What is a FUE?
Follicle Unit Extraction:
- It is the most recent up-to-date hair transplant technique
- It is less invasive than FUT [FU strip]
- FUE is a painless process after receiving the local anaesthetics.
- FUE leaves no visible linear scarring.
- FUE leaves only tiny, dot-like scars which are virtually impossible to see, dots of less than a 1 mm in the donor area.
- FUE is: Collecting individual hair follicles from the donor area and implant them into the newly created non visible tiny incisions in the recipient area [hair redistribution]
- No sutures required
- Swelling is only temporary and will resolve completely in few days.
- No long off time or long down time required, recovery in 1-2 weeks
- Back to usual social / professional life soon after the surgery.
What do I expect after the FUE, possible events?
· Possible scalp/ face swellingfor few days [nothing serious: the headband and keeping the head elevated willhelp]
· Possible headache, scalp pain orirritation [nothing serious: take regular paracetamol for 2 days then asrequired]
· Possible Itchiness [nothingserious: take anti-histamine like piriton & spray the head with saline/mineral water] but Do itch.
· Possible dryness and excessivescabbing [nothing serious: need frequent head wash, use saline spray and keepgood oral water intake][will be scabbing free by day 14]
· Numbness [nothing serious:recovery is quite individual and may take from few day to several weeks butstill less than 6 months of FUT ]
· Shedding [nothing serious: willfollow the natural hair cycle and will be for 6-8 weeks before the new hairre-regrow again]
· Expect to see 50-60 % of new hair growth by6-8 months [final results will be seen by 12-18 months]
How long does the surgery last?
Typically will last 8-9 hours depending on a number of factors. It may be shorter and rarely may last a little longer.
When can I have a shower?
A full body shower/ (get head wet) is permitted after twoweeks. Please refer to the washing regime.
How much recovery time is needed?
The recommended recovery time is usually two weeks, unlessyour surgeon advises differently.
Am I going to have full head cover?
Our skilled surgeon will do their best to distribute themaximally collected follicles in a wise way to provide the most naturallylooking lifetime hairs. So the answer is: it depends how good/ rich the donorarea and how big the recipient area.
Why do I have spots on the donor area?
This can occur post procedure and is usually a result of notexfoliating firmly enough. You can apply coconut oil or aloe vera gel from day5 onwards and scrub firmly.
Why do I have an odd sensation on my head (numbing,tingling)?
This can beexpected given the nature of the process. This tends to settle within a fewmonths. If it is troublesome and persistent – please feel free to contact thepatient liaison manager.
Can I have numbing cream before the anaesthetic?
Yes, but it is not very effective. The administration of theactual local anaesthetic causes the brief pain or sting.
What do I need to have at home before my surgery?
The things that are needed: Travel pillow, anti-histaminetablets, paracetamol, baby shampoo and also coconut oil.
Can I go back to work immediately?
Ideally not. Rest is required to aid with the healingprocess. Two weeks is ideal to take off. If this is not possible, the longerthe better. Depending on your type of work – the surgeon may advise needing 2weeks off.
Is it a painful procedure?
The local anaesthetic injections given initially in the donor area and recipient area sting and hurt a little initially for the first few minutes. The procedure is typically pain-free following this.
What do I do if my scabs are not coming off?
From Day 10 you can gently tap the recipient area when applying the baby shampoo mixture. If the scabs do not come off by Day 14 – leave the shampoo mixture to soak on for 60 minutes or more and gently tap. Then you may rinse it off.
Can I wear a hat or cap?
NO headwear allowed for the first 14 days. After this you may wear a hat. If you wear a hard hat or helmet then you can wear this after 14 days but it is recommended to wear a soft hat underneath to cushion the recipient area.
Why am I having discharge from my recipient area?
It can be normal to have a slight yellowish-watery discharge from the transplanted zone. This usually settles within a few days. If you notice pus or thick discharge or have an offensive smell from this discharge – please contact the patient liaison manager.
What if I do not want to shave all my hair?
We can provide unshaven technique [depends on the density required as shaven technique will provide better density cover, gain higher number of transplanted grafts in the recipient area]
How many procedure/ sessions do I need?
Depends on the donor area, how severe your hair loss and howis good the healing process in the donor area. If required, a 2nd procedurewill be possible to reach better density [your hair surgeon is always ready todiscuss that]
How long before I see my new hairs growing?
Varies from person to another; Hair growth cycle is long,initially, hair shedding for 8 weeks, re-growing phase, 6 months to find about50% of the new hairs. The final results is usually achieved by 12-18 months.
Will FUE provide natural looking hairs?
Our experienced surgeons have artistic surgical skills tocreate the most naturally looking incisions for the collected follicles to beimplanted in.
When will I start to see a result?
You may see some hair growth within the first 2 weeks. Youwill go through different stages of the hair growth cycle, including shedding.The final result is obtained between 12-18 months.
Why is my transplanted hair falling out?
This is called Shedding. It is part of the normal process following surgery and can occur within the first 12 weeks. It can be uneven and some areas can have more shedding than others. It is common and is essentially a normal process following surgery with most patients experiencing it. This does not indicate that the root has fallen.
Can I take painkillers?
YES. But avoid Ibuprofen or Naproxen. It is safer to takeParacetamol or Co-codamol.
When can I exercise?
After 2 weeks you can resume strenuous activity.
How much recovery time is needed?
The recommended recovery time is usually two weeks, unlessyour surgeon advises differently.
Will the result leave a natural look?
The skills and techniques used by our surgeons ensure you areleft with a natural looking result. Please bear in mind this can take months todevelop.
When can I leave the house?
You may leave the house following the procedure but the samerules apply with regards to strenuous activity, headwear and sweating. Thefirst 3 days are vitally important, so if you can rest indoors for 3 days –this is better. If you do leave the house, please ensure you have an umbrellaif it is raining or sunny to avoid damage to the transplanted zone.
How many sessions/ surgeries do I need?
Depends on your hair loss level, your target to reach, and your donor area status but classically 2 sessions required during lifetime.
How long before I see my new hairs growing?
Varies from person to another; Hair growth cycle is long, initially, hair shedding for 8 weeks, re-growing phase, 6 months to find about 50% of the new hairs. The final results is usually achieved by 12-18 months.