Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is becoming a preferred hair restoration procedure by men and women alike. This relatively new method of harvesting donor grafts is less invasive than previous procedures and is a well-established hair replacement treatment. However, outcomes can differ drastically due to the skill level of the health care provider who administers the treatment. At Ritacca, we have developed a highly advanced FUE procedure which produces optimal results and healing.
The FUE Process
Before follicular unit extraction, a large section of the donor zone must be shaved to permit the collecting of a suitable number of grafts. When performing small FUE procedures, widespread shaving is unnecessary. FUE grafts can be harvested without cutting or shaving the hair at all.
Patients receive a local anesthesia for the procedure, and under a high-powered magnification, your doctor will select and extract individual follicle units. For removal, a tiny 0.75 to 1.00 mm punch is used to cut around the follicle unit. This procedure is minimally invasive because it requires cutting only a superficial layer of skin with tiny holes. Follicular unit extraction seems best suited for patients who will continue to wear their hair shaved, or who want to avoid surgery or discomfort.
Receptor Sites
The receptor sites are where your doctor performs incisions for follicle unit graft placements. This part of the procedure is the artistic portion because of the preference of sites chosen. Also, the choice of cut-to-size micro blades can make this procedure anything but “cookie cutter” in practice.
The blades can range from .7 mm to 1.3 mm in width and are fashioned for each patient, based on exact individual measures. The size of the patient’s grafts, the features of the patient’s skin, and the mass at which the grafts will be inserted all govern the creation of the receptor blades. This process allows the doctor to perform a transplant at densities of 50 grafts per square centimeter. Design distinctions such as direction and angle of hair growth, hairline shape, crown spiral, and hair flow are obtained by subtly changing the combination and orientation of these tiny incisions. We believe a denser and more natural outcome is attained through this process.
Graft Placement
Once your doctor has finalized his design, a team of nurses or certified surgical technologists will insert the grafts into the incisions. The grafts are placed using very fine forceps. The placement of follicles may take a few hours but is painless and reading or watching TV can pass the time.
The grafts are stored in saline under the ideal temperature conditions during placement. They are handled with extreme care to guarantee survival. Once the grafts have been inserted, your doctor will inspect the area to ensure the grafts are situated correctly. A blow dryer is used blow cool air on the recent grafts to help form a natural adhesion and set the grafts in proper placement. Instead of bandages, the patient will wear a baseball cap immediately after the procedure.
For more information about FUE and the results you can expect, call 847-367-8815 or contact us here.
