Follicular unit transplantation, also called follicular transplant is an efficient method of obtaining hair follicles belonging to various hair groups, to be used to be used for hair transplants. The process involves extracting hairs from one region of the head, and then transferring them onto the scalp. The hairs of one part are removed and the rest of the hairs on the scalp remain. Follicular units, also referred to as FUE, are those that come from the opposite portion of your scalp. Strip harvesting, on contrary, involves taking hairs from the head and its surrounding parts and keeping them intact.
In the standard FUE procedure, a surgeon makes an incision that runs along the hairline, from one temple to the next along the hairline. After making the incision, the surgeon pulls a strip of skin between the scalp and the dermis. The strip is then folded back, secured to a small piece elastic and carried for the visit to the hospital. The strip is gently separated , and the hair follicular units taken out through these small openings.
The procedure for transplantation of follicular units is based on several variables, including the age and general health of the individual patient. Also, it depends on the health of the donor region and the level of the patient’s hair loss condition. When the strip has been taken out and the scalp is covered with a dressing and antibiotics are administered to the whole patient. A small hole is left behind, which allows fresh blood supply to the scalp. The donor site is thoroughly cleaned to keep it free of infection. Then the operation can begin.
There are some cases when the follicle unit transplanted does not succeed in growing hairs in the desired areas. In these cases doctors may choose to perform follicular unit grafting or to cutting open to the skin on the subject. This would require another dose of antibiotics to eliminate any bacteria, a local anesthetic to perform the procedure and the last thinning and fading of the wound.
After the surgery your scalp might feel slightly uncomfortable. You may experience a temporary decrease in the number of hairs growing around the area but they should go back to normality after about one week. In all instances an appointment with a doctor is required to be examined as the wound could cause infection. In any event, there will not be any surgical scars left behind , and there will be no pain during the treatment. In fact, you’ll be able to resume your daily routine immediately.
Once you’ve finished a successful process of restoration, you may experience some small discomfort. However, once you start growing your hair again it will diminish completely. In addition, the results could vary from individual to individual. This is due to the different body types the color of skin and hair loss pattern.
The next stage in the recovery period is the application of a special dressing. It is usually made out of cotton and is intended to cover the scalp harvested. Additionally, you will be required to take regular siestas (blood sucking) to clear any blood that is not needed and medications is prescribed to prevent infection. Additionally, the harvesting procedure itself is performed under anesthesia, and you are not able to drive or operate anything during this time.
A hair transplantation procedure does not happen overnight. It starts by harvesting the follicular units. Harvesting is done when the follicles continue to grow and have not been ripped out. After harvesting, the follicular unit is placed in a plastic bag and is covered in a new dressing. The bag is designed to allow new hair to grow in the bag while the hair previously in the bag falls out.
The next step in the procedure is to perform the actual transplant. The scalp is covered by a thin scar that will be shaped to form the hairline. The scar is inaccessible to the naked eyes and it is this invisble scar that forms the hairline.
After the extraction of the follicular unit scalp is treated with an antibiotic. This antibiotic is taken orally, and can help to maintain the expansion of the follicular area that was removed from the patient’s scalp. It may take a few weeks until the treatment is complete. In this period, the patient should avoid any type of hair loss treatment. The final few days following the first visit to the hospital where you received your transplant can also be used to prepare the hair follicles to be used in the future fue procedures.