FUE, an abbreviation for Follicular unit extraction, is a common hair transplant surgery. It involves extracting hair follicles from a section of the body of a donor. The extracted hair follicles are finally implanted into the target area. According to a study done in 2016, FUE hair transplant accounted for 52.6 percent of the hair restoration procedures performed in that year. 
Procedure for FUE Hair Transplant: 
• Hair Preparation 
During the preparation stage, the donor part, usually sides or back of the head is washed and then shaved. A local anaesthetic is then applied to ensure the patient doesn’t experience discomforts during the hair follicle extraction process. A physician applies an antiseptic dressing on the donor part. 
 
• Hair Extraction 
During this stage, a physician uses an electronic punch to extract grafts from the donor part. Any good physician will classify grafts depending on the number of hairs they contain. Most hair follicles have groups of one to about four hairs. The extraction process may take between one to three hours. The extraction period is not constant because it depends on the number of hair follicles to be extracted. 
 
• Hair Placement 
Before the actual hair placement begins, the physician discusses with the patient on the design to apply. The physician then marks out the beard shape or the frontal hairline as instructed by the patient. Immediately after the marking process, a physician begins the surgery process. He or she makes small slits in the marked area using a needle. Once the required number of slits is made, a physician starts inserting grafts one-by-one. 
 
The hair follicles are inserted carefully into the already made openings to match the desired pattern, density, and angulation. Hair follicle placement process may take between one to four hours. The time may vary depending on the extent of the marked area, desired density, and the number of hair follicles to be placed. 
 
• The aftercare plan 
The aftercare plan is the final stage of the FUE hair transplant. The physician provides the patient with an aftercare pack containing special shampoos as well as instructions on how to take good care of the transplanted hair. Any competent physician will advise the patient to undergo hair examination after about one month to know the progress of the hair transplant. Laser treatment is then performed to enhance hair growth. 
 
Advantages of FUE Hair Transplant 
Follicular unit extraction involves making tiny and round punches into the donor’s skin. The procedure leaves tiny dot-shaped scars which are easy to conceal even when one has a short haircut. The patient feels minimal discomforts during the entire process. Since small punches are made into the donor’s part, the wounds heal within a short time. After the process, the transplanted hair appears completely natural. 
 
Conclusion 
FUE Hair transplant is a common procedure for men especially those with male-pattern baldness. FUE involves extracting hair follicles from the back or sides of the head and then placing them into the thinning area. The technique has several advantages over other hair restoration procedures. For instance, it allows quick recovery as well as minimal scarring. 
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