Approximately 50 million men and 30 million women in the U.S. currently suffer from male/female pattern baldness or thinning hair and even more are seeking a solution to restore their lost hair and confidence.
What is Follicular Unit Extraction?
Follicular unit extraction (FUE) strip technique is a surgical technique used to extract donor hair for hair restoration. During the procedure, a surgical punch extracts groups of one to four hairs at a time. These donor follicles are then relocated to problem areas where hair is thinning or balding. FUE’s natural looking results and less invasive procedure have made it a popular option for those seeking hair restoration.
Am I a Good Candidate?
People with mild to moderate hair loss are ideal candidates for FUE as well as those with a limited donor supply or scalp that is not overly elastic. In addition, those who prefer wearing their hair short in the back, are concerned about scarring, or seek a short recovery period will benefit the most from the FUE strip technique. If you are suffering from advanced hair loss, traditional strip extraction may be a better option as the required graft areas for these patients are too large to properly perform this procedure. Those who have had multiple hair transplants in the past are also not ideal candidates for FUE.
What Are the Benefits of Follicular Unit Extraction?
FUE has become the preferred hair transplant method for the following reasons:
- Unlike strip extraction, only 0.7 to 1.0 mm of hair follicles and surrounding tissue are extracted in small circles, assuring no linear scarring occurs. Perfect for short hairstyles!
- Since grafts are miniscule, punched out holes, stitches are not required, and wounds heal on their own. The procedure offers less discomfort and reduced downtime.
- FUE gives more donor supply options, as viable hair follicles can be found in the scalp, chest, arms, and beard.
How Long Does It Take for Hair to Start Growing?
Patients will typically begin to see hair growth around six months post-surgery. Expect final results to appear up to a year after the procedure.
Younger Image Hair Transplant Clinic is proud to offer follicular unit extraction procedures to patients in Washington, D.C., Vienna, Woodbridge and throughout Northern Virginia, as well as throughout the communities of Northern Virginia, who desire hair restoration. If you are interested in more information on your candidacy for FUE, contact us to schedule a consultation.