FUE Hair Transplantation

What is FUE Hair Transplantation?

Hair is the most important element of an aesthetic appearance for both men and women. Over time, hair may begin to wear out and fall out due to various reasons. Hair loss may develop due to many different factors such as genetic predisposition, environmental factors, aging, stress, hormonal disorders and seasonal changes. Hair loss may cause the person to experience aesthetic concerns and, as a result, face self-confidence problems.

Hair transplantation can be used to regain the former thick and natural appearance of hair that has fallen out for various reasons. Hair transplantation can be applied using different methods today. One of these methods is FUE hair transplantation.

FEU, a graft harvesting method used in hair transplantation, is one of the most important technical developments in hair restoration surgery. It is possible to obtain many hair follicles in a single day with the FUE hair transplantation method. In addition to excellent regrowth, patient tolerance is achieved without leaving a large scar.

The individual follicular unit (FU) is obtained directly from the scalp rather than from a strip of donor tissue removed from the scalp of each individual, and the aim of this method is to ensure homogenization throughout the head. To ensure homogenization, all parts of the donor area should be used in a random distribution.

In the Follicular Unit Extraction method, healthy follicles are taken from a donor area, usually the back and sides of the head, and replaced with lost and thinned hair. It is a minimally invasive hair restoration procedure that requires expertise and experience to achieve the best results.

FUE is also one of the most preferred procedures for hair transplantation. Because if applied correctly, the success rate is extremely high. Another feature of FUE hair transplantation, which can be performed practically, is that it can be performed without scars. Since no incision is made on the scalp, there is a rapid recovery process after the operation.

FUE hair transplantation method is applied under local anesthesia. Therefore, pain and suffering during application is minimal. Although the risk of developing complications after the application is extremely low, the patient may feel a slight discomfort during the healing process.

How is FUE Hair Transplantation Done?

A permanent and natural-looking solution to hair loss can be provided by using the latest hair restoration technique in the FUE hair transplantation method. During the application, the donor area is first prepared for the procedure and suitable hair follicles are collected one by one. With the help of the FUE engine, root harvesting is performed with incision tips smaller than 1 mm. There are 2-3 hairs in the removed follicles. For the success of the operation, these hair follicles should not be damaged. Since thousands of follicles are removed from the donor area during hair transplantation, the tip used must be small. This is also an effective factor on the healing process.

In the FUE hair transplantation method, all hair follicles are collected and the separation and transplantation stages are started. The channels in the target area where hair transplantation will be performed are carefully opened. Channel opening should also be done meticulously. During the channel opening process, it may be preferred to use the lateral silit method instead of the punch system.

In the FUE hair transplantation method, incisions are made in accordance with the patient’s hair structure. This is necessary so that the channels are made in accordance with the length and size of the hair follicle. If the channel where hair transplantation will be performed is opened at the correct depth and size, the probability of the operation being successful will increase.

The angle of the channels where the hair follicles will be transplanted is also very important in order to capture the patient’s natural hair appearance and shape. To achieve this, different angles are given in each part of the head. In addition, care should be taken to determine the hairline correctly and to correctly proportion the areas where the hair begins and the forehead area.

Who Can Have FUE Hair Transplantation?

FUE hair transplantation can be performed on anyone who has a hair loss problem and has a sufficient donor area. In this context;

• Hair loss due to aging, hormonal disorder or genetic predisposition,
• There are bare areas in their hair due to burns,
• People with balding areas due to hair loss due to disease or plastic surgery are considered suitable candidates for the FUE hair transplantation method.

In addition, the person who will undergo FUE hair transplantation must have completed their physical development and must not have any health problems that would prevent the operation.

Things to Consider Before Surgery

Before the FUE hair transplantation method, blood thinners, alcohol and cigarette use must be stopped. It is important for the success of the operation not to use strong cosmetic substances that have the risk of leaving residue on the skin. Therefore, applying medications and lotions to the scalp and hair should be stopped 1 month before the operation. Hair must be clean during the operation. There should not be any chemicals such as gel or mousse in the hair.

Consumption of beverages containing caffeine should be stopped before FUE hair transplantation. People with acute or chronic diseases should inform their doctors about their diseases and the medications they use regularly. Due to the sensitivity that will occur in the hair area after the application and the need to protect the area, clothes that are comfortable to wear and take off should be preferred when coming for hair transplantation. Before the application, the hair in the patient’s donor area is shortened to 1 mm, and then the procedure begins.

After Hair Transplantation

The hair transplanted during the FUE hair transplantation method falls out spontaneously shortly after the procedure. However, this is a natural process that does not cause any concern. The shed hair is later replaced by permanent hair.

After the FUE hair transplantation method, the application area should not come into contact with water and the application area should not be touched by hand for the period specified by the doctor. Application may cause edema in the area. In order to resolve this situation in a short time, it is important to use the medications prescribed by the doctor regularly. Additionally, keeping the head in an upright position can benefit the healing process.

Only shampoos recommended by the doctor should be used to wash the hair after FUE hair transplantation. The first 15 days after the operation are very important and maximum attention should be paid to the application area during this period. In order to prevent damage to the transplanted hair follicles, care should be taken not to use hard pillows, not to hit the head, and not to do heavy sports.

After FUE hair transplantation method, pool, sea, sauna, Turkish bath and intense sports activities should be avoided for 1 month. Likewise, products such as hair dye, gel and spray should not be used 3 months after hair transplantation. In addition, the hair should be cut with scissors for the first 6 months following the application. After this period, shaving with a machine can be started.

What are the FUE Method Risks?

Although the FUE method does not technically pose any risks, some risks may occur if it is performed in unhygienic environments by people who do not have expertise and experience in the field.

While hair follicles are collected from the donor area with the help of a micromotor, the device must operate at a certain speed. If the rotation speed of the device is not adjusted correctly, the hair follicles in the area may be damaged. When collecting hair follicles from the donor area, thinning may occur in the donor area due to too many or wrong hair follicles being removed. In order to eliminate these risks, service must be obtained from experts and experienced doctors in their field, and the application must be carried out under hygienic conditions.

FUE Hair Transplantation Techniques

FUE hair transplantation is performed under local anesthesia. For the operation to be successful, it must be performed by experts with sufficient training and experience. FUE hair transplantation is a method performed in multiple steps. Although the basis of the application is the same, planning must be made specifically for each patient and applied with personalized planning.

Collecting Hair Roots

The first step of the FUE hair transplantation method is to determine from which donor area the hair follicles to be transplanted to the hairless target areas will be taken. After the donor area is prepared for application, a determined number of hair follicles are collected from the area one by one for each patient. FUE motor and incision tips smaller than 1 mm are used when collecting hair follicles.

Grafts, called grafts and containing 2-3 hairs, are taken from the donor area. At this stage, care should be taken not to damage the hair follicles. Since thousands of hairs are removed from the donor area for hair transplantation, small incisions should be preferred. Accordingly, it can be ensured that the patient experiences a comfortable recovery process.

Opening the Channels for Hair Transplantation

After the hair follicles are removed from the donor area, channels for transplantation are opened in the target area. During the channel opening process with the lateral slit method, an incision is made in the area and the channels compatible with the length and size of the hair follicles are opened. The growth rate of the transplanted hair during hair transplantation, that is, how successful the operation will be, depends on the opening of the channels at the correct depth and size.

Transplanting the Collected Hair Follicles into the Opened Channels

The last step of the FUE hair transplantation method is the transplantation of the collected follicles into the channels opened in the target area. In order for the results obtained after hair transplantation to provide a natural appearance, the angle of the channels where the roots will be transplanted must be calculated correctly. This also requires that the angle of the canals be different in each region of the head. In addition, the hairline must be determined correctly, the forehead area and the area where the hair begins must be calculated accurately, and the hair transplantation process must be carried out in accordance with the individual planning.

Although the desired appearance after FUE hair transplantation is generally achieved within 4 months, this period may vary from person to person. Generally, hair growth accelerates after the 4th month and a fuller appearance can be achieved in the 8th month. The full result of the hair transplantation procedure can be seen within 12 to 18 months.

FUE Hair Transplantation Prices

There is no fixed price regarding FUE hair transplantation prices. Because FUE hair transplantation prices are determined depending on many different factors. Factors such as the number of sessions to be applied, the number of grafts to be transplanted, the quality of the area where the hair transplant will be performed, which technologies are used during hair transplantation, and the expertise and experience of the doctor are taken into consideration when determining FUE hair transplantation prices.

In the FUE method, hair follicles are removed one by one. For this reason, it may take longer to complete and be more costly than some hair transplantation methods.