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Good day. I would like some information regarding the cost of FUE hair transplantation, any possible risks involved with this type of surgery, and where the best clinics are  located. Also, I was advised that I might need around 2,550 grafts or hairs transplanted, but I can’t remember which term was used. What’s the difference exactly?

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a still a relatively new hair transplant procedure. Due to some of the inherent limitations of the technique at this point in time, performing an otherwise standard-sized megasession can be a somewhat risky venture. Safely transplanting 2,500 grafts would most likely take at least two days to accomplish, and could wind up costing twice as much as a FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation). You should also become aware of the distinction between the proposed graft number and final hair count: the former will invariably be lower than the total amount of hairs moved, as naturally occurring follicular units are largely divided down and modified after dissection.

FUE is an extremely delicate, time-consuming process, so yield may be compromised if too much is being attempted too quickly. There is also some degree of scarring associated with the procedure. It won’t produce a linear strip scar, but tiny, feint “dots” may be visible upon close inspection. If an inexperienced hair transplant surgeon uses improper technique, especially with a punch tool greater than .9mm in diameter, the patient could end up with a “moth-eaten” look in the donor area reminiscent of plug extraction, which can potentially be worse than a strip scar. There are other physiological factors/obstacles that may come into play during FUE work, possibly more so than in a traditional strip surgery. Many prominent hair restoration physicians have emphasized the importance of overall scalp “cooperation”.

Balding men and women with advanced hair loss are often sold short due to the overwhelmingly large bald area to cover with a finite donor hair supply. Hair restoration surgeons are careful only to harvest follicles within a certain area of the sides and back of the head known as the “safe” zone. These are the areas considered to be at low risk to be impacted by DHT, thus, “permanent”.

But what if hair transplant patients were willing to take the risk to get more hair and ask their surgeons to harvest follicles outside the universal safe zone? Wouldn’t that allow patients with advanced balding a chance at thicker and fuller hair? What are the risks of losing some of this hair as male pattern baldness progresses? Does safe donor hair vary for each patient?

Recently, forum member “hairshare” started a topic on our hair loss forum to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using hair from unsafe areas. You are encouraged to join in the discussion and offer your input on this important topic.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
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Technorati Tags: Balding, hair loss, bald, donor hair, Hair restoration, DHT, hair transplant, Bill Seemiller, Falceros

Decades ago, men and women suffering from hair loss could do nothing but accept their baldness. Sure, many would cover their bald heads with fancy hats or even wigs.  But regrowing their lost hair was impossible.

Today, thanks to the advancements in surgical hair restoration, hair loss sufferers can restore real natural looking hair in thinning or bald areas. Surgeons dedicated to performing ultra refined follicular unit hair transplantation can now perform even larger densely packed sessions when appropriate for the patient. This minimizes the number of surgeries a patient needs while maximizing both hair density and naturalness.

Below we introduce you to a few of the many men and women who have successfully restored their hair and documented their journey by creating a free hair loss patient website.

Forum member “Crown Royal” was unhappy with the large bald spot that formed in his crown due to male pattern baldness. Wanting to do something about it, researching real hair restoration solutions led him to our community and Coalition member Dr. Alan Feller who introduced him to today’s hair transplant surgery. 14 months after 3500 follicular units were transplanted into the crown; he can officially claim that he is no longer bald. View his hair loss website to see his results and the process he went through to recover his hair.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) has become exceedingly popular in balding men who desire to keep their hair cropped short on the sides and back of their head. Though both Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) via microscopic dissection and FUE cause some scarring, the main advantage of FUE is that it does not create a linear scar like FUT via strip.

However, due to the extra forces placed on the hair follicles during the extraction process, the chance of damage to fragile follicles are greater, thus potentially decreasing overall hair growth yield. Learn more about the Benefits, Limitations, and Potential Problems with FUE.

Recently, a handful of dedicated hair restoration surgeons with a realistic view of what can be accomplished with follicular unit extraction have engineered new and innovative tools designed to improve the effectiveness and speed of the procedure. To learn how each tool works and is supposed to help overcome the potential problems associated with FUE, click on the respective links below:

Recommended physician Dr. Harris’ New FUE Tool

Coalition Member Dr. Devroye’s New FUE Tool (with video)

Coalition Member Dr. Feller’s New FUE Tool

Though these hair transplant tools may help make the FUE procedure faster, easier, and more effective, the skill and experience of the surgeon performing the procedure is paramount. To discuss FUE, its benefits, limitations, and potential problems, visit our discussion forum.

Decades ago, men and women suffering from hair loss could do nothing but accept or try to conceal their baldness. Thanks to the recent advancements in surgical hair restoration, balding men and women can now restore their own growing hair in thinning or bald areas.

Hair transplant procedures have gotten even larger and more refined over the last couple of years. An elite group of surgeons are performing larger, densely packed sessions of ultra refined follicular unit hair transplantation, providing patients with thick, natural looking hair in fewer procedures and less time.

Below we introduce you to a few patients who’ve restored not only a magnificent head of hair, but their confidence. To view over 700 documented hair restoration stories with photos, visit our patient websites.

“GIULIANO’s” hair transplant results are a perfect example of the expression “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words”. This patient started out with significant hairline recession and thinning hair. After receiving 2971 follicular units with Coalition member Dr. H. Rahal 8 months ago, he’s showing no signs of baldness. To view and comment on his hair restoration experience and photos, visit the discussion topic “Rahal Hair Transplant”.

After approximately 3000 grafts with Coalition member Dr. Bernstein, forum member and blogger “new2thissite” restored a natural, very age appropriate head of hair. To read a detailed account of his experience and view his impressive before and after hair transplant photos, view his patient website. To discuss his results on our hair restoration forum, visit the topic “One Year Update – Dr. Bernstein”.

As Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) becomes increasingly popular amongst male hair loss sufferers, more and more hair transplant surgeons, clinics, and hair restoration companies are designing new tools and machines that allegedly work to make FUEeasier, faster, and more effective. However, with all these new “revolutionary” tools on the market, how does the hair loss sufferer know which tools will deliver the best results?

Recently, forum member “LT” saw the new automated NeoGraft FUE hair transplant machine advertised on TV as a revolutionary tool that performs faster and more effective FUE. It also claims to eliminate scarring. To discuss the new NeoGraft machine and whether or not it’s the next major advancement in hair transplant surgery, visit this discussion topic.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair transplant, hair restoration, FUE, Bill Seemiller, Falceros

Most people suffering from hair loss have the same primary goal – to restore all of or as much of their hair as possible. However, the amount of baldness needing coverage varies from patient to patient. Given that the donor hair supply is limited, many hair transplant patients find themselves wanting more than surgical hair replacement can provide. This is why working with a qualified hair restoration physician to establish realistic and achievable goals is paramount.

But what is the best approach to hair restoration? Is the aggressive approach to cover the entire balding scalp with as much coverage and density as possible always the best approach? Or would a more conservative approach that targets a particular area of hair loss while reserving some donor hair for possible future work be more appropriate?

Whether or not full hair restoration is truly necessary for everyone is currently an exciting and active topic on our hair loss forum. We encourage you to join in the discussion by reading others and offering your own opinions.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, baldness, donor hair, hair transplant, hair replacement, hair restoration, balding, Bill Seemiller, Falceros

Balding men and women quickly become mesmerized by extremely large hair transplant megasessions sometimes referred to as “ultra” megasessions. Given that the number of surgical procedures is fewer in patients who are candidates for such large sessions, there’s no doubt as to why it’s often the procedure of choice for patients.

And though these large numbers of hairs moved often impress patients, many variables can prevent every patient from becoming a candidate for such a hair restoration procedure. See “When Ultra Hair Transplant Megasessions are and aren’t Appropriate”.

Additionally, it takes more than massive quantities of hair to create a cosmetically pleasing and natural looking hair transplant result. Recently, hair loss forum member “TC17” started a list of important attributes that make a hair transplant successful. Can you add to this list? View this discussion topic to see what others think make surgical hair replacement successful and share your own.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: Balding, hair transplant megasessions, hair restoration, hair transplant, hair loss, hair replacement

If you undergo an FUE hair transplant procedure before FUT strip, is your total availability of grafts decreased? For example, if I had 6,000 grafts available via strip, and I undergo a 2,000 graft FUE surgery, would I still have the 4,000 left (via strip or FUE) if necessary?

Personally, if you’re going for maximum hair growth yield, I think it’s better to max out via follicular unit transplantation (FUT) via strip surgery followed by follicular unit extraction (FUE) if necessary. However, there are varying arguments on this.

Those who advocate strip first then FUE argue the following:

• Consistency with FUT strip is usually higher
• FUE can damage the surrounding tissue and make surrounding follicles less viable for transplanting during a strip procedure. This could potentially impact hair growth yield
• Follicular unit transplantation via strip is more cost effective
• Because the amount of hair that can be moved with strip surgery usually exceeds FUE, those with higher degrees of hair loss can often meet their hair restoration goals with strip alone. Those who start with follicular unit extraction almost inevitably require a strip procedure to meet their goals.

Those who advocate FUE first then strip would argue the following:

• FUE can be just as consistent as FUT strip under the right circumstances (debated)
• Doing FUT first may alter the direction of the surrounding hair follicles and make them more difficult to extract via FUE, increasing the risk of lower yield
• FUE costs are relatively low at some clinics

This hair loss question was answered by Dr. Glenn Charles of Florida who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.  His professional answer is below.

How many hair transplant procedures do doctors perform each day?  Shouldn’t they only perform one for the benefit of the patient?  Maybe I’m too critical, but my thinking is that your surgeon should give each patient their undivided attention.  

The number of hair transplant procedures per day a physician performs should not be the only factor used in deciding where to go to have your surgery. For example there may be a hair restoration clinic that performs 2 or 3 procedures a day, but uses 20-23 surgical assistants/ technicians. This clinic would have the ability to divide the staff up to have 7-7 assistants in each surgery. On the other hand there may be a clinic that only performs one procedure each day, but only uses 4 assistants/ technicians.

Where would you rather go? It should then depend on several other factors. What does the patient feel comfortable with? What kind of results is the doctor getting consistently? What are the patients saying about the hair loss doctor? What techniques are going to be used? Along with many other pieces of information. I usually only perform 1 large procedure a day, unless the cases are small or just repairs. However, I know a few physicians who have very large staffs and get excellent results doing 2-3 procedures per day.