Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is the most advanced treatment in hair transplantation. It is a scientific treatment for hair restoration. FUE technique is all about, Follicular Transfer. It is the process of extracting the follicles from the donor area with a special tool and implanted on the bald area. Each unit contains 1 – 4 hair. These units are known as follicular unit grafts. From this technique, hair can have natural growth.
Procedure for FUE
The first consultation with the patient is done by the doctor and according to the cause of baldness; the doctor will suggest the treatment suitable for the patient. The FUE hair transplant procedure has become quite a popular method in many clinics. The procedure has basic steps as follows.
- Identify an area where a hair transplant is needed to make a natural hairline.
- Trim the donor area for proper identification of a strong hair follicle unit.
- Remove the individual hair follicles from the scalp.
- Arrange the hair follicles according to the number of hair present in that unit.
- Map the placement of each graft to transplant as it should give natural look.
- Lastly, the grafts are placed strategically to cover the natural flow of hair. Accurate graft placement is an important step in hair transplants.
- Proper aftercare medicines are given to the patient to protect from any infection or inflammation.
- After the surgery within 2 to 3 weeks, the transplanted hair will fall out and natural hair will begin to grow in a few months.
After understanding the basic steps, let's also understand the cost of this procedure. Hair transplant cost mainly depends on the number of grafts required. Pricing is set as per graft. It’s usually 25-30 INR per graft or can even be higher. The cost also changes as per the technique used, the surgeon's experience, and also the reputation of the clinic but most importantly baldness level. Hair transplant cost in Surat is however much more affordable and cheaper compared to other metro cities in India. The entire hair transplant procedure cost can range from 35,000 INR to 60,000 INR minimum to 1 lakh to 1.5 lahks INR on the higher side.
Let’s look at the different advancements in hair transplant techniques.
Advancement in FUE
Neo graft hair transplant
The automation in the hair transplant process is useful for assisting doctors in the hair transplant procedure. Basic FUE is time-consuming and costly. But automated hair transplantation technique eliminated the problem faced by basic FUE. This automated FUE is known as the Neo Graft Hair Transplant System. Handling of grafts without any damage is possible by automated FUE. This method is beneficial for the patient as there is less discomfort, few risks of complication, and no linear scars.
Robotic hair transplantation
Robotic hair transplantation is a more advanced and developed treatment. A robotic hair transplant has consistent and predictable output. This technique gives productivity and efficiency in treatment. This method gives accuracy in harvesting the hair follicle units. With the help of robots, the graft is planted more efficiently and a greater effect is achieved in the entire treatment.
Advantages of FUE
No visible scars
In FUE treatment, there are small punches on the donor area, so the risk of visible scars is highly low.
Less recovery time compared to other surgery
FUE is a less invasive surgery. Sometimes it is also handled by robots for consistent results. The follicle extraction is done with small punches so, recovery of that part is fast as compared to strip or liner punches. Dr. Mohit Srivastava who is an experienced hair surgeon and founder of Hair ‘N’ Images clinic say, “Hair transplant procedures have now become so advance that there is hardly any recovery time for patients, after the treatment the patient can resume regular work immediately”.
FUE can be combined with other techniques.
FUE is one of the latest advancements in hair transplantation. You can combine FUE with other technologies like Neo grafts and robotics to assist doctors in surgery for accurate results.
FUE helps doctors in a detailed process.
In FUE treatments best graft identification is possible. FUE technique helps doctors to harvest even thin hair. In this treatment, white hair is excluded while harvesting.
FUF treatments make sure that patients should get a natural hairline.
FUE is not only an advanced treatment but also a scientific method of hair transplant. The Surgeon and supporting team are highly trained in FUE treatments. They make sure that the patient should get a natural hairline.
Less complication in the treatment
If the FUE procedure can be done with the assistance of the robot then there will be less room for complications. This means the FUE treatment can give consistent outcomes during surgery. In the surgery, the patient is under local anesthesia so doctors make sure that the surgery is safe for the patient.
Disadvantages of FUE
Expensive treatment
FUE is a less invasive technique but it requires more time to perform the surgery. Even the equipment required for treatment is expensive. In this surgery, there is a requirement of expert surgeons and supporting staff, so the total surgery cost becomes expensive.
Side effects
Sometimes after the FUE treatment, side effects may occur. The side effect can be numbness, itching, swelling, and bleeding. There is also some risk of infection after surgery. But these side effects can be prevented by proper care after surgery.
Multiple sessions
FUE is a slower process compared to the FUT method. It requires detailed work in the surgery. So FUE may need more than 1 session to complete the surgery. Sometimes it may require two or three sessions according to the implantation area
FUE required highly trained surgeons and support staff.
In FUE hair transplantation, the follicles are removed at a certain adjusted time by a machine. If the time is not properly adjusted in the machine then hair follicles units can be damaged. And each unit should be transplanted as they give natural flow to the hair. So the surgeon must have expertise and experience in the FUE.
One of the best hair transplant surgeons in India, Dr. Mohit Shrivastava has an expert team of doctors who carry out different treatments for hair transplants. He has extensive years of experience where he has treated different patients who have undergone hair transplants. His clinic Hair N Images has all the latest technologies to treat different hair loss problems.