Age, genetics, and health are the primary factors behind hair loss. Its prevalence among men and women has resulted in the development of numerous products that promise to restore hair.
Equally, medical procedures have been advanced to manage hair loss across populations. Among these procedures is FUE, an abbreviation for follicular unit extraction.
Before visiting a certified hair surgeon, you must have some background information on FUE hair transplants. Knowing information like FUE hair transplant cost, the steps involved, safety measures, and the effectiveness of the procedure will help you understand it.
Understanding FUE Hair Transplant
FUE is a type of hair transplant that entails moving single hair follicles from one body part to another. Hair follicles are transferred from an area with thick and healthy hair to one with thinner or no hair.
FUE is an upgrade from FUT (follicular unit transplantation). The latter entails moving hair follicles along with the scalp or skin and transplanting them to the target area. FUE hair transplants are efficient because they leave minimal to no traces of extraction, thanks to the micropunches surgeons use for the procedure.
Additionally, FUE ensures that the hair transplanted in the target area matches those in the surrounding areas. The target audience for an FUE hair transplant includes individuals who are bald or have thinning hair. Undergoing the procedure also requires you to have adequate thick and healthy hair that can be transplanted into the area without hair.
Things You Need To Know About FUE
Understanding FUE hair transplant will assist you in deciding whether to undergo the procedure or not. Below is all there’s to know about the procedure.
How It Works
The hair growth cycle includes three phases, namely anagen (growing phase), catagen (regressing phase), and telogen (resting phase). The cycle shortens as you grow older, limiting your hair follicles from regrowing hair. However, this varies from person to person, which explains why some people are bald in their 20s while others experience it much later.
FUE counters hair loss by replacing old follicles with new ones that support hair regrowth. The blood vessels nourish the transplanted hair follicles, promoting the growth of thicker and healthier hair.
The first step of this procedure is hair removal. Your surgeon begins by shaving the hair in and around the areas where extraction will be done. Next, they remove hair follicles from this area using a micro punch tool. The surgeon then makes tiny incisions on the target area to create room for inserting the hair follicles. It is followed by cleaning the target area before it is bandaged.
The most common transplant target area is the scalp. However, you can have hair transplanted in other body parts, including your legs, arms, and genital area.
Is FUE Hair Transplant Safe?
This procedure is generally considered safe with a few rare side effects, most of which go away in a few days. These side effects include follicle swelling, infection, bleeding, tingling, or numbness close to the surgery site. The transplanted hair may also fail to match the one around the target area. In some cases, the procedure may not stop balding or thinning.
It’s, therefore, advisable to see a professional if you experience any of these side effects. However, it helps when you seek the services of a board-certified hair surgeon. It increases the chances of the procedure being successful and minimizes the risk of side effects.
Other than that, the procedure doesn’t leave any scars behind, save for a few tiny white dots around the extraction site. You shouldn’t worry about these dots, as they’ll fade away with time.
Some essential tips to consider after the procedure for quicker recovery are as follows. Firstly, ensure that your transplanted hair doesn’t come in contact with water for at least the first three days. Secondly, avoid scented shampoos for the first few weeks once your doctor gives you the green light to wash your hair.
In addition, avoid any physical activity and take time off work to rest for a speedier recovery. Further, don’t comb or brush your hair or cover your head with a beanie or hat, as it delays the healing process. It’s worth noting that you may lose some hair during recovery. Nevertheless, this is completely normal, so don’t be alarmed.
FUE Hair Transplant Costs
Numerous factors determine the cost of an FUE hair transplant. These include the quantity of extracted and transplanted hair, your surgeon’s experience, the demand for FUE procedures in your area, and surgeon availability.
Most FUE procedures cost between USD$4,000 and USD$15,000 for a single session. Multiple sessions can go as high as USD$50,000 or more. The duration of a single session ranges from two to four hours, spread across several days. Nonetheless, some sessions can go up to ten hours.
Most healthcare insurance plans don’t include cosmetic procedures, meaning you’ll likely spend out-of-pocket to have procedures done. It is critical to consider additional costs such as prescription medication and side effect treatment. The good thing about FUE hair transplant is that it’s an outpatient procedure, which saves you from paying expensive admission costs.
Effectiveness Of A FUE Hair Transplant
All factors considered, the outcome of an FUE hair transplant is often effective. One benefit of this hair transplant method that exemplifies its effectiveness is the absence of a linear scar. Most individuals also prefer this procedure because it’s minimally invasive, the recovery period is short, and there’s little to no pain post-operation.
You can do specific things in preparation for the procedure to enhance its effectiveness. For one, avoid smoking or drinking three days after the surgery. Additionally, don’t take blood thinners, antidepressants, vitamin supplements, or aspirin two weeks before the procedure. Furthermore, get a blood test and an ECG (electrocardiogram) done before the procedure. Remember, the more prepared you are, the better the outcome will be.
Winding Up
The prevalence of hair loss among men and women has resulted in the advancement of medical procedures to manage it. One of the procedures developed to manage hair loss is FUE (follicular unit extraction) hair transplant. This procedure is preferred by many because it’s effective, exemplified by its minimal invasiveness, short recovery period, and minimal pain post-operation. FUE hair transplantation is also relatively straightforward and largely safe.
Nevertheless, it can be costly because it’s not covered under most insurance plans. So, you may have to set aside substantial out-of-pocket costs and a few extra costs for medication and side effect treatment. It’s best to do thorough research when choosing a clinic or surgeon for the best results.
