FUE Hair Transplantation

Partial or complete hair loss can be a real psychological test. Both men and women with a similar problem suffer from complexes and self-doubt, which affects all areas of life. Aesthetic medicine has developed many effective methods to restore lost hair. One such method is seamless follicle transplantation. This is a micro-surgery to transfer hair follicles from one place to another. As a result, even with a detailed examination, it is impossible to distinguish transplanted hair from ordinary ones.

Description of the method

Surgical hair transplantation is used in extreme cases of baldness. Loss of hair in certain parts of the head or in most of it is called “alopecia” in medicine. This disease comes in two forms: androgenic and cicatricial. The latter is not classified as a disease, it is just a patch of skin that has lost its hairline from mechanical injuries or burns.

Androgenetic alopecia is considered the most common cause of baldness, especially among men. This phenomenon is associated with a disturbed metabolism of male hormones (androgens), as a result of which the bulbs are also broken, the hair falls out and is not restored. Since there are androgens in the female body, the loss of former hair is also not uncommon for ladies.

In case of malfunctions in the metabolism of hormones, a bald head appears in the forehead and crown of the head, therefore, in men, baldness most often forms in these places with age. To restore the appearance, conservative treatment with pills, vitamins, spa treatments is used. If such methods prove powerless, only artificial hair transplantation remains. It is possible to rehabilitate the hairline on scar tissue only in this way.

Today, there are two main methods for transplanting bulbs:

• FUE – seamless technique;
• FUT – patchwork.

The bottom line is that follicles are taken from the patient from healthy parts of the head and implanted into the bald patches, that is, they are simply transferred. In some cases, they can transplant hair from other parts of the body. The difference between transplantation methods is the way the donor bulbs are collected. With the patchwork technique, a strip of tissue is cut out from the back of the head, divided into small parts and implanted into the baldness area. With the seamless technique, the doctor takes the bulbs separately, without incisions and sutures. Therefore, this method is considered less traumatic.

As a result of such transplantation, there are no scars, as with FUT surgery, the volume and appearance of the hair is restored. For transplantation, only the hair of the patient himself is used, in rare cases, biosynthetic implants are used. Restoring hairline is possible not only on the head. For aesthetic purposes, patients turn to clinics for hair transplantation on beards, eyebrows, mustaches.

Indications and contraindications

A direct indication for such a micro-operation is cicatricial and androgenetic alopecia. However, hair can fall out for many reasons, for example, from a lack of vitamins, with impaired thyroid function, malnutrition and bad habits. If baldness is associated with such problems, transplantation is extremely rare. The trichologist directs the patient for examination to clarify the cause of the phenomenon, prescribes medication. In most cases, you can restore your previous hairstyle with strict adherence to the doctor’s recommendations, following a simple diet, and cosmetic procedures.

FUE transplant is prescribed for:

• hair loss as a result of a burn or injury;
• baldness in men in the forehead and crown;
• loss of hair density in women, if it cannot be restored by other methods;
• to give the desired shape to the eyebrows, mustache and beard.

Bulb transplantation is a complex medical manipulation, it helps to rehabilitate the hairline where other methods cannot cope. However, not everyone can carry out such a procedure, it is characterized by both contraindications and complications.

A transplant is not prescribed:

1. With chaotic hair loss throughout the body, foci and bald patches with smooth edges. Exacerbation of such a phenomenon can make the operation useless.
2. If the area of ​​baldness is too large. There are too few donor bulbs left, so the procedure will be ineffective. Such patients may be offered biosynthetic hair implantation.
3. If hair loss is caused by radiation or after a course of chemotherapy. In such a situation, the patient’s follicles are weakened throughout the body, so the transplanted bulbs can still fall out.
4. In systemic diseases: hypertension, diabetes, tumors, etc.
5. If androgenetic alopecia is rapidly progressing.

Also, such manipulations are not carried out if the cause of hair loss is not exactly clarified, in which case the results of the operation will be unpredictable. Bulbs are transplanted to children only in extreme cases, for example, with cicatricial alopecia. In adolescents and children, as well as adults, baldness can be due to disruptions in the hormonal background, improper digestion, and stress. However, in a young organism, this picture is changing rapidly, so only conservative treatment is used.

Transplantation technique

Although the restoration of hair is the task of aesthetic medicine, such an operation requires a lot of experience from the doctor and preparation of the patient. On average, this procedure lasts 5-7 hours, during which the doctor transplants up to 7 follicles. For the doctor and his ward, such an intervention will consist of several stages.

Prepare

In fact, preparation for transplantation begins from the moment the patient contacts the clinic. He is prescribed an examination, tests, examination and consultation with related specialists. It is almost impossible to understand exactly the cause of baldness right away, and the final result depends on the correct diagnosis. After all studies, treatment is prescribed. If we are talking about androgenetic alopecia, a course of medications is prescribed. If the pills do not help for 5-6 months, and the patient continues to lose hair, the date of the operation is set.

Direct preparation:

• 2 weeks before the scheduled day, they stop taking medications for baldness;
• the patient undergoes an examination to exclude all contraindications;
• for 7 days it is forbidden to take drugs that affect blood clotting;
• limit nicotine, exclude alcohol;
• a few days before the procedure, the doctor performs a test to extract the graft – a skin area with several follicles. The process takes place under local anesthesia, the material taken is examined, and how the follicle sampling is tolerated. If difficulties arise, the doctor prescribes a patchwork operation.

During the examination, women undergo a greater number of tests and analyzes, since they do not often have androgenetic alopecia, but women have much more reasons for hair loss. After all the preparations, the patient comes to the operation itself.

Проведение

The invention of the FUE method is considered a progressive technique in the field of hair transplantation. Since a skin flap is not cut out from the patient, but follicles are taken locally, such an operation is easily tolerated and rarely leads to complications. Almost the only disadvantage of this manipulation is its duration, work of 7 hours or more is difficult for both the surgeon and the patient himself. But the reviews confirm the good performance of the procedure.

It happens like this:

1. Transplanted hair is cut short or shaved, the skin on the head is treated with antiseptic agents.
2. The anesthesiologist or surgeon will administer local anesthesia, the patient will be conscious, but will not feel pain.
3. Using a hand tool in the form of a tube, the doctor begins to isolate the grafts. In some clinics, this work is already performed by robotic equipment, but the manual method is most often used. The tool is called a punch, it looks like a thin tube with a diameter of no more than 1 mm. Grafts with one or more hairs are cut out with this tube.
4. The collected follicles are carefully separated and processed in a special solution.
5. Channels are made in the transplantation area using the same microsurgical instruments. Taken grafts are implanted into each canal one by one.
6. In conclusion, the doctor evaluates the work, the skin is once again treated with an antiseptic and a tight bandage is applied.

There is no need to stay in the clinic after the operation, the patient goes home immediately after the operation. The doctor sets the date for the next appointment, gives recommendations for caring for the scalp and changing the bandage. As a rule, bandaging is not required, and the bandages are removed after two days in the doctor’s office. A special headrest is also issued for sleeping, so as not to damage or infect the skin.

The results

As a result of this procedure, the hairline is restored, the transplanted grafts take root easily, and then the hair grows and looks the same as the rest. Loss of transplanted hair can be, if the patient was poorly examined, with improper care. However, according to reviews, this happens very rarely.

Rehabilitation after transplant

In the first days after the procedure, swelling and pain often occur in the operated area. This does not apply to complications, this phenomenon occurs due to the saline solution that is used during transplantation. To reduce swelling and pain, it is recommended to apply a cold compress for 10-20 minutes. But, if the pain does not subside, the swelling does not subside for 2 weeks, you need to contact your trichologist. Also, an unscheduled examination is urgently needed if the sites of implantation and material sampling bleed, itch, and fever sets in. These could be signs of infection.

In the first month, it is important to avoid increased sweating and changes in blood circulation, so it is not recommended:

• drinking alcohol and smoking;
• go in for sports, overload yourself physically;
• sunbathe;
• swim in pools and natural reservoirs;
• wear tight bandages, hats;
• visit the solarium and saunas.

As part of a proper recovery, it is important to follow all the recommendations of the doctor. After the operation, he will have to prescribe drugs against re-hair loss. As a rule, Minoxidil and Finasteride in tablets are prescribed to men, only the first one is enough for ladies. Other innovative medicines may also be prescribed. It is not recommended to take medicines without a prescription, as this will lead to unexpected consequences. Cosmetic care is also important, especially at first. Shampoo and other care products should be recommended by a trichologist.

The first results of hair transplantation become noticeable within 1-2 months. The transplanted hair will grow just like the rest, but the grafts will take time to settle down. Full recovery of hair is predicted for 6-8 months. At this time, the so-called “shock loss” may occur, this is not scary, since not follicles fall out, but only hairs. Gradually, the appearance of the hairstyle will be restored, after 1 year, the care of the scalp is the same as before the operation.

Where to get FUE hair transplant

Hair restoration services are quite popular today. There are several aesthetic medicine clinics in almost every major city in every country. This procedure can only be done in private clinics. Reviews show the popularity of foreign medical centers, although for the cost of such treatment you can get a similar service at home. For example, in Turkey, the price for the procedure will be an average of 4 euros. In Russia, one of the most popular and high-profile clinics, Rial Trans Hear, will perform the same operation for the same money. However, foreign clinics often have bonuses in the form of a guarantee of results: if the follicles do not take root, the client receives a refund.

Before choosing a clinic, be sure to find before and after photos on its website, perhaps reviews from real people.

FUE hair transplantation is a seamless technique for hairline rehabilitation. The operation is well tolerated, gives a natural and aesthetic effect, the patient quickly recovers and returns to normal life. As a result, self-confidence and self-confidence are restored with the former hair.