What is an FUE hair transplant?

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) hair transplants are one of the two primary methods of extracting hair follicles from one part of the body and implanting them in areas where hair is thin or has fallen out. The other popular hair transplant procedure is an FUT (Follicular Unit Transfer) transplant.

An FUE hair transplant is a delicate procedure that involves a great deal of skill and expertise. Using state-of-the-art surgical instruments, our dedicated team of surgeons extract hair follicles from the donor area — the hair around the back and sides of the head — and redistribute them elsewhere on the scalp where hair is thinner. This technique is precise and results in minimal scarring.

The procedure can vary in length depending on the severity of a patient’s hair loss, but most procedures take around 8 hours to complete. As the procedure is minimally invasive, recovery time is short — you’ll be able to get back to your normal life after just a couple of days. You’ll begin to see results after a few months, with your hair looking considerably thicker and natural between 6-12 months.

FUE Hair Transplant: Step by Step

FUE hair transplants are in-depth procedures that are performed by skilled specialists that have years of experience in the field. A hair transplant is a long procedure that will usually take a full day to complete. Here’s what you can expect from a day in surgery:

Hair transplant prep

The first step in an FUE hair transplant is to prepare your scalp for surgery. This is done by shaving your head so that your surgeon can see the angle and direction of your hair, allowing them to implant the new grafts in a way that creates a natural blend. 

While you can shave your own head in preparation, it’s best to allow your surgeon to do it on the day of your procedure. If you accidentally shave your hair too close to your scalp, it can complicate the extraction process.

The injections

Once you’re prepped and ready for surgery, the first step is a local anaesthetic. You’ll receive injections in your scalp across your donor area. While this may sting a little at first, it will allow the surgeon to carry out the extraction stage with little to no discomfort.

Extracting the grafts

FUE hair transplants extract donor hair follicles with a specialised device called a Micro Punch. These precise instruments vary in diameter from 0.7mm to 1.25mm and are used to puncture the skin around individual follicles and extract the bulb using delicate forceps. 

Thanks to the precision of the Micro Punch, and the skills of our experienced surgeons, this extraction process results in dot-like scarring that can be undetectable to the naked eye once you’ve recovered from your FUE hair transplant.

Once the hair follicle bulb has been removed from the scalp, it is placed in a solution to ensure it stays at the ideal level of hydration, temperature and humidity.

Harvesting the grafts

Once your grafts have been extracted, they will then be separated into groups that are characterised by thickness, size and the number of hairs in each hair follicle bulb. As some hair follicles can house two or more hairs, these are prioritised for implantation as they help to create fuller, thicker-looking hair.

Incisions

Once your grafts have been successfully extracted, it’s time to prepare for implantation. At this stage of the FUE hair transplant, your surgeon will administer local anaesthetic — this time in the area you’re transplanting the donor hair to. They will then make a number of micro-incisions into your scalp in the areas where they intend to implant the hair follicles.

Placing the grafts

After your surgeon has finished with the incisions, they will then manually implant the recipient area of your scalp with individual hair follicles. The surgeon will patiently and accurately place each hair follicle bulb 1mm below the surface of the intradermal layer of the scalp.

Once this process is fully completed, your surgeon will bandage up your head for protection and provide you with a set of specific instructions for you to follow to ensure you achieve the best results possible from your FUE hair transplant.

FUE Hair Transplant Aftercare 

The success of your FUE hair transplant depends on how well your scalp heals. After your procedure, your doctor will provide you with a list of clear instructions on how to look after your scalp in the coming days and weeks to ensure the best results possible — the first 48 hours of which will be the most important. During this time, you’ll need to ensure your scalp is hydrated and that your head remains upright and untouched, especially when sleeping.

Your doctor will go through all the information with you after your procedure and will be just a phone call away if you have any questions while in recovery.

Am I Suitable for a Hair Transplant?

If you’re experiencing hair loss, you may be interested in an FUE hair transplant. However, not everyone is a suitable candidate for a transplant, so it’s important to book a consultation with your chosen clinic so that a trained surgeon can evaluate your situation. They’ll examine your scalp, looking at a number of factors; including hair density, texture, scalp flexibility and the extent of your hair loss.

For more information on the best candidate for an FUE hair transplant, read our in-depth blog.