What’s the Best Tool for Performing Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Hair Transplants?

This question, answered by Coalition surgeon Dr. Alan Feller, was asked by a member of our Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums:

What [tag]follicular unit extraction[/tag] ([tag]FUE[/tag]) punch tool (manual or motorized) is considered to be more successful? What are the benefits and drawbacks of each of them?

Patients really shouldn’t concern themselves too much with the techniques favored by particular [tag]hair transplant[/tag] surgeons because, in the end, it’s the results that count. No single technique is going to be the best or the worst. If only [tag]hair restoration[/tag] surgery were that simple and clear cut.

In general, there is no right answer to this question. It really depends on the physiology of the patient you’re dealing with and the skill level of the doctor and team. I like to have multiple tools available when I perform FUE [tag]hair transplants[/tag]. I usually start with a manual punch and progress my way to motorized if I feel it will improve the yield and minimize follicular trauma. In general, doctors new to FUE should start with a motorized tool as it is actually easier to perform and generally gives higher yields. That said, the amateur should also hone their manual skills because, as stated, there is a better “feel”.

Sometimes it’s better to walk and sometimes it’s better to ride a motorized vehicle. It just depends on the terrain. Same thing for FUE. In the end, again, just look at the results from the doctors you are considering. If you see consistently good results then that’s the clinic you go for irrespective of how they do it.

Dr. Alan Feller

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David (TakingThePlunge) Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant for the Hair Restoration Forum and Social Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the [tag]Hair Loss[/tag] Q & A Blog.

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