Follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplants involve taking individual hair follicles out of your skin and implanting them elsewhere, usually on the head. The result is a hairline that looks thicker and fuller. This type of hair transplant was developed to replace traditional follicular unit transplantation (FUT) techniques, which involve removing a piece of skin or scalp and grafting it elsewhere. FUE has become more popular and widely practised than FUT because follicular unit extraction can result in a fuller, more natural-looking hairline. FUE often results in transplanted areas of hair that do not perfectly match the hair in the surrounding area. In addition, scarring is unlikely with FUE hair transplants.
At SpaMedica, FUE hair transplants start at $5,999. The total cost will depend on the number of hair follicles being transplanted, or the size of the area being treated.
The initial recovery of the FUE hair transplant lasts just 2-3 days. During these first days, a soft dressing is used to cover the very tiny 0.9 to 1.2-millimetre extraction holes at the back of the scalp. This dressing goes around the front of the forehead and wraps to secure the bandage over the back.
FUE hair implants take 4-10 hours, depending on the number of grafts needed and placed. For a large volume, 3000 FUE graft case, the extraction of FUE hair follicles takes approximately 4 hours, and inserting into the area takes 4 hours.
During an FUE hair transplant, old hair follicles are replaced with new follicles that are still able to grow hair. These follicles are transplanted from elsewhere on the body. Following transplantation, healthy blood will rush to the new follicles in order to nourish them and support their continued growth.
Generally, hair transplants are performed on the scalp, as hair loss from the head is most commonly the source of social anxiety, a loss of self-confidence and an increase in self-consciousness. However, a hair transplant can be performed anywhere on the body where hair is absent or thin, including the arms, legs, or groin.
The best candidate for an FUE hair transplant is someone who is experiencing hair loss or balding from their head, and who is still able to grow hair elsewhere on their body, for use during the FUE transplant procedure. In addition, patients should be in generally good health, without any medical conditions – including conditions of the skin and scalp – that may compromise the success of the treatment, or which may make them more susceptible to infection or complications during recovery.
An FUE hair transplant treatment can have a number of benefits, including:
While some scarring may occur after an FUE hair transplant procedure, these will just be tiny white dots at the point where the new follicle was transplanted, and they will most likely fade with some. This type of procedure is very low-risk, and you should alert your surgeon and/or physician if you notice any of the following side effects:
At SpaMedica, one of the best hair transplant clinics in Toronto, we only perform non-surgical, non-linear scar, FUE hair transplants that enhance hair restoration. However, some patients come to SpaMedica looking to improve scarring at the back of their head from a traditional Strip Graft Hair Transplant procedure, where a 14 cm X 3-4cm chunk of scalp is removed and the scalp is stitched together, while the scalp hair is sliced up to produce the grafts. A long and unsightly scar is created at the back of the scalp, called a “strip graft scar”.
Most strip graft scars heal as fine white lines and are only a concern for those who wear their hair short. Some cases, however, leave patients with wide and noticeable strip graft scarring – that’s why we specialize in FUE hair transplants. Luckily, we have some options that are available to fix that strip graft scar.
A strip graft scar improvement treatment is performed once every 4-6 months with 4 or more sessions needed to pull the edges together and reduce the scar. If after 4-6 treatments there is a desire to improve the scar further, FUE grafts can be inserted into the scar itself to put the finishing touches to hiding the strip graft scar.
Patients can expect a range of improvement of 50-100% depending upon the characteristics of the scar itself, the local tissue, colour of the hair and commitment of the patient.
Female pattern hair loss is a common condition among women, and while it mostly occurs in women in their 50s and 60s, it can also take place earlier in life. Female pattern hair loss is characterized by the all-over hair loss on the head (unlike male pattern baldness, which generally affects the hairline and the top of the head). Women who experience female pattern hair loss often feel low self-esteem, and have difficulty with social interaction and being in public.
SpaMedica was the first plastic surgery clinic to bring automated and robotic FUE to Canada. The SpaMedica FUE expert team is skilled at using the NeoGraft and Artas devices to create an efficient, painless experience for patients. We are experienced in providing patients with long-lasting results that appear dense and natural.
Over 1,000,000 FUE grafts have been transplanted by the SpaMedica team.
Our team, led by our Lead Surgeon Dr. Bell, understands that multiple sessions may be required throughout the course of your life and always design the type of hairline and densification that could be sustained and maintained throughout your life.
As one of the most trusted and experienced plastic surgeons in Canada, Dr. Bell has dedicated his 25 years to cosmetic surgery, always emphasizing patient care that is personalized for you.
When using the NeoGraft technique, hair follicles are removed with a wand that extracts them with suction. Your surgeon will not need to make an incision for new hair follicles; rather, a special tool is used to make the incision and implant the follicles at the same time. This procedure is different from traditional FUE, in that it is partially automated, and does not require your surgeon to make individual extractions and implantations themselves. NeoGraft is highly accurate and advanced.
Artas FUE is a robotic, automated procedure. During an ARTAS hair transplant, an advanced robotic device extracts and harvests healthy hair follicles before implanting them on a designated area. As a result, the procedure reduces recovery time, produces lasting results, minimizes scar trauma, and eliminates the risk of human error. Best of all, the scars from the procedure will not be noticeable to most people – even at shorter hair settings.
FUE and FUT hair transplants both offer quality, natural-looking results. The main difference between the two is the method of extraction from the donor area. With FUE, hairs are extracted individually, and the process can take 1-4 hours. The tiny extraction sites leave no visible scarring, making it a preferred method for those attached to short hair. With FUT, all the hair is removed at once in just 15-30 minutes. This results in a small scar on the back of the head, which is easily hidden by hair half an inch long. During your consultation, your doctor will determine the best hair transplant option based on your preferences, hair loss pattern, size of the thinning area, and the quantity of available donor hair.
The use of plasma-derived growth factors, topical minoxidil and nutrients, together with high-intensity, low-level light therapy provides a non-FUE option for some patients. This same non-FUE transplant program is offered after the FUE procedure as well, for best results.
The FUE hair transplant procedure itself is divided into two parts: extraction of hair follicles from the “preferred zone” at the back of your scalp and implanting the grafts into the target area.
Prior to extraction, the harvest area is shaved (some patients prefer to shave all their hair) and numbed with the injection of local anesthesia. Laughing gas (nitrous oxide) is used to ensure the local anesthesia injection is as painless as possible.
Following local anesthesia, the Artas robotic or NeoGraft automated FUE hair transplant system is used to harvest your FUE grafts painlessly. This second stage is then implanting the new FUE grafts into the targeted recipient areas.
SpaMedica uses the stick-and-place technique, which uses a small hypodermic needle to create tiny slits between hairs or along the frontal hairline. The method gives patients the densest, most natural-looking hair that you can achieve.
To prepare for a FUE Hair Transplant, there are some specific instructions to follow:
Compared to traditional hair transplant methods, after a FUE hair transplant, patients experience less discomfort and faster recovery times. There is no specific maintenance required by patients, either.
The tiny slits from deploying the hair follicles in the target area don’t require any stitches and will simply scab over – barely noticeable to the naked eye.
Day 2: Patients can resume low impact regular daily activities
Day 3-4: Swelling peaks around this time
Day 7-10: Any mild pain will subside.
Day 14: New hair growth
Exercise must be avoided for the first 4 weeks.
FUE hair restoration is commonly combined with blepharoplasty eyelid surgery, double chin lipo, or a face and neck lift. Non-surgical treatments that pair well include Botox injection, dermal fillers and energy-based treatments for skin enhancements.
The FUE hair transplant procedure shouldn’t hurt at all. Local anesthesia is used to numb the scalp area which means you won’t be able to feel any pain throughout the procedure. Recovering is also less painful than traditional hair transplant methods.
Because the hair follicles are extracted from the preferred sites at the back and side of your scalp, they are permanent and do not fall out. However, patients may require additional hair transplants when genetic hair on the top of your head continues to thin over the years.
The low invasive nature of the treatment means that most FUE patients return to work-related tasks the following day of the procedure unless their work is physically strenuous.
After a hair transplant, your scalp may be red and swollen, and you will experience some scabbing, so it’s no wonder that many are eager to wear a hat following surgery. However, to avoid compressing or dislodging newly implanted hair grafts, it’s best to wait at least six days before donning headwear. Any damage to the grafts at this early stage could leave empty spots on your scalp, compromising your results. If you must cover your scalp earlier, you may wear a light hood or very loose-fitting hat, as long as it does not come into contact with the grafts.
Once your scalp heals, you are free to choose any hairstyle you want. While many patients remain loyal to the shaved look they wore pre-surgery, it’s worth growing your hair out so you can see the results you’ve worked so hard to achieve! As your hair grows, you may start to consider what type of style you would like. However, be aware that it’s important to avoid all styling products for a minimum of six weeks. Even after this period is over, if you wish to use styling products, avoid the harsh chemicals in gels and opt for natural products instead. It’s also best to avoid hairdryers and straighteners as they can damage new follicles.
The sides and back of the head typically serve as the donor sites for FUE hair transplant surgery because these are the areas of the scalp where growth tends to be the strongest and most consistent, and the least susceptible to shedding. For all of these reasons, hair taken from the donor areas does indeed grow back after your FUE hair transplant. The FUE hair transplantation technique is a very delicate process intended to keep your donor site healthy, ensure that your delicate follicles remain viable, and promote proper healing and regrowth with minimal scarring.
FUE and FUT hair transplants both offer quality, natural-looking results. The main difference between the two is the method of extraction from the donor area. With FUE, hairs are extracted individually, and the process can take 1-4 hours. The tiny extraction sites leave no visible scarring, making it a preferred method for those attached to short hair. With FUT, all the hair is removed at once in just 15-30 minutes. This results in a small scar on the back of the head, which is easily hidden by hair half an inch long. During your consultation, your doctor will determine the best hair transplant option based on your preferences, hair loss pattern, size of the thinning area, and the quantity of available donor hair.
While there is no rule dictating a minimum age for a hair transplant, age can nonetheless affect your outcome. It is widely recommended that patients wait at least until their mid-20s to early 30s. Why? Because male pattern baldness is a progressive condition that could continue for many years, which means that the ‘permanent’ results provided by FUE and FUT may need to be redone several years later as hair continues to thin. Bottom line: the best time for a FUT or FUE hair transplant depends on your hair loss’s current stage rather than on your age.
Fortunately for those coping with hair loss, hair transplantation has advanced to the extent that it is difficult to tell when someone has undergone surgery. Results will appear just as natural as your non-transplanted hair. The expert FUE team at SpaMedica has transplanted over 1,000,000 FUE grafts and is highly skilled at providing patients with long-lasting results that appear both dense and natural. You’re in excellent hands at SpaMedica! Schedule your consultation today to learn more about your hair transplant options.
