FUE: The advanced hair transplant technique

For hair transplant procedures, we only recommend the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method, to achieve the most effective, natural-looking outcome and comfortable experience. Minimally invasive, offering virtually undetectable scarring, with no stitches required, and allowing a quick recovery, it is of no surprise the procedure is always increasing in popularity and has been chosen by a growing number of celebrities.

But what exactly is the FUE method? How long is the procedure and recovery? And how long will my results last? In this blog post, we answer the most important initial questions to ask about the FUE hair transplant procedure.

What is a FUE hair transplant?

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) is the modern hair transplant technique, applicable for a broad spectrum of hair loss stages. To put the procedure simply, a FUE hair transplant involves healthy follicular units of hair being extracted from a donor area and grafted onto thinning or bald areas.
Offering minimal discomfort, and no visible, linear scarring the procedure highly contrasts to the FUT method, still widely used by many clinics, leaving a linear scar, and likely involving discomfort, soreness and much longer recovery.
Our hair restoration specialists are the only surgeons UK-wide to also offer U-FUE (Unshaven Follicular Unit Extraction). The treatment involves the same technique as FUE, but patients do not have to shave pre-procedure, and it is a lot more delicate. At your surgeon consultation, you can be advised if you are suitable for the treatment.

How is FUE performed?

While two clinics FUE technique will never be identical, every FUE procedure includes the same essential stages.
Here’s what you can expect with a FUE hair transplant at The Private Clinic…

The hairs on your scalp have their own ‘follicular unit’ (collection of 1-4 hairs grouped together in the skin) with various key components helping it to survive. These units are individually extracted, with their necessary glands, through the use of a specialist micro-punch device, less than 1mm in diameter. The device separates surrounding tissue from the unit ensuring minimal trauma to the bordering tissue.

Following this, the recipient area is numbed completely with local anaesthetic, prior to tiny incisions being made using a non-surgical needle. In our modified method, only tiny entry points are made into the scalp. This ensures the affected areas looks intact post procedure, and you are able to keep your hair very short if preferred, without obvious scarring. Your surgeon then manually transplants each graft (extracted follicular units are known as grafts) with meticulous attention to detail.

Our surgeons have perfected their technique in the procedure to ensure entirely natural-looking results with denser packing will be realised – only the healthiest hair follicles are chosen for extraction, and are implanted in the same direction as the hair surrounding it.

To see how the procedure works, or gain an insight into the experience, check out our FUE hair transplant patients, Steven and Doug’s, hair transplant video diaries:

How long does a FUE procedure take?

The procedure length depends on the amount of hairs to be transplanted. Most FUE hair transplants take one day in a 6-8 hour session. However, if there are many hairs for transplantation, we may advise two sessions over 2 days, for your comfort.

How long do results last?

Your transplanted hair will grow in the same way it did in the donor area, and this new hair growth is permanent.
In your surgeon consultation, your hair transplant surgeon will foresee your future potential hair loss, and plan your FUE hair transplant around this, so it will continue to look great with time. This is where your surgeons experience is crucial. They must possess the experience and skills to anticipate future hair loss patterns.

How long does it take to recover?

You should be able to return to work fairly quickly post-procedure. However, some patients choose not to, with the area being red for a couple of days after treatment.
At The Private Clinic, we typically advise resting and booking leave from work for a minimum of a week post-procedure, to help you fully recover and accurately follow aftercare advice. Although, it is ultimately your decision as to what you feel comfortable with. We also advise staying out of direct sunlight and also rain for the first two weeks post-procedure. Wearing a loose fitting hat is recommended, especially when in direct sunlight, to avoid sunburn to the scalp for 2 months post-treatment.

Why choose The Private Clinic?

We are proud to offer sought-after hair transplant surgeons, specialised in FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction), who have perfected their technique to achieve only outstanding natural-looking results. Our highly experienced hair restoration specialists treat hundreds of patients each year, provide excellent care and aftercare, and have established a world-class reputation in the procedure.

Our Reviews

Here’s what some of our patients had to say about their hair transplant experience with us, and read more of our hair transplant reviews on our website.

Please find more information about our FUE procedure on our hair transplant website including our extensive gallery of hair transplant before and after photos, answers to more FAQ’s and our hair transplant video gallery.

Our FUE Hair Transplant Surgeons

• Mr Michael Mouzakis, MD, MSc. GMC Number: 7237640
• Dr Ismail Ughratdar, MB ChB. GMC Number: 6103427
• Dr Luca de Fazio, MD, BSc, Msc. GMC Number: 7095123

Get in touch

Hair transplant consultations are available at our clinics in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

If you are interested in arranging a consultation with one of our industry leading surgeons please book by calling 0333 920 9135 or via our hair transplant online contact form.

For more information and to ask any questions prior to seeing a surgeon, we also offer free consultations nationwide with our highly knowledgeable patient advisors.