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FUE Hair Transplant Hair loss can occur due to various causes such as genetic predisposition, hormonal disorders, environmental factors and trauma. If the shedding is permanent and the person is uncomfortable with the situation, certain hair transplantation methods can help restore the lost hair. In the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method, the patient’s ...   Get An Appointment

FUE Hair Transplant

Hair loss can occur due to various causes such as genetic predisposition, hormonal disorders, environmental factors and trauma. If the shedding is permanent and the person is uncomfortable with the situation, certain hair transplantation methods can help restore the lost hair. In the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method, the patient’s own hair follicles are taken one by one from dense and healthy areas and transplanted into the shedding area. Today, this method is the most common method used in hair transplantation. Since it is a minor surgical procedure that does not require stitches, complications are rarely encountered and very successful results are possible when it’s performed under proper conditions by an experienced team.

FUE is most commonly preferred in idividuals who experience male-pattern hair loss.

The hair follicles transplanted with the FUE method will eventually adapt to the recipient area. Complete healing will take up to 1 year. Since the hair follicles were extracted from the patient themselves, the new hair will have the same characteristics as the patient’s natural hair and since it is taken from the areas where there is no shedding, it will be less prone to subsequent shedding.

In this method, the orientation and the boundaries of the transplant are as important as the number of transplanted follicles. When these points are taken into consideration, very natural looking results can be obtained. Therefore, FUE hair transplantation should be performed by an expert with an experienced and talented team.

Who Are Good Candidates For FUE Hair Transplant?

The FUE method is generally suitable for adult individuals who have lost their hair permanently in a certain area and have sufficient healthy hair follicles in other areas. This method is most frequently preferred in idividuals who experience male-pattern hair loss, where most of the the hair on the upper and the front areas of the head are shed. If the patient is actively losing hair and the shedding has not yet slowed down, hair transplantation is not considered appropriate and methods such as PRP and mesotherapy should be considered.

FUE method can also be used for the beard, mustaches and eyebrows under certain conditions. Whether or not the FUE method is suitable for hair loss resulting from traumas such as burns and cuts depends on the extent of the damage and the overall health of the target area.

As in all aesthetic / cosmetic applications, candidates must be in good overall health before undergoing FUE hair transplantation. Before making the decision, it is very important to obtain accurate information about all stages of the process and to have realistic expectations.

Preparation Before FUE Hair Transplant

Before hair transplantation, the doctor will provide necessary information depending on the general condition of the patient and the scope of the procedure. In general, it’s important to maintain good health and have a balanced diet. Smoking and alcohol consumption must be avoided. Both the recipient and the donor areas can be massaged at regular intervals to improve blood circulation. The doctor should be informed about any present medical conditions and medications that are being used. Blood thinners such as aspirin and some nutritional supplements will need to be discontinued before the operation. If necessary, certain medications can be prescribed to be used as part of the preparation process.

It’s important that the patients are well rested and have had enough sleep on the day of the transplant. Hair should be washed clean and dried as usual and kept free of any cosmetic products. Heavy foods are not recommended for breakfast. Lighter, lose fitting clothes should be preferred in order to be comfortable during and after hair transplantation. A loose-fitting shirt with a button-up front is usually an appropriate choice since it can be removed without coming into contact with the head.

How Is FUE Hair Transplant Done?

FUE hair transplant is performed under local anesthesia in a hospital environment. The area where the hair follicles will be extracted from, the total number of grafts to be transplanted and the boundaries of the transplantation will have been determined in advance. In preparation, the hair is trimmed and shortened to 1mm in length and the area is sterilized. The first step in the operation is the extraction of hair from the donor area with a microsurgical instrument. A local anesthetic is applied and the extraction is carried out. The extracted roots are called grafts.

At this stage, each extracted graft is carefully examined, counted and placed in a solution. When the targeted number of grafts is collected, the planting phase begins. The target area is first anesthetized and the creation of small channels where the grafts will be placed is started. The angle, location and frequency of these channels will vary depending on the intended result. In the final stage, the grafts are placed one by one into these channels.

In FUE, extracted hair follicles are individually placed into previously opened tiny channels.

Depending on the number of grafts to be transplanted, the operation may take up to 5 – 7 hours. Some patients may require more than one session to reach the desired result. In these cases, the second session is performed at least 1 year after the first. In ideal candidates, it is possible to plant 55 – 60 or even more grafts per square centimeter.

Sapphire FUE Technology

FUE hair transplantation techniques continue to develop continuously along with the advancing technology. Sapphire technique is one of these developments that technology has brought to the current FUE method. Sapphire FUE takes its name from the blades used in the channel formation process. Sapphire, a precious natural stone, is known for its sharpness and durability. Medical sapphire blades with these features allow the creation of thinner and more precise cuts in the target area compared to traditional steel blades. In this way, the specialist has more control over the position and direction of the incisions during channel creation, which is one of the most important stages of hair transplantation. As a result, sapphire blades allow for more frequent and regular incisions and less tissue trauma in the area.

What are the Advantages of Sapphire FUE Hair Transplantation?

Lower Risk of Complications

Although the complication rate after traditional FUE is already quite low, the sapphire FUE technique further decreases this risk. Compared to steel blades, sapphire blades are much sharper and they retain their sharpness longer. This helps to minimize the inevitable tissue trauma that occurs during the creation of the channels. Sapphire blades also have antibacterial properties that help reduce the risk of infection. Thanks to all these advantages healing is quicker with less pain and swelling.

More Natural Looking Results

Sapphire FUE takes the natural results that the traditional FUE method can achieve one step further. The sharpness and fineness of the sapphire blades allow the creation of more precise and regular micro channels in a denser formation. As a result, the new hair will continue to grow in the angles and directions determined by the opened channels, so the success achieved at this stage directly affects the end results.

More Frequent Transplantation Opportunity

Sapphire blades minimize tissue trauma at the incision points and allow channels to be opened closer to each other. In this way, the transplanted follicles can be more densely packed. As a result, it is possible to plant more grafts in the sapphire method compared to the traditional FUE method.

Less Follicle Loss

Sapphire blades, thanks to their sharp and thin structure, allow finer channels to be opened thar are better sized for the length of the follicles. This reduces the risk of the transplanted roots moving, changing angles or being dislodged after the procedure. Thus, the chance of each transplanted follicle to stay in place and to grow in a healthy way increases.

Recovery & Care After FUE Hair Transplant

Immediately after transplantation, the donor area is lightly bandaged and the patient can return home after resting for 1 to 2 hours. Mild pain and burning sensation is normal after the operation. Although quite rare, swelling and bruising may occur, especially when the number of grafts transplanted is high. This can also affect the forehead and around the eyes, yet it usually subsides by itself completely within a week. The bandage is removed one day after the transplant.

The most common side effect is itching and can last up to 2 weeks. This feeling is part of the normal healing process and the area should never be scratched or brushed. The crusts that will naturally form at the incison points where the follicles were taken and transplanted will dry and fall off on their own within 1 to 2 weeks.

The first 10 days of the healing process are very important. In this duration, it’s advised to rest lying down face up, keeping the head elevated with pillows, both to protect the area and to prevent swelling. The area of transplant should not be exposed to direct sunlight at this stage, and should be carefully protected from harsh weather conditions and polluting effects. Washing the area should be avoided for the first 3 days, but there is no harm in taking a shower, provided that this area is kept dry.

The first wash is usually done 3 days after the surgery, very gently with warm water and a lotion. The lotion and shampoo to be used will be determined by the doctor, and the way and the frequency of washing will be explained in detail.

Hair Growth And Follow-up Treatments

The transplanted hair will initially fall off in the first 1 to 3 months and will start growing naturally after the 3rd month. It usually takes up to 1 year for the results to settle. During this time, the doctor checks and guides the patient at regular intervals. The strengthening and growth of hair after transplantation can be supported with certain medications, supplements and topical products. Additional treatment methods such as PRP and mesotherapy can also be recommended.

As a result, the transplanted hair will continue the natural aging process and will be affected by the general health of the patient. Therefore, maintaining a good health will mean protecting the transplanted hair. Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly, staying away from harmful substances such as tobacco and alcohol and avoiding stress will help the patient keep the transplanted hair..

What is the Price of FUE Hair Transplant?

The cost of FUE hair transplant treatment varies according to the patient’s condition and scope of application, as in other applications. The total number of grafts to be transplanted is one of the most important factors determining the price of hair transplant.

The best approach as always would be to visit the doctor and learn whether FUE is a good option. After the examination, if FUE hair transplantation is considered as a suitable option, the doctor will inform the patient in detail about all matters, including the price.

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