FUE Technique or Progressive Hair Transplant

The FUE technique is a procedure for performing hair implants on people affected by different types of alopecia or hair loss as well as to populate areas lacking hair for various reasons.

Also called the progressive technique or Follicular Unit Extraction, it involves the same person being both the donor and the recipient in the hair transplant process.

How hair micrografting works with the FUE Technique

Step 1

The method is based on extracting each individual follicle from a limited area to subsequently implant the hair in another place. Generally, the hair extraction is performed from the occipital or posterior part of the head. That is, with the progressive FUE technique, hair is taken with a micro scalpel of 0.7 to 0.9 millimeters from the nape area.

This procedure is performed with each hair follicle, which may contain one or several individual hairs. The entire process aims to obtain the complete system that makes the hair survive (capillary vessel, arrector pili muscle, sebaceous gland, etc.) in the hair transplant. A micro-incision ensures this method, thus maintaining perfect harmony and health after the subsequent process of implanting the separated hair.

Step 2

Hair surgery tools

Hair surgery tools

Once all the necessary follicles are extracted and properly treated, the capillaries are implanted in the hairless area to create a hair mantle. This is the so-called second phase of a hair transplant, which consists of performing the hair micrograft of all the units obtained from the donor area to the recipient area.

This second step does not require any stitching as no cuts are made. Everything is done through microsurgery. Given the small size of each unit to be implanted and that it is done individually, the resulting wounds are so small that only a tiny red dot of less than a millimeter is visible. Approximately 0.7 mm. This size is very similar to that used as a tool to extract each follicle.

Step 3

FUE technique

Once the entire hair transplant process is completed, the patient only needs to rest for a few hours and follow the instructions provided by the hair surgeon. In the days following the intervention, it is very important to be rigorous with cleaning instructions and avoid physical exertion.

Post-operative or completion of the hair transplant

Recovery after a hair implant with the FUE technique is relatively simple. You need to treat the scalp and keep the area clean. During the first few days, the hair surgeon will recommend not washing your head and avoiding any manipulation to ensure the implanted hair properly takes root. For the hair to settle correctly, it is necessary:

  • Not to perform physical exertion or avoid excessive sweating for the first 72 hours.
  • In the first few days, do not wash your hair. Only perform treatments.
  • Do not massage the area.
  • Allow the head to be covered by a thin layer of scabs. This is normal and should not cause concern as it is part of the healing and curing process of the micrografts.

Since the FUE technique performs a hair transplant without incisions or deep wounds, these are the only recommendations. Unlike the FUTT technique, the treated person can immediately return to their normal activity.

Differences from other methods

FUE vs. FUTT comparison
The progressive FUE technique differs from the FUTT method in the way the capillaries are extracted. With FUE, it is done follicle by follicle, while with FUTT, a complete strip of capillaries is removed from the donor area. It is a recommended technique for small areas and allows the hair transplant process to be divided into several sessions. Since no cuts are made on the scalp, the hair transplant can be paused at any time and resumed the next day without difficulty. This is completely different from the strip or FUTT technique, where sessions cannot be performed on consecutive days.

Another difference is that for implants of more than 1000 units, it is recommended to divide them over several days, which can extend the treatment. If you want to see all the pros and cons, in the section on all the advantages and disadvantages of hair grafting, you can compare them. It highlights the points of each type of hair graft and provides an analysis of what they can offer.

Unlike other methods, with the FUE technique, you can choose how many units to implant. At all times, you can control the number of follicles as well as the price of the hair graft. This is important to consider since this type of micrograft has a high cost.

Considerations before undergoing a hair transplant

Although FUE is an outpatient hair surgery technique and therefore does not endanger the health of the person undergoing it, as it is an intervention with a surgeon and local anesthesia, certain pre and post considerations must be taken.

  • The intervention only lasts a few hours. Once the intervention is over, you can go home quietly.
  • It is recommended that after a FUE hair graft, you take a couple of days off to rest and fully recover. It is not necessary, but doing so will give you peace and energy and help you get used to your new appearance.
  • For large areas, it is normal to shave your head.
  • The effect is not immediate. The hair transplant takes several months to start to show. Hair is a part of the body that grows approximately 1 cm per month. So you will need to be patient.

How much does a hair implant with FUE cost?

Defining a price for a hair implant is difficult without analyzing each particular case. The FUE technique depends greatly on the extent of the area and the quality of the donor hair, but generally, a hair implant costs 5,000 euros for small areas and around 10,000 euros for larger areas.

Opinion

With this technique, you gain flexibility when undergoing a hair implant. For example, several sessions of a few hours can be agreed upon over several days, reducing the effort for both the patient and the surgeon.

It is a completely safe method and avoids scarring. Although with FUTT the scars minimize over time, with the FUE technique, you avoid the risk of poor healing since there are no sutures. However, the latest suturing techniques have improved so much that the scar is imperceptible after a few months.

Despite preferring this type of technique for its comfort after the hair transplant, each specific case should be evaluated with the specialist to determine the most suitable method. So rather than preferring or choosing one, it is necessary to analyze which technique is most convenient for each case.