FUE Hair Transplant

Follicular unit extraction (FUE) has been an enormously successful and popular hair restoration procedure since the late 1980s. It offers a hair re-growth surgical solution without leaving behind a long, linear scar, as other methods have done in the past.

How FUE works

Follicular unit extraction is a hair transplant method that removes healthy hair follicle units from the back of the head — with each unit including 1 to 4 hairs — and strategically positioning the follicles where hair is thinning or missing. The FUE technique is a very good option for patients who want to wear their hair short because this method doesn’t require the use of a scalpel.

This means that there is no long scar left on the back of the head (as there is with follicular unit transplantation). Dr. Tseng takes this procedure a step further by using the advanced NeoGraft® system, an automated follicular unit harvesting and implantation machine. NeoGraft is a progressive system that provides a higher follicle survival rate and less trauma than earlier hair transplant technology.

Advantages of FUE hair transplant

No scalpel, stitches, or staples
No linear scar left
Least invasive procedure for hair transplantation
Natural-looking results

Can be done under local anesthesia
Minimal downtime
Quick recovery time
No numbness at the donor site

Why NeoGraft is more efficient

While the manual FUE hair transplant method is effective on its own, the NeoGraft system elevates the procedure to an entirely new level of efficiency.

NeoGraft features pneumatic “hands” that harvest the hair follicles very quickly — up to 3000 units in a single treatment. When FUT is performed manually, only 500 can be harvested per treatment. In addition, NeoGraft handles the hair follicles very carefully. There’s no cutting, pulling, or twisting, which means they don’t get damaged. NeoGraft’s speediness also means that the follicles can be transplanted more quickly to the recipient sites, enhancing their chance of survival.

Treatment details

Before treatment, the back of your head will be shaved (if it isn’t already). Anesthetic injections will be used to numb your scalp, and you will then lie comfortably face downwards as Dr. Tseng begins. He will use the NeoGraft handheld device to create tiny, circular, 1-millimeter incisions in the scalp around the hair follicle, so that they can be removed effectively and safely from the surrounding tissue. This handheld device also includes a suction tube that pulls the hair follicles out of the scalp one by one. This is why a scalpel is not needed, and the only incisions left behind are so tiny that they will be invisible.

After the hair follicle units have been removed, they will be kept safely until they are ready to be transplanted. In the areas where hair growth is desired, Dr. Tseng will use a needle-like instrument to make tiny entrance points for the hair follicles to be received. He will then transplant the harvested hair follicles into these areas in an organic-looking pattern. Once this is complete, your head will be wrapped with surgical dressings.

Results

The hair follicles will stay in their new position for about 2 to 3 weeks, at which point they will begin falling out. While this alarms some patients, it’s a normal part of the re-growth process. After the hairs shed, new growth will begin in 3 to 4 months, from which point on your hair will grow normally. Take a look at the following timeline to get an idea of the FUE recovery process:

7 to 10 days: The small, circle-shaped incisions will heal during this period, and you can resume using hair products.
1 to 5 weeks: As your hair starts a new growth cycle, the follicle grafts will fall out.
4 months: New hair growth becomes noticeable.
8 to 12 months: Final results! Your new hair will be fully grown in and growing at a normal speed.

FAQ

Is there downtime with a FUE hair transplant?

There is very little downtime and recovery from a FUE hair transplant. Some patients experience a headache for a couple of days, and you may have some swelling from the injections. Most patients return to their normal daily routine within 3 to 5 days.

Will I need further treatments?

With pattern baldness, a hair transplant cannot stop “new” hair loss. Because of this, some patients will require maintenance sessions. During your consultation with Dr. Tseng, he can let you know if you will need ongoing treatment.

Why choose Tseng Plastic Surgery?

With 17 years in practice, Dr. Tseng is among the most experienced plastic surgeons practicing in the Kirkland area. He has established a private clinic built on honesty and integrity, and he is known for achieving superior outcomes that appear natural and real — never fake or overdone. His passion for aesthetic beauty is the driving force behind his outstanding results. Dr. Tseng wants his patients to have access to the latest advances in aesthetic science, but he doesn’t simply offer the latest trends. In keeping with his dedication to excellence, he extensively researches options, never providing a service or product that he would not undergo himself. Our focus is on providing the highest level of patient care and dedicated service to ensure that our patients are happy with their results. Dr. Tseng always makes sure his patients fully understand the procedure and recovery process, as well as realistic expectations.

Candidates for FUE with NeoGraft
If you’re a male or female experiencing thinning hair, bald spots, or receding hairlines, you may be an excellent candidate for a NeoGraft FUE hair transplant. Those who make good candidates are those who:

Have moderate hair loss
Have enough hair on the back of the scalp to transplant
Would like the option to wear a short haircut after the procedure

Want to hide a linear scar from a past hair transplant
Are in overall good health
Have realistic goals for what FUE can accomplish