Hair transplant is the most effective way to cope with irreversible baldness. If earlier this involved a full-fledged operation with the removal of an extended flap of skin from the donor area, now modern clinics choose non-surgical methods. This approach increases the survival rate of transplanted follicles, does not require long-term rehabilitation and eliminates the formation of unaesthetic scars. In 90 – 99% it is possible to achieve an excellent aesthetic result.
What is the difference between surgical and non-surgical hair transplant?
The classic FUT strip method involves a full-fledged surgical intervention. On the back of the head, using a scalpel, the doctor separates a flap of skin with hair, cuts it and divides it into grafts. Each contains from 1 to 4 follicles. Next, these parts are implanted into the prepared canal. The rehabilitation period differs in duration; a pronounced scar remains forever at the site where the donor tissue was taken. Patients also often encounter complications – pain due to damage to nerve endings, unsightly scars, swelling, infectious complications and unnatural results.
The non-surgical FUE hair transplant method is the most progressive and least traumatic. At the same time, this technology is more labor-intensive and technically complex, which requires high professionalism and sufficient knowledge from the doctor. Despite the absence of extensive surgical intervention, this is not a cosmetic procedure, but a medical one. Therefore, it should be carried out only in specialized clinics. Its essence lies in the individual collection of groups of follicles using a special instrument and transplanting them to another location. No incisions, stitches, long recovery or complications.
How is non-surgical hair transplant performed?
Transplantation using the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method involves the individual collection of a small group of hair follicles (1-3 hairs) using a special instrument. The procedure is performed exclusively by the hands of a doctor under local anesthesia without the use of any equipment.
General plan for non-surgical hair transplant:
- Stage 1. Removal of grafts with an instrument and their processing.
- Stage 2. Preparation of canals in the transplantation area.
- Stage 3. Individual implantation of the resulting grafts into prepared canals.
Donor material is most often taken from the back of the head or temples; in difficult cases, the chin, limbs, and chest can be used. The total duration of the operation can be up to 8 hours. If the area of baldness is too large, then restoration of curls is carried out in 2–3 stages with an interval of about a year. This approach is time-consuming, but at the same time allows you to achieve a better result due to the possibility of correcting previous manipulations.
FUE scalp hair transplant requires maximum attention from the doctor. It is important not only to correctly take the donor material, but also to preserve it as much as possible during manipulations and not damage the follicles during transplantation. It is also important to achieve the most natural result so that the patient can wear any hairstyle without embarrassment. Pinpoint microscars at the site of donor material collection are invisible even if the patient cuts his hair with a clipper without an attachment.
In what cases can non-surgical hair transplant be used?
- Focal, diffuse, androgenic alopecia.
- Too high front growth line, receding hairline, other aesthetic imperfections.
- Hair loss due to injuries, psycho-emotional shocks and diseases.
- Congenital features of uneven growth.
- Thinning hair and loss of volume.
- The need to hide scars and skin defects.
The FUE method is suitable for most patients. Contraindications include, in addition to general pathologies, chronic skin diseases, blood clotting disorders, and too large an area of baldness. In addition, it is not recommended to perform a transplant before the age of 20, since it is difficult to fully assess the situation, and after the age of 70 due to the deterioration of the survival rate of the transplanted tissue. In any case, prior consultation with a doctor is necessary.
Benefits of non-surgical hair transplant
- Efficiency. It is possible to work with 6000 follicular groups in one procedure. After 3–4 months, growth is observed in 30% of hair, and after 6 months in 60%. Within a year, almost all transplanted follicles are activated.
- Naturalness. The natural angle of the hair is taken into account, so the curls grow beautiful and manageable and are easy to style.
- High survival rate. The result reaches 90 – 98%, since the patchwork method shows 75 – 80%. Hair loss upon removal is minimal.
- No complications and long rehabilitation. No stitches, swelling, bruises. Micro wounds are similar to a puncture from a syringe needle and heal in 3 to 5 days without leaving a trace.
What is the difference between FUE and HFE (Hair For Ever)?
These are different names for the same non-surgical hair transplant method. The only difference is in the tools used to perform the procedure. Hair collection is carried out in both cases using a micropunch – this is a hollow tube with an oblique cut, the diameter of which does not exceed 0.6 – 0.8 mm. And implantation is performed either with microtweezers or an implanter.
There is no fundamental difference for the patient, since the result in both cases will be excellent. The choice depends on the situation. A trichologist assesses the scale of the problem, contraindications and risks, and then proposes the optimal plan of action. The trichological clinic “Doctor Volos” performs non-surgical hair transplantation even in cases of severe baldness. At the same time, doctors never take follicular units from the neighborhood, but only in a checkerboard pattern. This allows you to preserve the hair around the collection point and avoid visible consequences.
