Hair Restoration with Follicular Unit Extraction (Part 1)

Hair restoration has come a long way since the days of hair plugs and gruesome scalp reductions. Nowadays using follicular unit extraction and follicular unit transplantation very natural results can be achieved with minimal scarring at the donor site.

What is Follicular Unit Extraction?

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a technique, in which hair is transplanted from the permanent zone in the back of the scalp into areas affected by genetic balding, using only the naturally occurring, individual follicular units.

The removal of Follicular Units from the back of the scalp without damaging them, involves considerable skill on the part of the surgeon. This technique, called Single Strip Harvesting, is an essential component of follicular unit transplantation as it not only preserves the follicular units, but it prevents damage (transection) to the individual hair follicles. The Follicular Unit Extraction, allows the surgeon to remove individual follicular units without a linear donor incision.

Another essential component of Follicular Unit Transplantation is Stereo-Microscopic Dissection. In this technique, all of the follicular units are removed from the donor tissue under microscopic control to avoid damage. Complete stereo-microscopic dissection has been shown to produce an increased yield of both the absolute number of follicular units, as well as the total amount of hair, (upwards of 25%). (This procedure differs from mini-micrografting in which the grafts are cut with minimal or no magnification.)

A major advantage of follicular unit extraction, (besides preserving follicular units and maximizing growth) is the ability to use small recipient sites. Grafts comprised of individual follicular units are small because Follicular Units are themselves small, but also because the surrounding non-hair bearing tissue is removed under the microscope and doesn't need to be transplanted. Follicular unit grafts can be inserted into tiny needle-sized sites in the recipient area, which heal in just a few days without leaving any marks.

When performed by a skilled surgical team, Follicular Unit Extraction can provide totally natural looking hair transplants that make the full use of the patient's donor supply to give the best possible cosmetic results in the fewest possible sessions.

More information on FUE will follow in further articles, alternately visit www.cosmeticclinics.co.uk to find your nearest hair restoration specialist.

By Dr S R Bassi