The follicular unit extraction technique (FUE), unlike follicular unit grafting (FUG), avoids altogether a linear donor site incision. Instead, each graft is harvested one at a time with tiny 0.8 and 0.9 mm punches which then usually heal as essentially undetectable dots in the scalp. We at the Foundation primarily utilize our custom-designed E-Fue System for the highest rates of regrowth. We have extensive experience with FUE, performing six to eight procedures weekly, assuring patients of the maximal outcomes.
Two weeks after 1500 grafts, the donor area has completely healed with the hairs growing out.
One day after 1900 FUE grafts, showing the donor area nearly fully healed.
With our outstanding track record in FUE procedures (click here to view our FUE results), over 75% of our patients are able to shave their heads without any visible scars, the rest able to cut their quite short. In order to obtain these grafts, usually the back and sides of the head are first shaved, then with the patient typically lying face down for the first two hours, given our outstanding techniques, we are able to harvest 1000 to as many as 1400 grafts from the back of the head, which then with the patient rotating onto his back sitting these grafts can be efficiently transplanted to assure the highest rate of regrowth. Later on in the procedure, additional grafts can then be obtained from the sides of the scalp, allowing our experienced team to harvest as many as 2200 or more FUE grafts in a single-day procedure. Each graft contains one to three, sometimes four hairs, for the most natural appearing results. With smaller procedures of 700 or fewer grafts, oftentimes the entire head does not need to be shaved, instead narrow “bands” of hair can be shaved permitting the overlying longer hairs to conceal these donor areas, or the lower back of the head shaved to look in five days or so like a “fade” haircut. Once the grafts are harvested, with the patient comfortably seated in a recliner-type surgical chair, the surgeon can make the recipient sites into which the grafts are then transplanted.
2,200 FUE grafts
A relatively newer technique- Dr. Epstein was one of the earlier embracers of FUE in 2007 – FUE is in some ways more technically challenging than FUG, and there are few surgeons like Dr. Epstein who perform both techniques with such regularity. Over two-thirds of the hair transplant procedures done at the Foundation for Hair Restoration are done by the FUE technique. There are a variety of techniques for harvesting the FUE grafts. Dr. Epstein, working with Dr. Gorana Kuka, one of Europe’s most experienced FUE surgeons, who like Dr. Epstein is a plastic surgeon, developed the E-Fue System that combines the best in accuracy, hair regrowth, efficiency and ease for the patient, assuring the highest quality results. Also occasionally utilized is the NeoGraft® system, the most well-recognized device.
While FUE in no way makes obsolete the technique of follicular unit grafting, it is the largest component of the practice, making up more than 70% of cases performed. In particular, FUE is usually the best procedure for the younger male patient, the African-American patient, any patient who wants to avoid any linear scar, and the patient desiring reparative work who has a limited supply of donor hair, where with our advanced FUE techniques we can harvest grafts from the scalp as well as other body areas such as the chest and beard. FUE is also a great technique for obtaining grafts that are to be placed into a donor site scar from a prior procedure to help reduce its visibility. In addition to their application in the scalp, FUE grafts can be used in beard and eyebrow restoration.
Like with the FUG technique, the key aesthetic step in FUE is the making of the recipient sites. It requires the aesthetic judgment and skills of an experienced surgeon who knows how to create a natural appearing hairline. If there is one area in which our Foundation doctors excel, it is here in this key aesthetic step of recipient site creation.
Day of the procedure
Two days after
Seven days after
No-Shave FUE?
In no-shave follicular unit extraction, the only hairs trimmed are the donor hairs, leaving all the other hair the same length. The trimmed donor follicles are therefore hidden amidst the remaining full-length hair, and a completely normal appearance post-transplant is achieved. Suitable for both men and women, this technique makes both the process and eventual outcome of a hair transplant undetectable the very next day, as the scalp donor area does not need to be shaved. This is the technique of choice for those men primarily who wish to avoid shaving their head and thus can return to work and be in public a day or two after the procedure. The no-shave FUE technique does take more time to perform, and thus the limit of the number of grafts that can be obtained in a one-day procedure is around 1400 grafts, and does have a higher fee because of the additional meticulous work required. To find out if you are best treated with no-shave FUE, please contact our office.
One day after 1400 grafts obtained by the No-shave FUE technique.
How many grafts are needed for FUE?
In a typical FUE case, 900 to as many as 2,400 grafts can be obtained in a single day, a testament to the experience and expertise of the team in harvesting then planting grafts in an efficient yet meticulous fashion. It is the doctor who will determine the ideal graft count to achieve the patient’s desired results.
FUE grafts obtained by the E-Fue System, the motorized extraction system custom-designed by Dr. Epstein and Dr. Kuka.
The occasional patient will return for a second day of grafting, most commonly for those who are having more than 2,200 grafts total.
Are You a Good Candidate?
Together in consultation with Dr. Epstein, the right procedure will be decided upon, after careful consideration of your goals and the nature of your hair loss.
Contact the office to schedule your consultation today.
Body and Facial Donor Hair for FUE Grafts – Not Scalp to Body, but Body to Scalp
Dr. Epstein is just a few of a handful of surgeons in the hair transplant world who can actually harvest body and beard hairs for transplanting into the scalp. These procedures are usually reserved for those who have no more scalp donor hairs and are seeking reparative and/or more extensive work, or those who want a greater amount of scalp coverage than can be provided by the scalp donor hairs. Using special FUE harvesting techniques that they have developed over the past seven years of using body hairs, these chest and beard hairs can have regrowth rates approaching 70% or higher. One particularly common area that beard or chest hairs can be utilized is to the linear donor site scars from prior transplants. As many as 3,500 chest and or beard hairs can be harvested over two days.
