making an effort to protect the transplanted grafts from any direct impact, excessive rubbing, or direct sunlight during the recovery stage.
When performed by our experts, Follicular Unit Extraction can be a safe and incredibly effective way to reestablish a fuller head of hair. The first step towards hair restoration is scheduling an in-person consultation appointment with one of our hair restoration professionals. For more information or if you would like to schedule your consultation today, please contact KA Hair Aesthetics.