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What is FUE?

By May 17, 2022February 8th, 2023Hair transplants
blonde woman's hair

What is FUE, or follicular unit extraction?

FUE is follicular unit extraction. It’s a modern type of hair transplant procedure. FUT is another type of hair transplant and we’ll discuss the differences between them later on. The FUE hair transplant is similar to the follicular unit transplantation and is perfect for people suffering from hair loss.

How do the FUE techniques work?

First, your surgeon will remove a small handful of hair follicles directly from your scalp to start the hair transplant. This is done using a local anaesthetic so you don’t feel any discomfort or pain during the hair transplantation.

They’ll then transplant the number of grafts you require in the same places to give the same pattern. Your hair transplant surgeon is specialised in adding the grafts in the right places, at the right angles to give you the right head of hair that you’re looking for as a finished cosmetic look.

It’s done in a way that looks completely natural, but so that you’ll feel more confident post procedure.

How long does it take to recover after FUE hair transplant procedures?

FUE doesn’t take much time at all to fully recover from, because of the nature of the operation. As FUE takes the follicles directly from the scalp, also known as the donor area, there is barely any scarring. If there is, it’s not noticeable. That also means it takes much less time, around a week, to recover completely and allow full healing.

Is FUE safe?

Yes. Having FUE is a safe operation to undergo, as long as you choose a qualified surgeon who has a reputable name in the industry.

Our surgeon, Dr Saifi, is a qualified and leading expert. He is a director of the ISHRS, and has an industry recognised Diploma from the American Board of Hair Association.

If you’re interested in a particular surgery or clinic, always have a chat with the team and the surgeon to ask them any questions you may have to ensure you feel comfortable and happy before proceeding.

The FUE uses a technique that means there are very minimal side effects. If you do experience of these, which your surgeon will run through with you, then be assured that this tend to go away on their own after a few days.

How much does a FUE hair transplant cost?

The FUE hair transplant surgery can cost between £2,400 and £5,000. It depends how many grafts you need. This is something you will discuss with your surgeon and he will advise on the best option. He can assess your hair type, hair line and advise. You can find out more about hair transplant costs.

What happens first if I want a FUE hair transplant?

We’ll ask you for some photos of different angles, including the back of your head before we go about adding new hair. It will be added using transplanted hair using the FUE procedure. If our surgeon recommends another method, it may be the strip method.

Frequently asked questions about FUE Hair Transplant

Who can have FUE?

Lots of women and men choose to have FUE if they are struggling with hair loss. If your hair loss has been happening for a few years, you might be considering undergoing FUE. There are few factors that can make someone a great candidate for the FUE, including:

  • hair colour – if you have a similar hair colour to your skin colour (fair skin and light hair) you would be a good candidate compared to someone with more contrasting skin and hair colour
  • hair texture – those with curly or wavy hair can often see a more effective end result because the head of curls seems even fuller and more dense
  • hair thickness – if you have thicker hair, it will block the light more that’s reflected off the scalp, and that gives a much better aesthetic finished effect
  • scalp flexibility – if you have a loose scalp, it can be easier to remove your hair follicles at the start of the procedure

Remember that FUE is successful for most people and that these only act as potential indicators.

So, don’t worry if you’re not sure where you sit looking at those factors. Talk to our team and we can determine if you’re a good candidate or not.

How do you sleep after an FUE transplant?

You should sleep with your head slightly elevated for at least a few nights after your transplant. You can use a towel underneath your head to do this. Talk to our team of specialists to alleviate any concerns.

If you’re thinking about having a hair transplant in Turkey, there are lots of reasons to consider Poland instead. Why not take a look at some hair transplant before and after pictures?

Does FUE work?

Yes. Lots of women and men have had FUE and are happy with the results. They feel more confident in their own skin and feel brighter about their appearance overall.

It can be a huge boost for self confidence and self esteem, and when FUE is carried out by the right, qualified surgeon, the results are extremely positive.

Our surgeon has carried out the hair transplant in Poland on some celebrities, including India Willoughby and Christopher Maloney.

How long does FUE take?

FUE can be completed in one session or in multiple sessions over a few days. It depends how many grafts you require.

For example, if you need 200 grafts, then this can be done in a couple of hours. Whereas, if you require up to 3000 grafts, then this will take longer because there are more grafts to transplant. That means it can take a couple of sessions to finish completely.

What is the difference between FUE and FUT?

There is more than one difference between FUE and FUT, including the below.

  • Procedure: FUT takes the follicles out using a strip on the scalp, whereas during FUE, the follicles are individually removed
  • Recovery time: FUT can take a few weeks, but healing from FUE can be as short as one week
  • Results: FUE can be more effective than FUT because it leaves a more natural finish

Does a FUE hair transplant hurt?

No, a FUE hair transplant procedure is not a painful one. You’ll be given a local anaesthetic. That means your experience of the follicular unit extraction fue will be from any stress and will be as comfortable as possible.

It does depend on how many hair grafts you will require as part of the FUE hair transplant. But this will only mean the procedure is longer or shorter time wise – it will not cause you any pain.

For example, if you need thousands of hair grafts on and around the back of your head, it may be that your transplant surgeon recommends multiple transplant sessions. This happens often and is completely normal; the best way to a successful fue hair operation.

How long will I be in surgery for a follicular unit transplantation?

The procedure takes between 3 and 4 hours. You will need to stay in Poland for one night so that our team can ensure all is well.

What is a FUE or a follicular unit extraction, hair transplant?

FUE – or Follicular Unit Extraction  – is when we remove lost or thinning hair by inserting, new healthy hair follicles from a particular part of your head. The FUE hair transplant is not invasive as a hair restoration option. Our surgeon is highly skilled and effective to get the best finish for his patients.

When will I start to see results of my FUE hair transplant?

When you have the FUE with us, you’ll start seeing strong hair growth after around 8 – 26 weeks. Your hair will look and feel healthier and stronger. It will be the same colour and feel the same texture as your hair does now, but it will be healthier. As time passes, the results will get better and better. Over the months after your operation, you’ll notice the big change in your appearance.

How do I sleep the night after my FUE hair transplant?

You should sleep with your head elevated, and with a towel underneath your head. But our surgeon, Dr. Marwan Saifi, can give you plenty of advice on what to do and how to recover properly.

Do I need insurance for FUE hair transplants?

Most insurance plans don’t cover these hair transplant techniques. The recommendation is to choose a qualified hair transplant surgeon.

A good clinic will offer plenty of support for their patients and will be certified to carry out hair transplant surgery. For example, they will offer a consultation before the operation takes place.

There will then be communication available as an option should the patient wish to ask questions and get professional advice for their recovery process. The clinic should also provide aftercare post procedure so they can ensure the patient is well and all has gone smoothly.

Europe Surgery offers all of these options for their hair transplant in Poland.

Can choosing FUE transplants help me?

Having a hair transplant is so much more than a procedure to help grow your hair in a healthy, stronger way. A hair transplantation procedure can transform your confidence.

If you’ve been suffering with anxiety, low confidence or similar issues that relate to self esteem, hair restoration by way of FUE could be the right step for you.

Equally, if you have been dealing with pattern baldness or you’re not happy with your hair growth, it could be for you. If you’re not sure what to expect, our consultant can talk you through every step of the journey, including what any minor side effects might include.

How much does FUE cost?

If you’re interested in having FUE, you can find out how much a hair transplant costs.

FUE hair transplant results

We’re proud that our patients love their FUE hair transplant surgery. If they’ve been struggling with natural hair growth or hair loss, they come to us and have follicular unit extraction. It’s also known as the FUE procedure.

What does FUE mean?

FUE, or follicular unit extraction, refers to a hair restoration surgery, which is a minimally invasive surgery to insert new healthy follicles. Men and women who suffer with hair loss and thinning hair often come to us to have hair transplanted. We use the FUE hair transplantation.

It’s also known as follicular transfer. The term was originally made by Dr. Orentreich back in the 1950’s.

What questions to ask before hair transplant?

These are some good questions you can ask a hair transplant surgeon if you’re thinking about having the FUE procedure but you’re not sure if it’s for you, or if you have some concerns about the hair restoration.

  • What qualifications do you have?
  • How much recovery is needed after the hair restoration?
  • Do you have any patient testimonials?
  • What do I need to do before the surgery to get the best results for natural hair growth?
  • What will the surgery of the fue hair transplant be like?
  • Do I need a FUE or FUT hair transplant?

Those are the kind of questions to ask before hair transplant surgery.

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