The Science Behind Follicular Unit Extraction

Follicular unit extraction, or FUE, is a surgical hair restoration procedure that aims to restore hair’s natural growth in balding or thinning areas. It uses individual hair follicles harvested from a donor site and relocated to places where they are needed.

Originally, FUE transplants were done by hand using small punches to harvest the hair follicles. However, as time passed, more surgeons started utilizing more technically sophisticated instrumentation.

The Surgeon’s Toolbox

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is an increasingly popular surgical procedure for hair restoration. It is an alternative to the strip technique that preserves follicular units intact while extracting them from the donor area.

The grafts extracted with FUE can be used in multiple ways. They can be used for micrografting or stacked in rows to cover a larger scalp surface area and create a more natural look.

A significant benefit of follicular unit extraction is that it avoids a linear scar. This makes the surgery safer for patients who want to wear their hair short or return quickly to strenuous activity.

Another advantage is that fewer grafts are required to cover the same surface area of the scalp. This results in a denser, more natural look and may result in better long-term hair growth.

The surgeon uses a punch-like instrument with circular incisions to score the skin and mid-dermis to obtain follicular units from the donor area. The follicular units are then gently extracted.

The punches used in FUE can be sharp or blunt and should not be twisted back and forth, which can cause unnecessary transactions. They should also be rotated in a clockwise direction for proper motion.

The Surgeon’s Technique

The surgeon’s Technique is one of the essential components for developing and delivering the best quality care in the operating room. However, it is also a source of surgical error. Therefore, all surgeons who incorporate a new technique or instrument must be proctored or supervised by a more experienced colleague until competency has been satisfactorily demonstrated.

The technique uses 0.8 and 1 mm special micro punches to extract whole intact follicular units from the donor site (the scalp, eyebrows, beard or other areas where hair growth is unaffected by hair loss). These follicles are then transplanted to the balding area of the patient’s head.

Surgeons perform this procedure under a microscope using special follicular unit harvesting devices. The punches are inserted into the skin and twisted slightly to loosen the hairs. The follicular units are then extracted one by one, which leaves no visible scarring.

When the follicles are removed, they leave small circular incisions on the scalp that heal within a few days. This method allows for a much faster recovery than traditional hair transplant surgery. Generally, a single session with an FUE hair restoration technique can yield up to 1200 grafts.

The Surgeon’s Instruments

In a surgical procedure, various instruments are used. They include scissors, forceps, and curettes (a “cutting instrument”). These are essential tools that help surgeons perform their tasks.

Moreover, many other surgical instruments, such as bone saws, files, drills, and mallets, are used in orthopedic surgery. Surgical instruments are designed to make clean cuts in the tissue.

The type of knife used in a surgical procedure is essential to the success of the surgery. It must be small, sharp, and durable to provide a clean cut without damaging the patient’s skin.

Surgeons must sterilize all instruments before use. There are several methods for doing this, including using a hot bead sterilizer or rinsing with alcohol. Regardless of the way, devices must be placed in a sterile container or sterile envelope.

This is essential because it ensures the blade tip is not contaminated when a surgeon handles the tool. Place the instrument on a sterile surface, such as a sterile drape or gauze sponge, is also necessary.

The technology behind the various instruments used in hair transplant procedures is very sophisticated. However, the procedure’s outcome depends on the skill and experience of the surgeons performing the procedure.

The Surgeon’s Equipment

There are thousands of surgical instruments, and it can be difficult for surgeons to know which tools will work best for their procedure. Some instruments are made of metal, such as scalpels and various forceps, while others are plastic or synthetic.

When a new tool is brought into a surgical room, everyone involved in the surgery must be aware of its use and any recommended protective equipment that might be needed for it. Labels attached to the instrument or plastic cards summarizing instructions for proper use can be helpful until everyone is comfortable with the new technique.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a minimally invasive hair restoration surgery. It removes follicles from the back of the head, individually and without scarring.

In skilled hands, FUE is competitive with strip harvesting in the number of intact follicles that can be extracted per session. This is a significant advantage of the FUE technique, which can lead to less patient discomfort and a shorter procedure time.

FUE is a safe and effective option for obtaining donor hair for transplantation. It is a popular choice for patients experiencing hair loss due to alopecia, male pattern baldness, or other conditions.