FUE method: practical information
The FUE method is indicated when the patient is starting to lose hair and the area requiring implants is limited. It is also used to finish off the hairline and gulfs following a FUT graft.
It's important to know that the FUE hair implant technique is more expensive than the FUT technique (strip method). Quite simply, because it takes more time for the doctor to harvest and implant the follicular units one by one. It's a real goldsmith's job.
Hair FUE: objectives and principles
The FUE type of hair transplantation enables hair implants to be made in bald areas of the scalp. Follicular units are extracted from the Hippocratic crown at the back of the head, the only place on the skull where hair never falls out. The surgeon uses this area to harvest the grafts, which are then re-implanted in the balding areas. As grafts from the Hippocratic crown retain their genetic memory, the patient will keep the reimplanted hair for the rest of his or her life, with no risk of hair loss.
During the preliminary consultation, the Clinique du Lac specialist will determine the most suitable technique according to gender, age, the origin of the fall and the budget envisaged, as some people still need to resort to the tape technique (FUT).
On the day of the FUE procedure, a large part of the scalp must be shaved to enable the surgeon to extract and re-implant the grafts correctly.
The procedure is performed under potentiated local anaesthesia (called neuroleptanalgesia) to optimize patient comfort during the session, which lasts several hours, and on an outpatient basis. The patient returns home the same evening.
The FUE type of hair transplantation enables hair implants to be made in bald areas of the scalp. Follicular units are extracted from the Hippocratic crown at the back of the head, the only place on the skull where hair never falls out. The surgeon uses this area to harvest the grafts, which are then re-implanted in the balding areas. As grafts from the Hippocratic crown retain their genetic memory, the patient will keep the reimplanted hair for the rest of his or her life, with no risk of hair loss.
As each FUE treatment is tailor-made, a consultation is necessary to assess the appropriate procedure. After examination, your Clinique du Lac practitioner will give you a personalized, detailed estimate.
Are you considering hair FUE? Contact the Clinique du Lac team today to book an appointment. Our hair transplant specialists are at your disposal.
A team of experts
Before any intervention, the Clinique du Lac teams take the time to listen to you. The aim is to offer you a solution that meets your expectations and enables you to correct your hair problem permanently.
Once the best alternative has been determined, the surgery date is set. To limit all risks, it is important to stop drinking alcohol and smoking 10 days before the operation, and to stop taking blood-thinning drugs (aspirin, paracetamol, etc.).
Our team
Results take shape
Neograft 2.0: a revolutionary technique
Each graft to be harvested is isolated from the prone patient using a 0.8 to 1.2 mm diameter rotary micro-punch.
In the conventional technique, the graft is then released and extracted using forceps.
On the Neograft, the punch is connected to a pneumatic system graft aspiration system to avoid traumatizing the graft when extracting it with forceps.
When it's time to implant the graft in its receiving slot, the pneumatic system is reversed to allow the graft to be pushed gently, again without traumatizing it with forceps. The follicle and bulb remain intact.
Neograft provides over 90% regrowth
It ensures that the graft extraction angle is correctly aligned with the direction of hair growth in the donor area.
It allows the practitioner to focus more on the aesthetic aspect of the procedure: graft density and direction of growth.
Follicular Unit Extraction is a treatment technique for partial baldness or loss of hair density. It is used for hair, beard and eyebrow transplants. Unlike the FUT technique, which involves removing a strip of hair from the back of the neck, the FUE method ensures a scar-free result for a natural appearance.
Bulbs are harvested from the temporal or occipital donor areas using a motorized micro-punch less than 1 mm in diameter. After quality control, the follicular units are re-implanted using a micro-punch or an implant pen. Each unit comprises 1 to 4 hairs. Generally, between 85% and 95% of transplanted grafts survive and grow in the recipient area.
The first signs of growth appear after around 3 months, with significant growth visible between 6 and 9 months. Final results can be observed after 12 to 18 months. Thanks to our expertise and technical facilities, the results of FUE transplants are excellent.
The procedure is performed under potentiated local anaesthesia (called neuroleptic anaesthesia) to optimize patient comfort during the session, which lasts several hours, and on an outpatient basis. There is no dressing, and post-operative swelling lasts 3 to 4 days.
FAQ about FUE transplantation
Whatever the technique, hair micrografting is mainly performed under local anaesthetic, although for longer procedures it can be performed under general anaesthetic. The choice of anaesthetic is made in consultation with the patient, surgeon and anaesthetist.
Hair transplants take an average of 4 hours. They are performed as outpatient surgery at the Clinique du Lac, enabling you to return home the same day as the operation.
The FUT grafting technique, also known as strip grafting, is the most widely used in the world. It involves removing a strip of scalp from the nape of the neck, 1 to 2 cm high and 20 to 25 cm wide. From this strip, the grafts (or follicular units) are extracted and transplanted one by one to the balding areas. This type of operation leaves a scar at the donor site. This scar can easily be covered by letting the hair grow.
The procedure itself is performed under local anaesthetic, so pain is minimal during the operation. After the transplant, patients may experience mild discomfort or moderate pain, which can be managed with painkillers prescribed by the surgeon. Most patients find that the pain is bearable and diminishes rapidly in the days following the procedure.
A fixed price for a hair transplant is difficult to determine. As each case is unique, the price varies according to the extent of the micro-transplant to be performed, as well as the techniques used.